Haydee

Hi,
I know there are a lot information about this matter but as our staying will be much longuer (1/3/06 till 1/22/06 -21 days-) I would like to have your valuable suggestions. Places to visit will be: Arenal, Monteverde, Tortuguero, M.Antonio and the best beaches. Hotels 3-4 stars. We are a couple with two boys (17 and 20)Thanks to all of you. Haydee

shillmac

This will be a nice choice of locations for you. We liked Arenal Paraiso and El Sapo Dorado at Arenal and Monteverde. Both are moderately priced. El Estabalo in Monteverde looked very nice, though, and Lost Iguana at Arenal has gotten rave reviews. Five or six days for those combined locations should be sufficient.

Manuel Antonio is a nice area to experience both the rainforest and some nice beaches. We like Si Como No. Costa Verde is less pricey and gets mostly excellent reviews.

Can't advise Tortuguero.

Try to find a little time at some of the northern Pacific beaches--Guanacaste province. One of the nicest areas of the country is the Rincon de la Vieja area and you would enjoy a day trip to this area! You could stay at Playa Hermosa (the one near Liberia). Check out El Velero on the beach.

Itinerary suggestion would be to start with Tortuguero, then do Arenal/Monteverde. From there head over to the north Pacific area and finish up at Manuel Antonio.

If you have extra days, spend 2-3 near the airport (central valley) at the beginning of your trip before heading over to Tortuguero or wherever you go first. Your boys would love rafting the Pacuare one day, and you could also enjoy an early morning visit to Poas Volcano followed by an afternoon at La Paz Waterfall Gardens, both great places and a fun way to fill up another day.

As much time as you have (this is great!), it would be a shame to miss at least some of the central valley highlights! So many people arrive and head on to wherever and don't get to experience one of Costa Rica's truly most beautiful areas! Enjoy!

dfarmer

Your boys may enjoy starting your trip as we did last year.

Arrived SJO, overnighted, picked up next AM for a days rafting on the Pacuare, with Rios Tropicales. Excellent day, great fun and excitement. You could even do an overnight rafting trip.

Then overnighted, picked up next AM for transfer to Tortuguero. We stayed at the Mawamba Lodge, highly recommend, excellent staff and guides, delicious food, interesting trip, basic room (I believe all in Tortuguero are basic and rustic but clean).

Then onto Arenal and Monteverde, etc.

Another beach area to consider is the Southern Nicoya area - Montezuma, Santa Teresa or Malpais - all of which I think your boys would much enjoy.

Haydee

Shillmac and dfarmer: Thank you for your suggestions. We will try to do as much as possible since we have plenty of time.

shillmac

Good luck! We had a month in July and believe me, even then we had to cut a few things from the list. It's amazing how fast the time goes!! And how the traveling about does eat up your time. But at least, you have great stuff to look at on the way to everywhere! Enjoy! I hope you'll post when you return. You'll have a lot to say!