How's my Itinerary?
 

My wife and I will be travelling to Costa Rica in the near future and have made the following arrangements:

Day 1 - Fly to San Jose. Arrive @ 12:30 P.M. Pick up car and drive to Tabacon Hot Springs.
Day 2 - Arenal Volcano & Tabacon Hot Springs
Day 3 A.M. - Drive to Monteverde
P.M. - Santa Elana Reserve & Skywalk
Day 4 A.M. - Monteverde Cloud Forest
P.M. - Drive to Tamarindo
Day 5 - Tamarindo
Day 6 - Tamarindo
Day 7 - Drive to Jaco
Day 8 - Cara Biological Reserve
Day 9 - Jaco
Day 10 A.M. - Drive to Manuel Antonio -
Day 11 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 12 - Manuel Antonio National Park
Day 13 A.M. - Manuel Antonio
P.M. - Drive to San Jose
Day 14 A.M. - Early morning flight home

Dear Cork,
I would change only one thing on your itinerary, and that would be to skip Monteverde. I personally think it is overrated, but that is a matter of opinion. However, what is not a matter of opinion is that the drives to and form Monteverde are long, rough and tiring, and staying only one night really gives very little time to enjoy the place. If you don't want to skip it, then maybe you should stay for 2 nights in Monteverde but only one night in Jaco (and drive to Manuel Antonio right after your visit to Carara park (about a 2 hour drive)).
Please feel free to write me directly with any more questions.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

I would add a night in Arenal. I had such unbelievable luck in seeing the volcano (4 days of sunshine), but you will probably increase your chances if you stay longer. The drive up the hill to Monteverde is beautiful and the drive down from Monteverde (if you are going towards the lake) is even more beautiful. So there are reasons not to skip Monteverde.

I loved Monteverde. The reserve itself has great hiking trails, and the entire area is fun and interesting. It certainly wasn't crowded when we were there two years ago during 'high' season. The drive from Arenal is a challenge, but as long as you take it slow, it's beautiful.

Personally, I wasn't too impressed with Jaco.

Gonna weigh in here! I agree with the advice to absolutely not try to do Monteverde in such a short time. Two nights at least. I would definitely steal a day from Jaco. You are doing Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio--both great places. Believe me, you don't need Jaco. It isn't that wonderful. Not good for swimming because of the current. You can still work Carrera Reserve in, I think, without any problema!
As for Arenal, another night there would be nice. However, I just came from there on exactly the kind of time you are doing, and we were pleased with the plan. HOWEVER, we didn't go there with the intention of doing any extra activities in the area such as hiking the volcano, horseback riding, the caves, or other guided tours etc. We arrived in the evening around 6:00. (Plan on it taking about 2 hours to get away from the airport after you arrive--one hour at baggage claim and immigration and another hour picking up your car). Next day, we had the whole day. We went to the Hot Springs in the morning about 10:00, stayed until 1:00 or so, had lunch, went to the spa, went back for night at the springs until about 9:30 p.m., basically just enjoyed our time together doing not much of anything! Not a bad plan the first day after a flight! We left the next morning. It worked out just fine for us. We were lucky to view the volcano both at night and again the next morning. Again, had we desired to do more "stuff" while there, we would have needed another night and day.
With your two weeks, you are going to be able to easily (not frantically) see 4 great areas. Some would argue that Tamarindo is not that cool, but it has a certain charm. . .also it is close to several other beaches. . Playa Conchal, Flamingo--all places to view beautiful sunsets!
I think if you adjust just a tiny bit you have a great plan! Enjoy!