After much reading, surfing and gnashing of teeth, I finally settled on what I thought would be a good itinerary for my family (which includes two boys 15 and 13) this coming August. We are an active family and hope to do the ziplines, hiking, rappelling, beach, etc.... So, I thought this would be pretty good:

Arrive SJO

2 nights Poas area - drive to Arenal

4 nights in Arenal - drive to Puerto Viejo area

3 nights in PV area - beaches, etc

raft trip back to SJO
overnight in hotel then depart for home.

After I thought it was settled, I continued to read everyone's trip reports and thought, hmmmmmm, should we go down to the Osa Peninsula for a few nights, but then again the Nosara Guanacaste regions sounded pretty awesome. What to do? What to leave out?

We would like to stay in each area long enough to soak up the local culture and not spend all our time travelling from spot to spot. Money though is always a factor as we are not on an unlimited budget, we would rather stay in clean, mid-range places and spend the $$$ on activities.

Any and all advice will be greatly appreciated. Once I fix the itinerary this time, though, I'm sticking with it and sending in the deposits!!

Thanks again.

skiobx,
You could hash this one over til the cows come home (as we say in cattle country!). There's not a bad itinerary and you'll find (I think) like so many of the others of us that you'll need to return later to enjoy the rest!

We have friends who finally decided to see what it was all about (after we had raved for 5 years). Two different couples. They are each seeing the country very methodically (although they always, both couples, include a visit to Arenal every time). Both have been twice and one couple will be going on trip #3 in May. Like you, they visited Arenal and Puerto Viejo on their first visit, Arenal and Monteverde (and Peace Lodge) on their second visit, and are now planning a tour of the Pacific side.

It doesn't matter what order you do it in. It's all good. If you think you'll never go back for some reason, yes, the Osa is wonderful and may be overcome with development one day, changing it forever. But so is Puerto Viejo (for the open minded). The African-
Caribbean culture there makes it totally different. It will never be as developed as the Pacific side (which Jeff mentioned in another post) and that is one of the best things about it! No huge resorts eating up the real estate. Lots of good restaurants over there. The rice cookied in coconut milk is SO good and you won't find it cooked that way in other parts of the country

You have time to change your mind, but I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. It's all good. The Caribbean side tends toward more rain, but less so in Sept. and Oct. We've been 3 times in July and the rain has never interfered with our plans. It's great fun riding bicycles on that road between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. The beaches are fun and uncrowded (although dangerous in many places--be sure you know which ones are safe). Manzanillo is one of our favorite parts of the country (Puerto Viejo a little too busy!) and we love eating at Bar and Restaurant Maxi there.

Good luck whatever you decide!

shillmac -- Someone mentioned on another forum you'd spend $50/pp for a meal at Maxi's. Is this true? That doesn't seem right in Manzanillo!

Wow, not unless something has drastically changed! We didn't get over there last year.

Thanks shillmac and everyone else who responded. You're absolutely right, I could overthink this and drive everyone in my family absolutely crazy - never mind whining on this board. I've decided to stick to the original itinerary and make reservations accordingly. I promise to write reviews/reports on our trip as I've greatly depended upon the advice/opinions and reviews of so many on this board.

One last question, though -- actually I'm lying...I'm sure I'll plenty more questions in the future...But, does anyone have any experience booking tours/excursions with Adventuras Bravas in Puerto Viejo?

Thanks again and always,

skiobx