Saw Melissa5's tip on knowing what excursions you might want to do in advance, since there is not that much info available at the hotels. How do you decide? Is it best to do research on this board or buy a guidebook?

From what I've read I'm thinking of doing a volcano hike (night hike?), hanging bridges tour and rafting trip in Arenal -- besides spending an evening in Tabacon. (we're there three nights)

We planned to stop at Neta's place and do a half day at Turubari park.

In MA I had thought to do a guided tour in the park and the Finca Valmy tour and just hang out the rest of the time.(three nights)

On our way out, I had hoped to take a halfday tour of Sarchi, Grecia and a coffee plantation.

Is there something critical I am missing? We are a party with some seniors, an adventure lover,nature lover, history lover and kids (10 and 8).

Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Misha2, I recommend you read all the recent trip reports...print them out and use a highlighter. Consider both positive and negative feedback and figure out what is best for your group.

We liked The New Key to Costa Rica the best, as far as useful guidebooks to take with you. Frommers is one I usually like but some of frommers info for costa rica was outdated. I did read fodors guidebook but left it at home, couldn't take them all in suitcase!

Read the guidebooks first and consult the trip reports. Then, make a list of what you think you want to do, and look at the web-sites for hotels, and activities. For example you can look at the web-site for Sky Tram/Sky Trek, Arenal area.

Post specific questions on-line. Also you can e-mail Costa Rica for more info.

Once you arrive in Costa Rica, as I mentioned, you will find that the staff at many hotels can only pass on very general information to you.

You don't need a guided tour at Manuel Antonio park reserve. The forest there is not very dense, so you can find the animals by asking everyone you pass, Have you seen a sloth? Have you seen a monkey? We found independent travellers at Manuel Antonio park reserve very willing to help each other.

On the other hand the Arenal Hanging Bridges is a much more dense forest and there it would be helpful to hire a private guide. (We didn't need a guide as my hubby is a biologist.) I recommend avoiding joining a large gour group, however...the guide then has to shout, which spoils the experience of hearing the singing birds, hearing the sound of water dripping, etc. Hire a private guide just for your group!

We prefer going on our own with our binoculars. Whatever the recommended time is for each trail, we take almost twice as much time. If you want to see things you need to take your time, stopping often to listen and observe.

Have a wonderful trip!

If you are going to Neta's place you will enjoy a very memorable experience! We loved it! I recommend at least 2 nights at Neta's place. We had only 1 night and I really wished we could have fit in 2 nights at La Finca Que Ama. Definitely make dinner reservations with Neta to have dinner at La Finca Que Ama! You will feel like friends or family, not just hotel guests.

Hi,

Just returned from Arenal and MA. When we asked about tours, the big question was always "adventure or nature"? We chose the 2 hikes you mention at Arenal. The volcano hike and Arenal Hanging Bridges. My family thoroughly enjoyed both. We saw wildlife we might not have seen otherwise. There were older couples on both hikes as they are not strenuous but you will sweat. I would definately recommend both. The guides on both tours were extremely knowledgable and were a pleasure to listen to. To add a little adventure, we did the Arenal Canopy Tour......riding horses and doing ziplines. Sorry but I was not impressed and regretted spending the money. Other canopy tours may be better.

At MA, we visited the park on our own. We did not hire a guide. Of course you will learn more with a guide. But we saw most everything others were seeing. I would highly recommend getting to MA National Park at opening....7 AM I think. You will be glad you did. We pretty much had it to ourselves for an hour or two. By the time we left, the park was getting crowded. The rest of our stay in MA invovled hanging out, walking everywhere, going to the beach etc. etc.

Hope this helps and have a great trip. If you need more info or would like to see a couple of photos email me at [email protected]

Thanks for all the info. I really appreciate it.

I would love more details on the volcano hike.

misha2

Our hike to the volcano started on a van trip from La Fortuna. It was easier for us after coming off another tour but they will pick you up at any of the hotels around. We were taken to one end of the trail where we began our hike. The first portion of the hike was on fairly level ground through a forested area where the guide pointed out many different types of plants and explained about them. We also saw a white face monkey. The entire time we were able to hear the pyroclastic flow (boulders) tumbling down the mountain. That was pretty awesome. Then we hiked through a lava field. The lava was actually a landslide that occured in 1992. At this point there is a great view of the volcano. We could see the indivdual boulders rolling down the face of the volcano. After hiking through this area, the rest of the trail was exposed and flat. Not really much to see here. The trail maybe 1.5 miles in length. Can't remember for sure. The tour companies will provide cold bottled water and juices. Again, I would recommend this hike, if only for the close view of the volcano.

Thanks wgb1. Love the details.

Were there a lot of other tourists on your hike? Do you remember how much it cost?

Our group consisted of 5 people total. We did not see another group until we reached the 1992 lava flow. There, we saw a number of larger groups, consisting of mostly younger folks (youg mission groups I suppose).

You can do the hike on your own, you just do not get the benefit of a guide. There is an attendant at each end of the trail. Not sure what the cost is if you go without a guide or tour co. Our tour cost was 35 USD per person which included transportation, drinks and a guide.

Take a look at this website. It has some photos from the trail and a little info.

http://www.arenal.net/arenal_volcano_national_park.htm