Hello All,

I've posted on a few other websites to get some ideas for my trip to Costa Rica which is taking place during peak season, December 20th- Jan 3rd. After a good amount of research and after talking to a lot of friends who have been to/lived in Costa Rica, I've come up with a tentative itinerary that I thought I'd share and see what suggestions/thoughts come from it.

Dec 20- Arrive @ 3PM and head to hotel/hostel
Dec 21-22- Rafting trip on the Pacuare- something I really want to do, but am not sure if I want to do it to start the trip or end the trip. It could be interchangable with other activities.
Dec 23-24- Leave in the morning of the 23rd from San Jose for La Fortuna to see Arenal, the waterfall, Cano Negro, Hanging Bridges, etc...
Dec 25-27 or 28- Head to Malpais and the surrounding areas. I assume I'll be travelling most of the 25th, so I'll spend the next few days surfing and doing various activities on the Nicoya Peninsula. I think I can take interbus from La Fortuna to Nicoya, but if anyone knows of an easier way to get to Malpais, then I'm all ears.
Dec 28/29-Jan 2nd- I'd like to head down to the Osa Peninsula and hike through Corcovado.......leaving on the 2nd to head back to San Jose for my flight on the 3rd.

This is just a tentative itinerary and I'm still trying to figure out exactly how feasible it is to get to and from these places. I'd prefer to just wing it, but since it's peak season, I know I need to plan in advance. Any thoughts or ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help!

We will be traveling on Christmas Day as well. It was my understanding that there will not be public transportation on that day, not sure about Interbus, but assuming not. We are having hotel personnel pick us up. So do check that out completely. Also, although it may seem you are planning in advance, you are actually planning very last minute for that time of year. Better get those hotel reservations figured out right away. . .space will be extremely tight.

If I figure correctly you are trying
to do 5 destinations in 10 days giving you 2days/destination including travel time/travel to Osa alone 1 day down1 day back...even flying your time would still be limited

Suggest you pare back a smidge for
better tavel experience and do reaserve your hotels now...if you go to Osa allow 4-5 days minimum.

So for me central valley around
flights Arenal/Monterverde and
Osa.

www.desafiocostarica.com for rafting

www.natureair.com

www.interbusonline.com

www.shuttleosa.com

Have Fun,

Thanks for the help, it's much appreciated. If I'm planning on staying in hostels and such, do I still need to reserve this far in advance? I've travelled extensively in Europe, so that's what I'm used to, so I guess I didn't think about booking in October for a December trip, so thanks for the heads up.

I'll actually be in Costa Rica for 13 days total (not including the day I arrive) and by my original plan it would give me:

2 days in Pacuare
3 days in La Fortuna (travel in the morning, so really two and a half days)
3 days in Malpais/Nicoya (one travel day and 2 days for activities)
5 days in Osa (1 day for travel and then 4 days for activities and then flight to San Jose on the 2nd for my flight on the 3rd)

Is it unreasonable to think that's pretty doable? If I can do it, it would allow me to do most of the things I'd like to do.

Sounds reasonable to me, timewise. I just worry about your accomodations. I guess because I am not that familiar with the hostel hotels in the areas you have mentioned (except Gringo Pete's in Fortuna). Probably in Puerto Jimenez, on the Osa, there are small hotels in town that don't get mentioned much on Fodors. Malpais probably the same.

I'd suggest you find a guide book with listings of hostels and do some advance checking, though. The Costa Ricans are traveling and enjoying the beach locations during this same time as well. . .that accounts for some of the busy-ness.

Thank you so much for the help Shillmac, it's much appreciated.

Would you happen to know a semi-convenient way to get from Malpais to Drake Bay/Osa Peninsula??? I've found some really round about ways, but I'd more than appreciate any help.