After Arenal: monteverde or other places?
Nov 22nd, 2008, 10:58 AM
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After Arenal: monteverde or other places?
I'm really not a big driver especially on vacations in foreign places where 1/2 my day might be spent trying to get the next place. never mind the possibility of getting lost........ 
If we skip Monteverde-is there anything comparable (in beauty/activities, etc) after Arenal that we can hit for 2-4 nights before heading to the beaches and then to San Jose?
Our itinerary so far looks like this:
Dec 28th-31st: San Jose
Day 1: settle in/check-in
Day 2: Pacuare rafting
Day 3: Check out Paos, La Paz
day 4: take off for Arenal in a rental car
Dec 31st-January 3rd: Arenal
We've got til Jan 10th for our vacation......
love all your guys' suggestions thanks in advance!
If we skip Monteverde-is there anything comparable (in beauty/activities, etc) after Arenal that we can hit for 2-4 nights before heading to the beaches and then to San Jose?
Our itinerary so far looks like this:
Dec 28th-31st: San Jose
Day 1: settle in/check-in
Day 2: Pacuare rafting
Day 3: Check out Paos, La Paz
day 4: take off for Arenal in a rental car
Dec 31st-January 3rd: Arenal
We've got til Jan 10th for our vacation......
love all your guys' suggestions thanks in advance!
Nov 23rd, 2008, 06:31 AM
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Why would you skip Monteverde if you have 2-4 days there? It would be a great location for that amount of time.
That said, I agree the Sarapiqui area would be nice, but certainly not comparable to Monteverde. Peace Lodge would also be nice, the rooms are fabulous, but 2 nights is enough--and it isn't comparable to Monteverde either, my opinion. By comparable, I'm thinking "cloud forest/reserve/atmosphere" sort of thing.
And Monteverde is about 4 hours from Manuel Antonio--yes, it is a bit of a drive (short by CR standards!), but you have the Rio Tarcoles and the crocodiles along the way (pretty darned interesting) and some good restaurants (Steve and Lisa's) etc.
Just my dos colones. . .
That said, I agree the Sarapiqui area would be nice, but certainly not comparable to Monteverde. Peace Lodge would also be nice, the rooms are fabulous, but 2 nights is enough--and it isn't comparable to Monteverde either, my opinion. By comparable, I'm thinking "cloud forest/reserve/atmosphere" sort of thing.
And Monteverde is about 4 hours from Manuel Antonio--yes, it is a bit of a drive (short by CR standards!), but you have the Rio Tarcoles and the crocodiles along the way (pretty darned interesting) and some good restaurants (Steve and Lisa's) etc.
Just my dos colones. . .
Nov 23rd, 2008, 07:49 AM
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Nov 23rd, 2008, 08:31 AM
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I can see someone being afraid of the roads in and out of Monteverde. We managed them, but it was stressful for people who had never driven on rough roads that cling to the sheer side of a mountain.
Peace Lodge is at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and very close to Poas. It wouldn't make sense to schedule a stop there if you're already going to be checking out Poas and La Paz earlier in the trap.
You could also do Montezuma or Samara or some place like that in Nicoya before hitting Manuel Antonio--you could experience two different kinds of beach scenes.
Peace Lodge is at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and very close to Poas. It wouldn't make sense to schedule a stop there if you're already going to be checking out Poas and La Paz earlier in the trap.
You could also do Montezuma or Samara or some place like that in Nicoya before hitting Manuel Antonio--you could experience two different kinds of beach scenes.
Nov 23rd, 2008, 09:31 AM
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I would take the time that you have scheduled for Poas and La Paz and schedule a couple of days there at the Peace Lodge - didn't know how set in stone your days are. Very convenient since you'll already be at Poas/La Paz, and it's a wonderful property.
Are you just not interested in Monteverde? If it's just the driving, we did jeep, boat, jeep which saves you an hour on the road, and someone else drives, and you get a boat trip in the middle of it. We enjoyed it. Desafio is a good company if it interests you.
Are you just not interested in Monteverde? If it's just the driving, we did jeep, boat, jeep which saves you an hour on the road, and someone else drives, and you get a boat trip in the middle of it. We enjoyed it. Desafio is a good company if it interests you.
Nov 23rd, 2008, 09:47 PM
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volcanogirl-the jeep thing sounds good-is there a website I can visit? Cost is a concern for everything on this trip now-unfortunately. We bought the tickets 6 months ago and I thought I'd have more moolah by now-but I started dating a guy from the other side of the state shortly afterwards and whatdoyouknow it's expensive to travel!Also-any suggestions for budget accommodation in MA? I've checked the ones listed in the thread for MA lodging but they're booked......
Nov 24th, 2008, 04:00 AM
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I think if you do a search for jeep, boat, jeep or taxi, boat, taxi, it will come up for you. The company we used was Desafio. Our hotel booked it for us, and it was $25 per person, which was really reasonable. I think if you book directly with Desafio, it's $21 per person. The boat leaves from Lake Arenal right near the Lost Iguana and they'll deliver you right to your hotel in Monteverde. We stayed at Fonda Vela in junior suite and enjoyed it. Prices were reasonable there too.
Nov 24th, 2008, 04:04 AM
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In MA, we stayed at Mango Moon; also check out Costa Verde and Villas Nicolas. We didn't love our first room at Mango Moon, but they upgraded us for free to a really nice room. A lot of the rooms there share balconies so it didn't feel like we had a lot of privacy.
Nov 25th, 2008, 01:08 PM
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Keith-
we wanted to do river rafting (Pacuare) and also see La Paz and Paos. We figured give ourselves the first 1/2 day relax after traveling-book rafting trip, car for the trip to Arenal, etc. Then our 2nd day we'd do the rafting trip. The 3rd day we'd see some of the other sights mentioned and then take off on the morning of the 4th day. What do you think about doing La Paz or Paos and also driving to Arenal in teh same day? It seemed like too much for us but of course, we havent' been to CR yet!
we wanted to do river rafting (Pacuare) and also see La Paz and Paos. We figured give ourselves the first 1/2 day relax after traveling-book rafting trip, car for the trip to Arenal, etc. Then our 2nd day we'd do the rafting trip. The 3rd day we'd see some of the other sights mentioned and then take off on the morning of the 4th day. What do you think about doing La Paz or Paos and also driving to Arenal in teh same day? It seemed like too much for us but of course, we havent' been to CR yet!
Nov 25th, 2008, 02:59 PM
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I'd recommend (A) booking your rafting trip ahead of time (B) seeing if that rafting company will pick you up if you stay in Alajuela and (C) if so staying in the Alajuela area (Orquideas, Xandari, etc).
Alajuela is on the Arenal side of San Jose.
You can see Poas on the way to Arenal, but it's a BIG stretch to try to see Poas and La Paz. La Paz was great--we really enjoyed it--but it's pricey and some people find it too touristy. Still, we thought it was worth every penny.
Alajuela is on the Arenal side of San Jose.
You can see Poas on the way to Arenal, but it's a BIG stretch to try to see Poas and La Paz. La Paz was great--we really enjoyed it--but it's pricey and some people find it too touristy. Still, we thought it was worth every penny.
Nov 25th, 2008, 03:09 PM
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winesaavy7
RAC's right - book your rafting trip ahead of time. It's high season in December and although you shouldn't encounter any issues going on the day you want, it's still a good idea to book ahead especially since you don't know as yet whether they can pick you up if you stay in Alajuela.
I went to see La Paz and Poas in one day and was back at my hotel in San Jose by early/mid-afternoon, but I didn't hike up to see Botos Lagoon (it's an hour each way, I believe) so if you plan on doing that, then La Paz, Poas and Botos will be an all-day itinerary. The idea is to get to the volcano as early as you can to avoid the fog and get the best views, then to Botos Lagoon, then La Paz. La Paz is touristy but it's well worth the visit and I would go back there again in an instant.
It's about a 3.5 hour drive one way from San Jose to Arenal, so you may consider setting out early the next day after Poas/La Paz/Botos unless you're comfortable driving in the dark (It typically gets dark by 5 pm.) which from your first post may not be the case.
RAC's right - book your rafting trip ahead of time. It's high season in December and although you shouldn't encounter any issues going on the day you want, it's still a good idea to book ahead especially since you don't know as yet whether they can pick you up if you stay in Alajuela.
I went to see La Paz and Poas in one day and was back at my hotel in San Jose by early/mid-afternoon, but I didn't hike up to see Botos Lagoon (it's an hour each way, I believe) so if you plan on doing that, then La Paz, Poas and Botos will be an all-day itinerary. The idea is to get to the volcano as early as you can to avoid the fog and get the best views, then to Botos Lagoon, then La Paz. La Paz is touristy but it's well worth the visit and I would go back there again in an instant.
It's about a 3.5 hour drive one way from San Jose to Arenal, so you may consider setting out early the next day after Poas/La Paz/Botos unless you're comfortable driving in the dark (It typically gets dark by 5 pm.) which from your first post may not be the case.
Nov 25th, 2008, 03:19 PM
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It's about a 20-25 minute hike on a paved trail to Botos. However, it's uphill and requires some effort. Botos, however, is stunning.
The basic order is right, though--Poas crater, Botos crater, then leave the park for La Paz.
Good idea to book a hot sprinss for the next day--between the Pacuare and a day of hiking Poas and La Paz, you'll enjoy soaking in a hot mineral bath. (Get advance reservations for Eco Termales!)
The basic order is right, though--Poas crater, Botos crater, then leave the park for La Paz.
Good idea to book a hot sprinss for the next day--between the Pacuare and a day of hiking Poas and La Paz, you'll enjoy soaking in a hot mineral bath. (Get advance reservations for Eco Termales!)
Nov 26th, 2008, 03:25 PM
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RAC-
what would you reccommend for us as transportation to La Paz/Paos sights? bus? tour (not a big fan of tours but sometimes they're easier/better deal alltogether....), rental car?
volcanogirl-Peace Lodge looks amazing but it is just not in our pricerange. With 13 nights lodging to pay for as well as spending money each day I'll be lucky to be eating 3 meals a day! didn't realize CR woudl be so expensive. It's more expensive than even my European vacations!
any suggestions for something just a notch down from Peace Lodge? we are at the Orquideas Inn in Alajuela for 3 nights but I could always cancel our last night and go somewhere else if there's an affordable choice that'll get us better views, etc......
what would you reccommend for us as transportation to La Paz/Paos sights? bus? tour (not a big fan of tours but sometimes they're easier/better deal alltogether....), rental car?
volcanogirl-Peace Lodge looks amazing but it is just not in our pricerange. With 13 nights lodging to pay for as well as spending money each day I'll be lucky to be eating 3 meals a day! didn't realize CR woudl be so expensive. It's more expensive than even my European vacations!
any suggestions for something just a notch down from Peace Lodge? we are at the Orquideas Inn in Alajuela for 3 nights but I could always cancel our last night and go somewhere else if there's an affordable choice that'll get us better views, etc......
Nov 26th, 2008, 03:34 PM
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We did a rental car, and it worked out well. Problem with tour groups at Poas is that very often they arrive after the crater gets clouded in, and then you don't have time to go off and explore on your own. That would also go for La Paz.
Some hotels (Orquideas Inn for example) offer services where they'll drive you up there. But, make sure they get you there before 9:00 am.
Some hotels (Orquideas Inn for example) offer services where they'll drive you up there. But, make sure they get you there before 9:00 am.
Nov 26th, 2008, 03:39 PM
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And if you get there, and it's clouded over, wait a little bit, and you may get a glimpse. The clouds parted for us, and everyone cheered! Totally understand about PL; it's pricey. I wanted a standard room, but they were sold out and I had to get deluxe - sticker shock.
Nov 26th, 2008, 05:32 PM
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And, people sometimes forget that there's more to see there than just the big crater. Botos is stunning in its own right, and the trails turn into a chorus of songbirds if you can get by yourself on them.
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