My friends and I are "exploring our world" and visiting Costa Rica this year. Our lives are consumed living and breathing the Discovery and Travel Channel, Animal Planet -- people like Jeff Corwin!!! We are really EXCITED about the trip we're planning!

WE would love to hear your thoughts, concerns, or any feedback you're willing to share about our itinerary below.

Thank you!

TUESDAY:
Arrive San Jose, Costa Rica at 2pm
Drive to Arenal - 96 miles 2 hrs. 30 mins
hot springs, lakes, and great weather.

**Should we rent a car or hire a driver?

*Accommodations Options:
1. La Mansion Arenal Inn
2. Lost Iguana Resort
3. Tabacon Resort

WEDNESDAY:
Spend the day/evening in/near Aernal/La Fortuna (waterfalls and volcano's...oh my!)
*Accommodations Options:
1. La Mansion Arenal Inn
2. Lost Iguana Resort
3. Tabacon Resort

THURSDAY:
Depart for Guanacaste 4 hrs.
*Accommodations:
Four Seasons

FRIDAY:
Day trip to Tamarindo and beaches 30 mins.
*Accommodations:
Four Seasons

SATURDAY:
Depart for Quepos 50 min. flight to San Jose, 3 hr. 30 min. drive to Quepos/Manuel Antonio /Hotel area
*Accommodations:
1. Makanda by the Sea

SUNDAY:
Depart for San Jose 3 hr. 30 mins
*Accommodations:
1. Marriott Hotel San Jose

MONDAY:
Depart for Airport by 11am

My opinion - 6 days - maximum 2 places

I would choose one or the other beach destination but not both. From the FS to Manuel Antonio is a long way. I really would not advise doing both of these in just 6 days.

Relax a bit, go at a slower pace, enjoy the things around you - you can rush through your life again once you return home.

Thanks for the heads up.

I noticed that the drive from FS to Manuel Antonio is 6 1/2 hours. I thought that by flying out early in the morning, we will hit MA by noon. Is that too much? What if we add an additional day...?

Thoughts/concerns...

I understand your excitement, 4 trips to CR and I still get excited just reading about it!!

But to be honest, your description of your planned trip made me dizzy.

This is the way I see your plans - I am not trying to be critical, I just can't see where you have planned to enjoy CR.

Arrive, clear customs, get your driver/rental, find your way to Arenal arriving most likely after dark. Have dinner, watch the volcano show, to bed - No time to explore your hotel grounds.

Next day - get your bearings and do whatever you want and there is lots to choose from. Great day.

Next day - up early, breakfast and off to the FS. Arriving after lunch, afternoon to explore this resort, relax by the pool, whatever.

Next day - off to Tamarindo - why not enjoy the FS and any tours that they offer - or better yet, just stay in Tam, if that is where you want to be.

Next morning early wakeup, be at the airport 45 mins before flight, get a driver/rental and drive 3+ hours - for an afternoon hike and an overnight.

Next day have breakfast, a little shopping, whatever and drive the same 3+ hours back to SJ to spend the night.

You have actually only allowed yourself just 2 days for exploring or relaxing.

If you really want to do both. Then see what the flight schedule is all the way to Quepos. Eliminating the 6+ hours to and from. Also, I would recommend a driver for this trip, you do not have time to get lost. Also, by adding a couple more days you can do this itinerary and have time to enjoy a bit of each area.

But I still stand by 6 days - no more than 2 areas, plus your overnight in SJ. I just hate to see someone plan a trip this rushed. You have planned some very high end lodgings but there is so much more to CR than a nice hotel room. There is so much beauty to be seen in CR and so many activities to choose from. You are really limiting your choices.

Maybe someone else will see it differently.

Let me back up and ask a couple of questions.

What time of year are you traveling?

Is there a paticular reason for your travel to Four Seasons?

Are you pretty much committed to these locations?

Based on your comments, seems you would really like to visit rainforest, volcano and see lots of animals.

The Four Seasons is just about as "un Costa Rican", lacking in wildlife and isolated as any place could be.
Arenal and somewhere in the Caribbean lowlands [for example Selva Verde Lodge]would give a much better taste of the natural side of Costa Rica....in my opinion anyway.

Jerry

I echo the thought that you are trying to do too much in a short time.


Jerry

Well, I will just say the above posts are great advice. If you really want to experience CR, skip the Four Seasons, and if you really want to enjoy your stay, limit it to 2 places max.

Thanks everyone...we have agreed to modify our plans a bit.

BTW: we are traveling the first week of December.

Anyone care to give their suggestion for a six day trip? Places not to miss..places we can skip?

We want to experience:
canopy tour/zip lines
hot springs/waterfalls
rain forest
hiking
3 1/2 star or better accommodations

Also, if we land in SJ around 2pm, how long would it take us to get to the peace lodge?