alisa23

We recently went to Costa Rica and had so much fun that we would love to return. I would like to explore new places though if possible. Can you please recommend some regions / lodges to me?

This time we went to Selva Verde lodge in Sarapiqui region and also to Arenal and Peace lodge.

We loved the Selva Verde lodge set up. We could do a lot on the property but we also could go on tours very close by. For example, we went white water rafting, La Selva biological station and to a chocolate tour. All were less than 15 minutes away from the lodge. Also logistics of getting to Selva Verde lodge were easy. At the same time, it was not very busy with people and traffic at all. We also liked Arenal for similar reasons. Arenal was certainly busier but really not bad in June.

Can you suggest anything similar we should try? Something with great nature and activities nearby and no very very long drives? Flights could be OK. For example, we are considering Osa Peninsula.

volcanogirl

We like Bosque del Cabo and Tulemar Bungalows. Also liked the Toucan Rescue Ranch for a night.

alisa23

Yes, I am considering either Bosque del Cabo or La Paloma on Drake Bay. I am not sure about Manuel Antonio though. You don't think it is too crowded? Any other lodges that you liked?

volcanogirl

Tulemar isn't crowded, and they have their own beach, so we spent every afternoon just enjoying that. The park itself can get crowded, but it's gorgeous and packed with wildlife like monkeys and sloths. Manuel Antonio Expeditions does some nice tours; we used them for a guided tour of the park and the Damas mangrove tour. Also did a need spice tour at Villa Vanilla. We loved Tortuga Lodge, but Tortuguero may be farther than you want to go. Also really liked the Savegre Hotel - nice for seeing quetzals, mostly birding. Not a lodge, but Xandari is fun for a night close to the airport - nice hiking trails, an open air restaurant, and some small waterfalls.

alisa23

Thank you. It really helps! Yes, Savegre is on my list after reading your report. Xandari is on the list as well. Although I bet the kids will want to go back to Peace lodge

MichelleY

You could combine the Tortugero with Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side.

The Watsons are often recommended for Tortuguero:

http://tortuguerocanals.com/index.html

alisa23

Thank you! For some reason I did not think about the Caribbean side. I am a bit worried that my boys (8 and 9 year old) will be bored in Tortugero. But potentially they won't.

How does one get from Tortugero to Puerto Viejo and then from Puerto Viejo to San Jose?

MichelleY

Watsons will pick up around San Jose or in Limon if you have a car. A car is best for getting down to Puerto Viejo and getting around.

Do some research and see if the Carribean or the Osa would be a better fit for your family.

florclover

I know you hear that Manuel Antonio is crowded, but maybe it's "crowded for Costa Rica." We were there in July 2014. The beaches had maybe 4 other people on them. The restaurants weren't full. We could get a taxi or sign up for activities at a moments notice. Our hotel wasn't full. We often had the pool to ourselves. I think it's a great area for kids!

volcanogirl

We only stayed two nights in Tortuguero, and that was about right. There's not a ton to do there, but we did really enjoy going out to see the turtles and touring the canals to spot wildlife. Other than that, we were at the pool. I think Manuel Antonio might be a better fit with kids - more to do, and you can't swim at the beaches in Tortuguero due to sharks, crocs, etc.

alisa23

I will have to re-consider Manuel Antonio. We definitely appreciated the variety and proximity of different activities both in Sarapiqui and in Arenal.

I do really want to go to Tortuguero but I might want to wait until the boys are a bit older or when we travel without kids. Going far just for 2 nights seems daunting and I am not sure the boys would have enough to do if we stayed longer.

What about Monteverde?

volcanogirl

The beach inside the park at Manuel Antonio is gorgeous, one of the prettiest I've ever seen. Tons of monkeys there too. The beach wasn't crowded for us, more like lots of tour groups along the trails looking for wildlife. Your kids would love it. I liked Monteverde, but it's kind of a pain to get to - long bumpy road, and it was pretty chilly at night; we had to wear sweatshirts and fleece jackets. Really enjoyed ziplining, hiking in the reserve, and doing the Hidden Valley night hike. We stayed three nights, but could have done it in two.

mlgb

The resort at Arenas del Mar in MA might be what you're looking for. It's on a small beach, has some trails on site, and you can also walk along the public beach to get to the Park. However you'll also see wildlife on site so after one visit to the Park I didn't go back. There is also an excellent onsite naturalist at AdM.

It doesn't come cheap but I went off season and got a great rate on top of that.

alisa23

volcanogirl, I see. We chose not to go to Monteverde because of the roads. But I think we will be more flexible next time. We now know what to expect a bit better.

mlgb, thank you, I will take a look.

volcanogirl

The road to Monteverde is one of the worst we've seen, but it's doable. Think gravel road in the country, just very bumpy. We used Desafio's Jeep Boat Jeep service to go between Arenal and Monteverde because we didn't want to drive it.

alisa23

Makes sense. We liked that we did not have to drive during our 1st visit.

florclover

We took are 2 and 10 year old to Monteverde. It was fun! Weather was cooler, but not cold, and there's lots to see and do. There's the cloud forest, of course, but also butterfly houses, something with bats and frogs.


In MA we stayed at Costa Verde which is full of monkeys, and it has that restaurant that is inside an airplane. Several pools. It was fun for kids.

florclover

And we hired a driver from MA to Monteverde. I'm not sure Id want to drive it myself.

alisa23

Thank you florclover. We are definitely not driving ourselves. And there will be 6 of us most likely so vans should work well for us unlike smaller rented vehicles.

I think I need one nature location and one higher adrenaline location. It is nice that Monteverde can probably serve both purposes. Although MA can probably also serve both purposes.