Hi to all,

I've read quite a few of your posts and have gotten many ideas, but would like your advice on a few details of my planned trip.

My family of 5 (myself, hubby and 3 girls, 29, 20 & 17) will be arriving in San Jose on 12/23 at 1:55pm. We are going to follow many of your suggestions and limit our destinations to Arenal and MA. However, the Peace Lodge really intrigues me and am wondering if I should try to fit that in somehow?

Knowing my husband, once we get through customs in San Jose, he'll want to hit the road and get up to Arenal.

So, my tentative intinerary would be:

12/23 - travel to Arenal overnight
12/24 - Arenal overnight
12/25 - Arenal overnight
12/26 - Arenal overnight
12/27 - travel to MA overnight
12/28 - MA overnight
12/29 - MA overnight
12/30 - travel to San Jose overnight
OR - should be go to Peace Lodge??
12/31 - Depart SJ 10:50 am

What do you think of this itinerary? Also, I like the idea of a driver as we just did a trip to Guatemala and Belize and had a wonderful driver for that. With a family a five, renting a big enough car might be costly. Would consider flights but hubby is iffy on small planes.

Feel free to fill up my days with suggested trips/activities.

Appreciate any and all suggestions. The more I read about CR, the more excited I get.

Thanks

Dear Wato:

You can click on my name and search for our trip report. It may be helpful.

I would cut a night from Arenal and have 2 nights at the Peace Lodge. It is $$$$$, and you may need a large suite or 2 rooms, I'm not sure.

We really enjoyed the PL so I hope you include it.

MY

I would do the Peace Lodge at the beginning of trip; it's just an hour outside of San Jose. It's definitely worth seeing. In Arenal, our favorite thing was the Cano Negro tour. You might also like the Hanging Bridges, doing the hot springs like Tabacon or Ecotermales, and ziplining at a place like SkyTrek. In MA, go to the park to see wildlife, and maybe do a mangrove tour or horseback ride. The beach inside the park is very pretty if you want to bring your swimsuit.

I assume you are renting a vehicle? You most likely will not get out of SJO until 3 PM, then pick up your rental and on the road maybe by 4.

Makes sense to try and get to Peace Lodge for your first night. You will want 2 nights but with a trip of 8 nights, probably will only have time for 1 night at PL. Now, availablity on Dec 23rd may be hard to get.

Then do 3 nights Arenal, 3 nights MA, and 1 near SJO (10:50 departure, means at the airport by 7:50AM).

If you want to have Peace Lodge at the end of your trip, I would consider reversing your trip - MA, Arenal, Peace. However, this would mean leaving PL around 6 AM.

Your final night, someplace like Orchideas Inn would be fun and close enough to the airport, so that you may still be able to enjoy breakfast. You can check to see if your rental can be picked up at your final hotel to save a few minutes.

If you have not checked about Vista del Valle Plantation Inn, it would be another that we really loved for a first or final couple of nights. Lovely place. Only about 25 mins to or from SJO.

I'd cut a night at Arenal and do 2 at Peace Lodge also. Be prepared to have to leave Peace Lodge very early, though, for a 10:00 something flight!

You might be better off to do this order:

3 nights Manuel Antonio

3 nights Arenal
(Arenal isn't far from Peace Lodge, so you could get there shortly after noon. This would give you a large part of that day).

1 night Peace Lodge (not leaving until early afternoon)

1 night nearer to the airport (such as Vista del valle)

I know this is a lot of moving around at the end, but Vista del Valle is very nice as well and 20 min. from the airport--no early a.m. rushing around (which makes the moving around worth it, my opinion).

By the way, the reason I put Arenal 2nd is so you COULD arrive at Peace Lodge early enough to enjoy a good part of the day there. It's about 4.5 hours from Manuel Antonio. Arriving there 3:00 or 4:00 in the p.m. would cut into your stay a bit too much (for my taste).

Hi all,

Thanks for all of your posts - they have been most helpful!

An update, I can only get into Peace Lodge for one night, Friday, 12/26 - that is right in the middle of our trip! I had hoped to stay there at the beginning or end of the trip! Is it worth it to change things around and stay at Peace Lodge for this one night?

Also, I am finding it very difficult to find a 3+ star hotel/resort with availability in MA. My girls, especially, want to stay on or near the beach in an upscale resort type setting. So far, all resorts that fit that description in MA are booked. Had no idea that I should have done this long ago.

Question for you experts, should I forego MA and skip down to the Orso Pennisula. If I do, what will I miss in MA? Will Orso make up for it? How far of a drive is it from Arenal or Peace Lodge to Orso and then back to San Jose?

Thoughts and help please! Want to secure some accomodations ASAP
Thanks much,
Patti

Patti, did you already check Buena Vista Villas and Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio? How about Makanda by the Sea and Si Como No? We stayed at Mango Moon - nice if you get a good room; the rooms vary a lot there. We didn't like our first room, but we got upgraded to the upper king balcony suite, and it was really nice.

Based on what you've said about your family, it sounds like MA might be better for you than the Osa. The Osa is still pretty wild and undeveloped; MA gives you easier beach access and good restaurant choices. I don't think you'd want to drive to the Osa, but you could take Sansa or NatureAir if you decide to go there.

Unfortunately, you're going at Christmas time, and that's one of the most popular times to book; things fill up quickly then, and people are booking further and further ahead.

I love the Peace Lodge, and with all those girls in your family, I think it's worth seeing and doing. We only got to stay for one night and had to rush around to see everything, but it was worth it to us. Just seeing the 5 waterfalls is amazing, but the girls will love the posh rooms, jacuzzis, waterfall showers, fireplace, and nice views.

Try Xandari Resort or other nice place, and then spend a day at PL. We really liked Costa Verde in MA.

MY

valcanogirl and my:

Thanks for your thoughts. MY - I did try all of those resorts which you suggested and have gotten negative responses for all but Mango Moon - still waiting to hear from them!

Since reading your post, I am going to focus still on MA and hope for the best. I keep sending more and more e-mails out to various establishments in hopes of securing accommodations.

Is there any other beach community/town that you would recommend?

Hubby and I are going to sit down tonight and decide if PL will work - sounds like it would be worth the extra travel time!

If you have any more suggestions for MA - please feel free to advise!

Thanks much - appreciate the help.
Patti

Sorry.........I meant volcanogirl instead of MY in the first paragraph.

MY - I checked out Xandari Resort but that looks like it's near Jaco. What can you tell me about Jaco and is it similar to MA - which would you prefer! Costa Verde is booked!

Patti

Jaco itself has a bit of a bad reputation - drugs, prostitution, etc.

Xandari has another resort outside of Alejuela, not far from the airport.

www.xandari.com

You want to check Xandari in the Central Valley.

Good luck.

MY

Hi, Wato - one thing I wanted to mention to you regarding Mango Moon; their plumbing system does not accept paper. They had a sign in the bathroom stating not to put any paper, including toilet paper into the toilet. This took some getting used to for me. I hope it's not TMI, but just wish I had known beforehand. I got used to it, but with all your girls, just wanted you to know. Let us know how things turn out.

Wato:

I wouldn't let the TP thing stop you. The septic systems are not set up to handle the extra paper. We ran into this in several other places in CR: smaller, mom/pop type places. Also in Mexico & Argentina. Arenal Obs. Lodge had special, bio-degradable tp and didn't want any kleenex or anything else flushed.

I read a sign in a restroom in Mexico:

If it's yellow, let it mellow
If it's brown, flush it down!!

I was glad to get back to the US

MY

Yes, they just have a little trash can in there for the paper. I've never seen it anywhere else in CR but I've heard others mention it. I was so happy each day when the maids came, and I think they really earn their money. I think my husband was amused by my complete shock at the way this system operated.

Actually, it is fairly common all over the country. I didn't realize this until about our 3rd visit! We have become so used to it that we don't even wonder which hotels can flush paper and which can't. We put it all in the trash. And then when I get home, I find myself dropping it in the floor! LOL!

Still have yet to come across this but trying 2 new places out next week so maybe there will be a first time. Although if not I won't be too disturbed

tully, just don't keep the bathroom door closed at night; I did once, and it was a big mistake. This all got to be a running joke between my husband and me. He'd want to go before we went to the restaurant, and I'd say maybe you could go at the restaurant - lol!