BriAg09

My husband and I are going to CR for 10 days, 9 nights at the end of April. We will be traveling to:

Osa, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio

Do any of these areas require advanced reservations for activities / tours? Our host in Osa advised that the Night Tour in Osa fills up quickly, but everything else in the area can wait til we arrive.

Also, if you have advice / experience with particular activities / tours in these areas please let me know! I am all ears!

volcanogirl

Where are you staying on the Osa? We did lots of hiking, a birding tour, and boat trip to the nature sanctuary.

In Arenal, Cano Negro, Penas Blancas river float, zipline at Sky Trek, waterfall rappel with La Roca, tubing at the Springs Resort, raft with Rios Tropicales, and hike at the volcano, waterfall, and Hanging Bridges; the natural hot springs like Eco Termales and Tabacon are also nice spots to visit, as is the Proyecto Asis animal rescue center.

In Manuel Antonio, it's popular to do a guided tour of the park, the Damas mangrove tour, and to horseback ride with Finca Valmy. There's also ziplining and the spice tour, plus just time to relax as the beach.

We tend to book our activities before we go. In particular Eco Termales limits the number of people who can enter and does sell out. For most other things, you're fine with waiting.

BriAg09

Thanks volcanogirl!

We are staying in Drake Bay when we go to Osa. I would like to hike and snorkel in Osa and potentially stay overnight at Sirena Ranger Station. I know reservations for camping spots fill up quickly.

volcanogirl

Sure thing, B. We haven't found good snorkeling in Costa Rica. I'm not sure how it would be in that area, but for the most part it isn't very good.

ticalinda1969

I found this posting so it might help you, it's very good
http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...-pura-vida.cfm
Pura Vida
V

Eliot_Greenspan

Typically, the snorkeling around Cano Island (reached from Drake Bay) is as good as it gets in Costa Rica. It's still not going to provide the clear blue waters you'd find in the Caribbean or South Pacific, but it can be good, and the trip out and lunch on the beach are great.

As for other tours in mid-April, no desperate need to book in advance, although most need to be booked at least the day prior to the tour (rafting, canyoning, etc). Some of the zip lines and hanging bridges and other attractions you can just walk-in, no problem.