sierranevada

I have friends going to Costa Rica for 2 weeks in June. Their first week will be in Arenal at Tabacon Resort. Their travel agent recommend Paradisus Playa Conchal for their second week. I wasn't sure about the second week recommendation since I had heard that the Guanacaste area is more remote and they like to get out and do things.

I had told them about Manuel Antonio and recommended Si Como No and that I had heard good things about Bosque del Cabo in Osa. Of those three areas, which would be the best at that time of year - is it too rainy in MA or Osa? They are a family of 4 - 2 boys age 11 & 9 - adventureous and nature lovers.

tully

Personally I would suggest Bosque del Cabo first, then Manuel Antonio then Paradisus Playa Conchal last. The latter is a big resorty type place (but if that's what they're looking for then it would be perfect), and you will need to drive a distance to get to things. BdC would be great for nature loving, adventureous kids, everything is pretty much right there; MA somewhat the same but it's a more structured, tourist-oriented. I've been to both in June and never had my days "dampened" so to speak by the weather.

sierranevada

They actually aren't looking for a big resorty type place which is why I question the travel agent's recommendation. So if they did Arenal and then just one other place, would you recommend Osa or Manuel Antonio?

Thanks.

cmerrell

I made my first visit to Costa Rica this past December. We did the Arenal/Manuel Antonio itinerary and thought it was a really perfect introduction to the country.

That said, I have not yet been to the Osa (planning a trip down there later this year; hopefully to stay at Bosque del Cabo). It sounds like a truly amazing destination, but more remote than MA.

Tully and other frequent CR travelers should be able to provide a good comparison between the 2. I doubt if your friends will go wrong either place they choose.

tully

It's really hard to say which would be better, MA or Bosque. I enjoyed my 2 trips to MA, there is a lot to do, a lovely National park with a great beach inside, chance to see a variety of wildlife and a wide choice of lodging. The downside is, of course as popular places do, it's crowded at times with a lot of construction going on. Plus, much of what you do will have to be by tour, other than going to the park or the beach. Bosque, and the Osa in general, has luckily still retained it's naturalness while providing lodging and a basic infrastructure. At a place like Bosque you can spend days there just wandering around and see so much wildlife & plants & scenery without having to leave the premises. There's no tv, a/c, phones and the like, just a lot of nature, good food and relaxation.

You can't go wrong with either really. Just for me personally, I enjoyed MA but nothing beats Bosque and the Osa area.