Hsmithcr....we have airline vouchers to use because of our cancelled trip to Japan. Although Osa seems incredible, it was going to be very expensive to fly four of us there and stay in an all inclusive resort so we personally nixed that idea. I did see some great beach houses available to rent and definitely considered that option...but decided maybe that would be another trip when the kids are older and maybe with another family.

Then we decided against a beach destination because we are going Easter week and Costa Ricans flock to the beaches for their vacations. I remember when I was there 10 years ago, even though the distances look short on the map, sometimes the roads are so bad that it can take a lot longer to drive places then you think, so we decided we should just do two or three places at most. Once we knew we just wanted two locations, I looked here on the forum and then I called Pat Hewitt who was recommended and asked for his advice and it seemed that Arenal and Monteverde would be good choices considering our interests (animals, hiking), budget, driving distance between, and the fact that we have 7 year olds in tow. So although we are going to hike....realistically, we aren't going to be able to do all day hikes and have them keep up. In Monteverde we have a cabin so we can have breakfast at home and that appeals to us so we can just hang on the property weather permitting at the end of the day.

Congrats on getting things finalized - that's a good feeling.

Yes, I would not leave my luggage in the car at Rosti Pollo. Better to stop at a small place where you are right next to the car.

Rosti Pollo reminds me a lot of El Pollo Loco.

emmagus - Thanks so much for your detailed reply. I was just wondering since they seem so similar.

I see you have gotten a LOT of replies! So much to choose from..... so little time.....

I am sure you and your family will have a great time in Costa Rica.

Hsmithcr: maybe....I haven't been to either but it seems (and others here can correct me) that Monteverde is really about the cloud forest, coffee plantations and stuff the kids may like such as the hummingbird garden? and the frog pond?? and that Arenal is lower in altitude and has more stuff like hot springs. both have those canopy bridge walks but the actual flora is different.

Because of Easter week, we opted out of going to a crowded beach. I am sure at another time of the year we would have gone to the beach. We went to tamarindo before it became developed and it was great. Although those rip tides would make me nervous with kids.

emmagus -- I see your reasoning now. I am sure your kids will love all the things you mentioned. The hummingbird place in Monteverde is amazing during the daytime with all the hummingbirds but at night -- even more amazing when the bats come to drink! Don't miss it!

Keep in mind when you are planning your Arenal activities that the volcano is not active right now - just an occasional puff of smoke or steam but no lava or burning rocks. Still, an awesome sight. Hiking over old lava beds is quite an experience as well.

hsmithcr, I mistakenly thought you were planning a trip and wanting to know how we had come to our choices, hence I was sharing my reasoning....I didn't realize you live or go to Costa Rica all the time and were warning me that I made a choice of two similar destinations. Well, it is too late...I am sure we will have a great trip regardless if we picked two similar destinations.

Oh, sorry for the confusion! Yes, I live in Costa Rica and most people pick a "mountain" and "beach" location but with your visit during Semana Santa, your choices make perfect sense.

I am sure you will have a great time. There are lots of things to do and see in both locations and your family will love it, I know.

emmagus, I have been to a different cloud forest location (Savegre Lodge), and also Arenal, and I wouldn't say that the two were similar. Just not as dissimilar as Arenal and a beach location, if that makes sense. We enjoyed both areas tremendously, but for different reasons, as I'm sure your family will!

emmagus - I know that hsmithcr indicates that Arenal is not "active," but I woke in the wee hours to see a perfectly clear night sky punctuated by live coals flying out of the cone and a clear red stream of lava.

It was so exciting and impressive, that we woke the kids and sat outside for a couple of hours until the clouds moved in again. We played Phase 10 by candlelight between bursts of red.

Peek out often... you never know! Our kids will never forget that night.

How long ago was that Continental Drifter? I was at AOL this past November and they said it hadn't been doing more than puffing a bit of steam for a while. It still was impressive to be that close up to it, and at least I did have a great view.

That was spring break - this time two years ago.

But you never know...

I do remember them saying that visitors have a 1 in 4 chance of seeing any activity.