Costa Rica Travel Planning
 

If anyone with experience with Costa Rica has some time to give us some help, we would greatly appreciate it. We will be in CR from the 19th to the 26th of Nov. We would like to spend 2-3 days in San Jose and then potentially see some jungle before possibly renting a car and driving to the Pacific Coast. Any thoughts, ideas on what to do/see (we want to meet locals/expats and learn the country so as to evaluate for a potential winter home.

Many thanks,

Al and Casey

Beach/Adventure 8 Days

1- Arrive at San José (SJO) / Hotel: Grand Hotel Costa Rica
We selected this hotel because its location, the hotel is in the heart of downtown, you can walk to the National theater, the Melico Salazar theater, National museum and gold & jade museum.

2- Drive from San Jose to Arenal Volcano / Hotel: Los Lagos
Driving in Costa Rica can be challenging. When traveling to the Pacific or Atlantic costs you will encounter many curves and mountains that will make your driving difficult, you need to stay relax, these are a two-way roads most of the time, even if you see other vehicles passing do NOT attempt to do the same. Many people are killed on these hazardous roads. You may get stock behind an 18 wheeler but take this good advise, pass only in designated areas. You will get there soon or later if you do NOT listen to good advise you and your car occupants may get killed on your way to paradise. I hope I did not scare you to death... but I just want to make sure you are save.

3- Stay at Arenal Volcano / Hotel: Los Lagos
You can enjoy the hot springs. This is active volcano and you will have the opportunity to see the lava flow at night (spectacular view); or you may want to take a hike to the volcano's skirt, they are a few local tour places the offer this tour.

4- Drive from Arenal to Tamarindo Beach / Hotel: El Jardin del Eden
Here are some activities to do while in Tamarindo: Scuba Diving, Sport Fishing, Surfing, Golf and Tennis. You can also enjoy tours like the Jungle Boat Safari, Canopy Adventures, Giant Leatherback Turtle Nesting Safari, Horse Back Riding, and Tamarindo Bay Sailing.

5- Tamarindo Beach / Hotel: El Jardin del Eden

6- Tamarindo Beach / Hotel: El Jardin del Eden

7- Drive from Tamarindo Beach to San José (SJO) / Hotel: Grand Hotel Costa Rica
Please remember to drive safely.

8- Wake up, time to take your plane back home / Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Hope you enjoy Costa Rica. Ciao,

Estimated Prices as of Dec.05 (BDL Occupancy): $890.00 /Car rental: $490.00




Jungle/Adventure 8 Days

1- Arrive at San José (SJO) / Hotel: Grand Hotel Costa Rica
We selected this hotel because its location, the hotel is in the heart of downtown, you can walk to the National theater, the Melico Salazar theater, National museum and gold & jade museum.

2- Tortuguero / Hotel: Ilan Ilan
http://www.mitour.com/ingles/caribe/engtortuguero.html. The channels of Tortuguero allows you to see the richness of flora and fauna of the Atlantic region of Costa Rica. Let us travel to northeastern Costa Rica and get ready for a wet climate. This is dense ever green forest with a tropical area and a high rainfall, known as the rain forest. Our gear has to be light clothes, waterproof footwear, raincoat, and don't forget your binoculars, they may come in handy!. As we arrive in a town called Sarapiqui, imagine yourself taking a boat ride through the Rio San Juan, which is the natural division line between Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Navigating the river we will venture to the deep of the rain forest. This is the territory of the jeans' legged frogs, red frogs, howler monkeys, and wild pigs.
Ilan Ilan Packages includes: Land and fluvial transportation, bilingual guide, Lodging, meals, the basic visits in Tortuguero area.


3- Tortuguero / Hotel: Ilan Ilan

4- Back to San José (SJO) / Hotel: Grand Hotel Costa Rica
Relax evening in downtown Costa Rica.

5- Irazu Volcano Tour/ Hotel: Grand Hotel Costa Rica

6- Monteverde / Hotel: Belmar
http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/belmar.htm
Monteverde is a Cloud Forest Reserve

7- At Monteverde / Hotel: Belmar
Offers stunning views, great service in a relaxed rural ambiance.

8- Wake up, time to take your plane back home / Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO)
Hope you enjoy Costa Rica. Ciao,

Estimated Prices as of Dec.05 (BDL Occupancy): $655.00

OK ... OK.... We get it!!!! The Fiesta Resort !!!LOL

There are about half a dozen "personal" experiences raving on the Fiesta Resort all posted right after another with different names. I admire your writing skils but a) no advertising on this site (no matter how personalized you make them seem they all look alike) and b) we GET it LOL!!

Tully !!! I LOVES it !!! A very enthusiastic employee , huh ?!! It made for some fun reading , all walks of life covered .... some good stuff ! Faith .

Sorry ! Al and Casey , you could spend a couple of days in the Arenal area , volcano viewing , waterfalls , hikes , hotsprings etc. Then you have your choice of towns to move on to . You will have more jungle and wildlife in Manuel Antonio than Tamarindo (both areas have great beaches ), but it has great things to offer as well . A bit more effort to get to ( but not by much ) is the Osa Peninsula area , you will have your fill of jungle and wildlife in this area !!