We have booked our flights! Family of 4 (kids are teens) on spring break - arriving SJO Friday, March 25 at 7:30 am (2 days before Easter) after a non-stop overnight flight from LAX and departing 9 days later at 4:30 pm. We are planning:

2 nights Central Valley (Vista Del Valle Plantation or Peace Lodge)
2 nights Arenal - Montana del Fuego
2 nights Monteverde - Fonda Vela Hotel
3 nights Manuel Antonio - Tulemar Bungalows.

Prefer not to do our own driving as we like the idea small van transfers that come with a guide and perhaps other travelers. Like the idea of the jeep/boat/jeep between Arenal and Monteverde (is this faster than the drive around the lake?)

Interests are a blend of nature, wildlife, Costa Rican culture/people, some adventure and some beach time. Will do a canopy tour and some hiking but not whitewater rafting.

I was thinking of spending the first two nights in the central valley as we will be jet lagged on arrival. Would want to do a day tour or two (but not the 11 hour kind!).

Is this logical given our late afternoon departure on the last day? Would it make sense to fly or drive on the last morning? Or would it make more sense to split our time in central valley with one night on arrival and one night before departure? I'm just concerned this would leave little time for any day tours in central valley.

Also, will there be problems with places being closed on Easter Sunday in Arenal/Fortuna?

Is there a company you recommend for the van transfers/with guide/drivers?

Thanks much.

Hi Leslie,
I visited Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio last May and had the best time! Unfortunately I cannot help you re. the driving as I rented a car, but I highly recommend Tabacon Hot Springs, I heard the food was overrated, but the pools were very unique! There are lockers and showers. Also SkyTrek in Monteverde was very exhilerating! If your kids like adventure this would be the one! It does have VERY high zip lines, higher than the tree to trees ones I think. It also included a guided tour through the rainforest with a biology student. I think it was only $40.
Hope this helps! Have a great time!

Hello LeslieC--We visited Costa Rica in January. The jeep/boat/jeep transfer was inexpensive, fun, and efficient (though it was actually a minibus, not a jeep).

I think your plan to start out with a couple of days in the central valley is good. You will actually have the afternoon you arrive as well as the next day to explore.

I would suggest that, on the afternoon you arrive, you spend your time in some of the towns nearby Vista Del Valle--Sarchi, Grecia. You might even have time for a coffee plantation tour--Doka is nearby and has a 1:30 tour. If your too tired after the redeye for all of that, just visit the towns.

The next day, get an early start (you'll probably be early to bed the night before--it's dark by 5:45) and go see Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens. I would also suggest Rio Sarapiqui jungle cruise and the little town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, but that would make for a much longer day!
Poas and La Paz would be good tours for you without exhausting yourselves.

Tabacon will probably be open on Easter Sunday. I would be very surprised if they are closed--it's a big tourist time of year!

Hello Lesley,

You arrive at a difficult day in Costa Rica, especialy thusday and friday (a little bit less) are the only two days in the country that many shops are closed and everybody has a free day. You certainly need to make a reservation for these days, however in the central valley there is plenty of place. Sunday all is normal again.
You can combine visit the Poas and La Paz on your way to La Fortuna, another nice hotel there is The Volcano Lodge with an excellent view of the Arenal volcano. By the way yesterday was a little eruption, the Arenal is quite busy the last few weeks. From La Fortuna certainly worth a visit is the Celestian River close to the Tenorio Volcano, it's off the beaten path but very nice, though it is tough.
The jeep, boat, jeep is the best way to go to Monteverde/St. Elena, unlees you like to go by horse a part of this trip.

Have a nice time in Costa Rica!!