evedike

We are planning to go to on our honeymoon in February 2013 for 14 days. We would like to go to Monteverde, MANUEL ANTONIO and Drake Bay. Was thinking 3 nights in Montverde and 5 nights at the other two destinations. Is this reasonable or should we scale it back to 2? And if so, which two? everything looks and sounds so amazing - it is hard to decide.

Tomsd

I think that sounds fine. FYI - our favorite is the NW - Guanacaste - by Flamingo Beach, etc.

volcanogirl

I think that's reasonable given how long your trip is. Personally, our favorite is the Arenal area.

Eliot_Greenspan

I agree w/ Syliva above, and urge you to keep Drake Bay on your list for a honeymoon spot. One of the most beautiful regions in Costa Rica.

If you wanted to trip a little time, and maybe add Arenal, you could start in Arenal for 2-3 nights, then head to Monteverde for 2 nights, then head to Manuel Antonio for 3-4 nights, then finish up in Drake Bay...

Eliot_Greenspan

Oops, meant to write "trim a little time" off the front end...

RAC

3 locations is perfectly fine. Manuel Antonio will seem very tame compared to Drake.

costaricaguide

Congratulations!

With fourteen days those three destinations will add up to a relaxed and memorable honeymoon.

evedike

thank you, all! @Eliot_Greenspan: I was really torn about not including Arenal. Is it crazy to do 4 spots? not sure how much time it takes to get between all, isn't it a long bus or short flight to Drake?

debating whether Manuel Antonio is even worth it, we DO want to have a drinks on the beach/relaxing/swim and sunbathe element to our honeymoon, in addition to the "active" activities such as zip-lining, hiking, horseback riding, bug tours, etc.

Cattail

Can you not incorporate this element on Drake Bay? Or another spot on the Osa? That would leave you with three very different locations - beach and rainforest, cloud forest, and volcanic area. Of course, if you want mainly beach, there's nothing wrong with that either; it's your honeymoon! Congrats!

mad

If it's your first trip to CR, I'd recommend Arenal as one of your stops and maybe skip Manuel Antonio, since you're already planning Drake Bay. As Cattail pointed out, if you want a lot of beach, than skip that idea, but personally I think Arenal is really worthwhile visit.

xyz99

Our first trip to CR had 4 nights Arenal, 4 nights Manuel Antonio and 5 nights in Osa - it was just perfect. So I think your plan is very good, too, you will love it.
Depending on the time of your flight back, you might want to spend the last night somewhere close to the airport.
Congrats!

Eliot_Greenspan

Again, you're budget would determine a lot of this, but you probably should take a shuttle or private van to Arenal, then Taxi-Boat-Taxi to Monteverde, then shuttle or private van to Manuel Antonio, and finally a flight to and from Drake Bay.

All that said, with 14 days, you should be able to do: Arenal for 2-3 nights, then head to Monteverde for 2 nights, then head to Manuel Antonio for 3-4 nights, then finish up in Drake Bay...

I think Manuel Antonio will give you things (sunset drinks at Agua Azul, romantic dinner at El Patio Bistro or Makanda, chaise lounge and umbrella on the beach at Playa Espadilla) that you might like on a honeymoon and won't get in Drake Bay (which is much more remote).

If I were to cut a destination, it might be Monteverde or Arenal, although I think you can do all 4 in a relaxed manner.

Heck, since you're adventurous, I'd also consider a two-day rafting trip on the Pacuare (w/ a stay at the Pacuare Lodge) as you're transportation/means of getting to Arenal. (In which case, you might really consider dropping Monteverde).

best
Eliot

JeanH

I don't think you'd have any trouble with four destinations. We just finished two weeks in Nicaragua, did four locations easily.