We are going to CR for the first time in April with 2 kids: ages 6 and 10. We only have 3 full days. We don't want to spend it all in a car and we do like beach but kids also want to see some rainforest. What would you do?

Dear bridgewi:
You may have read here that I am big on the one day tours through the Central Valley mountains. Several one day tours are available. Many offer 12 full hours of a wonderful tour through coffee fields, waterfall gardens and viewing Poas volcano. At the end of some of these tours there is a trip down the Sarapiqui River at Puerto Viejo. If your time is limited in this country, you can not see more than this and enjoy all of the different types of climates in one day.
The cost of most is $79 for adults, slightly less for children. Some include breakfast and lunch. They leave from hotels in San Jose and Alajuela near the airport early a.m. and return you to the same hotel.

The hotel you choose can arrange a tour for you, or feel free to write to me.

hopabout
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There is a nice place in the town of Heredia. It is called InBioPark. It is a small area that can be covered in about 2 hours. Very educational for the children, includes a butterfly garden, some history and a huge map of Costa Rica and all that you find in this country. Easy by taxi to InBioPark.

ZooAve is a Zoo that is located in Alajuela not far from the airport. It is mostly monkeys and birds of this country but there are other animals there, too. Tropical plants make this a really pretty place to visit.

You might look on a search engine for a place called Turubari. It is a one day event that has lots to offer on the Pacific side of the mountains. Tours leave from San Jose or you can drive there by heading to Orotina.

If money were not a problem and it were any day but Monday (some National Parks close.) I would do this:

1. Go to one of the Poas/Watefall Garden/Saripiqui tours day 1.

2. Go to Turubari for the day.

3. Fly to Quepos early a.m. spend the day in Manuel Antonio National Park and fly back in the afternoon.

That is the best of Costa Rica you can see in 3 days, to me!

hopabout

Hopabout give great advice! Another suggestion (if you don't want to invest in the one day flight to MA) is to just head straight there for the entire trip. You'll have some of the prettier beaches in the country as well as rainforest right alongside it. Only 3 hours drive from the airport makes Manuel Antonio very accessible for those with limited time.

Agree the one day tour out of San Jose is excellent, but if you want more time at the beach, I'd suggest straight to Manuel Antonio--flying or driving. Or hire a driver. You really don't need a car once you get there.

I think we are going to drive to a coast. I am hearing much conflicts on which coast we should consider. Our priorities: convenenience to the aiport, proximity to other activities (hiking etc.), not too touristy. I have heard Caribbean is more remote and relaxing but I have also heard it was unsafe. thoughts?

Granted, the Caribbean side is TOTALLY different with a Caribbean feel (and attitude) rather than Latino. But it's great over there--beautiful beaches, lots of jungle and wildlife--great area for birding--definitely poorer and less infrastructure (although that is changing daily). You would need to go south of Limon to Puerto Viejo and further south toward Manzanillo. Your better selection of hotels is between these two towns. My daughter and I had 3 days in CR in October and this is where we chose to spend our time. Loved it! We never felt unsafe, but we watch our P's and Q's! This is not something you would be able to do with your children (safety factor) but we loved renting bicycles and riding up and down the coast between PV and Manzanillo. Check out Cariblue, Aguas Claras, La Costa de Papito, Almonds & Corals Tent Camp, or Shawanda Lodge for some of the better hotels. Right in Puerto Viejo, which is a busy little town with a lot of "rasta" influence, I'd recommend Casa Verde. This coast is much rainier than the other coast. Basically there is no "dry" season on the Caribbean meaning that it can and does rain any day, any time. However, the months of Sept. and Oct do tend to bring a little less rain. That said, it's still a great place to visit! We were there one year during January (one of the rainiest months for the Caribbean side) and still had a great time!

Forgot to mention, the southern Caribbean is about a 3-4 hour drive from San Jose on a very decent highway. The road between Cahuita and PV is, however, very potholed. Four wheel drive would give you better visibility and clearance, but we managed fine with a sedan in October.

Thank you kindly shillmac. I think we are going to try Puerto Viejo. I've searched 2 of your hotel options and they look great. pura vida!

I think you'll like it--especially if you're a little laid back like everyone on that side is! We did feel that we were on the receiving end of a bit of racial bias while there--just from a couple of folks--both of them ladies, but all in all, we had a great time. We had lunch at Miss Edith's, a renowned restaurant in Cahuita. Although we were the only customers, the woman who waited on us seemed to harbor quite a bit of resentment toward us and it took 2.5 hours for us to order and get our food. Very poor treatment, indeed. We tolerated it, but, if I had it to do over again, I'd walk out. She even tried to refuse the bill I gave her (5000 colones bill) to pay, looking at it like it was not acceptable or something. And she wouldn't take it from me. Held out her hand and made me place it in her palm, all the while giving me a very hateful look. It may not have been racially motivated, but sure felt like it! Don't eat there!

But on the bright side, DO eat at La Pecora Nera--the most wonderful Italian food I've eaten anywhere--and the cafe is to die for! So was the tiramisu! Fabulous place south of Puerto Viejo. Just across the way from Villas del Caribe (if I remember correctly)--on the land side of the road (the right as you are driving south toward Manzanillo).