If you could only pick ONE area, which would it be and why?
 

It seems the majority of travellers to Costa Rica have two weeks, but it you were on a limited schedule, which area and hotel would you choose outside of San Jose?

Hi Katie:<BR><BR>We had only one week in Costa Rica. There were four of us and we stayed at the Vista del Valle north of San Jose. I am not sure of your budget, but it is a nice place. We hired their driver for day trips every day. We managed to see Paos Volcano, La Paz Waterfalls, Arenal and the Tabacon Hot Springs, shopping in San Jose, the Pacific Ocean, crocodile tour, whitewater rafting, and horseback riding.

I would stay somewhere in Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula area. We stayed at the Aguila de Osa, which was very nice, but there are a few other nice ecolodges in the area. It is very remote and we saw more wildlife there than in any other part of Costa Rica. This place makes Arenal and Monteverde look like Disneyland. There are no roads, you can only get there via boat.

I traveled all over the country looking for a place to live and work. I live in Manuel Antonio.<BR>Here is why:<BR>More things to do n one place than any other part of Costa Rica<BR>Most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica<BR>The National Park<BR>All Ocean activities available<BR>ie jetski, dolphin watching, fishing,<BR>surfing, boogieboarding, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming, etc<BR><BR>All rainforest activities available<BR>ie horseback riding, waterfall tours, canopy tours, hiking, mountain biking, <BR>butterfly farm, canyoning tours,white water rafting, etc<BR><BR>there are hotels in every budget, plenty of restaurants.<BR>There is a town with banks, grocery stores, souvenir shops, etc a few miles away.<BR><BR>We have the best of both worlds, the rainforest and the beach. Also withng an hour drive are several beautiful places like Dominical, Matapalo, even you can drive over to Jaco in an hour and gamble in the casinos or play golf at Los Suenos.<BR>I feel like I live in the center of the universe!<BR>I chose Hotel California, but I was buying it, not just looking for a place to stay!<BR>Your mileage may vary!<BR>Robbie<BR>[email protected]

It also depends upon what you are loking for??? Manual Antonio is very built up and is the most often visited location in CR. Tons of people, lots of bigger hotels, lots of families, etc. Thousands of people cramming into a very, very small national park. It has gotten to the point where "wild" animals eat out of people's hands on the beach. I wouldn't go there even if you paid for the trip. It attracts that "Orlando crowd", if you know what I mean.

Dawn, no, I don't know what you mean by the "Orlando Crowd" but if anyone offers you a free trip, I'LL TAKE IT!

I'd like to spend at least three nights at the Lookout Inn in Carate on the Osa. Check out www.lookout-inn.com. We had a great time last month.

Don't miss the Lake Arenal area: active volcano, hot springs, waterfalls!

I would say stick to the Pacific Coast if you are looking for beaches - either Drake Bay or north of Playa Nicoya. If you want rainforest and volcano I would say go to Arenal - not as busy and built up as Manuel Antonio but very nice, great lake views -weather can be a bit chancey though and do not drive in from the east drive in from the west the roads are much, much better that way.

I drove in from the east and left to the west. I agree completely, the roads are much better from the west. You may even find the place if you come from the west.<BR><BR>Good luck!

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