I am traveling solo to CR in February and after hours of reading books and forums, I finally have my itinerary; now I just need to finalize it. From San Jose I will go to Arenal, then the Osa Pen, then Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo. This is my first time to CR and I will be there 2 weeks. Question: how many days would be sufficient in Arenal? Is 2 enough? 2 1/2? I definitely want to spend the bulk of my time in the latter two spots. What can I get by with in Arenal? Thanks!

Both 2 and 2.5 days are adequate, depending on what activities you seek to experience.
The .5 of a day takes into consideration the .5 of a day that is required to travel to the next nearest attractive territory.
So, you could begin the day with a hike or a canopy tour, or whatever, and then be on your way to your next stop.

Agree with Triple Sec. We've even enjoyed our time there arriving about 6:00 in the evening, enjoying one full day, a second night, and heading out the next a.m. Changing locations always seems to take longer than you think it will, so we like to leave in the morning. 2 nights will work for you.

You'll love the Osa and also Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo. Manzanillo is just about the coolest little place I know of! If you want a great birdwatching experience, check with Abel Bustamante. They can tell you at the restaurant or the police station where to find him. He lives up a little road that is just across from the police station on the north edge of town. Very knowledgeable, young, enthusiastic, friendly, good English. $25 will get you as much time as you'd like. Birding and other wildlife excellent on the Caribbean side. He'll make sure you see all kinds of things! Have fun!

Thanks for responding. Do you think it's even worth going to Arenal if I'll only be there for two nights? (I would probably get in late afternoon on a Wed, then leave Fri morning in order to catch the plane in SJ). Given that I'm not heading to Monteverde or on to Nicoya, should I just skip it all-together? If so, would you recommend just the Osa and PV or should I try to get one more destination in there? Thanks!

I think Arenal is worth a visit, especially since your other two destinations are coastal areas. The interior of Costa Rica is also beautiful and Arenal is amazing if you can catch it in action.

I agree with LAFadeAway. You have the time, which for a lot of us is rare! Arenal area is a great place to visit!

Arriving late on Wednesday, there are several places to relax and "get into the pura vida" near the airport. Early next morning, do the 2.5 hour drive to Arenal. You can easily be there by 11:00--Tabacon Hot Springs is a don't miss as far as I'm concerned--it is so beautifully landscaped. You can do a volcano hike, the hot springs (day or night), the Hanging Bridges, etc.

Are you saying you'll be flying to the Osa that Friday after arriving in CR on Wednesday? If so, that cuts your time at Arenal a little TOO short! If you arrive SJO by 2:00 Wednesday, I'd go ahead and drive up there Wednesday--you'll get there around 6:00 or 6:30. You'll have to drive a bit after dark, but this is a decent road. At least then you'd have one full day to spend. We've done Arenal in that amount of time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

I don't know how much time you have planned for your other two destinations. But with 2 full weeks, you could easily spare 2 or even 3 nights at Arenal. You can enjoy both the Osa and Manzanillo with 4 nights each. Extra nights at either places a nice bonus, but do try to allow adequate time at Arenal. I think you'll be glad you did!

Actually I arrive in SJ Tuesday night and will have to stay at a hotel there for one night, then Wed morning I was thinking of going to Mercado Central downtown SJ, then taking the 11:30 bus up to Arenal. I've read that it takes 4 1/2 hours, so that would put me in around 4:00 PM on Wed. I'd spend a full day there on Thurs, then Fri morning take a morning bus back to SJ so I can catch my flight to Osa. I'm debating on whether to leave Arenal Friday morning or if I should stay an extra day there and leave Sat morning. (From what you're saying, it sounds like a full evening and day will be enough?).

About your comment on the 2 1/2 hour bus ride, is that a private bus/van? Everywhere I'm reading states to plan on 4 1/2 hours.

By the way shillmac, thanks also for the info on Abel; I'll bring that information along with me!

Arriving Wednesday, you'll be fine leaving Friday a.m. Just know that when you put yourself on a schedule, it doesn't work out more often than not! But your plan for Wed. a.m. sounds good--shouldn't have a problem catching the bus. That will be a fun experience for you!

It will take longer by bus to get to Arenal--the public buses make MANY stops along the way. By car, it's a 2.5-3 hour drive.

Mercado Central a good choice to visit! Plaza de la Cultura outside El Gran Hotel Costa Rica (and across from the Teatro Nacional) a great place to drink a cappucino and people watch. A tour of the teatro is a fun thing to do. It has beautiful artwork on the ceilings of the old cafe plantations.

You've got a good plan, and I know you're going to have a wonderful time! If I can locate Abel's phone number, I'll post it for you. I think I have it somewhere. . .

Abel Bustamante:

(506) 759-9043

Thank you shillmac! This really helps. I thought about going down and just winging it but I keep hearing that since that is such a busy time of year that I should at least have hotels and the flights to/from Osa booked. So, that's what I'm doing now and hopefully if I need to revise a bit, I'll be able to without too much cost. As far as what I'm going to do when I'm there - that I will be winging. Thanks again for responding, much appreciated!

Hawkeye--you're very welcome!