May trip to CR/MA
 

I would appreciate comment, suggestions and advice.
My wife and I (ages 75/52) depart Texas Sat May 23 arriving SJO 8:40pm
Sat - Hotel Villa Bonita
Sun - Pick up rent car, drive to MA
Mon - Horseback ride
Tues - MA park
Wed - Zip line
Thurs - Mangrove tour
Fri - return to Alajuela
Sat - SJO? Poas? Coffee tour?
Sun - Depart SJO 9:55am

Questions that remain.
Which rental car company? I'm leaning toward Vamos
What not to miss on the drive south other than the crocs.
Plan to lunch near Tarcoles. Steve 'n Lisa's ?
What would you change in the activities?
How wet will it be?
Where can one buy wine, cheese and the like? Cost?
What have I totally missed?

Thanks to all who post here.

I can't help with rental cars, but I will be in MA with my dad some of those same dates. I've heard you don't really need a car to be in Manuel Antonio. I think many of these tour places will pick you up. Taxis are supposed to be really cheap in MA because you shouldn't have to go too far.

We will probably be flying Sansa or maybe take Interbus. That way you don't even have to go into San Jose or worry about road conditions or driving in the rain etc. Anyway have fun on your trip! Might see you there.

Steve and Lisa's was nice. My husband and I had breakfast there before doing a waterfall hike somewhere in the area.

I would recommend a visit and guided tour thru the Carrara Biological reserve. We saw quite a lot of different birds including an owl family that was fantastic. It's about a 90 minute drive from Manuel Antonio if I remember correctly.

First of all, I think you need a day of down time, just hanging out at the pool, sleeping in, relaxing with a cocktail. We rented from Tricolor and it was fine. We ate breakfast at Steve & Lisa's and it was very good. Do not leave belonging in you car unattended at Taracoles; take turns getting out & looking at the crocs. At meals, we always had our car in our site. I can't help with weather or wine/cheese info.

Good luck and have a good time.

MY

We never rent a car, but Tricolor is probably the most recommended on this board.

You might also look at Mapache rent a car.I have rented from them 2X and have had no problems.I also vote yes to Steve n Lisas!Its a nice stop after going through the mountains.Try the seafood soup or whole fried fish.The soup was literally a vat filled with fish,shrimp,crab,clams,octopus and squid!You can also often see scarlet macaws in the tree tops 1/4 mile north of the restaurant.On the northern outscirts of Jaco there is a Super Maxi-Bodega(?) on the West side of the road that has at least a limited selection of wine& cheese or any other supplies you might need. Good traveling!

www.dokaestate.com best coffee

tour not touristy like Britt

a real working plantation...

Poas in early AM for best view shot

www.puravidahotel.com nice

in that area...

think all else has been handled

by other excellent posters

Have fun,

Your itinerary looks good!

Hotel Villa Bonita is a nice small hotel in Alajuela. You can arrange that a car rental company brings you the car to the hotel, we rented a RAV4 from www.wild-rider.com .

When you plan to visit the Poas you should get up early, later in the day the top is often in the clouds. Or you drive in the direction of Cartago and visit the Irazu.

Have fun!

Totally agree with doing the Doka tour and Poas; we loved both of them. Is Poas back open again after the quake?