Thanks everyone for all of your advice....(Suzie2, volcanogirl, hipvirgochick, tully, shillmac....to name a few). The final itinerary is here! We will fly into sjo and go to Villa Caletas for the first 2 nights, just to relax and celebrate my girlfriend's birhtday. We will then take a leisurely drive to Playa Tortuga to stay at Villas Gaia for the next 3 nights (for my birthday ). The next leg should be interesting....we are going to drive (yikes) to BDC for the next 4 nights...and then we will drive back to Manuel Antonio to stay at Villas Nicholas for our last day and night....then off to sjo for a 2:15 flight the next day. We went with Tricolor car rental. Although our husbands love to drive and sight see and we've done it before in CR...wish me luck I thought the drive to Monteverde was "pretty interesting" but I have a feeling....hopefully we'll see some cool wildlife on the drive....

Steph, it sounds like a wonderful adventure! You'll have a blast! When do you leave?

steph, have a wonderful time, and Happy Birthday! You're brave to drive to BdC; I would love to know how that drive is. Your trip sounds great.

Shillmac,
We leave Feb. 19th.
Volcanogirl,
Will let you know how the drive is...should be interesting...thanks for bday wish...can't wait to spend it in cr...hopefully will have a great report when i get back and lots of pics...i just upgraded my camera I'm sure you'll hear from me in the interim....i'll be on the fodor's site alot...reading all the great trip reports...anticipating my trip...

i've been trying to check out peoples pics...keith, yours are phenomenal....i'm sooo jealous of the poas pic...i'm ready to give up on that...and hipvirgochick...your pics a great too, they all bring back great memories...

Hi Steph --- Sounds like you're set for a wonderful trip! How fun to be celebrating your birthday there too. Don't wait to learn all the tricks of your new camera like I did! I still need to ready up for our upcoming trip...just about a month behind you. Looking forward to stories and pics when you return...

Can't wait to hear about your trip, sounds great. I was really looking at staying at Villas Gaia so will be good to hear more (cause there is always a next trip!) Looking forward to your report & pics when you get back.