digableB

Hi there -

I am planning a trip to CR in mid-November for 18 days, and have a list of things I'd like to do/see while there. I will be renting a 4x4, so I'll be fairly flexible on getting around the country. The hard part is planning the best route so I can see everything I want to, but not feel too rushed at each place.

My sightseeing wish list:
Puerto Viejo
Pecuare River rafting
La Paz
Arenal
Monteverde
Manuel Antonio
Nicoya Penninsula

Any help / insight / advice / or just plain commentary would be welcomed!

Thanks everyone.

shillmac

Option 1:

Arrive, head over to Puerto Viejo for 3 nights. You may have to spend first night near airport depending on your arrival time. Expect it to take you about 5 hours FROM AIRPORT AREA. It gets dark about 6:00 and it isn't wise to drive after that, especially your first time.

Back to SJO, overnight. Early a.m. pick up for rafting. Overnight SJO again.

Early a.m. drive to La Paz Waterfall Gardens (1 hour), take tour. . .2-3 hours.

Drive on to Arenal (2-2.5 hour), stay 3 nights.

Drive to Monteverde (3-4 hour), stay 3 nights.

Drive to Nicoya Peninsula (4 hour taking ferry route), southern part, I assume?. . .stay 3 nights.

Drive to Manuel Antonio (4 hour, ferry route again), 3 nights.

Return to SJO (3 hours).

Option 2--a better option, I think:

1st night overnight SJO. Early a.m. pickup for rafting. 2nd night overnight SJO.

Early a.m. drive to Puerto Viejo (4 hours), 3 nights.

Drive to Arenal, stopping at La Paz en route. Full day transport/sightseeing. Plan an early departure--make take about 9 hours total, depending on your time at La Paz. 3 nights Arenal.

Drive to Monteverde, 3 nights.

Drive to Nicoya Peninsula, 3 nights (Montezuma area?). . .

Manuel Antonio. . .3 nights.

If I didn't miscount, I think that Option 2 is about 17 nights, and it looks to me to be the most efficient itinerary. This can be done in all kinds of ways. It does make sense, however, to do one coast at the beginning, the other at the end, with Arenal and Montezuma in the middle.

Do keep in mind that each of the areas you have chosen is a real highlight of the country. You have chosen well. Each has plenty of activity to enjoy and 3 nights at each will give you optimum time to enjoy. Have a great trip!

And by the way. . .depending on arrival/departure times, you may need to spend first and/or last nights near the airport, especially since 3 hour check-in at airport is highly recommended.

qwovadis

For me might head for Casa Turire
best for rafting great hotel then
to PV Banana Azul or Cariblu then
Central Valley Peace Lodge then
Arenal/Monteverde best lodging
www.thespringscostarica.com
then Nicoya maybe Punta Islita
then back to San Jose.

www.mapcr.com most helpful.

qwovadis

Sorry forgot do

www.manuelantoniopark.com

after Nicoya

www.tulemar.com

very nice.

digableB

Thanks, shillmac, for your detailed reply! I'm happy to see that you concur with my list of things to do/see while in CR. This will be my first trip there, so I'm really excited to take it all in. Your suggestions for both itineraries are very much in line with what I was planning, so that helps a lot!

Also, thanks qwovadis - I will look into your recommendations.

Gotta love this message board!

Hasta luego -

shillmac

Good! Glad to help. I agree with the Casa Turire recommendation in Turrialba. Nice place, unique. I hesitated to recommend Peace Lodge at this late date as they do stay booked well in advance most of the year, not sure about November. The Springs at Arenal is Peace Lodge's sister hotel, very new. I'd probably recommend Arenal Observatory Lodge, though.

jessums

Your site seeing trips sound great. Only thing to watch for in flooding in Nicoya area from recent storms. All the other areas on your list on fine. But check on the roads and bridges for the Nicoya area. Also if you have not already found a car rental, we found a real good one with colones auto rental. They speak english,have great cars and 4x4 and if you can't drive a manual they even have some automatics. Their web site is: www.colonesautorental.com