Travelkip

Ack! I keep reading about how bad the traffic will be the week of 13-20 April. Do I need to be concerned driving from Liberia to Arenal and then around the area?

Travelkip

And, related to this, for when you get around to it, we arrive early in the evening of the 14th (Liberia). What is the best use of our time for that night? Can we drive to La Fortuna that night? Where should we overnight? Should maybe we go to our Guanacaste resort first and then go inland at the end?

THanks so much - I am close to finalizing details!
KD

MichelleY

It gets dark at around 5 pm. You do not want to drive far at night. With the little ones, I would stay close by for the first night.

volcanogirl

I agree with Michelle. I wouldn't drive between cities at night ever. Things are not well marked or illuminated at all. You'll see people, cows, horses and other things in the road. To me, it's not safe to drive long distances after about 5:30ish.

Travelkip

What do u both know about Tenorio? I am hearing good things about la Carolina....

coryandcarissa

Hi Travelkip,

Here's a link to my trip report from last year, with our then 6 & 3 year old girls, which I think you'd find a helpful read. We saw LOTS of wildlife in our adventures! There's a picture link near the end of the post... and YES, YES, YES, to La Carolina (as you'll read)!!!

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...-with-kids.cfm

Travelkip

Haha coryandcarissa, it was your post that led me to that spot. We just want to go to two places and we've already booked a spot in the beachy area... We wanted to pick one other spot. As you can see, most people say la fortuna, but your post made me reconsider. Thoughts? I emailed la Carolina checking on availability. Haven't heard back yet.

Thanks
K

meganmc

Hello,
This thread is so helpful, I enjoy reading all the posts. I have a question; we'd like to go this May with 2 children (1 and 4) I prefer off the beaten path but now with 2 young kids that wouldn't be enjoyable. Is anyone familiar with a resort style that would have kids area that's not a HUGE A.I. We love to get out and mix with the local area. But close friends are strongly urging us to take advantage of hotel that have a childrens area or babysitters.
Are any of the above suggestions ok for very young travelers? My 3 year old keeps talking to me while i type this so im a little distracted. Thanks for any help.

coryandcarissa

Hi Travelkip,

Good to hear people are still benefiting from our trip report, and can find it in the archives of the Fodor's Forum. I hope you get good news back from La Carolina for availability! This would of course be my top pick, but if La Carolina doesn't work out and you end up going to La Fortuna, you will have a great time there too - not to worry. No matter where you go in Costa Rica, you WILL have a grand time, and you can always come back and catch what you miss on this trip another time! Blessings on your journey...

Travelkip

Thanks coryandcarissa, I can't your picture link to open... But I did want to ask: did you worry about dengue/snakes/other things in that area - especially with the very rustic lodge? I know, sounds like I am a wimp. I am not, but I do worry about the kids.

coryandcarissa

Travelkip - you might try the photo link again. I tried it and it connected okay. Not sure if there were any snakes to speak of near La Carolina. If there were, we never saw any, nor did we give it a second thought really. There are blue jean dart frogs around, but like most things that are poisonous, you'd really have to work really hard to actually become poisoned by it. I was born and raised in Southern California where rattlesnakes are a plenty, and although I'm certain they were there somewhere, I never did see one my whole life, nor do I know anyone who was ever bitten by one. I think the same rules carry over country to country. And, Dengue didn't even cross my mind.

volcanogirl

There are probably snakes at just about every place you'll stay in Costa Rica, but the chances are you won't see them. We've run across a few in our travels because we asked the guide to find them for us, and sometimes they know their usual hiding places. Saw a Fer de Lance on one trip and a coral snake on another. For the most part, they don't want anything to do with you - don't grab tree limbs, put your hand under logs, etc. and always watch the path in front of you and carry a flashlight or headlamp at night. Wear mosquito repellent if it's buggy.

Travelkip

Booked! Plan is to go to Westin in Guanacaste for first few days and do some day trips further down the Nicoya Peninsula... then drive to Tenorio for 3 nights at La Carolina, maybe visit La Fortuna from there (just as a day trip) and then back to our resort for 2 more nights of lounging. I wish I had booked longer but happy with what we have. Coryandcarissa, your link worked after and your pics are lovely!! Thanks everyone!

Cattail

The folks at La Carolina love kids. If the couple who own the lodge are there the dates you're there, they have two small boys of their own. So much for them to do - milk cows, fish, ride in the boat on the small lake, ride horses, swim... Re snakes, as vc said, we have seen snakes, but never had any problems with them. The owners will advise you not to tramp through the tall grass, just to be extra-safe, and tall rubber boots are provided.

Travelkip

Can anyone give me some ideas for must-do thins on the Nicoya Peninsula? Thanks!