Landing in Costa Rica on April 14 for for 7 nights. We have 3 children 7, 9 and 11. We'd like to keep it to two primary locations. Tortuguero is high priority, but we can't seem to decide on Manuel Antonio area or Monteverde as second place to hang around. We'd love any advice on suggested itinerary and choices between these areas. Any extra advice for kids entertainment and or "must sees" is appreciated.

Okay I will give you my point of view.

Go to Tortuguero since this is a high priority.

If you are not flying from Tortuguero to Manuel Antonio, then I would try to do the La Paz Waterfall and Hummingbird and Butteryfly Gardens.

I am sure the children would love this.

Next I would go to Manuel Antonio rather than Monteverde as the children would have a beach area here.

If you are driving , then Monteverde is a pretty tough road for the kids to endure.

Another place the children would like is Turu Ba Ri, it is on the way to Manuel Antonio if you do not go to Monteverde.

This is like an all in one Tropical Park.

Just go to www.turubari.com and see their website and what they have to offer.

They ( the kids) would really love that Cable Tram Ride over the Tarcole River, at Turu Ba Ri.

I guess I am thinking more of the children than you adults !! Sorry about that.

What do you think shillmac!?

Percy

All of us become like children in CR! Fascinated with everything around us!

Definitely would choose Manuel Antonio with children. Although we haven't been to Monteverde yet, I would think the huge variety of activities at MA would be an advantage. And yes, so much easier to get to!

Another vote for MA over Monteverde.
The weather in Monteverde is iffy, it is
a cloud forest..very wet.. and if you were unlucky like us you may have terrible winds in addition to the rain.

A question for those who keep raving about Manual Antonio and all there is to do there, what exactly is there to do in MA besides the park, which is an awesome day, but what else is there to do? We found that there really is only limited access to any beaches there and that although there are numerous great tours out of MA, that they are expensive and not in MA. So what do you do? I prefer Guanacaste, Nicoya Peninsula and especially Mal Pais. Lots of beautiful, accessible beaches and the tours are there as well. It may just be me and I may have missed things, so this is why I am asking.

Another view

I'm now planning a second trip to CR. My 12 and 9 yos have requested a return to Monteverde but have never mentioned MA. At 7 and 10, they LOVED Monteverde - the butterfly gardens, the frog pond, the sky walk, hiking in the reserve. Nothing like poison frogs and amazing bugs to attract kids' attention. It is however, a long drive on rough roads.

They also enjoyed MA - although the possibilities of rip tides meant that the parents enjoyed it a little less than a safer beach. We enjoy Playa Samara and Carillo much more than MA - mostly because of the calmer water.

ZooAve and Volcan Poas were also hits.

Hum...limited access to beaches of Manuel Antonio? I did not find that to be true at all! Yes, you'd have to pay to get to the beaches inside the park, but the beaches outside the park are quite nice and very easy to get to!
As for things to do...horseback riding, zip lines and walking bridges, fishing, sunset sails, ATV tours (though I hate those..loud and destructive), hiking, mangrove boat tours...I'm sure there are more that I've not mentioned, and all within 20-30 minutes.

We actually paid to go into the park each time , thus had no rip tide worries at all (2 kids). Totally enjoyable and relaxing . On the days we did not go into the park , we went to Beisanz Beach which is free . I guess it depends on what you are planning to get out of the trip , whether or not M.A. is for you . This last trip ( my third ) was totally a relax , un-hurried , look at the animals , swim at the pool , look at the animals again kind of trip . As the kids are older we will add more side trips ( they hate driving ) I also like things really lush and hilly and Guanacaste etc,.can be quite dry . I guess its just different strokes for different folks !! But .... we all love Costa Rica ! Faith

Heather49 or Faithie would you email me direct at [email protected] if you get a chance. You both have children of the same age, and I've still got time to plan before arriving April 14. I love the advice on stuff to do with kids in the 7 - 12 year old range, it's really helping me out. Thanks.

I will ! Faith

We were in CR last year with our 9 and 11 year-olds. We went to Arenal and MA, but not Monteverde. I can offer a few insights about MA and CR in general.

1. Like Heather, the number one attraction for my kids was the wildlife. Monkeys, frogs, crocodiles, butterflies, leaf-cutter ants, etc. We saw lots of wildlife in the MA with our guide. Many hotels in MA also have lots of wildlife on the grounds.

2. Since we live along a beautiful stretch of coastline in Southern CA, my kids were not very interested in the beaches in CR. Others who may not get much beach exposure at home may feel differently.

3. The Finca Valmy horseback tour near MA sounds terrific. I learned about it on this board after I returned from CR. (Next time!)

4. If you can squeeze a volcano into your itinerary, I think your kids would enjoy it.

5. My kids enjoyed the Turubari tram, zip lines, horseback ride and maze, but they were a bit bored with the naturalist hike. They also enjoyed the LaPaz waterfalls and butterfly gardens.

Most of all, I think what the kids enjoyed the most are things that they don't see/do at home: Wildlife, volcanoes, waterfalls, zip-lines, hanging bridges, etc. "Virgin"Pina Coladas at the swim-up bars were also a big hit

I would definitely chose Manuel Antonio over Monteverde. The road to Monteverde can be very very rough--think boulders in the road you have to drive around. Also, because Monteverde is high it's colder and the wildlife isn't out as much as it is in Manuel Antonio (you can find it if you look but in Manuel Antonio it's RIGHT THERE). If you drive to Manuel Antonio be sure to stop at Carara biological reserve--I've seen a lot of good wildlife there (leaf cutting ants and Scarlett Macaws as well as lizards and such). Also there's that bridge with all of the alligators under it.