jarvisfamily

Looking for advice for a 10 nights in Costa Rica - part of a longer trip, so we are looking for budget/reasonably priced accomodation - happy to share one room. Our kids are 7, nearly 9 and 11. Plan so far is:

7th July - Arrive SJO 1900. Stay near to SJO - any recommendations for room(s) for 5?

8th July - hire driver to take us to Arenal, possibly via Poas volcano? Stay 8th/9th/10th in Arenal area. Any hotel suggestions?

11th July - jeep/boat/jeep to Monteverde. Stay 11th and 12th in Monteverde (Hotel Arco Iris?)

13th July - to Manuel Antonio. Stay 13th/14th/15th here (Costa Verde)

16th - return to SJO, fly out next morning.

I would welcome any advice on this itinerary. Slightly concerned about the rainy season - are we likely to see much volcano activity at Arenal? Also considered Tortuguero - is it worthwhile in July (how likely is it that we would see turtles at this time?) - should we drop one location in favour of Tortuguero?

Also, as we are travelling in the green season, can anyone give me advice on appropriate footwear (particularly for the children) and light rainjackets v umbrella?

Thanks for any advice/recommendations!

volcanogirl

We went to Arenal in July of last year. Although it's the rainy season, we were able to periodically see the volcano each day and also got to see it erupting each night from our balcony. We stayed at the Lost Iguana and loved it - it's a bit far removed from town, but it has beautiful grounds and great views. I'm not sure what your budget is - LI might be a little on the high end. They have a great web site that will help you with trip planning if you want to check it out; it gives details on everything from the weather to tipping in CR and travel times. It really helped us.

We brought rain ponchos with us - just little cheap ones we got at the drug store that fold up to a really small size. LI provided umbrellas so we didn't need to worry about that. In terms of footwear, we wore running shoes the entire time and were fine.

In SJO, we stayed at Grano de Oro and really liked it. It's built in an old mansion and cost about 100 bucks a night for the room we got.

During our trip, it did rain every day but mostly only in the afternoons. We learned to do our activities fairly early in the day because the rains usually came in the afternoons around three o'clock.

If it's in your budget, try to take the Cano Negro tour out of Arenal - it's really amazing and you'll see tons of wildlife. Enjoy your trip!

kencolian

Your kids will love it. Re: footwear we took Keen sandels, lightwight hiker tennis shoes, and flip flops. I got a good deal on kids keens (h2o) at zappos.com. This year Lands End is selling nice looking beach trecker sandals. You want something that will dry easily. We mostly wore the Keens.

Sun hats for hikes, beach time. I also brought some sun protective clothing. I highly recommend this. (Sun is really powerful and we are light skinned) I just bought a 50 spf rashguard at Target for my son For this summer. Much less expensive then either Coolibar or Lands End.

jarvisfamily

Thanks very much for these replies. Volcanogirl, thanks for the information about Arenal, that's very helpful. Kencolian, I should have said that we are in the UK, but the tips are useful, thanks.
Can anyone comment on the itinerary generally, particularly regarding the best places to go in the rainy season. Is Tortuguero worth going to in mid July, or would we need to be later for good turtle viewing?

Pat_Hewitt

We like to use Orquideas Inn as our airport hotel. They have some reasonably priced rooms, and the restaurant is open late. So you can get a meal when you arrive. The Trapp Family Inn is a new hotel not far from the airport too. It is run by the same family that operates Trapp Family Lodge in Monteverde.

In Arenal, two good low price options would be El Silencio del Campo or Arenal Lodge. El Silencio del Campo is more convenient if you don't have a car. Arenal Lodge has great views and larger rooms.

I notice that you are staying three nights at Arenal, and only two in Monteverde. I would go the other way. Although there is a lot to do in the Arenal area, there is more to do in Monteverde. The nature is more intense too. Plus, it is a difficult drive. It is worth the extra time to recover before you do it again.

I would disagree about Arco Iris. This is not a criticism of the hotel. But it is a little out of the way. This isn't bad if you have a car. But you could be setting yourself up for some long waits for taxis. I have not eaten in their restaurant. But you are kind of married to it, so you need to hope for the best. If you stayed closer in, you would have more restaurant choices and shorter waits for transportation. Poco a Poco (less expensive) or El Sapo Dorado are good choices.

Tortuguero is also pretty special. This is turtle season as well. It is a tough call! The other areas are have a lot to offer.

Now here is where I am going to get in trouble. I know that others will disagree with me, but that is what a "forum" is all about. Lively discussion!

But I would drop Arenal and add Tortuguero. Seeing huge sea turtles laying their eggs is a pretty magical experience for everyone, especially the kids. The other nature in this area is pretty spectacular too. Lots of monkeys, waterfowl, crocodiles, etc.

I would take the bus / boat to Tortuguero and the Sansa flight back. I would arrange to have a private van and driver meet the flight and then head for Monteverde. Or connect with a flight to Quepos and put Monteverde at the end, before you go back to San Jose for the last night. You will just have to watch the weight limits on the local flights.

Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio is just fine.

Hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel professional)

shillmac

LOL, Pat! I know you love Monteverde! I was going to offer just the opposite--drop Monteverde and use the days for Tortuguero. I've always favored Arenal--to me it seems like there's more to do THERE!

Just a perfect example of, as Pat says, what makes this forum helpful (or confusing)!

That said, you could go either way and have a wonderful time. But this I do believe: you should drop ONE of the two in favor of Tortuguero. July, with the green turtles laying their eggs, offers you a splendid opportunity to share something truly magical with your children. It's quite an experience, and I think you'll be very glad you made that decision!

Good luck and have a wonderful trip!

By the way, we share something in common that I'd like to visit with you about. Would you mind dropping me an e-mail

[email protected]

sms73

I second the suggestion of Orquideas Inn. The rooms at the top of the hill have two queen size beds and they will give you an extra rollaway bed, so there is plenty of room for five. In high season, we paid $99 including breakfast (paid in cash).

Lost Iguana doesn't have rollaway beds for their least expensive room, only two double beds, so I think it would be hard to all share a room there.

We liked renting our own car for family of four to go from San Jose to Arenal, stopping at Poas and La Paz waterfall garden (your kids would love that, although entrance fees areexpensive). Didn't do the drive to Monteverde, but if you drove yourself to Arenal,perhaps you could drop off the car there if you find a rental car company with an office in La Fortuna. Then you would have a car while there and could stay on the active side of the volcano (at Arenal Observatory Lodge) or visit the active side.

jarvisfamily

Thanks for all the suggestions. I was actually wondering about dropping Manuel Antonio in favour of Tortuguero! I think Tortuguero is now definitely on, so I need to look into that a bit more, and decide which of the others to drop.
Thanks for the hotel recommendations - I have emailed Orquideas Inn but haven't heard from them yet. I'm finding that some places are already full for the dates that we have planned, at least for the family rooms.

I will also rethink car hire, in line with a revised itinerary! I'm very grateful for all the suggestions so far, and any further thoughts would be welcome too!

Shillmac - I'll email you (I'm intrigued).

shillmac

Well, heck, I don't know about switching MA for Tortuguero. Your kids would surely enjoy the beach time at Manuel Antonio--great little beaches inside the park. They won't get that at Tortuguero. The water is too full of sharks and riptides up in that part of the country. It isn't swimmable. So it won't be the typical beach experience. Strictly a nature experience, the rivers, canals, wildlife, turtles, etc.

I'll be looking for your e-mail!
It isn't THAT intriguing!

jarvisfamily

Thanks for the advice. We have decided to drop Monteverde in favour of Tortuguero, so our itinerary is now:
1 night San Jose (Orquideas/Bougainvillea?)
2 nights Arenal (Arenal Paraiso?)
1 Night San Jose
2 nights Totuguero (Tortuga Lodge?)
3 nights Manuel Antonio
1 night San Jose

Had to cut one night in Arenal to get back to SJ for early flight to Tortuguero. Didn't want to do that on the first morning.
How does this look?
In MA, Costa Verde can only offer us a studio with an extra 'mattress' - all that is available. Will this be a mattress on the floor, or a proper bed? I am a bit worried about bugs etc! Will it make the room too cramped? What are the studios like in terms of views, size etc?
Also a question re internal flights. As there are 5 of us, I assume that we will be able to go up to 5x the luggage limit even if we only have 3 bags - is that correct? Also, we are planning to fly straight from SJO to Quepos after flying in from Tortuguero. I think there is a gap of 55 minutes between the two flights - is this doable?
Also, do you think it would be possible to leave some luggage at our San Jose hotel for the 10 nights?

Thanks again for any advice.

MarciaM

Several years ago when our family of 4 traveled in Costa Rica, it was cheaper to take a charter flight for some in-country flights, plus it saves you time because you don't have to go back through San Jose (you could go straight from Tortuguero to Quepos). We had our itinerary worked out, and Costa Rica Expeditions arranged the hotel rooms and transfers. You might look into that and see how it compares to your doing your own booking. www.costaricaexpeditions.com

wanatrvl

Regarding Costa Verde....our family of 5 stayed there a couple years ago. The mattress is just placed on the floor. My then 15 used it and had no problem with it. We just stood it up out of the way after we all were up for the day. We didn't have a problem with bugs either.

wanatrvl

Sorry...that was supposed to read my then 15 year old slept on the mattress....

jarvisfamily

MarciaM, great idea - if we could travel directly from Arenal to Tortuguero we may be able to avoid the night in SJO. I think we would prefer to fly though as I understand the road/boat transfer would involve a 3-4 hour boat trip. I really wanted 3 nights in Arenal but couldn't work out how to make it all fit together.

Wanatrvl - thanks, that's exactly what I needed to know. I think we'll go with that as other MA options seem to be much more expensive and/or we would need 2 rooms, or not in so good a location.

shillmac

Just a little side note--that 3-4 hour boat trip is a real thrill. Totally interesting and fun. Just know that if you somehow decide to employ that option, it will be a nice highlight, both ways. Always lots of wildlife, and the boat drivers are very good to spot and point out, slowing, stopping, whatever you need them to do. We loved that part of our trip to Tortuguero.

hipvirgochick

With 3 kids your itinerary doesn't give you much time to settle in anywhere and enjoy yourselves, with the exception of 3 nights in MA, especially with the 3 1-nighter's in San Jose. In answer to you question of choosing either Tortugero OR MA, in my opionion that would be yes.

We just spent 3 nights in Arenal and could have easily spent 4. Cano Negro and ziplines with Aventuras were highlights, but would have enjoyed more time for Venado caves, hanging bridges and hiking. We stayed at Campo del Silencio and thought the place, owner's and staff were just wonderful. #2 looked straight up the volcano. They also have private hot springs for free, 1 mile walking. Also close is the Eco-Thermales hot springs, which are very nice and they arranged a free ride there and back.

We took the $5.00 rain ponchos and they worked great. Wore our Keen Venice shoes for the most part, the entire trip.

Just a recent one-timer's 2 cents worth

tully

or is that dos colones hvc?

Maybe it's just me but I'd cut out Tortuguero for this trip, too much moving around in a short period, just my opinion. Don't discount that it takes a while to get from place to place and you lose a lot of your day doing so. I spent 3 nights at Arenal last year and could've done another 1 or 2 nights, so many things to do in the area and it is such a pleasant place.

Re Costa Verde...I found the Studio Plus rooms huge, albeit I'm a solo traveler and used to European single closets, eh, rooms. The pool will right below your rooms, so the kids will enjoy having that so close. I think with the mattress on the floor you'll be fine, I wouldn't worry about bugs.

volcanogirl

Ooh, I think Arenal is getting shortchanged. We spent 4 days there, and you still had to pry me away. There is tons to do there, and it's amazing. Cano Negro is the best, and that is almost an all-day experience, plus the hot springs, Skytrek ziplines, Hanging Bridges, volcano. I think you'll wish you spent more time there.

hipvirgochick

jarvis - Wanted to add the reason I suggest Aventuras for the ziplines is they have 11 incredible zips, apparently the 2nd longest distance of zips in Costa Rica. Also, your kids can go tandem if they like...my daughter did. You zip over the waterfalls and rainforest and afterwards go horseback riding for 45 minutes, but is only $10 more than some other companies. Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed it, even more so when the raindrops began! We used the same company for the Cano Negro trip and were also extremely impressed as both guide and driver of the boat spotted incredible wildlife.

Good luck with your choices. I know how tough it can be to weigh all the wonderful options. You will have fun whatever you decide!

jarvisfamily

Thanks again everyone for more useful advice. I'm trying to arrange transportation from Arenal to Tortuguero, so we don't need the night in San Jose. Failing that, I think we'll just have the one night in Tortuguero, so we have 3 nights in Arenal either way.

Tully, I'm pleased to hear that about the studios - kids would probably go for proximity to the pool over views anyway!