patams

We are going to be in Manuel Antonio for 5 days in December. Would like opinions on whether to book tours ahead of time or wait and do it when we arrive. There seems to be lots of different prices depending on where you book. Do you think white water rafting, class III and IV are better in Arenal or MA or do you think there is really no difference? Zip lining in MA or Arenal? Don't see much, if anything, on the board about types of wine or alcohol. Can you purchase wine like Shiraz in Costa Rica and can you get good rums? Are there pretty good selections? Also are there pretty good selections of beer? I am used to a local ABC store so am curious. Are the wines and liquors more than here or less? Hey, any input would be appreciated.

Latitude9Lisa

I posted on the wines a few days ago and just "topped" if for you on this forum.

Lisa in Manuel Antonio

sactomama

We traveled to Manuel Antonio last November. We had no trouble booking the zipline tour through our hotel the night before. You get a hotel pick up and return, along with the tour, if you do it this way. However, if you want to save money you can always see who your hotel uses for the tour and then contact them directly for quite a savings. You probably need to provide your own transportation (via bus/cab) to their site so some of the premium is obviously the "convenience" factor.

epaula

We were only in MA for 3 nights so I booked our tours ahead of time. We booked directly with each guide and they picked us up at the hotel.

We took a tour or the park and the guide was a little cheaper than what the hotel charges. He is one of the guides that the hotel uses too.

We took the Finca Valmy horseback tour and I don't think he gave us any discount by booking directly. However, our hotel didn't use him, but the Mariposa did.

Latitude9Lisa

re: booking tours. It depends on when in December you are visiting. Up thru the 15th, things are still rather quiet so you can wait til you arrive. Christmas time is very busy so it's best to book ahead. I agree w/ previous poster that you will save money by booking directly w/ the activity provider vs. thru your hotel. Canopy Safari has an office in Quepos as does Iguana Tours (www.iguanatours.com) Both will pick you up at your hotel even if you book directly with them. re: rums. Great rum is available in CR. Try Flor de Cana from Nicaragua. Avail locally in 4, 5, 7, 12 year old. (18 and 21 year old avail but not exceedingly so). The four year old is white/lite, the others are dark. The guys were the “taste testers” and now this is a “must have” every time we return to the states. You should be able to find it in most bar/restaurants so give it a try. Also duty free at the airport has excellent prices. Costa Rica also has a national rum Centenario. Simply a matter of personal taste between the two. Re:beers Most popular Costa Rican national beers are Imperial, Pilsen, and Bavaria. Heineken is available, sometimes Corona. Haven’t seen much American beers (Bud, Miller). For a lite beer, Bavaria Light is good. For a lager type, Bavaria Dark. Prices for a bottle of beer range from $1.00 in a very local restaurant to $2.00 in the high end resorts. I think we paid about $13.00 for a case of Imperial a few weeks ago but that was bottles (returnable). Repost or email if you’d like more info. Lisa in Manuel Antonio

patams

Lisa, thanks so much. I am so fond of Puerto Rican rums but am really looking forward to a new taste. May contact you later.