We bid on, and won, a 5 day package at Finca Rosa Blanca in an online auction. We have 7 days in Costa Rica in early September, and I was thinking we could split our time in one of the following ways -- but I'm not sure what the timing is like for these trips. With so little time in Costa Rica, we wanted to make sure and spend the least amount traveling and the most doing things -- visiting jungle and beach and going on tours etc. We're adventure people, but also enjoy the beach.

I have 3 possible itineraries, and I'd love to hear which any of you think might be best for us:

Itinerary #1:
Days 1,2,3 - Finca Rosa Blanca
Days 4,5 - El Parador in Manuel Antonio
Days 6,7,8 - Finca Rosa Blanca

Itinerary #3:
Days 1-3 - Finca Rosa Blanca
Days 4-5 - Tabacon Lodge in Arenal
Days 6-8 - Finca Rosa Blanca

Itinerary #2:
Days 1-3 - Finca Rosa Blanca
Days 4-5 - Four Seasons (we would fly there)
Day 6-8 - Finca Rosa Blanca

I would love to hear from anyone who knows more than I about the distances and attractions in these areas. What would you most enjoy?

Thanks so much,
Effie

Suggestion:
Finca Rosa Blanca: 2 nights
Arenal: 2 nights
El Parador: 2 nights
Last night near airport

OR divide your time evenly between FRB and El Parador. You can do a day trip to Arenal. But do spend the last night near the airport.

I would recommend Itinerary #1. Manuel Antonio offers the beach and other nearby diversions (canopy tours for adventure, tours of the mangrove forests, hiking in the national park). While at Finca Rosa Blanca, you can make day trips to adventure spots in the Central Valley (river rafting, Volcán Poás, etc. - although I do not recommend taking a day trip to Arenal - it is a long trip for not much. Save Arenal for another time when you can spend a little more time to settle in and catch the volcano in action. On a quick trip, you're chances of seeing the lava flow are minimal, I believe.)

I'm with Barbarian. Arenal's a good day trip or one nighter...but it's a long, bumpy drive and the weather is often rainy. Seeing the mountains at FRB and the beach at M.A. is a great vacation w/o wasting too much time traveling between destinations. I always recommend flying to Quepos if you can swing it.

Casey

Hum...your package for FRB is a five day package, but in all your itineraries, you show 6 days? I also suppose the 5 days package does not have to be 'consecutive days'?

In any case, I think I would also spend the extra days at Maneul Antonio so you can experience a beautiful beach area and see the most wildlife than other areas. The FS is too far away and isolated for most activities unless staying there for longer than two days.