Tusya

Would greatly appreciate suggestions for 8-9 days CR itinenary for two middle-aged couples interested in nature, wildlife and 2 days on the beach.
Thank you!

roadadvisor

Well is a very common itinerary...and people really like it... 1 night Tortuguero...2 nights Arenal Volcano area...2 nights Monteverde and 2 nights Manuel Antonio...

You will have everything you ask for ...and some times even more...

Of course you can have several options..my option is just one...

And some times paying a "professional travel agent" is not worth it...in Costa Rica...since is simple and even you can save money...travel agents will make up to 20% commision from every supplier!!

R.A Luis

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in paradise!!

hipvirgochick

First, what time of year are you going? Do you have a budget or accomodation type preference?

cmerrell

Hi Tusya,

It's hard to go wrong in Costa Rica if nature and wildlife are your primary interests!

First of all, what time of year are you considering? September and October tend to be some of the rainiest months, although it depends on where you go.

http://www.costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html

Lot's of first time visitors do the popular loop that includes the following:

-La Fortuna/Arenal which offers an active volcano, natural hotsprings, a well-known waterfall, fun zip lines, hanging bridges, waterfall repelling, and a very highly recommended day trip to the Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge (you'll see monkeys, sloths, caimen, turtles, bats and lots of birds). This area needs 3 to 4 days to do it justice.

-Manuel Antonio offers a famous national park and some lovely beaches. Abundant wildlife sightings are found here (more monkeys and sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas, bats, birds...) and some other fun activities such as boat tours through a mangrove swamp, horseback riding, sailing...

We visited these 2 places last year and also included one night at the Peace Lodge and La Paz Waterfall Gardens in the Central Valley vicinity, about an hour away from the SJO airport. This is a beautiful place with lots of natural waterfalls on the grounds, a large butterfly house, a frog house, a snake house, an aviary, and a hummingbird garden.

We had 7 nights total for our trip.

One other option to consider might be 3 or 4 days down on the Osa Peninsula which is a more remote place with pristine primary tropical forest and lots of wildlife (including scarlet macaws that you won't see in Arenal, and not likely in MA). You could substitute the Osa for Manuel Antonio. The beaches here are a little more work to get to, and the surf is rougher, but dramatic. I have not been to the Osa Peninsula, but will be visiting that area this coming December.

Of course there are other areas of CR that people love as well, the Caribbean side, Guanacaste province... It really is an amazing little country with lots of bio-diversity.

Good luck with your planning!

Tusya

Thanks everyone!
Hipvirgochick,
We are going in the beginnig of April. We have middle range budget for dicent not luxurious accomodation but are willing to splurge when it's worth it.
Cmerrell,
I think we are going to follow the loop you did, thanks.

tully

Just wanted to agree that the MA/Arenal split is a great one, especially for a first trip. Both are easily accessed and have nice hotels/restaurants/activities to pick from.