Help - need honeymoon suggestions for CR
 

It's a relatively short trip - 6 full days, 7 nights, with 2 flying days. We want to combine two basic themes: 1) light adventure: canopy tours, rainforest, volcano, maybe even light river trips or rafting; and 2) beach "paradise" relaxation. The dilemma is that in only six days how can we do it all without exhausting ourselves and wasting time traveling? (Right now our itenerary is San Jose to Alejuela to La Fortuna/Arenal to Monteverde to Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio.)

The question, my friends, is this: are there "home bases" we could visit, centrally located lodging that has many of these elements so that instead of spending one night in a place and leaving for the next adventure, we can spend 3 nights in a place, using it as a "home base" for other day trips. I saw that the Peace Lodge has rainforest and day trips to volcano tours, canopy tours, etc. and it is this kind of idea that I like.

If I am misguided, and you think it would be easy for this couple to hit several places on our way to the beach, please say that too.

You can definitely do "home bases" and that is what you should do. With such a short time in Costa Rica, focus on 2 places instead of changing hotels every night. The distances on the map look deceptively short and it usually takes a good part of the day to get from one place from another. Here is what I would suggest:

1 night near the airport in Alajuela (depending on your flight time you may not even need it)
2 nights at EITHER Arenal or Monteverde (but not both) - lots of day trips and activities are possible
3 nights on the beach (both Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio are popular choices, but there are other possiblities as well)again, lots of day trips can be done from either one
1 night near the airport (again, you may not need it)

Can you fly to SJ and leave from Liberia? That would mean you could stay at a beach in the northwest of Costa Rica and would not have to go back to SJ for the last night to make your flight. Another option, if you decide on Tamarindo or one of the other beaches in the north west, is to fly in and out of Liberia. From there you could go to Arenal for 2 nights and then spend the rest of the time on the coast.

Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately our flight is locked and the change fee is ridiculous, so a late arrival in SJ is our only option.

I just love the look of the peace lodge but I suppose it's too far from Arenal to make that volcano a day trip.

Among the excursions from Peace Lodge isan Arenal trip. I think that's a mistake. Too much to do in the Arenal area to limit the trip to a few hours (with most of the day taken up with driving in both directions). How about skipping Arenal this time and doing Poas and one of those canopy tours or river trips from Peace Lodge? (Peace Lodge itself is terrific in my opinion: see my trip report) Manuel Antonio (or Villa Caletas near Jaco) is about the same distance from Peace Lodge as Arenal and probably has more options-- more different kinds of things to do. (aerial tram, hanging bridges, canopy, boat tours, beach, hikes, etc.)

Can I suggest with only 6 days, don't try to see all of Costa Rica. It is your honeymoon and rushing around will not make for great memories.

You mention staying in Alajuela, have you made the decision on your hotel? You will find many great day trips offered from the lodging options. You can arrange for private or group tours. Such as volcanoes, rafting, city tours and such. Staying in this area for 2 or 3 days would afford you this opportunity.

Possibly, 1 or 2 nights Alajuela, 4 on the coast and then your last 1 or 2 back in the Central Valley.

Using a domestic flight from SJ to your beach destination will save you time. And if you do some organized or private day tours, you will have the opportunity to see the country by car.

Hola: With only 6 days and if you arrive at night, then I recommend staying the first day in San Jose. The next day you can have a one day tour to Sarapiqui area which includes Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfal and boat tour at the SArapiqui River, after that you can sleep in Sarapiqui and next day you can visit Pozo Azul Hacienda, here you can have canopy tour and white water rafting (class II/III) at the Sarapiqui River, before leaving to Arenal for one night and see the volcano at night and visiting Eco Termales hot springs, the next day, you can either have a one day tour to Monteverde (using the lake crossing transportation) or stay one night Monteverde, then ending with 2 nights either in Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo. For the last day, I recommend flying to San Jose (there are different skedules) which will take you just on time for your international flight. In this way you will visit 4 destinations, have the canopy and rafting and 2 nights at a paradisiacal beach
Have a great time in Costa Rica

I just returned from Costa Rica and we did Arenal, Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio in 10 nights with the first and last night near the airport. This was fine for us but would have been way too much travel for a honeymoon, and you only have 7 nights. I'd limit it to the first two nights in the Central Valley and then 4 or 5 nights in Manuel Antonio or another beach destination. Even if you are adventurous types and like to keep active, you don't want to spend your entire honeymoon in the car. If you are set on Arenal then do that instead of the central valley, but realize that there is a good chance you won't even be able to see the volcano. Also, I'd recommend avoiding the trip from Arenal to Tamarindo, that drive around the lake is really horrible. I would just do two locations and leave the rest of Costa Rica for a return trip.

Stay at Finca Rosa Blanca. They have an unbelievable suite in a turret that has a 360 degree window with a view of the valley. Gorgeous! The bed is in the middle of the room. Fabulous place.

You all have been fantastic!!! I have decided on Manuel Antonio for about half the trip b/c of its ability to give us beach and forest and activities all in one spot. My fiance actually think we'll fly to MA the first morning, stay 3 nights or so, then bus or car back to Peace Lodge and use it as a home base for Poas, forest, river rafting, coffee, etc. Right now Makanda is my top choice in MA but so many options, it's hard to pick. Fodor's loves MA but the only thing left are studios and the Bungalows or Deluxes at Tumarindo (spelling?) look great too. You all have been fantastic. This is so exciting.

Should have said Tulemar.

Anyone prefer either Tulemar or Villas Caletas? I know poss loved Caletas.

I've been researching a trip with my husband and 2 children but one place I came across in this forum that sounds perfect for a honeymoon which is on the way to the pacific beaches is La Finca Que Ama. You might want to search for the comments on this.

One of the used-to-be frequent posters, MonaManuel from Canada, spent some time there on her honeymoon. You might check out her posts. It was in the early summer, I believe. La Finca is a lovely hotel, wonderful amenities and excellent food!