Manuel Antonio or Monteverde
 

<BR>For our 4th location, looks like we will need to choose M.A. or Monteverde. Which would you pick? For 2 or 3 nights? (We're into photography and touring more than sports.)

Hi Dolores,<BR>It might help if you tell us what your other 3 locations will be and what you plan on doing there. It will be eaiser to make recommendations if we know what your other plans are. For instance, if the rest of your time is all at beach locations, then Monteverde might be better.

Ohhh, I have a vivid memory of the ride in/out from Monteverde. Unless they've paved the road, you have to endure about 1 hr of a bouncy, jouncy ride. I was never so glad to get off a bus in my life! Putting that aside, Monteverde is lovely. It's a bit cooler being up in the mountains. The cloud forest was pleasant, wet but a touch less humid than lowland rain forest however I was disappointed that I didn't encounter this wild jungle teaming with monkeys & wild animals (my first time in CR and I'd imagined it'd be something out of a Tarzan movie). Reality was that our group of 12 (I went w/guided tour) tromping thru the forest likely scared much of the wild life away. On subsequent visit to CR, I've learned that (1) fewer people make less noise on a hike and (2) animals are more active early in the day. Also did the Sky Trek walk, along suspended bridges. Lots of beautiful lush greenery. The best coffee is to be found up in Monteverde. Also, there's excellent production of tasty cheese in the area.<BR><BR>Last month on my second trip to CR, I went to Manuel Antonio. I like it better than Monteverde. And the reason is that MA affords you access to both rain forest AND the beach. The canopy of Manuel Antonio's forest is lower than what you'll see at Monteverde; and has different types of trees, flora, etc. Plus when I was at MA, I had my "Tarzan" moment with monkeys in the trees and iguanas by the beach. Even if you do plan to go to a beach area in the Guanacaste region, I'd still say to put MA on your itinerary.<BR>

<BR>Ally:<BR><BR>How nice you responded ... just when another C.R. expert recommended you.<BR><BR>So far, our schedule looks like this (next March). First 2 nights in Alajeula, thought the 2nd day would be good to tour Sarchi, Poas and maybe San Jose.<BR><BR>Next, on to Arenal for 2 or 3 nights. Then to Monteverde or Manuel Antonio for 2 or 3 nights. We don't have to limit this to 8 nights if these 4 areas are just not to be missed. But if Monteverde is sort of a duplicate Arenal, we may as well go on to M.A.<BR><BR>How many nights would you recommend in these places for people more into photography than sports ... and have never been to C.R. before? <BR><BR>Are there better places we should consider ? (Osa sounds a little too rugged ... maybe next time.)<BR><BR>Thank you.

Last February we spent two nights at Arenal, followed by two nights at Monteverde, then three nights at Manual Antonio. We did see monkeys and toucans while at Arenal. We hired a guide at Monteverde and did get to see a resplendant quetzal. I have never seen so many shades of green as there were in the cloud forest. The road from Arenal to Monteverde is certainly a challenge, especially the part from Tilaran to Monte Verde. Very slow going. I really enjoyed Manual Antonio. We had good weather at Monteverde, but the highs were still only about 70. Since we are from the midwest, I was looking forward to hot and humid, which is what we got in Manual Antonio.<BR><BR>I'd having a hard time picking between the two,guess I'd recommend doing both, if indeed, that is a possibility.<BR><BR>We're returning this coming February and substituting the Osa Peninsula for Monteverde.

I swear I'm not a travel agent! - Frequent readers will attest that I'm too ignorant to be accused of that.<BR> <BR>But I just wanted to give a heads-up: at monteverdeinfo.com, they offer some great transportation alternatives for the drive from Arenal to Monteverde. I'm taking the 4x4/boat/4x4 route, which lets you cut across the lake, and is much faster than driving.<BR><BR>And in my own ignorant way, not having been there yet (I'm going in March too), I've decided to spend one night in Alejuela, two at Monteverde, two at Arenal, and three at MA. I'm also more into touring than sports. <BR><BR>One thing to consider is that unless you're driving yourself or hiring private transfers, most forms of transport leave any location very early (7-8) in the a.m. Keep this in mind when you're thinking about the time you'll have at each place. <BR><BR>On this point: if you do need to choose between Monteverde and MA, consider going to Monteverde on a day trip from Arenal - 'cause you can fly in and out of MA, and gain some extra vacation time that way.