My wife and I are hoping to go to CR in about 6 weeks (i know, not much time and lots of booked hotels). Assuming we can get rooms, what would a recommended itinerary be if we have 6 nights?

I was thinking 2 nights in the jungle or volcano and 4 nights at the beach or even 3/3. We'd prefer not to have a 5 hour drive to the hotel that I've read about in some places but will listen to all suggestions.

Any suggestions for the locations / timing (beach first or second?) would be appreciated. As far as hotels we would be looking at nicer places (i've read good things about the marriott los suenos, that is our range I guess).

Thanks in advance!

You really need to book flights before you worry about rooms. Depending on arrival/departure times, you may need to spend the first and last nights near the airport. Because things can and do happen that can tie up traffic for hours, most people are a little leery of trying to get back to the airport from a remote (even 2-3 hour) location without a good time cushion in case of a truck breakdown or something similar. In addition, travel after dark is not advisable (too many bicycles, people, animals on the roads and no shoulders).

SO, if you are arriving after 2:00 or so in the afternoon, you need to plan an overnight within an hour of so of the airport. By the same token, if your departure is before 1:00 or so, you'll want to get back into that area the night before. Of course, if you choose to travel by air, that could affect decisions as well, provided you can get connections on the same days as your arrival and departure days.

That said, a good mix for 6 nights would be Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Haver you looked at a map? They are both about 3 hours from SJO, opposite directions, so about 6 hours apart (including lunch/rest stops). So you could get to the first one easily and return back to the airport easily, but have that long drive between locations. Great scenery, gorgeous, so not necessarily a waste of time. .

We did 6 nights at Christmas a few years ago. Got into SJO about 2:00, arrived at Arenal about 6:00 or 6:30. We stayed there 2 nights, then drove about 5 hours to the Flamingo/Tamarindo area (about 5 hours), stayed 3 nights, then spent the last night near the airport (5 hours back to the airport from that location). So about 15 hours we were on the road.

For you to visit Arenal and then Manuel Antonio (2 excellent locations for first time visitors allowing you to see a very nice variety of volcano, beaches, rainforest, mountains, etc.), you would be driving about 12 hours. This wouldn't be so bad if you can get those early arrival/late departure times. But if you have to give up 2 nights to be near the airport, then you might want to plan on just one locations. Just a few things for you to think about. Know that you will have a lovely time no matter what!

By the way, if you don't mind giving up the volcano option, just plan to head down to Manuel Antonio (3 hours from the airport) and spend your time there at the beach. Lots to do in that area. Lots of excellent, very nice hotels to choose from--such as Tulemar Bungalows, Parador, Makanda, etc. All very high end. Also Si Como No. You could stay at Los Suenos, of course, but would then have to drive down to the MA area to enjoy everything that is there--about an hour or hour and a half.

If you stayed at Los Suenos, you could spend your time checking out Carara Biological Reserve and Turu-Bari park, both excellent places to spend one's time. Not sure about the beach there at Los Suenos--some very lovely beaches inside the park at Manuel Antonio.

OR you could fly down there--OR you could fly, for that matter, straight from SJO to the Malpais/Montezuma area for your entire trip, staying at the very well recommended Casa Chameleon or Flor Blanca, both very high end. OR you could fly to Punta Islita, highly recommended for couples, and not too far north of Malpais, which is on the southern Nicoya Peninsula. .

Lot of options, you see?! Enjoy the planning. . .

Wow - thanks for the great info!

Yeah, well, it takes me awhile to get it said. . .but it occurred to me that you really do have a great many options. Particularly if you would be comfortable choosing just one destination. Another option if you do that: Combine that one location with a couple of nights in the airport/central valley location. There really is a lot of pretty cool stuff to see and do right there within an hour of the airport. You could even do a day of white water rafting at the beginning or end. Or you could join a tour group and do a day trip up to Arenal before heading to the beach. But get your air booked and go from there. . .now I'd better shut up before you are incredibly (but wonderfully) confused!

Shillimacs suggestion of Manuel Antonio and La Fortuna/Arenal i think is the best combo for a first time short trip to CR:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html

Thanks guys.

How is the snorkeling in costa rica? I understand it isn't crystal blue like the caribean but can you still find some decent charters?

gmac17:

Here's my opinion:
Arenal first, then the beach.

IMO...You'll be too hopped up to "relax" at the beach the first few days...

Day 1, 2, and 3: 3 nights Arenal, get there late if you have to. but ask questions about this. what time does your flight arrive? You need to arrive into La Fortuna before it is dark. 2 full days in Arenal area will make you want to come back.

Day4: Early departure (10am or so) for 5.5 hour drive (beautiful to San Ramon!) will get you in MA for glorious sunset, then 2 full days/3 nights, and then drive / fly back to SJ International Airport (you will not step foot in San Jose).

Who am I? I'm 45, love all nature, athletic, adventuresome, a photography professor...
I've stayed in every range of accomodations (Just not in CR)-- Lost Iguana is great, but few amenities like massages etc....It is not 4 star standard, but I loved it! -- Kioro would be more upscale, but we did not check it out. It is visible in the distance from the main road - perched on a hilltop, so it seems, directly below or in front of the volcano. Direct view of Lava Flow both places. Tabacon, we did not visit. I am sure the grounds are beautiful.

In Manuel Antonio, BV, Tullemar, and CV were booked. We stayed in Villas Nicolas. For the price, I could not have been happier. Unit 6 down(bedroom, full kitchen open to the living area; porch with hammoch, table for six, and a setee; art on all walls inside and out, .....) The Unit directly below us would have been the primo choice for view, because you don't look down on a porch roof -- just jungle to the ocean and an island. The pool is small, the grounds are pretty. This is like a small condominium complex of 12 or so units. It is not a hotel. I highly recommend it, but can not speak for the decor or view of all units.

Si Como No - right next door. Lovely. The website does not do it justice.
Costa Verde - lovely grounds -- CV spreads across the road, kind of confusing, but it looks great.... Ate/drank at L'avion, very enjoyable. The wood work at CV reception and restaurants is rich, terrific!

Went to La Makanda by the Sea (Sunspot) for drinks one night. Beautiful. Small infinity pool, I think.... This might be one of the upscale of MA, but the road was torn up (or maybe we got lost).....

When I go back, I'll probably stay again at Villas Nicolas (very quiet, no bar action, no kids running about) and a lovely view.

I don't know if this helps any at all, but I sure enjoyed revisiting my memories...

Very helpful stuff. One last question for everyone - should we rent a car or buy the transfers? I'm fairly adventerous when it comes to driving, but I don't want to be stupid...thanks

and another question:

is 2 nights enough at arenal? It will really only be one full day and 2 nights since we'll get there around 5 pm on our first day....at the same time i don't want to sacrifice time at manuel antonio (where we have 4 nights)

I live near Los Suenos - lot's to do and many good restaurants. If you get in later in the day, rather than giving up a night in San Jose, pay for a driver (around $70 to pick you up at the airport and deliver you at Marriott). I've stayed at the Marriott - beautiful, one of my favorites and I've stayed in Marriotts around the world.

One more comment - go to Arenal and Tabacon hot springs - it will help you to unwind and get into the Costa Rica state of mind. Forget snorkeling on this coast, go on a canopy tour, rafting, walk through the many different gardens etc. There's more to do around Los Suenos area than MA.

To me, the driving isn't that adventurous. . .I guess it seems "normal" now. I can remember that first time, though, being a little amazed at this or that. We are used to driving country roads, having lived in a rural area all our lives, so I guess that makes it less overwhelming. Our opinion is that most of the roads are pretty darned decent. Only a few (and they are pretty notorious) are really rough. There are a couple on the southern Nicoya Peninsula and the road to Monteverde that come to mind. It is very convenient to have a vehicle and the freedom of choice/movement it allows. My dos colones. . .