thank you so much for your replies and insight. I will consider Los Lagos based on your comments; its probably between Lost Iguana and Los Lagos. Have decided not to do Osa with the kids this trip. My only other issue is that since Peace Lodge is closed should we just plan on SJO - one night Villa Blanca - and straight on to Arenal? Can you still go to the La Paz gardens if the Peace Lodge is closed?

Hi Laura,

This is shillmac (alias motmot when the computer won't let me post as shillmac--weird!).

The gardens were damaged in the earthquake. I think it will all open at once. The waterfalls descend, naturally, and the steps and railing (extensive) leading down through them sustained quite a bit of damage.

Your plan sounds good.

Hi Laura,

I felt the need to jump in on this post b/c depending on your travel dates, we may cross each others path. We are going from July 28th to August 6th. Staying 4 nights at Lost Iguana and 4 nights in the lower level of villa mot mot. Our times may overlap and you may even be our upstairs neighbor at mot mot. It's just interesting to see others with the same plans for pretty much the same dates.

That happened with us last year--and shelld, I think. Both at Villa Mot Mot, upper and lower, same time. We didn't realize it until we got home and reported!

shillmac - I still can't believe we were there at the same time and didn't even know it! I'm sure we must have even seen eachother!

I know. . . it was the weirdest thing. I remember speaking to another couple who were up there early on. You came toward the end of our stay, right? We were there from July 5-8, I think. Very anxious to return. . . :)

Hi Kathy,
We'll be at Mot Mot from July 1-5 IF we stay there. If we do Lost Iguana (leaning toward it) we'll be there from July 27 - July 1st check out. Are you going directly from SJO to Arenal? That part worries me (the long drive after airplane travel with kids) which is why I'm thinking of spending the first night at Villa Blanca. Also, how long does it take to travel from Arenal to M.A? And are you going directly from Mot Mot to the airport on your last day?
I'm conflicted about Lost Iguana vs Los Lagos and Mot Mot vs La Posada. Just want to make sure Lost Iguana will be fun for the kids and not too upscale. And La Posada in M.A. does have availability for us and its MUCH cheaper than Mot Mot. On the other hand, all the space with the two kids and the private beach sounds great at Mot Mot.
I might need to go see a shrink before this is over :-)

It took us about 3 hours to go from SJO to Arenal. From Arenal to Manuel Antonio was about 5 hours. We've stayed at the Lost Iguana twice; feel free to ask any questions about it. I think kids would like Los Lagos over the Lost Iguana, but adults would probably prefer Lost Iguana - tough choice!

I'd pick Mot Mot over La Posada.

We are actually going a month later then you. July 28th thru Aug 6th. We are going directly to Arenal since our flight arrives around 10:30am, didn't want to lose a full day. For our last night we are staying near the airport, we choose Xandari since it's our honeymoon.