We are a family of four (kids aged 10 and 13) traveling to Costa Rica in mid-Aprl and I would appreciate some guidance on our itinerary. We are primarily interested in wildlife viewing and therefore have focused our trip on going to Osa Peninsula. We have 12 days in all and also plan to go rafting on our way up to the Arenal Volcano. My question is whether for the additional couple of days after Arenal should we head to Monteverde or should we stop at Manuel Antonia on our way south to Osa. We plan to fly to Osa Peninsula. I wasn't sure if since we're heading to Osa which would be a more different experience from the rest of our trip. Any guidance appreciated!!

Our interinary is as follows:

Day 1 - Fly into San Jose and travel to La Virgen
Day 2 - Whitewater Rafting
Day 3 - Arenal
Day 4 - Arenal
Day 5 -??
Day 6 -??
Day 7 -??
Day 8 - Bosque del Cabo - Osa Peninsula
Day 9 - Osa Peninsula
Day 10 - Osa Peninsula
Day 11 - Osa Peninsula
Day 12 - Head home

Youll see all the wildlife you need in Osa.
Go to Manuel Antonio instead of Monteverde:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...nio/index.html

Thanks, Guanacaste - incredible pictures. Any specific loding recommendations? Also, do you have any familiarity w/ rafting options. Wondering whether we should do rafting in MA area or do it Sarapiqui?

This is a tough call. I'd say depends on your interests.

Hmm, are you interested in roughing it a bit? Check out La Carolina, near Bijagua, about 1.5 hour from Arenal and at the base of Volcan Tenorio, Rio Celeste area. No electricity, horse ranch, mainly Spanish spoken, rustic, but such a unique experience. Are you up for something really different? They have an excellent guide who will take you hiking on Tenorio and show you the gorgeous brilliant blue Rio Celeste which gets its color from the minerals of the thermal area. He will also show you and your children a great time horseback riding in the area. 2 nights enough, though.

Monteverde doesn't seem all that exciting to me, and Manuel Antonio is, in a way, similar to the Osa, only much less of the same--doesn't compare.

Also, I'd advise 3 nights at Arenal, so much to do there. Check out the Cano Negro full day tour. Excellent.

Just my dos colones. . .

Thanks for your thoughts...sounds intriguing. I am looking for something abit different and maybe it makes sense to do rafting from here rather than Sarapiqui.

Is Cano Negro enough different from Osa? I understand it is mainly birds, but I wasn't clear if it would be significantly different to warrant a sidetrip. Any thoughts?

Have you considered staying in or near SJ your first 2 nights.
Rafting on the Pacuare River your first full day.
Pick up your vehicle second full day, head to Arenal for at least 3 nights.

Then - Well I much enjoyed Monteverde, but would recommend minimum of 2 nights, optimal 3 nights.

BUT - another suggestion is to head on to the Osa. Stay a couple or 3 nights at Iguana Lodge. Do some kayaking, horsebike riding, hanging out on a nearly deserted beach, maybe some fishing and then traveling onto Bosque del Cabo and focus on hiking and excellent wildlife viewing.

Just some ideas to kick around.

Cano Negro Reserve is a boat ride down the Rio Frio- it doesnt actually enter the reserve- youll see lots of birds caimans, monkeys, sloths etc.
Id say it was worth it/ about 8.00 to 3.00 pm so you can go to the springs at night:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/cano_n...ome/index.html

I would love to do Pacuare. From everything I've read it sounds awesome, but I thought it was not recommended for kids - ours are 10 and 13. Do you know otherwise and have a suggestion of an outfitter?

Don't go to Monteverde the kids will be bored silly.No animals and very few birds.Manuel Antonio is way better.It's closed on Mondays, get there at opening time and the whole park is yours, don't bother with a guide just take your own binoculars and look wherer everone else is looking.

Many thanks. I've come to the same conclusion.

Totally agree with Gustash. Forget Monteverde. The road is terrible and there is not that much to do there. Was not impressed with the cloud forest. Maybe I have seen too many.