Our rough CR plans for 8 nights, suggestions?
May 31st, 2006, 11:05 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Our rough CR plans for 8 nights, suggestions?
My g/f and I are planning 8 nights in mid July to early August to go to Costa Rica for the first time. We are a bit overwhelmed with what to see and do. After reading much information on these boards, we have narrowed down 'things to see' to this (not in order):
(flying into Liberia)
Monteverde
Arenal
Rincon de la Viejo
Guanacaste beaches (Tamarindo, Samara, Carrillo??)
Manuel Antonio
We are wondering if we are trying to do too much for 8 nights, and for our beach time, is either Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste beaches more preferable over the other? Are they close enough together to see both or should we choose one or the other? Are we missing anything that is a 'must see'?
Our interests: we are looking for some beach time to swim, relax and snorkel as well as some adventure inland(canopy/ziplines, rafting?). We are planning on renting a 4x4, although nervous after reading about driving/lack of direction in CR. Thank you for any assistance.
(flying into Liberia)
Monteverde
Arenal
Rincon de la Viejo
Guanacaste beaches (Tamarindo, Samara, Carrillo??)
Manuel Antonio
We are wondering if we are trying to do too much for 8 nights, and for our beach time, is either Manuel Antonio or Guanacaste beaches more preferable over the other? Are they close enough together to see both or should we choose one or the other? Are we missing anything that is a 'must see'?
Our interests: we are looking for some beach time to swim, relax and snorkel as well as some adventure inland(canopy/ziplines, rafting?). We are planning on renting a 4x4, although nervous after reading about driving/lack of direction in CR. Thank you for any assistance.
May 31st, 2006, 11:39 AM
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would cut back to only 2 places, personally. I would think either:
1 NW beach & Rincon de la Viejo
1 NW beach & Arenal
Arenal & Manuel Antonio (but this will up your driving time).
Will you have to overnight near Liberia on your arrival/departure days?
1 NW beach & Rincon de la Viejo
1 NW beach & Arenal
Arenal & Manuel Antonio (but this will up your driving time).
Will you have to overnight near Liberia on your arrival/departure days?
May 31st, 2006, 11:49 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We are still up in the air as to whether we should fly into San Jose or Liberia...it just seemed that Liberia would be easier but could be wrong. You are right...to cut down the trip. We would definitely want to do Arenal instead of Rincon, and can I assume that Monteverde is close to Arenal? Then we'd choose between Guanacaste or Manuel Antonio for the beach. We don't plan on an overnight stay by any airport, just fly in and drive to destinations...
May 31st, 2006, 11:59 AM
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
A warning: You may not just be able to fly in an drive to your destination. Most flights (though not all) from the US to CR arrive after dark. You do NOT want to drive in the dark in CR. This is exactly why so many of us stay near the airport first and last night.
May 31st, 2006, 12:54 PM
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We've found some flights that get us in to either San Jose or Liberia around noonish from Atlanta. Considering a trip to Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio which airport would make most sense?
May 31st, 2006, 01:39 PM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
San Jose is best for the three locations you mentioned. Once there, I would start at Arenal and end at MA. 3 1/2 hours from San Jose to Arenal and about 5 1/2 from there to MA. we went back to San Jose and took a 20 minute flight to Quepos. A dramatic way to see the country for a change.
May 31st, 2006, 04:16 PM
#8
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I actually hired a driver to Arenal and back to the airport. We didn't want to hassle with the lack of road signs etc... It worked out great because we got to enjoy the beautiful scenery and no arguing about how to read the map etc... If anyone gets car sick, the road to Arenal will bring it on. Bring crackers, soda etc...
The flight from San Jose to Quepos was on SANSA airlines. It was very inexpensive under $100.00 roundtrip. They have a shuttle from Quepos that stops at all the resorts (little hotels) in MA.
We did not go to Monteverde. We did not want to rush anything and we only had 9 days. Our flights forced s to have 2 days in San Jose...1 coming and 1 going. We actually enjoyed them.
The flight from San Jose to Quepos was on SANSA airlines. It was very inexpensive under $100.00 roundtrip. They have a shuttle from Quepos that stops at all the resorts (little hotels) in MA.
We did not go to Monteverde. We did not want to rush anything and we only had 9 days. Our flights forced s to have 2 days in San Jose...1 coming and 1 going. We actually enjoyed them.
May 31st, 2006, 05:40 PM
#10
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Haven't yet been to CR but doing lots of research for 3wk trip next year & have looked into transportation to Arenal from SJ & thought you might find these sites helpful:
http://www.arenal.net/tour/transportation.htm
http://www.interbusonline.com/servic...larShuttle.asp
both have shuttles for $29pp from SJ to Arenal
http://www.arenal.net/tour/transportation.htm
http://www.interbusonline.com/servic...larShuttle.asp
both have shuttles for $29pp from SJ to Arenal
May 31st, 2006, 09:03 PM
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We went from Alajuela to Arenal as well. We booked directly through the Marriott Resort (stunning property $114.00 per night for 5 people.) before we got to CR.
Cost $110.00 one way. We needed a van for 5 people. We were more concerned with convenience and stopping along the way when we wanted to and have a tour guide along the way than finding the cheapest way. It was great.
Cost $110.00 one way. We needed a van for 5 people. We were more concerned with convenience and stopping along the way when we wanted to and have a tour guide along the way than finding the cheapest way. It was great.
Jun 1st, 2006, 04:21 AM
#14
Join Date: May 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We drove all around CR (3 weeks) two years ago - it was a challenge, but worth all the trouble. The biggest problem is your hands get sore from trying to hold the car on the wheel. Our "average" speed was 25 km/hr!
I would recommend skipping San Jose too and fly directly to Liberia. Don't miss Monteverde or Arenal, and if you can, stay at the Smithsonian Arenal Observatory - it's wonderful to lay in bed at night and watch the buring rocks falling down the volcano. It's also worth a guided tour of the area (ours included dinner at the natural hot springs at the end) - the tour guides are wonderful local people with tons of information to share with you.
Wherever you go, you should love it!
I would recommend skipping San Jose too and fly directly to Liberia. Don't miss Monteverde or Arenal, and if you can, stay at the Smithsonian Arenal Observatory - it's wonderful to lay in bed at night and watch the buring rocks falling down the volcano. It's also worth a guided tour of the area (ours included dinner at the natural hot springs at the end) - the tour guides are wonderful local people with tons of information to share with you.
Wherever you go, you should love it!
Jun 2nd, 2006, 11:04 AM
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow! So many good suggestions!
If you opt for a hotel in Guanacaste (northern Pacific beaches, you can do a day trip to the Rincon de la Vieja). And also visit either Arenal or Monteverde, but not both. They are close together physically, but HOURS apart. For this kind of vacation, definitely fly into Liberia.
I truly think that the Arenal/Manuel Antonio combo is perfect for first time visitors. Such a wide range of things to see and do. For that, I'd fly into San Jose. We always manage to get to Arenal from the airport in about 2.5 hours. You'd have about a 6 hour transfer to Manuel Antonio, then a 3 hour drive back to the airport.
We like to drive ourselves, and always enjoy the sights along the way. However, in Arenal and Manuel Antonio, it is very easy to get around by taxi, so you could easily take advantage of Interbus. www.interbusonline.com
If you stay in Guanacaste, a car would be nice--there are a lot of beaches to explore up and down the coast.
Whatever you decide will be wonderful, as someone else already said. It's all beautiful! Enjoy!
If you opt for a hotel in Guanacaste (northern Pacific beaches, you can do a day trip to the Rincon de la Vieja). And also visit either Arenal or Monteverde, but not both. They are close together physically, but HOURS apart. For this kind of vacation, definitely fly into Liberia.
I truly think that the Arenal/Manuel Antonio combo is perfect for first time visitors. Such a wide range of things to see and do. For that, I'd fly into San Jose. We always manage to get to Arenal from the airport in about 2.5 hours. You'd have about a 6 hour transfer to Manuel Antonio, then a 3 hour drive back to the airport.
We like to drive ourselves, and always enjoy the sights along the way. However, in Arenal and Manuel Antonio, it is very easy to get around by taxi, so you could easily take advantage of Interbus. www.interbusonline.com
If you stay in Guanacaste, a car would be nice--there are a lot of beaches to explore up and down the coast.
Whatever you decide will be wonderful, as someone else already said. It's all beautiful! Enjoy!
Jun 2nd, 2006, 11:10 AM
#16
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I would highly recommend the driver we used from San Jose to Arenal and back - he was definitely the cheapest rate we were quoted ($95 each way) and was just about the nicest guy ever!
We were thinking Interbus too but in the end, it was just really nice to walk out of the airport and see someone with your name on a sign waiting for you...
His name is Mario but I communicated with Eugene at <[email protected]> to set everything up.
We were thinking Interbus too but in the end, it was just really nice to walk out of the airport and see someone with your name on a sign waiting for you...
His name is Mario but I communicated with Eugene at <[email protected]> to set everything up.
Jun 3rd, 2006, 08:19 AM
#17
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 648
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hazlis
Mexico & Central America
10
Dec 13th, 2006 12:46 PM
