Help with CR itinerary!
 

We're a famly with 2 teenage sons ages 15 and 18 and will be in CR for 7 nights, arriving on a tuesday in February at 3:00 pm and departing the following week at 3:30.

We're only in CR for 7 nights, our flight arrives at 3:00 pm and we leave at 3:45 the following week.

We're considering staying the bulk of our vacation at either a gorgeous rental home in Dominical, Tulemar in Manuel Antonio or Ylang Ylang beach resort in Montezuma. We're leaning towards Manuel Antonio. We'd like to spend 4 or 5 days at this base location.

Can you suggest an itinerary? We don't want to move around a lot or travel much, my husband has such a horrible commute everyday that the last thing he wants to do on vacation is spend it on planes, trains and automobiles, thanks!

nina, it's me chiming in again. I think your plan to spend the bulk of your days in one location is good. Also think, as you know, I think MA a good choice.

Why don't you consider just enjoying that area around the airport either at the front or back end of your trip. There is SO much to do nearby. . .and some beautiful, even quite luxurious hotels.

A couple of nights at Peace Lodge would be very nice (one hour or a little more from airport). Look at their website--it's an amazing property. Has this already been mentioned? Seems like it was on another of your threads. . sorry if repeating here.

Rafting the Rio Pacuare--full day, one night, 2 night adventures available through Aventuras Naturales or Rios Tropicales. .both excellent companies.

Highlights of Costa Rica full day tour--excellent. Check out Ecoscape Tours to read up on this one. It's a fantastic way to spend a day and you learn and see SO much. I think your sons would enjoy it as well, although the rafting might hold more appeal? Yes, it's a packaged tour, but a very good one. There's a similar one called the 4-in-1 tour. You get to see and experience a big section of the country with an excellent guide, small group. Includes breakfast and dinner.

Since you arrive that late in the day, it would make sense to stay near the airport (central area of country) at the beginning of your trip--2-3 nights would allow plenty of sightseeing. When you start researching (and getting ideas from other people) you'll be amazed at how much there is to do. Then off to the beach for 3-4 nights. With a 3:30 departure (that's perfect), you don't need to return from Manuel Antonio until the day of your departure. Leaving by 9:00 in the a.m. should get you to the airport in plenty of time. An hour earlier would give you a nice cushion.

Just a couple of thoughts. . .

Thank you so much Shill, you've been very helpful.

I was thinking maybe 2 nights at VDV or Orquideas Inn at the beginning of the trip and doing the rafting (that is a must do I think), then going to MA or Dominical (I'm still considering Dominical because the rental house is drop dead gorgeous and big, I have to consider the comfort level, we could all have our own rooms, it has a pool, a ping-pong table and is simply beautiful),

I was then thinking or coming back to spend our last night near Airport because we can stay free at the Marriott using points. That would save us $350 rather than spending the last night at Tulemar, and that would pay for a whole day of rafting, etc.

I think you have a very good plan, and do think you should do the rafting, especially with your boys. And as far as Dominical or MA, either would be just great. You could drive through some interesting country getting to Dom. Very high, very cold. . .makes for seeing a bit of something different while you are there. The house sounds beautiful. There's no reason why you can't also make that horrid 1 hour, 30 min (at least) drive into Manuel Antonio one day to spend time in the park and enjoy the beaches inside the park. The park is the best part of MA.

You really sound like that house is calling you. . .go with your gut! Once you are there, MA will be pretty close as well.

Thanks Shill, it's just that my husband is so picky and he thinks I'm obsessed with travel (I am) so I don't want him to have anything to whine about in terms of this trip.

If it was up to him he'd remain in New England for all his vacations!

Well heck, you're making me nervous! Just how picky is he? Is he going to be open to the quirks of traveling in Central America? Manana time? Another language? I guess you already know he'll like the area, right? :)

It's just that I can't quite get enough of it, love everything about it (spending time in CR), but have friends and family who won't even bother to check it out. Some of them even are so closed minded as to consider everything south of the U.S. Mexico. Can't tell you how many times people have said, "your trips to Mexico or wherever it is you go"! I keep thinking that with Costa Rica being SO publicized in so many ways that more of them will want to see what all the fuss is about, but few want to venture beyond the resorts of the Caribbean and Hawaii. Experiencing culture is not a part of their plan--guess they would be more in the tourist category, according to that other thread! :)

I'm thinking about your transportation here and there. Did you say you were thinking of renting? How will he be with the driving? It's an adventure. While most of the roads are in the decent category (some quite good), they aren't superhighways and there ARE bicycles, people, animals, and small children on them from time to time!

You can easily fly to within 45 min. or so of Montezuma (Tambor airport). You can easily fly to Manuel Antonio. Getting to Dominical will be trickier. Couple of ways to do that. Check out the other post about Costa Rica Driving Times. You might want to consider hiring a private driver. Many people love this option as it relieves them of a lot of stress (and saves time because you won't be having to overcome wrong turns!).

You can even fly to Manuel Antonio, rent a car, and continue the drive to Dominical, another hour and a half, pretty simple. I do think you'll need your own vehicle (or a driver at your beck and call) in Dominical. You'll want to explore the area as there are some interesting beaches south of there (and an excellent highway).

Just a few things for you to think about (hopefully not to cause more confusion!).