lynnalan

We are so close!
Looking forward to first trip to Costa Rica with 7 family members (total) - 6 adults and a teenager. Please offer any suggestions on our planned activities and day trips!
Day 1 - arrive San Jose, travel to El Silencio Lodge
Day 2 - relax at resort, hike on/near the property (possibly Sarchi? Poas Volcano?)
Day 3 - rafting on Sarapiqui River
Day 4 - drive to Manuel Antonio
Day 5 - National Park guided tour
Day 6 - beach, relax
Day 7 - Dominical for surf lesson and hike (this is the question mark - we might choose to stay in MA for surf lesson)
Day 8 - zipline am, beach pm
Day 9 - return to San Juan for flight home
We like to keep some time free to relax and we prefer physically active excursions. I do want to make sure we appreciate the local and varied culture and communities, thus thinking about visiting Sarchi and/or Dominical. Please let me know if you have any suggestions for additions or changes (or particular companies for tours/excursions). Currently we do not have a car reserved, we have arranged transportation for the major transfers. Thank you!

incabod

I don't know, I'm pretty keen on your trip the way you have it. If you have never surfed before then MA is a good place to get up on a board for the first time, on the other hand Uvita alone is enough of a reason to head South for a day towards Dominical. Google search for the term "Whales Tail Costa Rica" and look at the images that come up, you will see what I mean.
IMO good looking trip
Cheers

sylvia3

Playa Ventanas, near Uvita, is spectacular; you can walk through sea caves at low tide, and the beach is lovely (pay $2 to park).

http://www.google.com/search?q=playa...w=1105&bih=862

volcanogirl

On day 2 if you're going to go to Poas, you could also visit the Doka Coffee Estate - the tour there is really nice, and the property is beautiful. The La Paz Waterfall Gardens is another good stop if you want to hike and see some beautiful waterfalls. You can hand feed hummingbirds during certain times of day.

We've rafted the Sarapiqui and enjoyed it - we used Rios Tropicales if you need a recommendation.

You probably already know, but just in case, MA park is closed on Mondays so keep that in mind when you're scheduling.

lynnalan

Wow, Uvita and Playa Ventanas look like great additions to our adventure day out of MA. Thanks for the suggestions!! Also thanks volcanogirl for the Doka Coffee Estate suggestion - if we go to Poas volcano is there hiking? Or is it mostly just scenery while driving? thanks!