Hi - there seems to be alot of good feedback on Fodor's. This is my first time posting, so here goes:

Two of us are traveling in mid-July for 10nts/11days. Not planning on renting a car, since most tours include pickup/dropoff. This is our itinerary so far.

7/16 San Jose - arrive in CR!
7/17 San Jose - Pacuare rafting w/Rio Tropicales, full-day
7/18 Tortuguero - Mawamba picks us up for their 3d/2nt package
7/19 Tortuguero - Canal tours & turtle viewing at night
7/20 Arenal - Volcano Inn 3nts (Mawamba said they can take us there directly for $40pp).
7/21 Arenal - Puretrek canyoning + Eco Termales at night
7/22 Arenal - SkyTrek + Venado caves in the afternoon
7/23 Manuel Antonio - Si Como No for 3nts (transfer via ??)
7/24 Manuel Antonio - Finca Valmy horseback in the morning + Fourtrax ATV in the afternoon
7/25 Manuel Antonio NP + Beach
7/26 Leave MA around 8am? and transfer to SJ to catch our 2pm flight.

Any comments or improvements from anyone who has already been to these places. Is this too much?

Sounds like a great trip! I wish you could squeeze in the Cano Negro daytrip at Arenal. It is really neat with lots of wildlife viewing. But you have plenty of fun stuff planned for your days there!

You might be interested in hiring a private driver to Manuel Antonio and then back to SJO. Lots of Fodor's folks use them and can recommend several good ones.

The transfer price Mawamba offered you to Arenal is very good!

Yes that is a great rate.

Enjoy SkyTrek - it's a blast!

You have a couple options for Arenal to MA, fly via Sansa or Nature Air, a private driver or shuttle service like Interbus.

Thanks for the suggestions! Should I use a company like arenal.net, iguana, sunset, etc, for the MA to SJO transfer or is it better to just ask the hotel...ie. which ends up being reliable but not unjustly expensive? I prefer going by car, only b/c I worry if the local plane is delayed then I'll miss my return flight.

With just 2 people, I would use Interbus for the Arenal to MA and MA to San Jose trips. You can book directly via there web site. On our first trip I booked a private transfer from MA to airport as I was concerned about the reliability of Interbus, I actually preferred the Interbus drivers! (We did book via our hotel in MA, I think I would go this route or book with one of the drivers who are recommended on this site rather than an agency)

I agree with shillmac; if you can squeeze in Cano Negro, that's a great day. We absolutely loved it and had great wildlife sightings. Just to give you an idea of costs, we hired a private driver through our hotel to go from Arenal to MA; the cost was about $180. Be sure to have them stop at the Rio Tarcoles for you, so you can see the crocs.

I would book your activities directly thru your hotel, and the shuttle directly with Interbus. My transfers with them have been great - on time, break stops and reasonably priced. And MA is very easy to get around without a car as taxi's are cheap and the bus runs by every 20-30 minutes or so, it runs to the MA dead-end (the park) and costs about .35 cents. Also suggest getting to the park as soon as it opens, there are 2 nice trails that most people skip - to Punta Catedral & the Mirador that are great hikes.

kencolian - I haven't looked into the Interbus, is it a public transportation bus that has standard bus stop locations? We need more of a door-to-door service to avoid getting lost. If Interbus goes to the same places as a private driver, then what's the main difference? I'm directionally challenged, so I'm hesitant of using public transportation. But I'll definitely look it up online, thanks for the recommendation.

volcanogirl - is the wildlife in Cano Negro much different than what we would be able to see in Tortuguero? I was thinking that the first part of our trip to Mawamba would be the "wildlife-jungle" part. Thanks for the insight to stop at Rio Tarcoles, and the cost info on the driver - if we go that route it seems the collective recommendation is to let the hotel help.

tully - you've helped reassure me that we'll be ok without a car. I've saved the last day of our trip entirely for MA Park and Beach. We'll get there as soon as it opens as you've recommended. Seems like you know the trails - I have one bad knee, so hiking uphill can be a bit tough. Which paths do you recommend that are moderate/easy but still have good chances to see the wildlife? Is there a website that lists the various trails in the Park?

BTW, does the Interbus stop at Rio Tarcoles? Just wondering.

Thanks ALL!

life4me2live,
Interbus is a small turismo transport company, uses small vans. It is not the public bus system of Costa Rica (although that can be a very interesting, if tedious, way to travel if you have the time!). It will take you door to door.

Let them know you want to stop at Rio Tarcoles. We all took it for granted that they did (doesn't everyone?!), but someone mentioned recently that they hadn't stopped. It doesn't take long--10 min. or less.

The main difference in Interbus and a private driver is price. For example: 2 people, Interbus is $30 or $35 per person (although you may have no other people with you or 8 other people with you). Private transfer is generally $150 or so. For a family of 4 or 5, you might as well hire a driver.

Also, private drivers are YOURS. They can take you on more interesting routes, show you this and that along the way, explain. In other words: driver + tour guide! Interbus just gets you there. It is, however, a fairly inexpensive and safe way to travel.

Public bus would get you there for much less, but you'd need to pack very light and carry on with you (like a backack). Sometimes, after many stops, the things you put underneath are no longer there when you arrive! It would cost you about $8 per person to get to Quepos, but you have to go into San Jose to catch the bus. You'll already be there, so $3-4 dollars by taxi to the bus station. It will make a lot of stops along the way, be crowded, take an hour and a half longer than Interbus, etc. It is for the more adventurous and budget minded traveler. I love it when I have time. Gives me a chance to practice my Spanish--a lot!

Tortuguero will offer you about the same type of experience as Cano Negro. However, we did them both, almost back to back, and didn't feel at all as if it were redundant. I didn't mind "more of the same or similar" if that makes sense. We LOVED the slow relaxing boat rides, wildlife viewing, birding, scenery, loved it all. Loved it in both places! These are two quite different areas of Costa Rica, so although you'll see many of the same types of animals and birds, there will be some differences. There isn't anywhere in the county that is similar to the rivers and canals of Tortuguero--and the turtle nesting July-October is a special bonus for you!

Shimillac – wow, this is really good info. I definitely don’t think I’m ready for the local bus system, yet. The Interbus or driver both seem like good options. For the 2 of us, the Interbus would be more cost effective. But, since it’s our 1st trip having the driver share some history & point out the sites would be good. Hmmm, bottom line – which is more reliable & safer in your opinion? Reducing worry and stress while on vacation is my goal (plus having fun, and doing no harm!)

OOPS - shillmac (sorry for my typo on my previous reply).

Thanks again! Where did you stay at Tortuguero? The main reason we’re going is to see turtles on the night tours & wildlife on the canal tours. Your description is exactly what I’m looking forward to, can’t wait. OTOH, my 14yr old likes adventurous activities, thus the zipline, canyoning, caving in Arenal (the hot spring is for me to recuperate). The problem with Cano Negro is that it looks like it takes a whole day & would bump 2 of our activities. If you have a teenager then I’m sure you understand why I’m hesitant to make the change.

BTW, if we go into town will we have the chance to give the local children toys or little gifts? I heard about this, and it seems like a nice thing to do, plus my teen might enjoy that kind of exchange. Just wondering if anyone has any idea if this is ok or is it being presumptuous? Just want to have fun!

Do ask, if you hire a private driver, if there is a time limit. Some companies with private drivers allow the driving time plus an extra hour for stops. If you want more you will pay extra for it. Interbus is one that was mentioned but there are many. My niece and I used Interbus for a private transfer last year and the driver wasn't terribly talkative or informative. I also used Interbus to get to Arenal from the airport area. It was a full transfer and a lot of fun talking to the other passengers. Anywherecostarica is another. I have used both with good things to say about both of them.

There have been several people mentioned here as possible drivers. We love Orlando Vargas. He is an excellent naturalist. We use him for birding all the time. He has taken us all over Costa Rica, into Nicaragua, and down into Panama. So much so that we have become good friends. [email protected] He is a full service licensed tour operator and can make any hotel and tour arrangements for you that you might need help with.

Another very good guide from all reports is Leo Rodrigues. I believe his email is [email protected]
Hopefully someone will correct me if I am wrong on that.

With this being your first time, I would stick to the wonderful, but busy, itinerary you have come up with. Cano Negro is a great place and I do enjoy it there but it is very similar to what you will be doing in Tortuguero. There is always the chance of a sighting not seen in one place but not the other but that is true no matter where you go in Costa Rica.

Mawamba is highly regarded. That is a great transfer price. We stayed at Tortuga Lodge and enjoyed ourselves there. I even got to see a coral snake while walking along their path by myself.

Do enjoy your trip on the Pacuare. It has always been the highlight of our trips when we have done it. Quite a rush from both the white water and the beauty of the river. Rios Tropicales has a great crew.

If you do Tortuguero, it would make sense to nix Cano Negro and take advantage of the other offerings.

We stayed at Laguna Lodge and toured with Fran and Modesto Watson on the Riverboat Francesca. Lovely couple. Some have called them "Mr. and Mrs. Tortuguero". Or at least Modesto--he's a fabulous guide. Grew up on the Mosquito Coast, Nica.

I have some nice photos we took there in 2006--they'd give you a good idea of the beauty and wildlife there. I'll try to send you some if you'll remind me--sometime after the first. Really hectic right now and they are on a different computer in another state--long story. We live in Texas and Oklahoma both!

You won't compromise safety by taking Interbus. It's the choice I would make. If you want to chat you can; if you don't, you don't have to. I've always thought that a private driver would cramp my style a bit. Don't know why I feel that way, particularly. And I hope it doesn't make me seem "weird". I love visiting with Costa Ricans--just not for hours in a long transfer. I'd prefer to visit with my husband during those travels. That's why we always rent a car, I guess. We like to do things our way on our own time, without having to involve a third party!

Suzie2 – thanks for the encouragement. Everyone's feedback is making me feel better about our itinerary. I had considered Tortuga (something about the picture of their pool that is very alluring). Unfortunately, the only options they had to get us to Arenal were to provide a driver from SJ to Arenal for $225, or charter a direct flight to Arenal for $500. Great service, but it’s out of my budget!

When did you raft the Pacuare? We’re going mid-July which I think is the rainy (ie high water season). We’ve only been rafting 2x before on Class II-III (lower half of the Grand Canyon & part of Snake River). Is Pacuare SCARY or exciting. I’m hoping it’s scenic, my 14yr old hopes it’s exciting. Neither of us have the strength or courage of a 20yr old adrenaline junkie.

Hi, life - I agree, go ahead and skip Cano Negro since you're pressed for time and doing Tortuguero, but do it on your next trip back!

Shillmac - I thought all the Tortuguero tours were part of each of the lodge’s package. Did you setup your own tour with the Watson’s? Hope your computer woes are over soon – pictures would be great!

I like the sound of the Interbus. Nothing ‘weird’ about it - I’m not sure I’d like someone listening to every personal conversation I have for 3 hrs! OTOH, I sometimes feel pressured to say something if there’s long silent periods. If it's as safe/reliable, I think I'd prefer this option.

Thanks everyone for helping me fine tune this – it’s getting better every day!!!

We booked our tour through Modesto and Fran. They work through Laguna Lodge and book their own tours. I don't think they operate through any of the other lodges.

volcanogirl - ok. sounds like my teen will enjoy the 2 adventure packed days, and we'll just have to make it back to CR in the future. Sounds like a win-win solution. I feel better about waiting on Cano Negro.

You might want to look at:

www.interbusonline.com