Arenal - December
 

Hi all!

My boyfriend and I are trying to plan a trip for our anniversary and I suggested CR as it has what we love - beaches and adventure. However, he LOVES all-inclusive and pretty much refuses to stay anywhere that isn't.

Any suggestions on places to stay? We don't have a huge budget.

Arenal is our main focus so if we have to stay in that area, it's fine with us.

All inclusives aren't very popular in the Arenal area, or even in CR in general. There are a few in the Guanacaste area. There are so many fun little outdoor restaurants, that I think it would be a shame to only look at AIs. Arenal is a great area with tons to do there. If you want to pair it with a beach, Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio is really nice. Not sure what your budget is. In Arenal, we like Nayara and the Lost Iguana. Silencio del Campo is popular and affordable if you want to explore that one.

Arenal has a lot of great adventure activities. Sky Trek has some of the longest, highest ziplines in the world. You can also raft with Rios Tropicales. We did waterfall rappelling/canyoning with La Roca and loved that too. There are some nice hikes in the Arenal area including the waterfall, the Hanging Bridges, and the volcano.

The beach inside the park in Manuel Antonio is beautiful and has lots of fairly tame wildlife, lots of monkeys. The Damas mangrove tour is also fun. Tulemar has free boogie boarding and kayaking.

Both of these areas have a lot of hotel and restaurant choices.

How much can a person love adventure if they refuse to stay anywhere besides an all-inclusive resort?

There aren't any true all-inclusives in the Arenal area--closest option would be Tabacon, which sells various packages.

Also not available in Arenal: beaches. So, it may make sense for you to split your time between a beach all-inclusive and somewhere in Arenal, and your boyfriend will just have to make do without the AI option there.

RAC - We have never vacationed together. I'm the adventure loving one and he's the beach one. I'm willing to split time between Arenal and MA, but need suggestions on places to stay. He'll have to deal without the AI aspect.

I suggested several places - did you have a chance to look at any of those? Let us know what you like and dislike, and we can help point you in the right direction.

There's a wide range of places to stay in each place, so it depends on what's important--creature comforts, views, close to nature/wildlife, etc.

Our place in Arenal is the Arenal Observatory Lodge, but it's not everyone's thing (remotely located, in the forest, great wildlife and hiking and the best volcano views in the country, but rooms more reminiscent of Motel 6 than a luxury retreat (with infinity pool and jacuzzi, both with killer volcano views).

Manuel Antonio--we really liked La Posada Jungle Bungalows-located right next to the park, with a pool, you get your own bungalow by the pool, more of a B&B type of place.

Each of those can be had for around $125/night.

Volcanogirl - I put them on my list of places to check out when I'm off work.

RAC - Thanks, I'll check those out as well.

I'm all for being close to nature. I don't plan on spending much time in a hotel room, so it's really just a place for my head to lay at the end of the day.

AOL and the Lost Iguana will get you close to nature, but will be further from town, restaurants, etc. The Lost Iguana is out by the lake and the Hanging Bridges. They run specials a lot, so ask or check their website if it interests you. Desafio and Sunset Tours are both nice tour companies with good websites.

night - never traveled together before? This will be a good test - lol! Maybe you can change his mind about the AI thing!