Suesuesudio

This is my very first post. We are an active couple in our mid fifties going to CR for the first time in early April this year. We are staying at The Makenda in Quepos for our first four nights. We want to spend the last four nights at one other location.
Because MA is so touristy we'd like our last stop to be somewhere less touristy....like Osa perhaps. Its seems that getting there via car (which we could rent, but haven't yet) could be problematic, with the river crossing.
What other areas would you recommend for a four night stay? We want waterfalls, birds, monkeys, kayaking, white water rafting....generally we are up for anything.

Any help you can give would be greatly appreciated!

Sue

Suesuesudio

Also, should have mentioned....we are flying out of SJ.

RAC

I would say either Savegre or Sarapiqui areas, depending if you want (a) a different climate or (b) monkeys. You'll see plenty of monkeys at Manuel Antonio, but both Savegre and Sarapiqui are known birding destinations that aren't as touristy as somewhere like Manuel Antonio or Monteverde.

Savegre is a highland setting so you can see birds like the Quetzal, etc plus mountain terrain, waterfalls, etc. Sarapiqui is a classic rainforest setting, so there'll be more wildlife and birds, with fairly flat setting and also more humid.

If you're looking for non-touristy, I would rule out Monteverde and Arenal as alternatives--the area around Arenal is especially touristy unless you stay way on the other side of the volcano at a place like Lost Iguana or the Arenal Observatory Lodge.

If you are staying in the Sarapiqui area and have your own car, you can drive to the operations centers for the Pacuare rafting companies, and you're guaranteed to see waterfalls on the Pacuare--you raft underneath the biggest one.

volcanogirl

Personally I would still go to Arenal but stay somewhere like the Lost Iguana that's on the edge of town; that way you get all the activities that you're interested in, but still have that escape from it all jungly feeling. Hike La Fortuna waterfall, do the Penas Blancas river float or Cano Negro tour, kayak at Lake Arenal, and white water raft with Rios Tropicales. You can also hike at the Hanging Bridges and visit the natural hot springs like Eco Termales - they limit the number of people who enter so it doesn't get crowded.

volcanogirl

Are you ruling out traveling via plane? The Osa is pretty easy to get to if you take a Sansa or Nature Air flight, and prices are pretty reasonable.

RAC

If I were doing the Osa, I would just skip Manuel Antonio though--nothing at Manuel Antonio you can't see at Cabo Matapalo, except tour buses and timeshares.

Suesuesudio

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm leaning towards Arenal now. I'm not ruling out traveling by plane. Does anyone know how long it takes to drive from Quepos to Arenal? Is Monteverde worth a stop? We will pass by on our way to Arenal.

RAC

You won't pass by Monteverde on the way to anywhere--the map can be deceptive. I would skip and save Montverde for another trip.

volcanogirl

It's about five hours from Manuel Antonio to Arenal. You can stop at the Rio Tarcoles bridge to see the huge crocs down below. Monteverde is a bit of a pain to get to. You don't pass by it going between those two. Not really worth going to unless you can spend a couple of nights there.