Help with Costa Rica
 

Five of us (3 adults, 2 teens) will be traveling to Costa Rica in July and I am having trouble finalizing our itinerary. We are a bunch of fun loving people that want an adventure. I know that we'll be staying 3 nights in the Arenal area, but after that I'm in bad shape. We'd like to be able to do some scuba diving and am thinking that the areas around Cahuita Beach would be a good place. What are your thoughts? I've looked at posts and have not found much about this area. Is this a good place to be? Is there anything else to do in the area? We also have an option to go to the pacific side if our time share opens up. I love the Caribbean and thought that this would be a good option. I just don't want to make a mistake.

If your looking to party try Tamarindo. Book a condo close to the centre of town, Horizon Pacific is just one of the agencies and 1st choice realty is another. Flamingo has diving not that far and great dive operator that works out of the hotel. There is also a 3 event tour mud bath horseback riding and zip line. You can book that through Horizon or Tamarindo Shuttle.

Do you already have your heart set on Costa Rica? If I were interested in diving, I'd lean more towards Belize than Costa Rica. CR isn't known for great diving or snorkeling. Arenal is a great pick for adventure activities.

www.albylodge.com my fav on Carib side or
pachamamacaribe.com bananaazul.com so of
a dodgy rastavibe. Reef Runners for diving
per VG not as good as belizeforst.com but fine
I like it but some do not due to rustic rasta druggy vibe.

playamontezuma.net zumatours.net ylangylangresort.com
more money but quite nice good diving Tortuga I.

Good luck!

Dodo...
I am not sure why you would pick Costa Rica for scuba. There are a few places, but it's not a top choice for scuba. What is it about the Caribbean side that interests you? Clear, calm, azure water? It's not like that there. The Caribbean coast of CR is nothing like the lovely islands to the east. Look to the Pacific side. Read about it, and see what there is to do there that would interest you. There's plenty of adventure there.

I'd do Arenal and book over to Manuel Antonio. From there scrounge up a charter to snorkel Cano Island. If they want too much(gringo price) head down to Sierpe and take the charter from there.The sea turtles should be on the move in July.You might catch a glimpse of some whales and certainly zillions of porpoise.

Full day (including snorkel)tours from Sierpe to Cano cost about $70 pp through most companies. Plus they go through the mangroves, so you see animals, birds, etc. Scuba will cost more, of course (http://www.canodiverscostarica.com/)
BUT: it's a bit of a drive from MA to Sierpe. You might consider the Uvita area for a stay; great beaches, good location near the Osa and Corcavado (rain forest, ziplines, surfing etc. pretty close by; lots to do).