After reading MOON and several messages boards, I came up with this tentative itinerary.

Day 1: Arrive in Liberia. Travel to Arenal.
Day 2: Arenal - Day trip to Cano Negro
Day 3: Arenal - Arenal Volcano and Tabacon Hot Springs
Day 4: Jeep/Boat/Jeep to Monteverde
Day 5: Monteverde - Monteverde/Santa Elena Cloud Forest
Day 6: Monteverde - Explore the towns and private reserves
Day 7: Travel to Playa Hermosa
Day 8: Playa Hermosa - Day trip to Santa Rosa
Day 9: Playa Hermosa - Relax on the beach (maybe turtle viewing)
Day 10: Depart from Liberia

Now I have a few questions.

Will this trip be too busy?

Is a trip to Santa Rosa worth an entire day?
I found several good comments about Cano Negro, but not as much information on Santa Rosa.

We planned to spend Christmas Day at the Arenal Volcano and the Hot Springs. Will they be open since it is Christmas?

Any other advice is also appreciated.

No this does not look too busy. If I am reading correctly you have 3 nights at each location, which is excellent IMHO.

As for the Tabacon open on Christmas question - ask Tabacon. But if this is truly something you want to do, I would certainly recommend booking it in advance - which may already be too late.

Also - have you already booked your hotels? This is a very very busy time.

Hi,
I emailed Tabacon to book a day pass for the hot springs a couple of weeks ago, but they told me all the day/night passes were sold out from Dec 15 through the first week in January.

However, I did get around this by booking a tour through Gaialink that includes a volcano hike, then dinner and hot springs for the evening. I paid mucho $$$$$$ for this though!! A good friend of mine who formally lived in CR convinced me I should visit it once in my lifetime. So, I'm going.

People on this board really enjoy the other two hot springs so look into those as an option. Maybe you shouldn't wait though. Good luck,
Jayne

I am about to book my first trip to Costa Rica and wonder if my itinerary makes sense:

Arrive December 26th early afternoon---fly right to Quepos for three nights at La Mansion.

Fly to Arenal from Quepos and spend two nights at La Mansion Inn

Transport to The Peace Lodge at La Paz Waterfall for 2-3 nights.

Does it make sense to spend two nights in Arenal and then go to Peace Lodge?? Or should I spend an extra day in Quepos and an extra day at Peace Lodge and take tour for one day to Arenal? I would appreciate any feedback you can provide. Thanks!

It makes perfect sense to spend time at Arenal and La Paz.

In my opinion Arenal is not a daytrip attraction. Most of the allure of Arenal is seeing the volcano in action after dark. Not too mention there is quite enough to keep you occupied for a few days.

Oh and we have hiked to the La Fortuna waterfall and have done the ones at La Paz. Both are beautiful and different, worth the treks.

BTW - If you have not already made lodging arrangements, I would seriously advise you to do this ASAP.

Dfarmer----Thanks for the advice. I am leaning toward two nights at Peace Lodge, then on to Arenal for two nights and finally to Quepos for three nights and fly back to San Jose to leave on the 2nd. Should I rent a car instead with suitcase weight limits on the flights? Is it driveable? Thanks again!

I really would not base my decision on the suitcase weight!! I used to be one of those people that packed way too much. You know you come home with half the clothes never being worn, and then have to wash them ANYWAY!! No more, it is just way too easy when all you have is a duffle and a backpack. Avoid the roller bags, they weigh a ton (unless you are using them for souvenirs and storing them in SJ).

Truly, do a packing dry run, throw half of it out and you should be just right for CR!! LOL. You will really be amazed at what you can get in 25 lbs.

Whether you fly or drive, I still recommend to pack light.

When thinking of clothing, you will want layers - tank/t shirt under long sleeve shirt under jacket (waterproof). In Arenal and/or Monteverde - You start out in the morning and end up late in the evening with all the layers. But sometime during the day you are down to the tank and shorts. But once you arrive at the ocean, shorts and t's.

DON'T pack a hair dryer, curling iron, hot rollers - everyday in CR is a BAD hair day - Wind - Rain - Humidity!

A couple of pair of shoes (boots/walkers and flip flops).

And everthing else in just the proportions that you will use while away.

Oh, and we stayed 2 nights at Peace Lodge, it was heaven - after a tiring vacation. Try to get over to Poas, quite different than Arenal. And Doka Coffee Plantation if you love coffee!

Oh and speaking of COFFEE! you are going to Monteverde the best coffee in the world - IMHO!