My girlfriend and I are planning a trip 12/27 to 1/4 for CR of this year.
The first few days we will explore the Arenal region (hiking, zip lining, hot springs, rappelling, waterfalls). The second half of the trip, we are undecided between MA or OSA.
From reading the forum, i do understand that MA is more touristy and overdeveloped while OSA is more pristine. But looking beyond that, I was hoping that people here who have been to both can shed some light on this dilemna of mine.
THis will be the first time in Costa Rica.

The Osa Peninsula is wonderful and you should visit there absolutely! But you certainly can't go wrong with a combination trip between Arenal and Manuel Antonio, especially on your first visit. I'm a little concerned that you don't have reservations. Rooms are very difficult to come by during this peak season around Christmas and New Years. Anywhere in Costa Rica. You may find yourself limited by what is available at this point.

You will see a lot of wildlife both places. The Osa is definitely a more intense rainforest area and you have the Golfo Dulce side or the Drake Bay side to choose from--many lovely ecolodges in both areas.

You should plan on at least 4 nights on the Osa. You could enjoy Manuel Antonio in 3-4 nights as well. Travel to the Osa would require a domestic flight because of the distance. You might prefer to save it for a time when you are in the country a little longer or don't have plans to visit other areas. Again, it is very difficult to beat an Arenal-Manuel Antonio combination when you only have about 7-8 days. Have fun, and get to work on those reservations!

I would've said MA, based on my first trip there. But then next trip I went to the Osa and MA, and in MA I wished I was back on the Osa Peninsula! It's kind of a culture shock to go from Osa to MA within a couple of hours - back are the cars, the tv's, AC, the noise. Don't get me wrong, I think MA is a beautiful place but to me it just doesn't compare with the Osa Peninsula in terms of wildlife, lushness, serenity, landscapes....I could go on.

The problem, as shillmac mentioned, is the time of year. Many places in both areas are booked months in advance, so I would start calling places in both, availability may help make up your minds!

Can anybody share in their experieces staying in one of the tent lodges? and which do you recommend? I heard that the trek from PJ airport to Corcovado Tent Lodge is 3 hours??? Seems like a lot of unnecessary time when certain lodges might be closer?
One of our main concerns to be near a beach for surf (which I gather is the southern tip of Osa).


thanks!

The best surfing will be around Cabo Matapalo which is about 1/2 way to Carate.

I really enjoyed the Corcovado Tent camp but surfing isn't going to be very good around there. Most of the times I have been in that area, it has been pretty good for body surfing or boogy boarding. The surf is fairly rough there but not for surfing.

You could check out Zancudo across the Gulf. I'm not a surfer but I hear there is good surf over there.