I am planning an 8 or 9 day trip in mid-March. Need to hurry to make reservations, but can't decide. How many different accomodations do I need? Want to see Arenal, Monteverde, possible small lodge in Bajagua that was recommended. Then, we thought Tortuguero. Is that a good idea in March? Or should we do MA. This is our first trip with boys 9, 14, 16. Want some adventure and some pool time. Where should I go upon landing at SJO?

8 or 9 days? Does this include your arrival and departure days? If so, what are the times of arrival & departure? Meaning will you need to spend first and last nights in or near SJ?

4 areas of CR is going to be tough in this many days. Typically I prefer 3 nights at each destination in order to give a minimum of 2 days to explore and enjoy the area. Tortuguero 2 nights is sufficient.

Tortuguero or MA, I assume is what you are asking? We have enjoyed both and loved Tortuguero, but with 3 boys, unless they are wildlife/bird enthusiast I would probably lean toward MA with its vast amount of activities. And if they are looking for time in the water off the beach then Tortuguero would not fit the bill.

"How many different accomodations do I need?" As already stated you may need lodging for your first and final nights. Plus you will need lodging at each Arenal, Monteverde and your coast destination. Many people assume Arenal and Monteverde can be experienced from the same lodge, however they are hours of hard driving apart from one another.

Order of travel could be Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio or Tortuguero - or the reverse.

Thank you for your help. I do not have flight reservations yet - I was waiting to secure hotels and will do flights today. We can be flexible about # of days. Can you expect to reach Monteverde or Arenal from SJ after flying in - or how long would that take? Depending on my arrival time, I can decide. Assuming a late afternoon departure from the airport, is that too late to set out very far?? I think I will do MA instead of Tortuguero. Any hotel recs. for Arenal, Mont. or MA? I'm considering Costa Verde in MA. Thanks for all help!

Well everyone has their own view on this. But for us, we prefer not to drive anywhere the day of arrival. Little sleep, early wakeup, day of travel, tired, etc - we prefer a fun place near SJ to relax, get my first Imperial, overnight, and start refreshed. But on the trips that we have used a driver our first leg, then we got on to our first destination the day of arrival. Or if a domestic flight will work, this is a great way to go.

Things to consider -
Gets dark around 6 PM year round, so wherever you intend to end up you want to be there before dark.
Getting through the airport in SJ has taken us anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours. Wide range I know - go figure?
Typically if you get in around noon, you can easily get somewhere 3 hours away before dark.

Arenal is approx 3-3 1/2 from SJ.
MA approx 4 hours from SJ.
Monteverde further, maybe 5 hours

As for hotel recs, there are many reports here from people who have traveled these areas, much more recently than us.

Costa Verde consistently gets good reviews. Tulemar for families gets good reviews (bungalows and villas designed for larger groups). We stayed Hotel California and much enjoyed our stay.

Arenal Paraisio is where we stayed while visiting the Arenal area. It continues to get good reports.

Trapp Family Lodge is where we stayed in Monteverde, really don't read much here about it. Enjoyed our stay with no problems. However if I returned I would stay closer to town than to the Cloud Forest entrance. Trapp is or was the closest lodge to the entrance, which was a bumpy ride into the little town.

Thank you. I made flight arrangements. We land at San Jose at 1:30pm, so I guess that is borderline on whether to travel farther. If I begin at Arenal, should I hire a driver to get us there, or would the Arenal hotel arrange anything, or what other transportation option is there? You are incredibly helpful.

Thank you! Sorry to be so late responding.

Yes you can hire a driver that can take you from destination to destination. Sometimes we do this if we only have a day for something in the middle of domestic flights. And if you hire a driver, your 1:30 arrival should not pose a problem.

Or you can rent a vehicle, which we also enjoy, due to the freedom and flexiblity it offers.

Or you can use Interbus, which is a van type bus service that transports tourist.

Or the public bus system

And then there are domestic flights, but this would not work for Monteverde.

It is just my husband and myself that travel, so I have never tried to arrange transportation for 5 people. There have been some recent trip reports that are family trips, maybe they could offer some help.

I took a family of 7 on a week long trip to CR. We rented SUVs and were very happy. Search for my trip report of you want to see suggestions. (just clikc on name)