MFNYC

This trip will most likely be towards the end of January. I'm thinking 8-10 days (including travel days). We are trying to use frequent flyer miles on either Continental or American from NYC.
1. I'm thinking splitting time between Manual Antonio (w/ beach access) and Arenal areas. Does this make sense for a 1st trip to CR? Is there time for another location (if yes, where?)? What's a good itinerary?
2. Do we need a car? or do we use car service and cabs?
3. Which airports make the most sense for these locations?
4. what are approx driving times between locations and also to/from airport?
5. Would we need to spend last night near airport?
6. Are there walkable towns with restaurants in the areas we are considering?
7. hotel recs, no more than $250/night. We also may travel with another couple, so a 2 bedroom villa type place may also be a possibility (at < $500). I've been looking at Tulemar in Manual Antonio. It came up in a few places and was also recommended. Other places I came across in Arenal are Peace Lodge, Lost Iguana, Leaves and Lizards. I have no idea of their availability since I don't have exact dates yet. Other suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks.

volcanogirl

Yes, that's a good choice for a first trip. Both easy locations with lots of hotel and restaurant choices and access to adventure activities. You don't have to have a car. You can hire a private driver, fly, or take Interbus, but some people like the convenience of having a car and driving themselves. Things are very close together in MA. I probably wouldn't bother having a car there. We always fly into SJO airport. Both Arenal and MA are about 3 hours from the airport and about five hours between each other. Whether or not you spend the night by the airport depends on your flight times. You can walk to restaurants in MA depending on where you stay. You have to be careful along the road though. In Arenal, I'd either have a car or take taxis; things are spread out there. Peace Lodge isn't near Arenal; it's about an hour from the SJO airport. The other spots you mentioned are all popular.

RAC

That's the standard first time itinerary, but to be honest I think there are more interesting ways to see the country than the two biggest, most touristy destinations. There's a reason that both get so many visitors and why this is such a common first time itinerary, but there are places that I'd sooner go back to.

What interests do you have besides the beach--wildlife, birds, scenery, rafting, fishing, diving/snorkeling rainforest, cloud forest, etc?

Also, what's most important to you for lodging--luxury, comfort, natural setting, quiet, etc?

MFNYC

This is a r&r kind of vacation, and while there we will try to cross paths with my son (who's there for a month at various locations). I like scenic places to photograph or take a hike. Not into fishing, diving or bird watching. Good snorkeling would be a plus, but not necessary. Some outdoor adventure would be fun (zip line, rafting), but nothing too extreme.

As far as lodging, clean, quiet and convenient (to sights, restaurants, that kind of thing). No need for 5* luxury, but not into camping either. I prefer charm over luxury, and generally stay in smaller hotels. I don't mind a little touristy activity, but not over-the-top, Disney-esque is not what I'm looking for.

From what I read weather on the Caribbean side could be rainy that time of year, but the Pacific side should be nice.

JahBless

I'm planning my first trip to Costa Rica as well at the beginning of Jan 2012 for my birthday (for about 7 days). So I’m going to be a little nosy and watch the responses on this thread. I’m searching daily for options of what to do, hire a driver vs. not hire a driver, rent vs. not rent a jeep. We have our hotel booked already and now I’m trying to put together an itinerary of what to see, where to go, where to eat at, what would give us the most out of this vacation. Now I’ve talked the girls out of going to Jamaica & into going to Costa Rica (they weren’t sure where on the map C.R. was located). So I’ve got to come correct with this trip, it has GO TO BE THE highlight of 2012 or else 3 angry women might have some choice words for me in Costa Rica… please help me (and MFNYC) out!

Great posting MFNYC.

RAC

Speaking from experience:

In Manuel Antonio, we really liked La Posada Jungle Bungalows. It's right next to the park entrance (it literally borders the park--monkeys climb over from the fence and hang out by the pool). It's a small place run by an American ex-pat. It's very reasonably priced, and extremely popular.

If you're looking for something with a view in that area, you'll want something further up on the hill.

In Arenal, both times we visited we stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. The pluses are that it had the most amazing views and scenery (best in the entire area), along with tons of private hiking trails. Bad news is of course that such views and hiking come at the price of remoteness--30 minute drive (much of it over terrible roads) to La Fortuna.

You can do the ziplining thing at either location. We did ours in Manuel Antonio at Titi Canopy Tour, and had a great time.

qwovadis

Congrats on your trip I go a fair amount

Jan is a good month weather2travel.com will have climate

my preference is car rental cheap can be more free flexible

mapcache.com servicecarrental.com wild-rider.com good exp

www.hotelvillacaletas.com my fav coast hotel

about an hour from the airport

arenal.net tabacon.com or lostiguanaresort.com

Manuel Antonio Park arenasdelmar.com

tripadvisor.com/members/natureguide best guide there

Personally like to go to the Volcano first

If I get in late I stay at Xandari.com close to airport

visit dokaestate.com and head up the next day 2.5 Hours

Several days there desafiocostarica.com for adventures

then down to manuelantoniopark.com 3 hours south along

the coast a nice drive usually stop at Villa Caletas for

lunch... spend time there lots to do back up to Villa

Caletas for the night before my flight.

If I have a very early flight will stay closer

usually mybeaconescazu.com free airport transport.

Carib side generally rains more year around so avoid

That is how I might do it... PM if I may help further

and happy travels try to get to Rio Celeste

ruralcostarica.com prettiest spot in CR perhaps CA...

volcanogirl

We're huge Lost Iguana fans and have stayed there several times. Silencio del Campo is another one you should check out - gets great reviews, as does Arenal Nayara. Arenal is one of our favorite areas - we've rafted with Rios Tropicales, done the natural hot springs - Tabacon and Eco Termales are popular, hiked the waterfall, hiked the Hanging Bridges, done a volcano hike. There's tons to do there. If you want to zipline, Sky Trek is really popular. MA has great easy access to wildlife and a beautiful beach inside the park. We liked Mango Moon; it's close to a lot of restaurants. Si Como No is another popular spot. Tulemar that you mentioned always gets good reviews, as does Buena Vista Villas. The park is closed on Mondays. Our snorkeling trip there was a dud though - too much sediment in the water. We haven't found great snorkeling in CR.

If you like hiking and photography, you might look at the Osa Peninsula - really amazing, but lodges tend to be kind of isolated there. It's kind of fun to go off the grid. Bosque del Cabo is wonderful, but there are other more affordable spots too.

MFNYC

I have my dates (got a good freq flyer deal to San Jose). We'll be arriving on Sat, 1/21 and returning on Monday, 1/30, so that gives us 9 nights. So now I have to nail down an itinerary and hotels.

Keep those suggestions coming (for me and JahBless)!

MFNYC

If we were to do the 2 standards (Arenal and MA), how much time in each? If we were to go less touristy, where would you suggest?

RAC

For beach, look at Montezuma. Ylang Ylang Beach Resort is a fantastic place to stay--on its own isolated stretch of beach about 500m north of the town beach. Like being on a deserted tropical island (with lush landscaping, gourmet food, and most importantly hammocks to nap in while listening to the waves crash ashore). If you really don't care about wildlife, you can skip Manuel Antonio and stay there (there are monkeys there to, but nothing like Manuel Antonio).

If you're into dramatic scenery, you can visit the Poas and Irazu volcanos which are on either side of San Jose.

RAC

Also, the Orosi valley near Irazu has some of the most sweepingly beautiful views in the country. The Sanchiri lodge has amazing views ( we only ate lunch there).

volcanogirl

I'd vote for an even split if you do Arenal and MA. I think we did four nights each for our first trip and a night near SJO. Grano de Oro is a good spot for a last night, and we also like Xandari - pricey though.

Deb15July

We loved Monteverde and went from there to Arenal via a jeep boat jeep transport. Crossing the lake was one of my husband's favorite parts of the trip. We LOVED Silencio del Campo in Arenal and would stay there again in a heartbeat. It's not walking distance to town, but we just used a taxi to get around since we opted to use a private driver to get from the airport to Monteverde and back to SJO from Arenal.

MFNYC

I couldn't help but notice on the Grand de Oro website that it states "Please note: Prostitutes are not allowed". I've never seen that on a hotel website!

So it looks like the plan will be 4 nights Arenal area, then 4 nights Manual Antonio, 1 night San Jose. Our flights leaves there at 12:45pm. How does this sound?

Now I have to narrow down some accommodations. I did send a request to Grand de Oro for a reservation to see how their price compares to the prices on the various booking sights. As soon as I hear back from them, I'll probably book the last night there.

Deb15July

If you want something smaller and more personal in San Jose, check out Casa Bella Rita...wonderful hosts, beautiful facility and highly rated.

MFNYC

As far as Arenal hotels, I've checked info on Silencio del Campo, Lost Iguana and Nayara. All are within our budget, look lovely, and get great reviews on tripadvisor and elsewhere. Any pros and cons or things to consider when choosing between them?

MFNYC

I just found here, a reference to a groupon deal for Lost Iguana, 4 nights for $580 (incl breakfast) + 13% tax which is significantly less than the usual booking sights. I've never used Groupon for a hotel, in fact I've never used groupon for anything.

MFNYC

Deb, Casa Bella Rita looks delightful! We just had a great B&B experience (in Savannah, GA), so it's very appealing.

volcanogirl

MF, I guess that beats the alternative! I believe prostitution is legal in CR, so hotels feel the need to state that in their policies. At the airport you'll see signs that say that sex with children is illegal. Kind of shocking that you'd have to state the obvious like that. Grano de Oro is built in an old mansion, so it has really cool architecture, and they have a very good restaurant on site. The rooms vary a lot in ammenities - some have little gardens and patios; we just had a basic room since we weren't there very long, but their service was wonderful, and we really enjoyed the charming restaurant. Xandari has beautiful views, good hiking, small waterfalls on the property, and a spa. Nice outdoor restaurant there.