We just booked plane tickets to Costa Rica for 8 nights in March! We are only in the preliminary research phases, but are probably interested in Arenal for 3 nights, Monteverde or MA for 3 nights, and maybe Peace Lodge for 2 nights. We get in at 2:20 pm and leave at 3:30 pm. Do you think we should (with a driver) go straight to Arenal when we arrive (and then be at Peace Lodge at the end, near the airport), or go to Peace Lodge right away, but then have a long drive to the airport at the end? Or any other ideas.... Thanks!

I think I'd go to Peace Lodge first just because it is closer and you will be tired. Ease yourself into the Pura Vida! If you end up at Manuel Antonio, you are a 3 hour drive from the airport and can leave by 8:00 a.m. and allow yourself a cushion and plenty of time.

If you end up at Monteverde, you will be about 4 hours from the airport. Still do-able, but traveling on that road with a departure time looming would make me nervous. But, as my children would say, "Mom everything makes you nervous!"

I guess if your plan is to end up at Monteverde, then, if I were you, I'd end up at Peace Lodge and start out at Arenal.

Thanks! That makes sense. Now for a difficult decision: Manuel Antonio or Monteverde. I am leaning toward Monteverde. Which combination do you think would be best for our first trip to Costa Rica? Thanks!

This one is easy. It all depends on how important a beach location is to you. If it is a priority, then Arenal/MA is your best bet. If you would prefer the various types of flora and fauna and particularly the cloud forest experience, then Arenal/Monteverde is good. For me, it would have to be Arenal/MA. Just depends on you!

With your flight time, you will not get to Arenal before dark. If you're driving yourselves, don't do it. If you're hiring a pro, it's OK -- they know what they're doing. If all goes well at the airport, you can just make it to Peace Lodge. I'd get myself closer to the airport on that last night too. Lots of things happen on the roads in C.R. ...

Sandy

With your flight time, you will not get to Arenal before dark. If you're driving yourselves, don't do it--spend the night near San Jose and relax. If you're hiring a pro, it's OK -- they know what they're doing. Don't be in Monteverde the morning before your flight. So many things happen on the roads in CR on any given day. I've been delayed by heavy traffic, especially on weekdays, landslides, washed out bridges, accidents, etc. You can easily make it to the airport from the Peace Lodge though.

Sandy

We will be in MA on the morning of our 3 p.m. flight out of San Jose. Is it reasonable to believe we can get from there in plenty of time with private transfer without having to stay in San Jose our last night?

Patams, It's reasonable. Just allow yourself some cushion time and try to be at the airport about 3 hours ahead--at least 2.5. If you leave Manuel Antonio by 8:00 all should be well. 7:00 would give you more cushion.

LRL, you have gotten advice not to drive to Arenal your first night because you can't make it before dark. I agree that you can't. It's good advice and keeps you definitely on the safer side. Driving at night in Costa Rica can be risky.

I don't want to encourage you to compromise your safety as travelers in Costa Rica (you must decide for yourselves), but the flip side is that the road to Arenal is fairly direct and, if your flight arrives on time, you should be able to get within 30 minutes of Arenal before it gets dark. The road is decent. Yes, there will likely be people and animals near it--or on the edge of it! You would need to use great care, but you can do it. We arrived about 2:00 on Christmas Day 2 years ago and didn't have a problem driving to Arenal whatsoever. We got there about 6:00.

Now, with that information, and depending on your comfort level, you can decide. If you want to end up at Peace Lodge, I believe you can certainly start out at Arenal if, as I said, the driving issue doesn't bother you. I'm not disagreeing with Sandy, just offering a slightly different viewpoint.

So here is my arrangements!!

IF I understand correctly - You state that you are using a driver - so getting to either MA or Arenal your first day will be possible.

First you have to decide whether you want beach in the mix. If so then

MA, Arenal, Peace

If Monteverde Cloud Forest wins out - then

Arenal, Monteverde, Peace\

Now if you choose to drive yourself - most definately Peace first.

Our 2nd trip we got in around 2, had a driver take us to MA, on our final day in MA, we had a car delivered, then drove to Arenal and then to Vista del Valle for our final night. Worked perfectly.

Thank you so much for all the advice. We are still deliberating between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio -- the more we read, the more we can't decide! I guess we will have to make a second trip to Costa Rica someday.

Of course! You'll be planning that second visit before you get out of the country! Thanks, Donna, for pointing out the driver detail.

We had this exact same dilemma of choosing between MA and Monteverde. We opted for MA and were glad we did. After adventuring around Arenal, it was nice to be able to hang out at the beach. I had two young kids with me, and it worked out great. And after the long drive between the two, I was glad we weren't spending even more time in the car to get to Monteverde.