ShellD

Here is the link to the field guides for the animals (and you can get wildlife as well!)

http://www.rainforestpublications.co...et-guides.html

The guides in CR use them as well when you go on tours!

I got set #1 for our last trip, but you can order them individually instead of by the whole set.

vsntr

Thanks I am going to look into the journaling especially the ID kits, It will be a nice way to keep the kids interested in everything they see.

The_Kingfish

We went to Puerto Limon, and loved it. We used Bio Travel Costa Rica to set up our hotels and tours, etc (www.biotravelcr.com). I would use them again definitely. The thing we enjoyed the most were the friendly people in Costa Rica. It's always fun to experience different cultures. You will have a great time!

MandMsmom

We traveled to MA with our 3 and 5 year old boys at the end of June. (We only had 5 days, so decided MA would be the best for them.) Our first 2 nights were in upper MotMot at Tulemar; we then had to switch to a bungalow because MotMot was booked. If you can, I highly recommend MotMOt. It has a deck which the bungalows did not. We all loved the monkeys and sloth that visited. The bungalow was fine, but MotMOt is beautiful. We did the Damas Mangrove tour and Nat'l Park tour with Juan Brenes. He is great with kids! I highly recommend a guide in the park- we saw animals we wouldn't have seen without him. He carries a superscope to magnify things- which allows for great pictures. We didn't go off property to eat much, but did enjoy Salsipuedes which is right next door- good food, live music, kid friendly.
Juan gave us a great tip- you can pay your exit tax at the main bank- also just down the road from Tulemar and across from Salsipuedes. We did not rent a car- highly recommend Wilson Rojas. He stopped at Tarcoles (croc. bridge) on way and a place with great views on the way back. Also brought us to a great restaurant which we requested to stop at on way back too. Portion of highway was closed on way back- we were happy to have a driver who knew where to go.
Enjoy!

vsntr

Mot mot is booked for the dates we are going so we will hav eto go with the bungalow The Damas mangrove tour sounds good I'll look into that for the kids. Thanks for all the great suggestions, I think this is shaping up to be an exciting adventure.

Shooie

I second the recommendation for Wilson Rojas ([email protected]) for the trip to Manuel Antonio. He has a big van that your family can spread out in. It has a DVD player with movies or DVD's on Costa Rica, and there's a stocked ice chest in the back.

hipvirgochick

We've stayed at both Los Lagos and Tulemar (well, Buena Vista, but same property) and I think your kids are gonna love it! One other thing you might like if you have time in MA is the Finca Valmy horseback ride. It's about a 1/2 day and you can book either the morning or afternoon tour. Those laminated guides are great!

vsntr

As far as transportaion I am now thinking of getting a ride SJO to Arenal. Then renting in Arenal for the next 2 days we are there so we can do our own thing.
Then again driver from Arenal to MA. From what I read no need for a car in MA so we can walk around or take the bus on main street if we really need it and then Driver back from MA to SJO
This way we get some input from the local guides and also get a chance to have our own car while in Arenal so we can access the town and local cusine on our own.
Any sugestions on local drivers . Thanks

volcanogirl

We use Carlos Bogarin; I got his name through the Lost Iguana. He's very smart and thoughtful and reliable - brought cold bottled water for us in the van and spotted toucans for us on the way up.

MandMsmom

We used Wilson Rojas to travel from SJO to MA and back. We contacted him via e-mail:
[email protected]
His van was very comfortable, he provided snacks, gave helpful info., stopped at interesting places, and at a good restaurant.

Juan Brenes is who we used for the Damas Mangrove and MA Nat'l Park tours. (He's ranked #1 on TripAdvisor.)
www.aguilatours.com
e-mail: [email protected]

volcanogirl

Here's contact info. for Carlos:

[email protected]

gannetmusic

I don't agree it is worthwhile to take a night out of Arenal and visit Monteverde. FAR too much driving.....and there is plenty to do at Arenal.

Jerry

ShellD

We too used Wilson as our driver from Arenal from MA - he was great - as I'm sure so many other drivers are...but I'd use him again in a second. He was great with kids - even made a detour to get my daughter ice cream - when he overheard her mention she'd like some. He loves his country and truly wants you to appreciate everything about it.

[email protected]

hipvirgochick

Agree with gannetmusic. And 2 nights in Fortuna does not give you 3 days, it gives you one full day and two 1/2 days. So you take a night away from Fortuna, which doesn't leave you enough time there, and then spend a night in Monteverde which doesn't give you enough time there. Doesn't make sense.

Nords95

We stayed at Los Lagos and Tulemar last month and you can't go wrong with either one. I had 4 kids with me (14, 11, 6 and 2) ands they all had a ball. We rented a 4x4 for the entire 15 days we were in Costa Rica and I was very happy with my decision as it gave me the flexability to come and go as I please. They have a family line at the airport that will get you through customs a little faster but I would still plan on at least 2 hours for customs and getting your car. Add an hour on any travel time that you are given for the random truck you get stuck behind for 20 miles and ongoing construction to improve the roads. The drive from Los Lagos to Tulemar took over 7 hours and it is only about 150 miles of driving. One of these days I will find the time to put up a trip report. If you have any questions in the mean time let me know.

Josh

Jillymo

You probably have your itinerary planned ... but next time I would fly into Liberia airport. Lots to see up and down the west coast. We also rented a 4 wheel drive vehicle (a must) to drive to Arenal. We stayed 1 night at Arenal Observatory Lodge .... walked suspension bridges and went on our own through the rainforest and found beautiful waterfalls (we have 2 boys) the grounds and pools are wonderful (no tv or internet, etc). Second night Los Lagos ... very plain, small rooms a little musty, but again beautiful grounds, crocodile farm, great pool with giant slide and in pool bar and the best massage I've ever had in my life! One more night would have been ok, would have liked to have seen the hot springs. My husband and I went back to CR a couple more times alone, where we drove the coast ate, drank and sunned plenty but the best trip was exploring more of CR with the boys. Have a great trip and let us all know what you think.

vsntr

Well departure day is next week and we are gettign pretty excited. Based on all the reviews we ended up booking Wilson for the 3 legs of our trip so we dont have to worry about the driving part.
While in Arernal @ Los Lagos we plan on doing the hanging bridges, Sky trek and the Waterfalls for sure.
While in MA @ Tulemar we plan on chilling at the beach and perhaos the MA park.
Will try and add a trip report when we come back.