Anyone?

Hi Leslie,
We went a few years ago with our kids. We didn't go to Monteverde or to Manual Antonio, but some friends went there and both places are great. Manual Antonio is on the dry side of Costa Rica so I'd head there instead of Tortugero. We went to Tortugero for 2 nights and it was great, but you'll see a lot of wild life in Manual also. The rain forest is very very cool, but you'll see it in Monteverde. Don't forget to bring home coffee for everyone. I think 1 night at Arenal is enough. It takes a long time to travel in Costa Rica, at least it did when we were there, but that's part of the fun. Have a great time!

Finca Rosa Blanca or Vista del Valle would be better choices with kids.
Really torn here about Monteverde. That is such an iffy time for rain. It is such a neat place though and worth seeing plus it would be educational for the kids to see a cloud forest vs a rainforest. Arenal, who wouldn't be amazed at seeing a live volcano. Problem is...will you see it. A lot of people spend two nights there in case one doesn't work out. Plenty to see and do there for that amount of time.
With kids..I would pick Manuel Antonio over Tortuguero. Many more things to do. At that age, I don't see them sitting in a boat all day. Don't know what your budget is but Si Como No is a great place for kids. Have heard good things about Costa Verde also.
There very well could be rain in August but you most likely will not be rained out. You should still have dry times most days to get out and see things. You may even have days with no rain.

tbelgian & Suzie2 - Thank you so much for your advice! We are so excited about this trip! Our kids have now been to England, Ireland, Italy and Japan so CR should be a great contrast!

I guess we will eliminate Tortuguero and stay with the Manual Antonio plan. I am told that traveling from Monteverde to San Jose for a flight to Tortuguero all in one day would be a very long trip. Would that be longer than going from Monteverde to MA by private mini-bus?

I have checked out Si Como No and really liked it, but my concern is that it has been described by several people as too "Disney" like.

My good friend stayed at the Rafiki Lodge which is about 30 K south of MA and sounds wonderful, though no view of the ocean. Have you heard of it? www.rafikisafari.com. It might be too remote to get to MA.

We have also considered the Hotel Costa Verde for the ocean views. My hope is for a place with a real Costa Rican ambiance but I know we aren't the right group for a honeymoon/adults only atmosphere. Sure wish Capitan Suizo were closer to MA.

In lieu of Finca Rosa Blanca or the Vista del Valle, we were considering a stay at the Peace Lodge. Any opinion? I'm afraid Finca Rosa Blanca may be beautiful but have less to do there. Should I perhaps cut one day out of Monteverde or Arenal and instead have two nights at the end of the trip in this central valley area - these all seem close enough to SJO for a 12:45 pm departure flight, right? My husband hates to spend only 1 night anywhere so I've been trying for a min. of 2 nights in each place.

Since we live near Malibu, CA we don't really need a beach vacation but would love to see the ocean - I'm doing all the research and explaining to my hubby that this isn't a relax-on-the-beach kind of trip...as we could do that much more economically close to home! I want my kids to experience/interact with locals also - this is a cultural and nature trip for us.

It is a 3 1/2-4 hr drive from Monteverde to San Jose. The only scheduled flights on either airline to Tortuguero are very early in the morning. Even if you chartered a flight ($$$) you wouldn't get there until after noon.
The trip to Manuel Antonio is about 5-6 hrs.
30k is about 18 miles. Without a car it would be a little harder to get to MA.

Finca Rosa Blanca is my very favorite place to stay in Costa Rica. They have 2 separate villas where you would be more comforatable with a family. The pool is really beautiful if your kids like to swim. You can take a tour of the grounds, there are some horses. But aside from that...not too much to do. You can, however book tours with them. We had a terrific driver who took us to the Poas Volcano and to La Paz Waterfalls. When you email them, ask them to set you up with the tour. Francisco took us and I remember that he LOVES kids. He is the quintessential latino father. You will enjoy him. FRB will also take you to the airport in their van. Fabulous staff, great food, beautiful surroundings. Enjoy!

Our family including a 12 year old and 14 year old spent 5 nights in MA and were very happy with it. Strongly recommend "dolphin watch" - not so much for the dolphins but for the sail/swim/snorkle experience. Our captain cooked lunch on the boat for us. Also, strongly recommend mangrove swamp tour which included lunch at a "restauant" on the estuary frequented by many Tico's. The people are very warm and friendly. On the way to MA, don't miss the stop on the Rio something with dozens of crocodiles.

Rio Tarcoles.

Greetings

We stayed at Si Como No with two teens last year, during the rainy season. We all loved it. Before Si Como No we had stayed in a variety of more rustic places so that the character of Si Como No was an interesting and nice contrast. It was our end of trip splurge, an exclamation point. It is an interesting place, developed by artists. There are "theatric" elements like metal handrails that look like bamboo (very good likeness by the way) but it's very open with trees, plants, and animals running throughout the property...an emphasis on plantings and view. Feels like a forest setting, not overbuilt. The kids spent most of our spare time at the pool and swim up bar. The onsite movie theater (first run movies, mostly) was fun. Air conditioning was a nice feature at the end of the day too.

As long as you know that Si Como No is not roughing it and if you stay in other places that are more authentic and rustic to get that experience earlier in your trip....by all means treat yourself to some fun. Guarantee the kids will thank you.

We did most of our touring in the mornings and then explored by car or swam in the pool in the afternoons when rain was more likely. Usually, the rain came not during the day but at night. Not a problem for us at that time thankfully...maybe more of an issue in other parts of CR?

Have fun!

Jim

hello,
I would suggest itinerary 2 but if its possible I would spend 2 nights in Arenal in case it is cloudy on one of the nights. If you want the best view, upgrade to the larger rooms nearest the road as they all have decks and private gardens to sit and stare up at the volcano (if you are staying at Tabacon). I know when we were there, we and our neighbors sat out on that deck almost until dawn, Arenal is quite a show at night.
On Rafiki, I have heard nothing but good things about that. However I would suggest that for your next trip. Right now they are putting in new bridges, and a new road from Quepos south, and it is in the middle of nowhere. Once teh road is done, it should only be a few minutes from Manuel antonio, but right now its quite a journey.
We live in Manuel Antonio, and are doing a condo project here. If you would like to see it, heres our website www.valle-escondido.com we just finished our model, and only have 2 units left in phase 1. Just have fun, and bring as much film as you can carry. Costa Rica is a beautiful place. In the rainy season, although we do get all day downpours occasionally, usually we get a good soaking for an hour or so everyday either in the morning, or near sunset. Other than that, you should have plenty of sun. Walt