Reposting under Costa Rica...

I definately want to travel to Costa Rica at some point - but I'm wondering if my next vacation opportunity - 4/14 - 4/22 - is too short to see much. I was thinking about splitting time between beach and in land. We are a family of four (kids 13,15) who have traveled somewhat and enjoy a variety of activities. Costa Rica sounds right up our alley. Should I wait till we have more time or go for it? If we do, what would be a reasonable set of destinations for a trip of this lenghth?

One of the best trips we took with our kids was to Costa Rica for one week. (It was a small boat cruise along the Pacific coast, on Temptress which is no longer around. I believe Lindblad and/or Cruise West covers the territory.) We didn't see everything or cover most of the country, but what we did experience was fantastic. And now several years later my husband and I are headed back to see Arenal and Monteverde on an adventure tour. Costa Rica is a great place for teens - they can chill on beaches or do ziplines and whitewater rafting if they want adventure, not to mention how exciting it is to see monkeys and tons of other animals in the wild. And it would be easy to split the trip between a beach destination and inland. So my two cents is to go for it and not wait.

Pat

One of my good friends at work has a daughter studying at Oxford (semester abroad). The family is going over to spend Thanksgiving week with her. Tonight they fly into London; Oxford tomorrow; back to London; fly to Venice; go to Milan; train to Zermot; ski; train to Paris; see Paris. All that in 10 days!!!! So compared to THAT, yes, you have plenty of time. Go to CR but concentrate on one or two places.

You will enjoy a week there. Pick two places probably Arenal and somewhere near the beach. 1 night near airport if you get in late. Arenal-2 nights, 3-4 nights Beach.

You will all have a fabulous time. If you try to do too much you will be miserable! It takes time to get between places...lots longer than it looks on maps. Something that helped us cut down time was going back to San Jose after Arenal and flying to the beach if going to M.A. or Quepos. If you go north driving will be more direct.

Book soon because of there high season! My friends were unable to get there 1st and 2nd choices of accommedations in April for waiting too long.

Arenal/Manuel Antonio beaches are always a great combination for first time visitors. These are the 2 most popular areas, but there is a reason for that! Between the 2, there is a huge variety of things to do--and both beautiful places to do nothing at all.

Thanks to all for your thoughts. We will decide this weekend!