Hi all,

My husband and I are taking a nine day trip to CR in Feb to celebrate our anniversary. We're certain that we want to go to Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. I'd love feedback on our lodging. I'm also not certain if I've allowed the right amount of time for our activities. Should we take a boat trip for snorkeling---or is snorkeling worth it here at all?

Please comment:

Day 1 Arrive at 1:00 p.m. take bus to Monteverde (Stay @ Montana De Monteverde?)

Tool around-maybe go see butterflies or sepentarium

Day 2-Cloud Forest

Day 3 Canopy Tour then bus or jeep/boat/jeep to Arenal (Arenal Lodge)

soak @ Lodge

Day 4 Rio Fortuna

soak @ Lodge

Day 5 Mountain Biking and Tabacon

Day 6-bus then plan to Manuel Antonio (where can two nature loving romantic recluses stay with AC & jacuzzi or pool for less than say Makanda or Mariposa?)

Beach

Day 7-hike Manuel Antonio

Day 8-snorkel & beach

Day 9-beach and head home

Thank you.

My husband and I took an afternoon bus from SJ to Monteverde. We were told it was an "express" bus, but it took 7 hours to get there. We were warned not to put our luggage on the overhead racks because it frequently got pushed to the back and ransacked, so we held them by our feet and in our laps the whole time.

The bus was fairly empty when it left the station, and then the driver stopped and seemed to coax every Tico he passed to get on the bus. We must have stopped 40 times on the trip west. By the time we headed north, the aisle was full. It stopped with about an hour or two to go for a bathroom break (there aren't any on the bus), and then we continued north. Most of the locals jumped off the bus (literally-the bus didn't stop)at various points along this route. It was dark by then so we couldn't see the beautiful scenery we did get to experience on the trip back (by van). Needless to say, we didn't have time to "tool around" our first day in Monteverde, and you may not either.

The funny thing is, as bad as this sounds I am glad we did it. I would never do it again, but I'm happy we experienced it. Just thought you'd like to know.

Great food for thought. Thank you.

P.S. Any recommendations regarding suitable clothing for this itinerary would be much appreciated. Thank you.

We did a trip very similar to yours in February 2002. Except we didn't get to San Jose until late, so didn't head north until the next day. We went to Arenal first, then Monteverde, but I'm not sure it makes much difference. We also rented a car, but I'm not sure that was worth the money and the hassle. I'd rather do the jeep/boat/jeep route to get from Arenal to Monteverde. Since we had to spend two nights by the airport, we only spent two nights at Arenal and Monteverde.

I don't know how tight your budget is, but I'd look into Interbus or Grey Line for transportation. More expensive than regular buses, but probably more comfortable. I guess it depends on your personal comfort level with bus travel in a Spanish speaking country.

As far as hotels, we stayed at Tabacon while in La Fortuna, very nice, but fairly pricy. Stayed at Hotel Belmar in Monteverde, ok, but I think there are better places in the same price range. In Manual Antonio we stayed at Si Como No. For whatever reason, there weren't any kids there on that trip, but it is relatively expensive. In spring 2003, we stayed at Makanda. Truly a beautiful property, but pretty darn expensive. You might look into Costa Verde, I've heard lots of people comment favorably about it.

Hope you have a great trip.

Thank you. Those bus lines are sounding like a good idea in light of the other post as well.

If you are going to take the private buses you will only be able to leave at their time which would mean you would need a place to stay in San Jose/Alajuela. If you need a suggestion for that let us know. I am sure we all have a place to recommend.
A note on Montana Monteverde..it is a ways from most of the attractions. You will need transportation to see anything.
You might want to think about some place closer to Santa Elena like the Heliconia, El Sapo Dorado, El Establo. From those places you can walk to the butterfly garden, serpentarium, orchid garden, Finca Ecologica and the little town of Santa Elena which has a couple of small restaurants, post office, bank, internet cafes, bakery and the bus stops.