Help - in a panic over Costa Rica
 

We've just been given clearance from daughter to take a trip with our 9 year old grandson durning Spring Break. I don't even know where to start and PANICING since I know air fare etc. will be expensive if I don't get a move on now.
We have 6 days and want to do tourtist stuff (YES, WE WANT TO) we don't need to change location but once. Can you pls. suggest places, sights & hotel.
MANY, MANY THANKS !

Get a guidebook at your local book store. Once you pick a few destinations that fit your family, you can narrow it down from there. You can either fly into SJO or LIR. SJO is much more centrally located. Check on the weather too.

Arenal.net is an interesting website if you have an interest in seeing Arenal.

Once you get starting planning, you will really get into it. There is so much to do in CR!

If your spring break is tied into Easter week, you need to move as quickly as possible for hotel reservations since it's the busiest vacation time for Ticos, too.

Depending on your flight schedule you may or may not have to spend the first/last nights near the SJO airport.

If that is the case you might want to do a few days in the Central Valley and 3 or 4 nights up at Arenal.

If you want beach time, then maybe split your time between Manual Antonio and Arenal.

Are you renting a car, hiring a driver or taking Interbus shuttle? Tricolor car rental is highly recommended by many on this board, among others.

Arenal options include Cano Negro wildlife refuge, thermal springs, hanging bridges, hiking trails, birdwatching.

Central Valley has rafting options, coffee plantation tours, but do be aware that La Paz Waterfall Garden/Peace Lodge is closed due to last week's earthquake. I've heard that Poas Volcano National Park is supposed to reopen, but not sure when.

The Sarapiqui/La Selva/Selva Verde area also has many activities.

Get a guidebook and start determining what activities you are interested in and what region and the suggestions will flow from this board!! Have fun!

Guide books are very useful, but you are in a bit of a rush (as I was when I booked a trip to Belize for this spring break). I posted just as you have and followed the suggestions of a few trusted Fodor posters. In your case, that is what I think I would do.

A good overview of the country would be Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio National Park (on the beach). Between these 2 locations there are tons of activities to entertain all of you. Both have dozens of hotels in all price ranges.

You might consider giving Pat Hewitt a call and let him make the arrangements for you quickly and easily. His company is Costa Rica Travel Exchange based in New Orleans. His website is under construction at the time, but if you will go there, you'll find the toll free number. He is busy right now helping people reorganize their vacations in the wake of the recent earthquake, but I feel sure he would welcome your call.

Your grandson will be so thrilled with his experience. We take our little granddaughter every year and it is such a joy. Have fun! :)

Oops, sorry.

Pat's website:

www.lovecostarica.com

Now go get that guide book and read up! :)

and. . . . .I just looked at the website again and it is completed! Looks great. . .check it out.

Thank you everyone! I'm fast at work and know it will be Fun, Fun, Fun!!

I just got back from Manuel Antonio and LOVED it!!!! We rented a home with a pool and guard for the same or less than any hotel. We found it on VRBO. You can really get a good deal with the recession and all. We only had a month notice and we talked the owner down to below low season rates. I guess they figure they would rather rent it out for something than have it sit empty. We learned how to surf and caught 7 sailfish in one day! Manuel Antonio has the national park with TONS of monkeys wildlife and the such. We also did the jetski tour of the coast line the first day to get a real feel for the area. We did the waterfall rapelling tour too. We flew into San Jose and stayed at the Gran Hotel which is right in downtown with lots of history and a great ballroom breakfast - kids would love it! The next day we flew Sansa into Quepos which is 15 min from M.A. this was an added bonus because we have paid $400 for helicopter tours in Hawaii and the plane was way less with the same benefits. We did not go to Arenal because of the 50 degree weather, plus we like to have a solid homebase. It is really one of the funnest vacations I have ever been on.

OK one more thing. We used the manager / concierge of the home we rented. He is from the US and bookd all our tours once we got there. He also returns e mail quick which is not the norm there. His name is Alex with vacationvillas.com he is sooo helpful and has lived there a while. I think he just does what ever and not exclusive just to the homes. I hope this helps.

I think a split between Arenal and Manuel Antonio would be perfect for you.

I forgot hotels. In Arenal, Lost Iguana is our favorite. Los Lagos is popular with families. In MA, I'd go with Buena Vista Villas. Si Como No is popular too, as is Costa Verde. Have fun!

With a nine year old, I'd head for Los Lagos in Arenal. It's not at all expensive, and they have extensive pools/ waterslides so he will be in heaven. There is a lot to see in Arenal as well.

It seems like you can't go wrong with Arenal and MA. Definitely lots to do in both areas and your grandson will be in heaven at Los Lagos in Arenal with all the pools, croc farm, horseback, ziplines, etc right on site. La Posada is a popular choice for families in MA as well as Si Como No and Costa Verde. Tulemar and Buena Vista Villas a bit highter end but they offer a nice private beach there with boogie boards, kayaks, snorkel and snacks. Villa Mot-Mot lower unit is probably the most economical of both complexes.

I would definitely go to Arenal. I'd stay at one of the resorts with a pool. We stayed at Volcano Lodge and loved it. Beautiful grounds, great view of the volcano, nice people, good food and reasonably priced. Definitely book ahead for a few of the activities since it is a popular week. I don't know what the age limit is for some of these since I have teenagers, but my kids loved the waterfall rappelling and loved, loved, the ziplines.

I don't think you can go wrong with a trip to Manuel Antonio.

My daughter who is 8 loves the beach, and the park.

A canopy tour, mangrove tours, or depending on how adventurous you are a night time estuary tour make a great excursion as well.

A word of caution when booking tours in Costa Rica, everyone works on commission. Your concierge will make 20%, so you may pay 20% more than when booking direct through the tour operator.