We are a fam of 4 and are confirming travel in Feb 05 to MA staying at La Mariposa and Laparios in Osa. Want to inquire if there's enough of a diff between MA and Osa that we'll have a good experience at both destinations and appreciate the differences between the two areas. Please advise...

You are going to Manuel Antonio first? That would be best. Everything about the Osa Peninsula is bigger and better (you'll see more) than Manuel Antonio, but there is more action around Manuel Antonio. It is a very compact area and will feel a bit crowded. There are a lot of restaurants and hotels to choose from, and you can see good wildlife in the small park that fronts the beaches. The Osa will have fewer people and the hiking/rainforest experience will be far and above what you will find in Manuel Antonio.

If you went to the Osa first, I think MA would disappoint. You can have a good experience at both, however, if you appreciate the differences, as you said. It depends on you, and perhaps on the ages of your children. Many would prefer to go to the Osa and then experience a different area of the country entirely. This may not be much help, but it is a difficult call.

February a good month for both, of course. It would also be a good month to enjoy the volcanos and cloud forest, such as Arenal and Monteverde.

Yes MA is first. Kids are 10 and 7. We're hoping beaches will be the draw at MA and rainforest experience will be the highlight at Osa as you suggest in your response. Would appreciate your POV on beach experience at MA as well as other activities for the kids. Our other option was the N Pacific but big challenge is that finding hotels has been difficult. Same goes around Arenal as well. Late Feb is busy month and most hotels discussed here are booked...Appreciate your thoughts on activities around MA...Thx for the quick reply...

The hotels are not on the beach (but you probably know that) but rather up a hill and overlooking it. All hotels offer free shuttle to the beach.

You can kayak, ride horseback, do mangrove tours, canopy tours, etc. We've not done any of these activities in MA, but I know others who post frequently have. Perhaps Kwoo will respond?

If your children would really like to just have a place where they can walk right out on the beach, try to check into one of the rental homes in Playa Flamingo. It has such a nice long expanse of beach, is one of the prettiest beaches in CR, and I've noticed many homes for rent north of the Flamingo Beach Resort. I've looked at them online before, but don't remember the website. Flamingo has a lot of real estate businesses that could probably help you. I think this would be a worthy option for you to check in to. But perhaps your children would enjoy Manuel Antonio more for the varied activites.

In Manuel Antonio, your family might enjoy the Damas Island boat tour (lots of wildlife and monkeys galore), sailboat tour (spot sea turtles and dolphins, various marine life), sunset sail, butterfly botanical garden. Kids Saving the Rainforest (www.kidssaavingtherainforest.org) is a great organization that rehabs injured animals, located at Mono Azul Hotel/Restaurant. The beaches within the Manuel Antonio Park are picturesque and good for swimming. FYI the park is closed on Monday. Just a few ideas!

Lisa in M.Antonio

I am jealous. Both of your lodging choices are quite nice. I would agree that MA would be a better place to start before traveling to the Osa. MA has great beaches and the park while well traveled is a great into to coastal rainforest. There are many tours to chose from- this is the place for canopy tours if the kids want to as I do not think there is a zipline around Montapalo. If you have dinner at Si Como No you get free admission to their private theater- movies change nightly and both restaurants are quite good with the seafood restaurant by the adults pool getting the nod.
Lapa Rios and the surrounding area are stunning. The private trail network at LR will rival most public parks in CR. We did not eat at the LR but did sit on the deck and watch the rains come in one afternoon with a few cocktails. I am confident the food will not disappoint nor will the view but the old folks might get a workout from the stairs.
While these destinations appear to have similar rainforest offerings I think the differences will offer enough contrast on your vacation. The rainforest tours offered at LR will be superior but the butterfly garden in MA is nice and some of the beaches are more sheltered for swimming.
Enjoy!