Marilyn Brady

We are a family of four (including two children ages 7 and 9) travelling together to CR for Thanksgiving week. The kids are easy and adventurous travellers. We would appreciate a critical review of our 9 day itinerary: Day One arrive in CR at 1 p.m. fly to Quepos that same afternoon. Four days at Si Como No. Leave early Wednesday AM for Monteverde and spend two nights at El Sopa Dorado (we're planning to do the harness and canopy tours and tour the Butterfly garden). Leave early Friday AM and ride by car and boat (I know, sounds kind of complicated) to Arenal. Spend one night at the Tabacon Hot Springs Resort. Return to San Jose Saturday for a Sunday AM flight home. It's a lot!! Will we be happy we did it? or completely stressed out? Does anyone know what the travel is like from Monteverde to Arenal? How bout Arenal to San Jose? We sure appreciate the insight and we will post a trip report upon our return. The Fodor's European Forum was invaluable in planning our trip to Europe. We are planning on hiring drivers to take us to our various destinations. Thanks!! Marilyn Brady.

JoAnn

Marilyn, your itinerary sounds pretty good to me. While in Quepos, be sure to take a trip to Manuel Antonio National Park--hike to the third beach-it is beautiful. At Monteverde, sign up for a guided tour EARLY. When we were there they only allowed 100 in at a time. But we saw monkeys, birds and the Respendent Quetzal! Then we went back the next day and did our own hike and knew what and where to look. If Stella's is still there--have a meal there. Hopefully you will get to see Arenal at night and see the lava, or at least hear and feel it rumble. Enjoy the hot springs. It's a lot to do, but you will get a variety of Costa Rica, our favorite place ever! Next trip you will stay longer--and see more. By the way--do you have room for two more--we could be grandparents to your kids? Time for us to go back. Have a wonderful time! Enjoy the fruit drinks and the wonderful fruit! And the warm, gracious friendly people of Costa Rica. <BR>JoAnn

C.Clark

Sounds good to me. From Montevere to Arenal is an easy drive and very beautiful. Have fun we did!!!!!! <BR>

judi

You will have a wonderful time in Costa Rica. Hiring drivers is a great idea. We did busses and taxis and had many offers for a personal driver. Your plan is a lot for 9 days, but no need to stress. Before you know it you will be on Tico Time and moving about at a more relaxing pace. Pack light! It's very hot and humid in Quepos. The best thing to bring for Monteverde would be those very lightweight nylon windbreakers. They fold up small, no weight, use for rain gear, dry out in seconds. Probl'y won't need them <BR>I think the 'roughest' part of your trip will be getting to Monteverde, it will be a fabulous experience for your kids. <BR>The road between Fortuna/Arenal-San Jose is not bad at all, although we weren't driving. Never have left the driving to anyone else before on a trip and it was great, just so easy and cheap to get around. <BR>We were right next to Si Como No and I can tell you it is really beautiful up there. <BR>You'll be going through major climate changes. Don't let the 'grippy' get ya. Drink lots and lots of water. If I had small kids, or anyone for that matter, I would start getting them used to drinking lots of water now. <BR>I hope ya'll get to see the volcano do her thing. Spectacular! <BR>Happy Trails, Judi <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~skiea3b/

jim

We drove from San Jose to Arenal. Roads <BR>are beautiful-no problems. The road from Arenal to Monte Verda is dirt, but not bad. You need a 4 wheel drive for the ground clearance. No danger, nice ride although a bit bumpy. I heard the Arenal Volcano erupted a few months or so ago and destroyed the resort at hot springs. I would spend more time in Monte Verde and also the cloud forest. <BR>Manual Antonio was a nice place to snorkel, as well as see the howler Monkeys in the rain forest. Arenal was interesting, but the forests are what is unique. <BR> <BR>jim

jerry

Marilyn, <BR>Your travel plans look great but there may be one problem. I noticed that you won't be arriving in SJ until 1PM, you may not be able to catch a flight to Quepos as I think the last flight of the day laeves at 1PM. Check the sites for TravelAir and Sansa the 2 local airlines.