We are making our second trip to Costa Rica with our kids (ages two and four). We are going for 15 days and already know we want to spend at least three days at Xandari in Alajuela, at least four days at Tulemar in Manuel Antonio, and we're closing out our trip with three days in Tortuguero. What should we see with the remaining four days? We don't want to go to Monteverde because we don't want to subject the kids to the long drive, and I believe that might also take Arenal out of the equation. On our last trip we went to Montezuma and lost a day in the ferry line so we don't want to do that again. Are there any other location we should visit that will be a doable drive (Tamarindo maybe)? What would you do in our situation?

A better choice at Rincon, both for amenities and location is Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Lodge.
Do a search of recent posts and you will find info on a good email address to contact them.

cheers

Jerry

Drive time to Rincon is going to be about 4 hours from San Jose airport. Arenal is about 2.5. I think you could do both very easily. They aren't that far apart--3 hours more or less. 4 days is a long time for either, although both are great places to visit. Something to consider. Considering the age of your children, however, I can certainly understand your wanting to minimize travel time! If you are looking for one place to spend 4 days, I believe you would find more to do in the Arenal area--or even the southern Caribbean area of Puerto Viejo following the Tortuguero portion of your trip.

We are doing Tortuguero last and will have returned our rental car before we go. Not sure that Rincon de la Vieja is going to fly because most of the stuff you're talking about we can't do with little kids--even walking on trails with active volcanic activity is problematic with our adventurous two year old who dashes off the second our backs are turned. About the Southern Carribean, do you mean around Cahuita? I was there 13 years ago, it would be interesting to see what's changed.

First let me say that I have never traveled to CR with a 2 & 4 year old, however my children were that age long ago.

You mention that you would stay away from Monteverde & Arenal due to the long drive. I would agree that Monteverde is a long and painfully slow drive, but Arenal is much different and might be doable.

You also question Tamarindo, which I would expect to be another long drive. However, the opportunity to stay right on the beach with the children, may be a good option. Capitan Suizo for example has a beachfront pool that may be enjoyable for the children.

I would like to offer Punta Islita as a suggestion... It can easily be accessed via a 40 minute local flight departing from San Jose. We are frequent visitors to Costa Rica and Punta Islita is our favorite destination. We really "feel" Costa Rica when we are there. The staff is absolutely wonderful and warm and I have heard that their new vilitas are incredible and great for families.

In Manuel Antonio both Si Como No and Tulemar are wonderful, but I feel that Si Como No offers better options for children.

Enjoy your second visit! I am sure it won't be your last.

Cheers,

Em

Sorry, in case you want to check their websites: www.hotelpuntaislita.com
www.sicomono.com

Monica, I think that Tamarindo would be a long drive with the kids from Manuel Antonio but doable. We like Capitan Suizo a lot; it is very family friendly.

I think you should also consider Arenal - easy 3 hour drive from Xandari. The drive from Arenal to Manuel Antonio would be, however, about 5 hours. Another option would be Samara. It is a very nice Costa Rican town, not a touristy as Tamarindo and is probably a bit of a shorter drive from MA. Villas Kalimba in Samara gets very good reviews and I think it would be a nice place to stay with the kids. Punta Islita looks lovely, but it is very isolated, Samara would give you the option of spending time on a nice beach but also walking around in the small town there which would probably entertain the kids.

In Manuel Antonio, I think Tulemar is a better option with really small kids than Si Como No. The railings around the walkways and balconies are not kid-safe at Si Como No.

The question really is, whether you want to stay at another beach destination or do something inland?

Please, save everyone a headache and don't take your kids to Xandari. Our last night in CR at Xandari we had a pretty sunset spoiled by kids going crazy in the pool and then around 9 pm the kids next door to us were screaming. (Then again, these kids were older, probably between 6 and 12. Yours might not be old enough to be loud but then again they might be.)