Hi All-

The original plan was to go to Mal Pais before Arenal, per my previous post. Nosara was suggested and it's a little closer to Arenal so it seems it would be an easier drive, although we're thinking of flying to one of those cities from San Jose and then renting a car to go to Arenal. If we go to Mal Pais, we would probably fly back to San Jose and then drive to Arenal. In Mal Pais, we would stay at the Moana Lodge or if Nosara we would stay at Harmony Hotel (thanks for the suggestion MRand). Anyway, which destination would you suggest? We're not planning on having a car while there, so which place would be better without a car? Also, want to try surfing, but also want to be able to swim in the ocean, which destination would be best for that? Thanks so much!

Either one. It's nice to have a car in Malpais because it is somewhat strung out and there is much to do in the area, within a driving distance of 45 min. or so. We especially liked hiking Cabo Blanco and spending time in Montezuma and at the Montezuma Falls.

Haven't been to Nosara, but Harmony Hotel sounds wonderful. I don't think you'd need a car there. Where would you fly into? You know, if you choose Nosara and Arenal, it might be helpful to fly into Liberia and out of San Jose. Have you considered that? Nosara is about 3 hours from Liberia, 5 from San Jose. Estimating. . .

Thanks, shillmac. There is an airport in Nosara and Nature Air still has their "locos" fare, so it would be very reasonable. We already have the tickets to/from San Jose, so there is no changing that. Harmony Hotel sounds really, really nice and one of the reasons for us considering Nosara.

From what everyone says, it would be a good choice. Either place would provide you with a nice laid-back feel. Nosara certainly much easier to get to!

Both are great places to stay but since you wont have a car, I would choose Nosara over Mal Pais.

You would definitely need a car in Mal Pais if you wanted to go out especially at night as everything is pretty spread out over about 7km of beach.

While much of Nosara is also spread out, Harmony Hotel is pretty centrally located and is within walking distance of several restaurants (be sure to eat at Cafe de Paris and get ice cream at the place near the bank - YUM)

Hmmm...leaning more and more toward Nosara. It sounds perfect. Are cabs pretty easy to get around there?

We love Nosara. If you stay at the Harmony hotel you will be close to restaurants but it is very, very dark there at night and when we were there with a car we actually used the car to drive there because there are no sidewalks. I think you could get a cab but depending on your comfort level to walk in the dark a cab may not needed. If you do have a cab or car go to La Dolce Vita going towards Garza. It is a very good restaurant. Nosara has some twisting roads that make things hard to find. Also, the actual town (which is very small) is not near the beach. If the turtles are nesting in Ostional that is fun to see.