Hi all,

I am traveling to Costa Rica with my 15 and 12 year old generally active and athletic kids from the end of July - beginning of August 2012. We will arrive mid morning on Saturday and leave at 5:30 pm the following Sunday, so 8 nights total.

I *know* am going to end the trip in Tortegueroa nd will arrive back in San Jose before my flight departs. I am going to spend Thurday night in San Jose, then F-Sun in Tortuguero.

The question is how to best spend my time for the first 6 days.

I was thinking of renting a car on arrival and driving up to Arenal/La Fortuna for 3 nights. After that, do you recommend Monteverde? Manuel Antonio? Somewhere else? Why?

I know I am going to have a bit of a drive on Thursday back to San Jose, but we can handle it.

Your input is appreciated!

Arenal/La Fortuna is a great pick - lots of great adventure activities in that area. I'd lean towards taking teens to the beach vs. the cloud forest, so I'd pick Manuel Antonio over Monteverde. MA has a great beach inside the park, easy access to fairly tame wildlife, and lots of hotel and restaurant choices. Usually nice warm weather vs. colder and rainy in Monteverde. We love Tortuguero as well, and you'll be there during turtle nesting season. That's a lot of traveling though for a short time frame.

tortugueroinfo.com

then

servicecarrental.com usually for me to arenal.net tabacon.com my fav monteverdeinfo.com fodavela.com back to coast hotelvillacaletas.com would be a nice journey I have personally done in the time you have.

HappyTrails!

I have to ask...is there a compelling reason to spend Thursday night in San Jose?

The only compelling reason was that this was where I thought the lodges picked you up to take you to Tortuguero. Will they pick you up elsewhere?

Here is some information on Manuel Antonio you can check out to see if it's of interest: http://blog.palmscostarica.com/costa...onal-park.html

Arenal is a great place to go for a few days, see the volcano, enjoy the relaxing hot springs.. but when I go I usually only stay two or three nights and then head to the beach. Also, in Arenal check out Sky Trek or Pure Trek - zipline, rappell tours. Then for the beach - I love Manuel Antonio! Volcanogirl was right there are beautiful beaches inside the National Park (entrance fee is $10 per person). You can take a guide and pay more or go alone - you will see wildlife either way. It just depends on if you want to see every tiny insect, bird, etc that the guide will show you. I've gone with a guide and without and both times saw monkeys, sloths, raccoons, tons of birds, a snake, crabs, frogs and more. If you go to the park make sure and bring your own food and water because there is nowhere in the park to buy anything, but there are restrooms and showers.
In Manuel Antonio I recommend going white water rafting, depending on the time of year you can go rafting on either the Savegre River or the Naranjo River.. I personally recommend Amigos Del Rio - great service, super safe, and great guides! There are also tons of other activities to do, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, surfing, hiking etc. For Manuel Antonio, I like the Tulemar Bungalows because they have a private beach which is really nice - they also have large private villas for rent if that's what you are looking for. In Arenal I recommend The Springs Resort, Arenal Nayara Resort or the Lost Iguana - all are great! I would skip Monteverde, its cold and rainy.. but that's just my opinion