RAC

You can probably negotiate the rate with the guides. My guess is that they wouldn't charge you if you took the 2 year old with.

But, I might not recommend wildlife hiking for a three-year old unless you want to carry them the whole time.

shillmac

You're probably okay with the park entrances for all of them.

La Paz could be 2.5 hours from Atenas if you get lost or something! Otherwise, I'm guessing an hour and 45 min--2 hours max. The drive to La Paz from Alajuela is a little over an hour, closer to 1.5 hour, if I remember correctly. People say "an hour from the airport", but I think that's a little too optimistic.

Your plan to be at Poas by 9:00 is good. Poas is a little ways beyong La Paz. When you come to the La Paz turn-off, you don't take it, but continue on northward to Poas. An hour at Poas is plenty. The walk to the crater is about 10 minutes from the parking area. There is a gift shop and coffee shop, so you may want to check out the crater (hopefully see something), then grab a snack/warm drink before getting back on the road. It is fairly chilly up there.

Lunch at La Paz wouldn't be so bad. There's a nice snack place for sandwiches, etc., down by the trout pond/pool.

Doka would be good for a quick look-see on your return. You'll probably have sleepers in the car by the time you get there, though.

Carara---I remember the trails being smooth and flat. But we didn't see any wildlife, so nothing to really "turn us on". I don't know if that is typical or not. My understanding has been that it is more of a place for birding, not so big on wildlife (at least compared to Manuel Antonio). Someone please correct me if I am wrong!

shillmac

Paragraph 1 above: "all of them" refers to your children!

RAC

I can't say you're wrong about Carara, but we saw a sloth, caiman, coati, and several American crocodiles. Most of the animal action was by the lagoon.

The trails are fairly smooth for the most part, but oy it gets hot and buggy there.

jbella

The "handicapped" trail at Carara is a concrete pathway. I put handicapped in quotes because I have a family member in a wheel chair and know that is not really what in the US you would call accessible. While the path is concrete, it is rough dirt (maybe sometimes muddy) to the start of the path. I think you could do a stroller once you got on the path. I think it would be the best option for your family hike. We have always seen a lot wildlife there and on that trail there are usually spider monkeys throwing things down at you. (don't stand directly under them and look up if they are throwing as it might be unpleasent!) On that trail we've seen spider monkeys, howlers, poison dart frogs, numerous lizzards, iguanas, coati and an amadillo. Next month shouldn't be too hot. Take mosquito repellent.

Shooie

Atenas is a beautiful mountain town with a really nice climate and you will love it there, but it is a bit of a drive to go anywhere. The drives are all really pretty. Just plan on doing a little trip in the morning, and enjoying your home in the afternoon. Poas volcano is a must see (it's almost cold there), Doka coffee plantation is a good stop off on that trip, or another one, even if you don't take the tour. I think they might be picking coffee beans by that time, and it's really interesting. Definitely visit Sarchi. It's a place to pick up souvenirs, and a cute little town. They have a nice full service seafood restaurant (Restaurante Mariscos or something like that). We like to go there for Sunday lunch when it's full of local families after church. There is also a nice "pollo a la lena" take out restaurant where you can get heavenly rotisserie chicken roasted on a coffee wood fire. It's near the river between Sarchi North and Sarchi South. Hiking the trails in the cloud forest by Villa Blanca is fun (but costs $25 a person). The kids will love Zoo Ave, and there are several restaurants along the road to it in La Garita. You will meet all kinds of people just by having your kids with you. Costa Ricans love children. Atenas is a town where a lot of expats live, and if you want any advice, stop in at Kay's Gringo Postres for a coffee, and strike up a conversation. It's next to the Red Cross in Atenas. Have a great trip.

sclubb

Shooie -
THANKS! sounds like you've spent some time in Atenas! I think once we wind up there we may enjoy staying put more than we expect. Especially considering we have another week in Dominical. I've seen others mention Kay's for breakfast..we'll definitely have to stop in there. The chicken roasted on a coffee wood fire sounds delicious! I checked out Villa Blanca's site and the tour you mentioned also says min age is 6 (my kids are all 3 and younger). Re Villa Blanca - Would you recommend driving there for a self-guided hike at our own pace?

Others - the owner of our Dominical house suggested doing much of our wildlife hikes/walks in the area there - on the house property trails and Hacienda Baru. Anyone know how this area compares to Carara, Villa Blanca, etc?

shillmac - what about the drive I saw you mention on another post through Barva? How long of a trip from Atenas is that and is it mainly for the views from the drive or is there much to do for us to get out and explore along the way or at the end of the road?

I definitely feel like I am getting things narrowed down (although I'm sure it doesn't sound like it!)

Sounds like Poas/Doka and maybe La Paz included is a definite must. Sarchi has been recommended - a must? Zoo Avenue sounds good for the kids even though it somehow isn't real appealing to me just hearing about it. Carara gets such mixed reviews I can't make a decision on it yet. I really want to do the Alajuela farmers market. So, there's several things right there that could fill our time with random other things filled in here and there - not to mention lots of naps, swimming in our pool and hopefully a few massages thrown it!

Here's my last (hopefully!) question:
If you were spending a week in Atenas (I KNOW! Most of you are probably saying you would NOT be spending a week in Atenas!) But...if you were...what would you have on your definitely include list of sights and day trips?

shillmac

I don't know that we ever timed the drive through Barva. From Atenas, it wouldn't be a time saver. If you plan to stop at Doka on the way back to Atenas, it wouldn't be a good option either; you'd have to backtrack. On that route, you drive through Heredia, and, unless they've been added recently, there are no volcano signs. It eats up a little time just trying to get out of Heredia on to Barva if you aren't very familiar with the route.

Our primary reason for going that way is to dine at Colbert's, the French restaurant about 5 km before you arrive at La Paz. There isn't anything to stop and see along the way particularly, other than Colbert's, which we always enjoy. It is a pretty drive, naturally.

There is a loop so that you can drive up to Poas/La Paz through Alajuela and return through Heredia if you wish. Or vice versa. But if you are looking to save a few minutes, it wouldn't be your quickest route from Atenas.

As for Zoo Ave, we've been twice, both times with our granddaughter. It has some nice things to see and is interesting to children, maybe less so for adults. Again, it's one of those things you tend to do when you are bringing your activity choices down to their level. They have some beautiful macaws which are fun to see up close and personal. Definitely think it would be worth your time with the kids.

shillmac

An added note: That IS the road you'd take if you wanted to detour over to San Jose de Montana, which many say is a "little Monteverde". My disclaimer is that I'm not quite sure what that means. Humberto, owner of Hotel Villa Bonita, has spoken highly of the area. Once my daughter and I jogged over that way a short distance, but we weren't looking to do anything more than just explore up that road a bit. I do know this area is popular with people who live nearby.

Speaking of Humberto, why don't you drop him an e-mail this weekend? He is a guide himself, and is very knowledgeable. He might be able to suggest some things the rest of us haven't thought of. He's the one who sent us to the park in Fraijanes, and it turned out to be such a perfect place to visit with a toddler.

[email protected].

sclubb

Thanks! I'll do that...

And, I need to remember to go back and jot down that park/playground option b/c that definitely sounds like a must! Plus, as I'm starting to read and explore more in Dominical area, I am feeling less pressured to fit it all in in Atenas. Maybe this will be a week to decompress more from our normal life and do just these few trips we've been discussing before venturing on to some more wildlife hiking and viewing in Dominical.

Shannon

jbella

I love all the people on this site. Everyone is so helpful and you can get such good information!

I think you have a good opportunity in Atenas to do the layed back things you mentioned. Just a have a relaxing week hanging out at the house, using the pool and maybe going out to eat in town. Sitting in the Sguare and people watching while the little ones play in the grass may be one of the highlights of your stay.

With the kids, I recommend Alida's Italian restaurant, Gonzo's Pizza and Jalepaneos as a few good places to eat. Kay's is good for a feel of home.

Have a great time.

shillmac

Your last post has a better "feel" to it, sounds more relaxed, less frenetic. I think you're on the right track. Very low key that first week.

Bosques de Fraijanes

You'll come across it when you are en route to Poas from Alajuela. It will be on your right as you are going north.

tully

Hacienda Baru would be your best bet with small children. The trails are wide and wll maintained, they have several so you can pick how long you want to go out for. Definitely don't miss the short hike to the beach there, even though it's too rough for swimming. From Dominical it's about a 15-20 minute drive (maybe more, maybe less, they were doing tons of roadwork when I was last there). Great wildlife there, saw monkeys, sloth, coatis, butterflies etc.

jbella

Just wanted to send a correction to my post above. in Atenas, the pizza place is Palmares Pizza. (just east of the German Rest.) I first heard about it on Gonzo's site. Sorry I had a Senior Moment. Nothing earth shattering but I didn't want you wandering around looking for an eatery of the wrong name.

Pura Vida