mauryndara

My husband and I are planning a 10 day CR trip in mid December. We have never been to CR before, so want to hit the highlights. We are in our mid 30s and fairly active. After talking with friends who have traveled there as well as reading a lot of helpful itinerary advice on this and other Forums, we think we have our ideal itinerary. We are not planning to rent a car.

We have seen all of the posts about not needing to do both Arenal and Monteverde in a short trip, but we are still hoping to have time to do both.

arrive mid afternoon, first night in SJ
three nights Arenal
two nights Monteverde
three nights Manuel Antonio and fly back to San Jose the last day

Our main question is that with this itinerary, we would plan to take an early morning (arrives at 8 AM) Nature Air flight to San Jose to catch our 1:00 flight home. We have heard that there is a danger of delays and are wondering if this may not be the best idea. The alternative would be to go back to San Jose the last night, but that would mean giving up a night in one of our locations, which would mean perhaps not enough time in either Arenal or MA?

Any experience or advice appreciated!

Jeff_Costa_Rica

The answer is that you're probably okay with time, but there's a risk in doing this. There are no inter-airline agreements between the two domestic airlines and international airlines. If your Nature Air flight is delayed TOO much, your international airline will regard you as a no-show and cancel your ticket. That leaves you the option of buying a new international ticket at a last-minute, walk-up fare, which could be expensive. That's the risk you take.

Remember that Nature Air's terminal is not the international airport. It's about 30 to 45 minutes away. Factor that into your schedule.

As someone here once eloquently pointed out (I wish I could remember who), there are several nice, distinctive places to stay not far from the airport, where you can return for that last night and not feel like your vacation has ended a day early because you have to come back to the city.

owlwoman

I always like to be near where I'm flying out of.

On our last trip, our flight from the Osa - San Jose was cancelled because of weather, if we had planned to fly home the same day we would have been in trouble.

That being said, I would probably cut out one place and either do the Arenal/Manual Antonio split, or Arenal/Monteverde with one night near San Jose in each direction.

Or, if you're not driving, why not have a drive meet you at the airport when you arrive and go direct to Arenal (only 2-3 hours), then save the extra night for San Jose before you fly home. I think that would work better.

Trust me, once you've been to CR, you will plan another trip back!

volcanogirl

I agree; I would head straight to Arenal your first day and then spend the last night near San Jose. You might be okay with your flight, but we've had flights delayed, and they can always be canceled due to weather. We like www.xandari.com for a last night. If you do keep the flight for the last morning, I'd fly Sansa since it's right next to SJO.

mauryndara

Thank you all for this helpful advice. It actually got us rethinking things a bit and now we are leaning towards not doing Monteverde in order to have a bit more of a leisurely pace. We are also thinking we will rent a car and try to enjoy more things along the way. We didn't think we'd want to ruch up to Arenal the first night, since we have heard about long waits to get out of San Jose and didn't want to be driving in the dark and missing the scenery!

So, now we are thinking of the following:

1 night La Paz/Paos area (to do the volcano early AM)
4 nights Arenal
3 nights MA
1 night San Jose before flying out

This raises more questions for all of you experienced costa rica folks!

1) can we get by without a 4x4 if we are not doing MV?
2) I have heard some suggest returning the rental car in MA since you may not need it much there. is this a good option?
3) suggestions for places to stay around La Paz? I think Peace Lodge and Xandari are out of our price range if there are other options?
4) We are considering trying to do the Los Angeles Cloud Forest as it seems like its not far and could be a nice way to see a cloud forest. Anyone been there or have thoughts about that? would we need to stay a second night in that area to do this?
5) any nice san jose hotel options for the last night?

Thank you!!

volcanogirl

We liked Grano de Oro if you like a city hotel; they have a good restaurant on site, and a rooftop garden with hot tubs. Nice architecture because it's built in an old mansion; rooms vary from small and simple to more elaborate with their own gardens, fountains, etc.

owlwoman

I don't think you need a 4x4 anymore, the roads are mostly paved, just lots of ruts and potholes.

We dropped our car off in MA as taxis are cheap and it's easy to get around. The driver back to MA was $150 I think, (less than what it would be to keep the car for an extra 4 days). I think your itinerary is perfect now.

I know there's a nice place on the road to La Paz that people here have stayed in, don't have the name, but I'm sure it's in some of the trip reports I've read.

We did splurge and stay at the Peace Lodge, remember, the price includes the admission to the grounds, so it might not be so bad to stay there, it's really something and it's also nice to be there after the day trippers leave.

We've stayed at the Orquedias Inn on both our trips, reasonable, nice people, great bar/restaurant and easy to get to the airport. It's in the suburb of San Jose, not in DT.

Hope that helps.

shillmac

Siempre Verde B&B I would highly recommend. Delicious breakfast, pretty grounds. It runs about $80. Poas Volcano Lodge was destroyed with the earthquake, and I don't know how the rebuilding, IF there is rebuilding, is coming along.

Siempre Verde is a little tricky to get to, but with good diretions (they will provide) you should be just fine. It is on the road to Poas, about 25-30 minutes from the airport, that same time from Poas, more or less. It's a cozy little place, very small. We've stayed once, and I'd stay again in a heartbeat.

Los Angeles Cloud Forest is on another road so doesn't lend itself to the particular route you are choosing. To do that route, you would need to drive to Arenal through San Ramon, the most common route. It's a nice drive as well. Choices, choices!

There are some nice hotels along that route as well. I think Villa Blanca is just off that road, but a pricier option.

You are wise to drop one of your loations, allowing more time at the other 2, and I applaud you for renting a vehicle. In my opinion, it makes for a LOT more flexiblity. We enjoy having a car at Manuel Antonio as well.

You are getting closer to having that "perfect fit" of an itinerary. Good luck! It's all good!

shillmac

www.dokaestate.com

This is about the Doka Coffee Estate tours. They also own Siempre Verde B&B. Click on the B&B Siempre Verde link. Price is $85.

volcanogirl

shillmac, is the B&B on the grounds of the Doka Estate or in a separate location?

shillmac

It isn't on the grounds, but it is nearby. It's a left hand turn as you travel that road toward Doka. I think it is before the Doka Tour turn, but could be mistaken. And it seems that perhaps there is a sign now. We'd had trouble finding it before, but when we stayed summer of 2008, we found it much easier.

volcanogirl

It sounds like a nice spot.

mauryndara

Thanks for the suggestions (and the reminder about the Peace Lodge including admission!).

Siempre does sound like a nice option, thanks!

Any thoughts on doing the volcano/falls vs. the cloud forest? Is it worth staying an extra night before heading to Arenal (which would mean 3 nights in Arenal instead of 4) in order to do both and backtrack on the roads a bit?