5 days in January
 

Just started thinking about Costa Rica for a trip in mid-january. I'm wildly excited about what I'm reading I love the sound of the Osa peninsula and also the Arenal area. Would there be enough to do in either one of those areas for five days? How hot and humid would it be? How mosquito-y? Is January overall just not the best time to go? Thanks for any advice. (I'm a newbie to Fodors.)

Welcome to Fodor's! Your biggest problem with January will be finding space. Mosquitoes manageable (use a little repellent), heat and humidity manageable, and yes, you could entertain yourself for 5 days on the Osa and even at Arenal if you took a few day trips from there. But do get right on the arrangements--tourism is definitely on the increase there and particularly busy end of December through April.

They do have space at La Paloma which seems to be well recommended in everyone's postings. How long a trip would it take to see both Osa and Arenal without rushing? I know the advise is to limit a trip to two areas but these are so far apart. Is there any reason to pick Arenal and Montaverde over Osa?

We spent 5 days in Monteverde and Arenal this past January. It worked out perfectly for us. We saw one mosquito. We took repellent but never used it.

We were glad for our air conditioned room at the Arenal Paraiso--especially after returning from hikes in mid-afternoon. Bartender made some awesome mango daquiries.

Monteverde was very cool--in both senses of the word. I did wear shorts, but wife was too chilly to do so. Have a pair of decent hiking boots--light duty, but well made with good soles for mud and slippery surfaces. Loved the Hotel Fonda Vela.

Take a good pocket flashlight with you--brownouts and blackouts are not unusual, and street lighting is not always ideal. We took the Magnalights that give you a variable beam. It gets dark at 6.

We liked Monteverde better overall, but would not have missed the great views from our bungalow of the lava flowing down the volcano.

Got reservations at the Arenal Paraiso for three nights and will spend three more in Monteverde. Thanks for the info.

Oops, those are MagLites, not magna.