Just spotted a Travelzoo bargain that may be too good to pass up. 7 nights hotel and a car and airfare, first night in San Jose then a choice of 6 nights virtually anywhere. It's on gotmyfare.com.

We haven't been to Costa Rica yet, we love wildlife and jungle, please let us know one or two locations driving distance from San Jose and back where we might have a nice little trip. The choices include Osa, Monteverde, Arenal, Guanacaste, Tamarindo, and several other places which aren't familiar sounding. It includes entry to several national parks, including Manuel Antonio & Arenal.

Comments on driving distance and time will be welcome, I think we would be happy seeing monkeys and birds and hiking in the jungle for a week.

I know, I know, we should really spend more time, but this little trip is very tempting and cheap for a week in November. Weather good in November, I believe?

November is usually the worst month for rain sadly

www.weather2travel.com CR climate guide

still Central Valley www.arenal.net

www.monteverdeinfo.com www.manuelantoniopark.com

makes a nice trip...but expect rain and not great hotels

on those super budget great deal packages...

I looked up the trip. The quoted prices are without taxes or fees, no air travel taxes and fees, no insurance, and the cheapest prices on the hotels I looked up are from 30 to 60 dollars per night during that season. November is sure to have heavy to very heavy afternoon rain in many places. This WILL curtail your activities, unless you like rocking on the porch in the rain. The list of hotels is "subject to availability" and may change without notice, and you just might not like the $30 dollar room. I'm not sure that this bargain is a bargain, and I am not even tempted. You might pick one area that has lots of hotel choices (Arenal or Manual Antonio?), and prepare a list of hotels you would like to stay at. Rent a vehicle and appear at each hotel on your list in sequence, and do the bargaining yourself until you get the price you want.

Rain fall is very seldom all day and in Nov. The green season is starting to taper off. It sounds like it's an inexpensive way to check things out. We have been to all the above locations in Nov. of different years and have never had it rain so much as to ruin our plans. This Feb in Arenal however it rained so hard we couldn't see to drive. Go figure. As to the hotels, like with anything, you get what you pay for but I think you will be able to find clean and comfortable accomodations. I'd say "Go for it!"

Manuel Antonio and Arenal is the most popular combo for first timers - would give you lots of access to adventure activities, wildlife, volcano, beach, and lots of hotel and restaurant choices. The Osa is wild and beautiful - best wildlife we've seen, but harder to access and not easy to drive there. Arenal and MA are each about 3 hours drive from SJO and maybe about 5 hours between the two. I'd say you should pick two locations.

The tour I looked up does include airfare from several cities, Chicago being the cheapest at $799.00 and ground only at $499.00. That said the taxes and fees will add up plus and vehicle insurance, just make sure you add in all the hidden fees. Maybe you don't even want a vehicle...Agree with above to check hotel prices and airfare (vehicle if you want) since nothing else is really included. You may get a better deal doing it on your own. If you do opt for the deal, I'd try to get the latest dates in November possible.

Just returned from week in CR and our air from Chicago was $207 total. 5 yrs ago, we flew for under $200 total from SFO. If you have time and have flexible dates, I'd build your own trip. CR activities (ziplines, boating tours) are major expenses but most amazing parts of the trip.

I'm no expert on Costa Rica but I am suspicious of these types of cheap packaged trips. I prefer to plan things myself and have more control over where I'll stay, etc. Especially when we're talking $30/night rooms, I don't mind staying cheap if I've researched and found it myself but some of the hotels they use for packaged deals are not places I'd want to stay.

Thanks everyone for your input, the airfare from LAX and the car rental aren't bad at all, so I will put this together myself.

We will still probably go for just 7-8 days, I have a friend who's been there several times who will give me some advice.

Selva Verde Lodge in Sarapiqui looks interesting. Monteverde also for a couple of days, how to fit in Arenal? (I haven't talked to my friend yet...). He says MA may be too touristy for our taste, Tamarindo? I'm almost tempted to skip the beach and just go for jungle and volcanoes, might be too much driving in just a week?

If we go around Thanksgiving, what might be our weather chances?

gigib, please share what you've found in your research and from your friend. We're also interested in our first trip to CR around Thanksgiving. How much is car rental and what kind of car are you getting? Lodging, etc.

Thanks!