Joelk99

My two daughter and I will be in Costa Rica from March 20th (late at night)- March 31st.
My itinerary:

Day 1-sleep at Hampton inn for a few hours
Day 2-Transfer to Don carlos Hotel
Bungee jumping that afternoon.
Day 3-White water rafting
Day 4-Pick up our 4x4 rental in SJ. and head for Arenal Volcano for our stay at Hotel Los Lagos. Evening tour of Arenal and maybe hit the hotsprings.
Day 5-Some tour??? any suggestions?
Day 6-Head for Montverde Lodge and do a night hike.
Day 7-Morning tour and a canopy tour?
Day 8-Head for Villa Nicolas in Manuel Antono
Hang out for the day
Day 9- Some tour? any suggestions
Day-10 Some tour or hang out.
Day-11 head back to San Jose in the afternoon drop car off and do some small sight seeing.
Day-12 Heading back to Chicago
What do you think? Any suggestion?

costaricafinca

Dear Joelk99,
Your plan looks good, and is well planned, in terms of driving and distances. Also, you look like an active family, but be careful not to try to do too much. The driving takes a lot of energy and time, and you can't get everything in one trip (but don't worry, you will all want to come back to Costa Rica, so you will have more opportunities to do more things...). I have just a few suggestions:
1. Tabacon hot springs are a must! You pay once for an all day pass, so maybe you would actually want to do it on the day after you arrive. Perhaps go in the morning to the hot springs for a couple of hours, then go to Arenal naitonal Park, to the lake, and to the waterfall, or go on an organized tour. In the afternoon you can go back to the hot springs and if you are lucky, see the lava flow while dipping in the hot water!
2. The day you drive to Monteverde, leave early. It looks close on the map, but it takes several hours, and it is very tiring.
3. The drive form Moteverde to Manuel Antonio can be rough and long. You may want to consider staying somehere on the way, probably in the central valley for that night. Otherwise, we are talking about, at least 6-8 hours of driving.
4. Manuel Antonio National Park is amazing! It must be one of your activities in MA. It has beautiful forest backed beaches and prolific wildlife. Do not miss!

Hope it helps. Please feel free to write directly to my email if you need any more help.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

jdla

Joel

We also stayed at the Hampton Inn for a few hours last summer. You'll find it easy, friendly, comfortable, and convenient.

We have two teen daughters (14)....I don't know the age of yours, but mine enjoyed all the tours we did. Horseback to La Fortuna waterfall near Arenal was beautiful and memorable. In both of the horseback tours we did in Costa Rica, we were gratified to learn that the horses are lively, running and galloping as much as you like. In Manuel Antonio we did a canopy tour (canopy safari..very good), river raft (on the Savegre with Iguana Tours...really fun), and of course the park tour (use an official guide...more knowledgeable). Do the park tour in the morning...beaches aren't crowded yet.

Mar Luna was the culinary highlight for us in Manuel Antonio. Enjoy.

Jim

All good

JeanH

I don't remember the drive from Monteverde to Manual Antonio being that long. We left late morning, after a tour of the butterfly garden. Got lost once, had a leisurely lunch and were still in Manual Antonio around 4pm.

I guess I'm not sure why you just aren't going to Don Carlos Hotel the first night, instead of staying at Hampton Inn. Taxis are plentiful and it isn't all that far.

shillmac

I agree about the Hampton. I've been there, and it is very nice and conveniently located to the airport, of course, but a taxi in to the Hotel Don Carlos will only take you about 15-20 minutes and cost $12-$15. Are you renting a car and thinking you would rather not drive into San Jose at night? If so, then I think your plan is probably a good idea! You will need landmarks to guide you when you are going to the Hotel Don Carlos, and you will need to be able to see them! Write if you need directions. I have driven there many times!