Glad that you heard from Neta. She really is a dear, and very conscientious about giving you the kind of trip you will enjoy.

If you are interested in a more active vacation, I'd keep Ama Tierra to just one night, although it is a delightful hotel rather off the beaten path between Puriscal and San Pablo de Turrubares. Nice amenities and excellent food.

Neta and her husband Arbel built and owned this hotel when we first "met" them on Fodor's. We loved it there and stayed several times just so we could enjoy dinner with Neta and Arbel and relax in a beautiful setting. They were always good company, lots of fun, and the meals were better than excellent! Many of Neta's mom's recipes, and always just a little out of the ordinary, such as the pureed pea soup with cinnamon. It was SO tasty!

They sold the hotel to a couple from Arizona and it is now more of a yoga retreat and spa. The new owners, Jill and Bob, have done a lot of work to put their personal stamp on it. When selling, Neta and ARbel were pleased to find Jill and Bob as buyers because they felt they were turning it over to people who cared about the local area as much as they did.

Neta's package offers you the combination that many first timers to Costa Rica are looking for: Arenal and Manuel Antonio. AND it includes a couple of the more popular (and well priced) hotels. All very good values.

Arenal Paraiso is where we nearly always stay when at Arenal, and we loved Costa Verde with its fabulous ocean views. Orquideas is one of our favorite hotels near the airport and, although we stay at Hotel Villa Bonita these days, we ALWAYS go to Orquideas for dinner and bar time in the Marilyn Monroe bar. It's just a very fun place--and a nice accomodation. At the reservation desk, introduce yourself to Liseth. She is really sweet and Neta's partner at the Costa Rica end.

Many people who are doing the Arenal-Manuel Antonio combo ask for a place to break up the 5-6 hour drive. That is why Ama Tierra is in the mix. It's about 4 hours from Arenal, but very restful for in-between 2 very active locations. I've never been to Turu-Bari, but many people who stayed at La Finca Que Ama (as it was formerly known) visited that park and all had positive comments. Neta and Arbel thought it was a good day trip. It would be on the way to Manuel Antonio from Ama Tierra. It has a VERY long zipline!

If you decide on 2 nights there (for some real down time), Turu-Bari would be just perfect for the morning of your full day in between nights, and you could do the spa in the afternoon.

We've stayed in Manuel Antonio 2 night, 2 nights, and 3 nights. First time we were there, we spent 2 nights and really, it was just fine for us. We kept it simple, did the park in the a.m., lounged on the beach in the afternoon, not much else except the butterfly garden across from Si Como NO (where we stayed that time). It was fine. The park is certainly the main draw. If you do stay just 2 nights, you will be able to arrive there early in the day which is a plus --and can stay fairly late in the day on your departure day, giving you 1 full day and 2 good halves.

When we stayed in MA 3 nights last year, I had it in mind that we would do a few things that we hadn't time for during our previous shorter stays. I was wrong! We were with other people (family and friends) who preferred to do just beach time, so we opted to stay with them and do the same. If you are there 3 nights, you would have more time to choose another option, such as Finca Valmy horseback to the falls or the Damas Mangrove tour.

Thinking about what sounds best to you (more activity or a little extra slow time) will help you select the itinerary that is best for you guys.

Hi Kiki,
We went to Costa Rica 2 years ago for 12 days and loved every second of it. I must say that 6 days will no be enough to see all, but enogh to see some. You will definatly need a car (SUV is highly recommended). Most of our trip was planned by my g/f (how many days and where) the reservations were all done by wonderful people at Costa Rica Experts (http://www.costaricaexperts.com/)They booked the hotels, the car (highly suggested to rent a car by an agent, lots of fraud, and get the insurance, the roads are terrible and you never kow what could happen to the car) Travel agents specializing in Costa Rica, lots of times block of rooms at hotels, this will make reservations a lot easier. I would not spend too much time in San Jose. Monteverde and Arenal, I would say should be at the top of your list of places to see. If beach is what you are craving I would highly recommend Playa Tamarindo. There is a hotel right on the beach called Captain Suezo, http://www.hotelcapitansuizo.com/ (suggested and booked by Costa Rica Experts) was out of this world. From Rooms to restaurant to beach to monkeys, and lizards roaming the yard will make you feel like royalty. Whatever you choose have a great time. If you would like to see the pictures from our trip go to http://public.fotki.com/booba/vacati...ps/costa_rica/

Thanks for all the generous advice. My possible itinerary is below. Would you modify this at all?

Arrive at SJO and transfer to Orquideas Inn.

Day 2 – drive to Manuel Antonio. Check into hotel Costa Verde. If you start your day early, you should be in Manuel Antonio a little after noon, so you will almost a full day on the 18th.

Day 3- enjoy Manuel Antonio area, the beach and the national park. Overnight at Costa Verde.

Day 4– meet driver and drive to hotel AmaTierra.

Day 5– spend day at Turubari Park. Overnight at AmaTierra.

Day 6– Driver will meet you and take you to Arenal. Check in to hotel Arenal Paraiso.

Day 7– day to enjoy Arenal area, the national park and La Fortuna waterfall. If we want to go to Tabacon hotsprings instead we can change this. Suggestions on that? Overnight at hotel Arenal Paraiso.

Day 8- flight home.

Does this sounds like a good plan? Thanks!

Sounds like a great plan. Most of us don't recommend more than two places for that short of a time but it is your trip. It will give you at least a taste of a couple of highlights of CR and maybe you can get back someday to get to know those areas a little better. Do let us know about Turubari. It seems like it has been a year or so since I have heard anything about it.

So you are going to leave Arenal and fly home the same morning? Didn't you say you had a noon departure? You will be getting up VERY early.

Just a thought - that is a lot of packing and unpacking for 1 week - you are really hopping. This is just me, but I would rather spend 3 nights in MA and 3 nights in Arenal and do the transfer of 5hrs all in one day with a stop for a long lunch to break up the day. Not that the middle place is bad or the park not fun - but I personally find the travel/transfers enjoyable but tiring. Just a thought.

You're right. It does sound like quite alot. I'll speak to Neta about it (heart of Costa Rica package) and maybe adjust it a bit. Thanks everyone. Your help has been priceless!

so Kiki what have you finally decided on?? We all would love to hear.

We are just finalizing this today. We squeezed out another day by taking the early flight out of NY and arriving in CR in the morning rather than the evening of our 1st day. Here goes:

Day 1: check into Hotel Costa Verde. Day 2&3: days of relaxation/beach activities in Manuel Antonio Area. Visit Manuel Antonio National Park.
Day 4&5: Two nights at Hotel AmaTierra (formerly Hotel La Finca Que Ama)in Turrubares. Visit Turubari Park, do canopy tour.
Day 6&7: check into hotel Arenal Paraiso in Arenal-La Fortuna. See Arenal area. Possible activities: Arenal National Park, Arenal Lake, Hanging Bridges, hike to La Fortuna Waterfall, & Ecotermales hot springs.
Day 8- head straight to airport.

Sounds like alot, but Neta seems to think this is more than feasible, so we'll go for it. So far, I've enjoyed working with her very much and all of you Fodorites have helped me put some kind of order to this planning process.

Thank you!!! Any final thoughts?

I would trust Neta's judgement. Wish you could meet her--she's a wonderful person. My daughters and I are planning a trip to Canada to see her (and Arbel) after their first child is born in the fall.

We are people who enjoy seeing different areas and it has never bothered us to move around quite a bit, 2 nights here, 2 nights there. We tolerate that okay, particularly if we have a little down time here and there. Others don't like to do things that way. We have a daughter who gets vexed with us when we make those kinds of plans. Another daughter who doesn't mind it at all.

Ama Tierra will be a nice break for you in between 2 very active locations, and I do think you will enjoy your time there and especially Turu-Bari Park.

You'll have some nice highlights and also be able to travel through a rather non-touristy area between Orotina and Turrubares over to Puriscal/Ciudad Colon area. Enjoy every minute! :)