I am charged with making a Costa Rican trip proposal for a small professional group (14 - 20) who meet regularly for their conferences in different locales. The group have varied interests and fitness aptitudes, from beaching to biking , hiking, climbing, golfing. Can anyone recommend a good area where we could more or less base ourselves for 5-7 days and allow the adventurers to access rain forest, beach, volcanoes? Would prefer to not have to pack up and move, at least not more than once. This would be a trip in Feb. or March. Which area would have the best weather then? I read that the north is rather dry at that time. Or would a group trip like this do better somewhere else? Thanks!

Paradisus Playa Conchal, perhaps? If you are wanting something smaller, there are several upscale smaller hotels available in this same area, between Tamarindo and Playa Flamingo. Several golf courses available.

Also, Flamingo Beach Resort might be a good option for your group. Very nice area. Lots to explore an hour or so north and an hour or so south.

Sounds as though this northern area would be advisable. Are there volcanoes, birding, etc. accessible from this area at a commutable day-trip distance? Are the roads ok?

The area we are speaking of is in Guanacaste, the drier northwest part of Costa Rica. The provincial city is Liberia.

North of Liberia is a national park called Rincon de la Vieja. It is a beautiful area to explore and your group could enjoy ziplines, volcanic mud baths, hiking, horseback riding, etc.

What time of year do you plan to go? The northwest is very green and lush during the green season, from May to mid-November. We have found the months of June, July, and early August to be ideal for Guanacaste. As the driest part of the country, it might rain occasionally, but not enough to interfere with activities and enjoyment. In fact, we've spent 2 weeks at a time in July with no rain at all. Or it might rain briefly in the afternoon. This is the norm, anyway. The rain picks up in September and October, and you could expect more during those months.

In the dry season, December-April or mid May, there is little rain. By January, things have turned brown and dusty and not so pretty. But it is still a very nice area. In the Rincon de la Vieja forests, you can still see lots of wildlife (monkeys, coatis, birds), perhaps even better with less foliage.

Besides the volcanic activity in the Rincon, there are a couple of volcanoes south of Liberia good for hiking and a little thermal activity. They are Miravalles and Tenorio. We hiked on Tenorio this past July and it was gorgeous, particularly the Rio Celeste and its brilliant blue waters.

There are many day trips offered out of most hotels. Volcan Arenal is about a 4-5 hour drive from where you will be, so wouldn't be a day trip, but would make an excellent overnight trip. Again, most hotels offer that tour or know who does. Arenal is beautiful in its activity, especially at night when the lava is flowing down the sides. What a sight to see! It is always, however, a crapshoot where you are going to see anything at all as it is frequently clouded over. There are also hot springs in the Arenal area--3-4 really great places to go and relax in the hot pools, get a massage, enjoy the pool bars, have dinner, etc.

Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal, and Playas del Coco are a few beaches closer to Liberia than Flamingo. We enjoy this area as well. Hotel Villas del Sueno was very nice, although not right on the beach.

Up on the Papagayo Peninsula there are a few very nice all-inclusives: Fiesta Premier, Grand Papagayo, Four Seasons, Allegro Papagayo. This area also extremely close to Liberia (20 minutes). And you do know that you can fly into Liberia?

I mentioned the area around Flamingo because of your mention of golfing. There are several golf courses down around that Tamarindo-Flamingo area. I think the only course available up on the Papagayo Peninsula is at the Four Seasons, probably solely for guests.

Hope this helps a bit. Good luck in your planning!

fly into liberia and then playa conchal has a beautiful beach:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...uanacaste.html

and a top golf course.
fix up a trip with the tour company ditrect rather than with the hotel, it'll be a lot cheaper, Avispa's tours in Playa Hermosa are excellent:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...uanacaste.html

my recommendations would rincon de la vieja:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...delaveija.html

or Miravalles Volcano:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...avalles_1.html

Thanks you for all your input. Our group's trip will be 5-7 days sometime late Feb. to mid-March. Given the dryness, is the north still your recommendations?

You could always "do" Manuel Antonio area if you don't mind driving or being shuttled to the beach (hotels are high up on the road, nice views!). I don't think golfing is available down there, though. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Of course, you do have the rainforest experience there (or tropical moist forest, actually)