aeg73

Hello fellow Costa Rica lovers! We are almost done planning our 12 Day itinerary (driving route) from San Jose to Arenal to the Nicoya Peninsula and are trying to decide whether we stay in Mal Pais or Montezuma. Any location suggestions for a family of 4 (kids ages 6 & 8)?We are wanting to do some hiking to waterfalls, several beach days, possibly zip line and a day of ocean fishing for my husband? We'd like to check out Tortuga Island as well if we can make it all happen. We will be in Costa Rica for a total of 12 days - 2 of which are full travel days so we plan to stay in/around San Jose the first and last night. We are debating whether we should stay in the hills w/a pool overlooking the ocean or in walking distance to the beach. Probably can't go wrong in such beautiful surroundings!
p.s. I'm familiar w/Arenal area and Tamarindo but haven't experienced the Southern Nicoya Peninsula.

Thanks

volcanogirl

Are you definitely only interested in those areas? I'd take a look at Manuel Antonio. It has everything you're looking for and is very popular with young families. The beach inside the national park is gorgeous and lush and full of wildlife like monkeys and sloths. There are tons of adventure activities, and the Damas mangrove tour is great.

volcanogirl

Also Quepos is supposed to have some of the best fishing in the world.

janenicole

Between the two, I would choose Montezuma because Mal Pais is really spread out, and the surf is quite strong there. We stayed at Ylang Ylang Beach Resort in Montezuma and really liked it. If you are strongly leaning toward the Nicoya Peninsula, a lot of people recommend Samara for families, but I don't know if it offers waterfalls and ziplining.

aeg73

Thank you for your replies. We are open to some other options but I read that Manuel Antonio is more typical/touristy part of Costa Rica- even though I'm a tourist, we like to get to see/meet the locals. Honestly, I don't know if the waterfalls are possible or safe enough w/younger kids. Not a whole lot of rental options left in our time-frame & budget for Montezuma or Mal Pais! Is it roughly about 40 minutes between the two locations? I'm afraid that after all the other driving which-ever location we choose, we might stay close by and venture out for the nature stuff but not eating out all the time, etc.
Thanks for the fishing tip, I'll check that out too.
Volcano Girl - do you like Cabo Blanco nat'l park & if given the choice would you stay in the hilltops or beach-front during the dry season? Hilltops would mean more driving but we will have a 4x4.
Thanks again

janenicole

The waterfall just outside of Montezuma would be an okay hike for your kids. Cabo Blanco has a very hilly and long (1 1/2 to 2 hour) hike to the beach, but I think there might be other trails that make a shorter loop. We didn't see much wildlife on our hike. I would assume you will get more of a breeze staying in the hilltops, but I would just choose the rental that looks the nicest to you.

snorkelluvn

Montezuma is a great little town in which you can walk to everything from your hotel--restaurants, waterfalls and book your must-do trip to Tortuga Island in town. Artists sell their wares at night, so bring a flashlight with you! I agree--less touristy than MA. Some great restaurants. Past Ylang Ylang, there is a great walk down a long, lonely beach. We scrambled around some rocks with water tumbling down. In early morning or near dusk, the monkeys come out. More wildlife and better swimming from the beach at MA, but a less crowded, no-car-required rugged coolness to Montezuma.

volcanogirl

aeg, yes Manuel Antonio is touristed. I think part of the reason we loved it so much was that we stayed at Tulemar Bungalows, and it was just so fantastic and easy with beautiful views, their having their own beach, so much wildlife, and tons of restaurants that were an easy walk. Have heard good things about Montezuma, but haven't made it there yet ourselves.

aeg73

Thank you again, either way we'll manage to check out both areas and I'll let you know which I like best upon our return.

volcanogirl

Looking forward to hearing what you thought.