Have a business conference at Paradisus Playa Conchal in mid -Feb. and would like to spend 5-6 days prior in Costa Rica. Arenal volcano for sure for two nights and either Manuel Antonio or the carib coast for the rest. I have not read very much at all on this board about the east coast and would appreciate some input. We are also first timers to C.R.

Thanks

If you want to try the Carib side, an idea would be to look at a trip to Tortuguero. Normally these would be a 3 day/2 night excursion. You can only get there by boat or plane.

Last year we stayed at the Mawamba Lodge, very pleased with our experience. We boated in and flew out.

As for the lower Carib coast, there is some flooding going on in some of these areas right now, since we are not headed there, I cannot advise you.

Also since you are looking at mid Feb, only a few weeks away, I would advise you to make a decision and try to get your bookings very quickly, this is high season.

MA is a must do sometime, but since you are already staying at the Playa Conchal, I would think you may want to wait. You just may find yourself addicted to CR, so save something for next time.

There are many day trips offered from Conchal that would be quite interesting. Hope you will have time for those.

A business conference in CR, maybe I need to work for your company!!!!

Have fun!

actually we own our own businesses (IGA grocery store franchises) and our supplier foots the bill for these conferences (this one is nine days at the Playa Conchal). Maybe you might want to buy my store?

Nine days at Conchal? What a treat! Catch a few shows in the evening. The dance team is excellent.

I agree that since you are spending so much time at the beach already, you want to forego another beach destination. For sure, save the Caribbean (south) for later. It is a nice location (different, but fun); however, there has been much destruction recently. The infrastructure has suffered considerable damage (bridges, etc), roads have been closed, etc. Fall is a great time to visit that area.

If you are really bent of MA (and, as dfarmer mentioned it is a must see at some point in time), I'd advise 2-3 days at Arenal and 3-4 days Manuel Antonio before trudging up to Conchal to tough it out there for 9 days! Good grief!

Sorry for all the typos--it's been a loooooonnnngggg day!