Hello Costa Rica fans. I can't begin to tell you all how helpful this site is in trip planning. Nothing like someone else's experience to build on your own.

I am also a new poster so forgive me if I ramble.

We'll be going down for our third trip between Dec 17-29th. I'm starting to build an itinerary (which is as much fun as going!) and I could really use some advice. In our two previous trips we went to Arenal, MA and the Rio Tarcoles area. The kids are older (10 and 12) so this time we want to venture out a bit more.

Here's what I have so far:

Day 1 - Arrive at SJO at 3:00 PM and spend the night nearby. What's a good hotel nearby for a short shopping/dining trip?

Day 2 - Fly Sansa to PJ and the Black Turtle Lodge.

Day 3 - BTL

Day 4 - Move to Bosque Del Cabo. I understand that I can work out transpotation between the two, but how do I coordinate the timing?

Day 5 - BDC

Day 6 - Fly back to SJO. Pick up rental car and drive to Puerto Viejo. Stay at Azania or La Costa de Pepito. Which is better for families?

Days 7 to 10 - Puerto Viejo. While there we'd like to go whitewater rafting, snorkeling, night hiking, beachcombing. We'll be here for Christmas - what can we expect for closures and celebrations?

Mid-day on day 10 we'll drive back to the San Jose area, preferably to the Poas Volcano Lodge.

Days 11 & 12 - San Jose/Poas area. We'd like to go to Poas, Cafe Doka, La Paz waterfall, canopy/ziplining, shopping. Should we stay at Poas Volcano Lodge the whole time or are there suggestions?

Day 13 - Leave SJO at 1:00 PM for Chicago. On the way we get to layover for 12 hours in NYC so we'll take the train downtown for a while. But that's a subject for another thread...

How does the timing look on this itineray? We want to see and do a lot of stuff, but I don't want to feel rushed to get anywhere.

Last time (4 years ago) we rented a 4x4 and drove everywhere. We never once felt worried, even driving at night. We love the freedom to drive at our pace and stop when we want. Now I'm reading a lot about the "flat tire robbery scam" and I'm getting vervous about renting a car at all. Am I overreacting? My wife thinks so, but she's not afraid of anything.

Thanks again for your help.

Since you are going during peak season you might find some of your hotels requiring minimum stays. You'll also most likely find some already booked so I'd start sending out reservation requests. So it looks like you'll be staying 2 nights each at BTL and BDC. I would just ask BDC to arrange the pick up for you from BTL. I think it's about $25 one way. If you want to raft you might check out the option of rafting from San Jose to Puerto Viejo. There are a couple of outfitters that do this and you could arrange it from a hotel like Don Carlos in San Jose. As far as December in Puerto Viejo be prepared for it to be very wet that time of year. Here's sort of a guide, but of course you never know.
http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html
The main reason I'd pick Azania over La Costa Papito is because Azania has a swimming pool. We used this often in the mornings and evenings when we weren't at beaches and sometimes you just don't feel like fighting the ocean if it's rough. Otherwise I thing La Costa looks great and the owner seems to be very involved in the community. I didn't care for the restaurant that much at Azania either and it was pretty spendy for a little snack to tide you over at the pool. Cariblue next door had very good food and a gorgeous pool. I haven't stayed at Poas Volcano Lodge yet but wouldn't hesitate. If you're making the trip to La Paz waterfall gardens give yourself as much time as you can there because the kids will really love it. Another good option with a great bar, pool and restaurant to chill your last night before going home would be Orchideas Inn and you could do your day trip to Poas, La Paz from there.

Have you checked availability yet? It may be a little tricky that time of year, especially at Bosque. The transfer will be easy, just arrange it with Leonardo or Jose at BdC, you most likely will be able to state any time that will suit you. The Poas Lodge will be a good spot to fan out from. When you land you may want to look into Xandari or Vista del Valle, although they are more based in keeping you there as opposed to you going out to dinner.

Oh, I would also look into the Sansa flight right away, they book up fast.

Poas Volcano Lodge not much on a dairy
farm sort of dark dingy not great not anywhere near Poas in that same area spend a bit more go for

www.lapazwaterfallgardens.com

or

www.xandari.com

Do book in peak season.

oops should have been

www.waterfalgardens.com

www.waterfallgardens.com

third times a charm.

Have you tried booking the Peace Lodge? We stayed there for the Poas/La Paz/Doka portion of the trip and loved it, not sure of their availability, but the rooms and views and grounds are wonderful! Your kids would be in heaven.