I was planning to travel to Costa Rica next spring with a friend using one of my time share weeks. We are very interested in doing ziplining, particularly in the Arenal area, and would also like to hike and explore the volcanoes and waterfalls, etc. However, the choices for timeshare exchanges are limited to the following:

1) Amapola Vacation Club, Playa Jacó, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
2) Coco Sunset Vacation Club, Playa del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
3) Doubletree by Hilton Puntarenas, El Roble, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
4) El Ocotal Beach Resort, Playa del Coco, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
5) Flamingo Beach Resort, Santa Cruz, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
6) Flamingo Marina Resort Hotel and Club, Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
7) Hotel Terraza del Pacífico, Jacó, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
8) Las Terrazas de Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
9) Parador Resort & Spa, Punta Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica
10) The Sanctuary Resort & Spa, Playa Azul, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
11) Villas Nacazcol, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
12) Villas Playa Sámara, Sámara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

So, I guess I am looking for guidance/feedback on these resorts and locations. Also, they all seem far from Arenal. Is it possible and even worthwhile to do a day trip from any of these areas to Arenal? In reviewing several of the forums, it seems a lot of people travel 2 days here, 3 days there, etc. Is the recommended course of travel for Costa Rica? That doesn't seem like much of a vacation to me. I would rather settle into one place for a week and do tours from that location.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be most appreciated.

Si Como No at manuelantoniopark.com

best of all you mention for 1 week but 200 miles from Arenal

too far for day trip a couple of nites best for me usually.

No time shares at Arenal.net hotelmountainparadise.com

nice moderate for a night or 2 well located

skytrek.com best zip

tripadvisor.com/members/natureguide best guide for MA tours

servicecarrental.com best cheapest for me to get around

hotelvistadelcerro.com is another super budget

As you know most of these time shares are dodgy

older properties check reviews carefully believe the baddies

most of them are... Spirit.com cheap flights down.

No, you don't want to do a day trip. It took us about five hours to go between Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Things in CR are far apart, and some of the roads aren't in great shape. Usually people do at least three nights in Arenal and at least three nights in MA.

I agree with VolcanoGirl - You can get some good ideas of drive times with this interactive map - http://www.yourtravelmap.com/costari...hp?&width=1280
Cheers

Of the places you have listed I would go for the Parador I think, very nice place.

I think si como no is a great choice we have stayed there and really like it. Arenal is really too far to do a day trip. there is zip line in manuel antonio area. I really like the arenal area but it does require moving around.You could hire a drive to take you to arenal your first day stay 2 nights then fly to manuel antonio area. the flights are nice and we consider them an adeventure beautiful scenary.

Arenal is sort of the midpoint to Guanacaste and to Manuel Antonio. My guess for Manual Antonio and Guanacste are at least 10-15 hrs apart driving. I have been to all three places on two separate trips. I like Arenal and Guanascaste more than Jaco to M.A. because there are more to do in Arenal. I liked Si Como No, nice place. I extremely dislike Flamingo Beach resort in Guanacaste. Loved Hotel Nayra in Arenal. If going to Arenal, definitely do the Sky Trek and Tram.

Could you save your timeshare week for some where else? For me, Costa Rica's timeshare choices aren't the best compared to other places, such as Mexico. Not the best use of your week.

I agree with volcanogirl, driving here always takes longer than most sites tell you. So it is always better to spend a few days here and there. I never stayed at the Parador, just walked throug, looked very nice. I like the Flamingo Beach Resort on the Guanacaste side, some people say it is not updated, but they did a huge renovation a few years ago and I always had a nice room. It is right on the beach, so easy to do water sports, jet skiing, etc.

Is it possible for you to do a beach in Guanacaste then take the three hour drive to Arenal, and stay there for a couple days? That would be a great trip.
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