doryyoung

Hi All! I am so excited we will be leaving for CR in 3 weeks! I am having a hard time getting a handle on my last full day in CR-Here is the dilema:

We will arrive in SJ at 11:30 on day 1-we are renting a car and driving up to Arenol for 3 days-then to Monteverde for 3 days then to MA for 3 days-then flying into Sj for 1 day -flying out early next morning.

I am trying to figure out what to do on that last day in/near SJ-I would like to do the Doke Estate &/or La Paz Gardens or go into SJ for a day. I am staying at a hotel near the airport. My hotel tells me this is a 1-1/2 hr ride from them to the La Paz area--they can arrange transportation for 65 per person-plus I'd have to pay for entrance into the Park/Coffee Plantation. Even if we fly to SJ on the earliest flight-it seems like a lot of back and forth-should I hit La Paz on my way to Arenol and skip Doka or should I stay closer to La Paz when we fly back into SJ from Quepos and do it then? Is it over kill---will I already see much of the same considering my other destinations? or should I visit the city of SJ for a day? I haven't researched the city at all-really have no idea what there is to see and/or do there. Also-are there any other coffee plantations you'd recommend visiting other than Doka? If you suggest I stay near the La Paz attractions-can anyone recommend a hotel for one night? I don't think I can afford Peace Lodge-I would love to stay there but its out of the budget-I need a room for around 100 night-
I know its a lot of questions for one post! -Thanks for any advise!

volcanogirl

There's a Poas Lodge and Restaurant that seems to get good reviews. Make sure they're open after the earthquake damage. I don't think it's that convenient to go to La Paz on the way to Arenal since the earthquake damaged the road up there so I'd save it for the end of the trip if you want to do it. We've done both La Paz and the Doka Estate and really enjoyed both of them; I think either one would be a good choice. To me, San Jose isn't that pretty so personally that option isn't that appealing. I like to be outside in CR enjoying nature.

doryyoung

Thank you VG! Is it going to take me longer to drive to Arenol because of the closed road? Also-can I do both La Paz Gardens and Doka Estate in a full day? Would you suggest I change my hotel location to closer to those activities or commute from the airport area?

volcanogirl

Going from SJO to Arenal should be fine; it's just between the Peace Lodge and Arenal that would be affected by the earthquake. We did a combo tour from the Peace Lodge that involved going to Poas and then to the Doka Coffee Estate. That took us about three or four hours. Touring the waterfall gardens would probably take about two hours or so, depending on what you want to see and do. If you go, make sure you get the chance to hand feed the hummingbirds; they only do it at set times during the day, and it's pretty amazing. They will land on your hand and you'll see up to 25 varieties. It was one of our favorite things there.

cmerrell

I'd agree with VG on skipping San Jose. There are a few decent museums and noteworthy buildings, but the city itself is not particularly fascinating or picturesque, imo.

The Doka tours don't tend to take very long; maybe about 45-ish minutes (plus some extra time for the gift store). If you're going to stay that final night in Alajuela near the airport, Doka is conveniently nearby. I've done their tour twice. It's interesting and well done. It should be do-able to fit this in with a visit to La Paz if you have a full day available (and have a plan for transportation).

You can also consider visiting Poas volcano, which would also be easy to combine with La Paz. You'd want to get an early start as your best shot at seeing the Poas crater is usually in the morning hours, before the daily clouds roll in.

If you have a driver from the hotel, you might even be able to fit all three activities into a single day, but you'd have to hoof it at a pretty good pace. You probably can do La Paz in a few hours, but you could also pretty easily spend half a day there if you want to check out all the trails and linger with the butterflies, or humming birds (or frogs, etc...).

Some combination of the 3 would make for a very nice final day in Costa Rica.