Hi All,

This is my first time posting here, but have been reading all the posts and great advice and hope you can help me too with mine.

I will be arriving May 25 - June 3, 2008 (10 days, 9 nights) and have an idea of my itinerary (I think, see below).

We are a young bilingual (Spanish) couple in our 30's and have decided to rent a car to have the flexibility of driving...the question is now which agency gave you the best quote? I've looked at a couple already, but just being nosy.

Here is my "planned" itinerary:

Going straight to Arenal, is it best to skip San Jose?) - stay 4 nights or 3 nights and include Monteverde? We keep hearing to skip Monteverde, since it's not worth the drive and not much to do...what do you think? Also, which hotels in Arenal do you recommend that are nice, with AC, see the volcanic activity and are hopefully under $100/night (e.g. Arenal Vista Lodge?).

Next hoping to stay 4 nights in Manuel Antonio or maybe 3 nights if doing Monteverde. See above. Ok here, also which hotels are recommended based on the less than $100/night as above? Is 4 nights here too much?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Erika

Also forgot to ask if I'm renting a car and driving to Arenal, maybe Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio at the end of May-June...is it fine to just rent a compact size or is a 4X4 necessary, since it's their rainy season? Thanks again!

Do rent a 4X4. You'll need it en route to Monteverde and the clearance is nice on any of the roads (most of which are quite decent actually).

Arenal Paraiso is a very nice place to stay for the price you mentioned. It would be my pick.

At Manuel Antonio, check out Villas Nicolas as it gets excellent reviews and is next door to Si Como No and its good restaurants and gift shop!

Monteverde is worth your time. The cloud forest there is nice, and there is plenty to do.

Forgot to mention, our favorite rental place is Tricolor for the prices and the service. Quotes are all-inclusive, no hidden costs.

Hi,
We used EuropeCar a few years back as they had the best prices. We rented and small SUV. Came in handy for the clearance, but never needed the 4wheel drive. Their service was awesome. Yes.... DO go to Monteverde as it is well worth it!
Kirsten

What times are your international flights arriving and departing SJO?

4 nights in MA is not too much IMO. There are lots of activities and the beaches inside the Nat Park are beautiful. Ziplining, swamp/mangrove tours, parasailing, sailing, catamaran trips, lots of wildlife, nature preserves, etc.

the question is now which agency gave you the best quote? I've looked at a couple already, but just being nosy.

You need a 4x4 for the road to Monteverde! I don't want to spent too much money rent a Terios 4x4, that car will take you anywhere in Costa Rica. Watch out for hidden costs when you request rates, I know many companies do that (HERTZ is none of them). Tricolor seems to be a reliable company, I just saw an advertisement from Wild Rider (www.wild-rider.com) for May/ June.

San Jose is not a beauty but still has a lot to offer. There are many museums, cultural events and the best nightlife in whole Costa Rica.

We went straight to Arenal and stayed at the Paraiso for 3 nights. Anywhere Costa Rica (a great agency - with really great prices - provided transportation from the airport with a lunch stop along the way). We loved the Paraiso and also Eco Thermales hot springs. We then took a boat across the lake and a jeep taxi to Monteverde. I would recommend it! We stayed there 2 nights - ziplines and hiked the cloud forest). MV was my favorite town!

We then got transport from the beach and flew back to SJO.

Thanks everyone so far! I'm arriving at 9 AM on May 25 and departing June 3 at 7 pm. I was thinking of eliminating Monteverde, but seems most are in favor of it. It wouldn't cut out my time by spending so much time driving? What hotels are recommended there?

Thanks!