kerrinbob

My husband and I are planning a month long trip to CR this summer (mid-June thru mid-July). We have 3 adventurous kids (9,10,11). HELP!! Budget is $1500-$2500/wk for accomodations. We have been to Hawaii (Maui & Big Island) and St. John the past two summers. We love beach, rainforest, hiking. NATURE!!! Any thoughts from experienced CR travelers?

volcanogirl

Take a look at the Lost Iguana, Selva Verde, Tulemar Bungalows, and Bosque del Cabo and see if any of those interest you.

volcanogirl

If your kids are adventurous, the Arenal area would be a hit. It's our favorite place to go. Check out Eco Termales and Tabacon natural hot springs, the Proyecto Asis animal rescue center, hiking at the waterfall, volcano, and Hanging Bridges, ziplining at Sky Trek, and rafting with Rios Tropicales. We also loved tubing at the Springs Resort and Spa and waterfall rappelling with La Roca through Sunset Tours. Both Sunset Tours and Desafio have nice websites. We love Hawaii and St. John too.

RAC

The good news is that virtually the entire country has something to offer you, given your interests.

The bad news is, you have a wide range of options from which to select a relative few locations.

I would say that the Osa peninsula is one place you should look at. Drake Bay if you're interested in diving/snorkeling and a boat tour to perhaps the best wildlife area in all Costa Rica, Sirena station inside Corcovado national park (you can even stay overnight, but whether that's something you'd want for your kids is up to you). If beach and water activities like boat tours and kayaking are your thing, look at Puerto Jimenez (we loved the Iguana Lodge which has a range of accomodations per party size and budget AND offers a wide variety of experiences and activity).

If you want immersion in rainforest, nature and want to see wildlife while not sacrificing comfort, nature lodges in Cabo Matapalo (Bosque del Cabo, El Remanso etc would be good) are a good option.

Near Arenal, the best wildlife/hiking/volcano view is the Arenal Observatory Lodge, but it's far from the town and the food is so-so at dinner time. There is a two-tier infinity pool and a jacuzzi, both with killer volcano views.

Selva Verde in the Sarapiqui area is a great place for wildlife immersion in the rainforest--and only two hours from San Jose. There's a pool and a pizzeria, which certainly doesn't hurt for kids. Nearby Tortuguero is another great option.

Manuel Antonio is a great kid-friendly and user friendly place for wildlife (lots of lodging and dining options) if the Osa is too much of a logistical or monetary challenge for first timers.

kerrinbob

This is EXACTLY the help I needed! Keep the ideas coming. This country is so beautiful and full of amazing choices. What is the best and easiest way to get around? Rental or private driver? Thoughts on renting a private villa for a week or two? My first thougts with this vacation are two weeks of adventure (hiking, rafting, zip-line, volcanoes, etc) for the first two weeks and then beaching it for the last two. We may try to stay for 5 weeks - are there any restriction for stays over 28 or 30 days? Thanks again for all of the input so far!

xelas

The tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days, so you will have no problem staying 5 weeks. For 5 persons a private driver would need a van, that might be more expensive. It is green (low) season so prices of rental cars are not high.
Costa Rica is not a country where you can have a base camp. Driving from one to different attractions can take time. Yet with 4-5 weeks you will be able to explore the country quite extensively.
You should start at Arenal, give it 4 days. Ziplining, canyoning, Cano Negro boat tour, hiking at Arenal Volcano NP or AOL trails. Then drive south on caribbean side to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. 3 days, visit La Selva OST, Tirimbina and hike some of the trails at Selva Verde. Next stop Tortuguero, 2 days, canoeing through the maze of water canals. Now it will be time for some relax, stop at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, stay a week, visit Cahuita NP, Gandoca-Manzanillo NP, swim at Punta Uva, have a day at the beach in Manzanillo, surf at Playa Cocles. Then it will be time for some more nature. Drive through Turrialba to Cartago, stay here a day and visit Irazu volcano and Lankester Gardens. Take the PanAm2 towards San Isidro de El General and stop for 2 days at San Gerardo de Dota, to cool down and to search for quetzal. Your next stop should be Osa Peninsula. With the car, I suggest you to rent a house at Cabo Matapalo, explore the area, maybe some of you can take the3 day 2 night trip to the heart of Corcovado NP at La Sirena NP. Or just enjoy the area, maybe have a boat tour, go fishing if that is what you like. 5-7 days will pass by quickly. Return up the Pacific side with first stop in Dominical area for say 3 days. Marino Ballena NP, horseback riding to Nauyaca waterfall, a day at Hacienda Baru,... If more beach time is needed you may stop at Manuel Antonio, but after Osa and Dominical, you will be excused to skip it. So drive up to Monteverde, for another cool down period, do all what Sarah has suggested, stay 3 days. Down the hill and if into surfing and surfers then head to Montezuma/Mal Pais/Santa Teresa for a week, or if more into relaxing and swimming, then head to Samara.
I know, at first it seems like a lot of moving around. Yet it is such a beautiful country that you will be thrilled after every new turn, and the time will fly by. Don't carry too many things / clothes with you. You will have opportunity to wash them "on the run".
Or just select 4-5 locations out of this list and stay a week at each. Renting a house would be your best choice.

RAC

Re: private villa, it's certainly an option, but I don't think I'd choose a location based on whether there's a villa available. Also, a week in one lodging location is an awful lot.

Best bet would be to buy a guidebook and read it cover to cover. Fodors, Moon, Frommers, LP etc. Preferably illustrated. Very, very few people on a board like this have seen the entire country.

foreverperu

Costa rica is a nice place if you looking for forest...so many parks and lodges

mick675

Which one better? Selva Verde or Bosque del Cabo

RAC

Depends on what you mean by 'best?'

Selva Verde offers better value (about 1/3 the price of Bosque del Cabo), better convenience (2 hour drive on great road from San Jose vs having to fly into Puerto Jimenez then drive on a truly awful road), rafting possibilities, and has slightly better birds, plus more off-site activities close by.

Bosque del Cabo has better food, better mammal sighting on the grounds, stunning ocean views, possibility of ocean activities, more to do on-site (more trails) and is generally less humid. It's fancier overall, and also is off the road by a mile or so so you're not going to get any traffic noise ever.

volcanogirl

If you can afford it, I'd go with Bosque del Cabo. It has a big wow factor and the best wildlife sightings we've ever had. Selva Verde is good too, just more basic with some wildlife, but not as prevalent as BdC. Also the views at BdC are spectacular.