5-days only, need suggestions
 

We have a use-it-or-lose-it ticket and could only squeeze 5days, nights into our work schedule now. We would like to spend at least a couple of days near a sunny beach, if possible. We will have a rental car and arrive at SJ mid-morning. We could use suggestions as to what to see, where to go. Thanks.

Does "SJ" mean San Jose, Costa Rica?

With only 5 days, I would suggest either spending all your time in Manuel Antonio (there are beaches there) or a few days there and then do day trips out of San Jose (rafting, maybe a day trip to Arenal). When do you plan to be in CR, though?

However.. if you can do without beach time, I'd suggest Arenal (volcano) and Monteverde (cloud forest) - they're fairly close, if you do jeep-boat-jeep transfer b/t Arenal and Monteverde. Or... maybe you can stay on one of the beaches along the Nicoya Peninsula (we were in Tamarindo, and there are many tours from there). I suggested MA, but we did not go there. We may do that if we go back, b/c my boyfriend thought the beach stuff was "typical" as opposed to the rainforest/cloud forest which he enjoyed much more (can do both at MA, I believe). Good luck!

We loved Malpais - Hotel Florblanca. The drive could take up to 7 hours, so I'd rec. flying into Tambor. Also enjoyed Man. Antonio - flights into Quepos. There are easier drives to the beach (like Jaco) but I'm not familiar with those areas. Have fun.
Leslee