Help! I am now realizing that I may be too late to plan our family spring break trip in CR. I'm having a hard time finding any availability for a nice place near the volcano. I had hoped for Lost Iguana based on reviews here, but they said only 3 people to a room (we are a family of 4). Has anyone else had this problem? Also, cannot get into the Arenal Observatory Lodge or Tabacon. Suggestions?
Also, we'd like to head to the beach at the end of the week, but just read about the water near Tamarindo. Any great beach ideas near a fun town for the kids? Thanks so much!

With kids, I would hit Manuel Antonio - lots to do, loads of wildlife, and right near the beach. It will be crowded during Easter though. In Arenal, we stayed at Lost Iguana, but Los Lagos gets good reviews from families; hipvirgochick liked Silencio del Campo a lot.

Yes, we did love El Campo del Silencio, but they're definitely booked Easter week.

Kari -- What exactly are your dates to travel and the ages of your kids?

We are staying at Los Lagos next Spring break...gave in to daughter's desire for water slides.

Rereading your op, that seems weird only 3 people to a room. I would think they'd have rooms with 2 beds sleeping 4. Odd.

hip, seems like I always get dyslexic when I type the name of that place - thanks for correcting me.

We will be in CR from March 15-22. My kids are 12 and 15. Just got an email from Los Lagos that they have availability. Maybe I'll just go for it.

vgirl -- Too funny. I never really see the typos, only the helpful advice people give.

Kari - I think you and your kids would be very happy with Los Lagos. It gets great reviews from adults too on Trip Advisor, not just for kids! Our Spring break is different where we live so we are able to beat the Easter week by leaving on the 22nd, however I know others who have been having difficulty. Glad to hear you found something nice.

Also, agree with Vgirl's suggestion to split the time with Manuel Antonio. I'll be headed there too. You might try Costa Verde. Gets good reviews and may still have availability because it's a larger hotel than some. We're staying at a smaller place near the beach called Hotel Espadilla and is a short walk to the park.

Have a great trip!

Thanks so much. I went ahead and booked Los Lagos. It looks like it will be great for us. We are flying in and out of Liberia. Do you think it's too far to head to MA? I do have a reservation at Harmony Hotel in Nosara and was thinking maybe that would be easier to get back to the airport.

I know MRand enjoyed Nosara and many others here. I haven't been there myself, but I know it's a popular destination. I'm not sure how long the drive is from Fortuna to Nosara.

Will you be renting a car or taking hotel transfers or Interbus? We use Interbus and it looks like it would be about 3 1/2 hrs from Liberia to Fortuna, 4 1/2 from Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, and 5 hours from MA to Liberia. So yes, that MA leg adds some travel time. Driving will give you some flexiblity on what time of day you leave. On the plus side for MA you have the Nat'l park, beaches and recommended tours like Canopy Safari, Finca Valmy hoseback and Sunset Mangrove kayaking...so give some thought into what you might want to do once you get to your destination.

We are a family of 4 traveling in July. We booked the Celebrity Suite A at Lost Iguana which will have room for four. I don't know if they are booked for easter but, they can definitely hold 4 people.
Enjoy your trip!

Yes, the suites are fine for 4 people, but they are booked. The rooms have 2 double beds, yet they only allow 3 people--weird. Oh, well.
We have a 4 wheel drive reserved, so we will be doing all of our own driving. We have been once before and my husband actually gets a kick out of driving in places like CR.
It gives us more flexibility, but I want the kids to really experience the laid back lifestyle and not feel like they're being dragged from place to place.
Thanks so much to everyone for the advice. I could have never gotten this trip planned without all of your help.