after hours and hours of research I am still having trouble deciding what to do. My flights are booked but that is all so far. Here is our flight schedule

Arrive: in SJO Tuesday, Aug 11th at 1:11am We will get a hotel for maybe 6 hours of sleep and then start our vacation. We only have 6 full days, 6 nights.
Depart: Monday, Aug 17th at 12:30pm

Family of 5- 3 girls ages 21, 19 and 16. We would love to experience the rainforest, zip lines, volcano, nature, maybe horseback riding, whale watching and a beach. We also don't want to try to pack too much in as we would like to have a good combo of relaxation/adventure and not be on the roads too much (I hear it can take 5-7 hours to get places depending on road conditions). We will be renting a car.

Here are a few thoughts I have so far and I would like suggestions on what might be best given our limited time. I am willing to pay for a nicer lodge/resort/treehouse during our travels.

Itinerary 1: Leave SJO by noon on Tuesday (the day we arrive) to travel to La Fortuna. Spend 3 nights/ 2.5 days there and then travel to Manual Antonio for 2 nights/ 2 days. Head back to SJO Sunday night so that we can be at airport by 9:30 am on Monday.

Itinerary 2: Leave SJO by noon on Tuesday (the day we arrive) to travel to La Fortuna. Spend 2 nights/1.5 days in La Fortuna; Travel to Monteverde and spend 2 nights/2 days there in a Treehouse and then travel to Jaco and spend one night/one day then back to SJO Sunday night

Itinerary 3: Skip La Fortuna and travel to Osa Pennusala to spend all 6 days/nights at an Eco lodge (which seems to have a good mix of Rainforest and beach???) I looked at Bosque del Cabo...looked great and had good reviews. Would there be a good mix of stuff to do for 6 days there?

I just don't want to spend my time traveling too much and trying to see too much since I know I don't have enough time to do it all. Thank you in advance for any suggestions that would be helpful!!

I would look at the pacific NW also--you'll be going during rainy season, which in the Pacific NW means everything turns lush and green, and also the mass turtle nestings start happening.

I like Itinerary number 1. We did La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio for our first trip, and it was a great combo. Tons to do in both areas as well.

I love #1. The only thing about two is Jaco might not be the prettiest, but maybe somewhere near there. I haven't done # 3.

We had a fantastic day horseback riding near Manuel Antonio with Brisas del Nara. Super sweet and professional family-run business. They take you to their ranch, grandma cooks you breakfast, full or half day tours with waterfalls and swimming, then back to the ranch for lunch.

I forgot hotel suggestions - since you said you'd like a higher end spot, in the Arenal area, we like The Springs Resort and Spa (stayed on a Groupon deal) and Nayara. If you want to be away from town, the Lost Iguana is nice. In Manuel Antonio, we like Tulemar Bungalows, and they have their own beach. I'm curious about why you would like to go to Jaco? It has a reputation for being a party town. I love Bosque del Cabo, but with people that age, I think MA and Arenal are a better fit. BdC consists mostly of hiking and watching wildlife, and most people eat all their meals on property. Monteverde to me skews a little older, lots of good bird watching there.