signmeup

Hello. We are a family of 5 (3 teens). We land in San Jose at 1pm. What would you do? We would like to see 2 and maybe 3 places. I think 2 will be enough. Where would you stay? We do not want anything inclusive. I keep hearing about getting a driver. This sounds like a good option. Did you do this? Also, any tour operators you loved? Tour guides or outfits/companies? Want to zipline, go to the volcano, go to the hot springs, waterfalls, night hike maybe, go to the beach, coffee/chocolate tour. Hoping to stay in 2 places and venture out. Do we get excursions before we go? What places should we avoid? Thanks!!!

volcanogirl

We did a combination of the Arenal area and Manuel Antonio for our first trip. Desafio is good for tours in the Arenal area and Manuel Antonio Expeditions in the Manuel Antonio area. You can zipline at Sky Trek, see the volcano (no current lava) and sometimes enshrouded in fog, visit the La Fortuna waterfall, go to the Mistico Hanging Bridges, hike at the Arenal Observatory Lodge, and visit Tabacon or Eco Termales hot springs in the evening. You can get beach time and a guided tour of the national park in Manuel Antonio. We usually hire drivers through our hotels when we book them. You may be a little tight on time. Your first and last days sound like they'll be spent traveling. MA and the Arenal area are each about three hours from SJO airport but in opposite directions.