Planning first trip to Costa Rica - lots of questions...
Oct 13th, 2011, 06:57 AM
#21
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We use Groupons a lot; you just get the same product for a better price. We love them. Just make sure to check the restrictions on dates, etc.
Have not stayed at Casa Bella Rita that Deb mentioned, but everyone seems to love it there. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your Arenal choices.
Have not stayed at Casa Bella Rita that Deb mentioned, but everyone seems to love it there. I don't think you can go wrong with any of your Arenal choices.
Oct 13th, 2011, 07:41 AM
#22
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I've been to CR quite a bit since I go to the dentist there. (Wonderful experience) Of all the hotels I've stayed in in San Jose, I recommend the Tairona. It's in San Pedro area, near a mall and restaurants. They will provide transportation to and from the airport. They don't have meals, except coffee AND for breakfast, but it's so convenient to everything.
Arenal is my least favorite place because it's so touristy. You will be very lucky if you see molten ash on the volcano.So if you want to go see a volcano, you can take a day trip from San Jose to Poas or Iguazu and skip the ripoffs that Arenal is known for. Spend your time in Manual Antonio. It has the ocean beach, good restaurants and lodging, beautiful sunsets and awesome walk thru the forest with the guide to see monkeys, sloths, snakes, etc. Also a stop in Taco Beach might be worth it. My opinion!
Arenal is my least favorite place because it's so touristy. You will be very lucky if you see molten ash on the volcano.So if you want to go see a volcano, you can take a day trip from San Jose to Poas or Iguazu and skip the ripoffs that Arenal is known for. Spend your time in Manual Antonio. It has the ocean beach, good restaurants and lodging, beautiful sunsets and awesome walk thru the forest with the guide to see monkeys, sloths, snakes, etc. Also a stop in Taco Beach might be worth it. My opinion!
Oct 13th, 2011, 08:14 AM
#25
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I do like and appreciate the wild life, beautiful birds, and scenery, but I'm not all that knowledgeable or a bird watcher hobbyist. I'm thinking maybe 3 in Arenal, 1 somewhere else (?Monteverde), 4 in MA and the last night in/near San Jose. Thoughts?
Oct 13th, 2011, 08:18 AM
#26
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Our first trip was this split too, it hooked us on CR and have been back since. I agree with 4/4 split, another vote for Lost Iguana in Arenal and if you can use that Groupon, even better.
We also loved the Buena Vista/Tulemar Villas in MA, it was pricey, but well worth it for the splurge. We rented a car in SJ, drove to Arenal, then turned it in when we arrived in MA, don't really need it there, then a private driver back to SJ.
Another suggestion for your last night would be the Peace Lodge, another amazing property and again, a bit of a splurge, but well worth it.
Have fun planning!
We also loved the Buena Vista/Tulemar Villas in MA, it was pricey, but well worth it for the splurge. We rented a car in SJ, drove to Arenal, then turned it in when we arrived in MA, don't really need it there, then a private driver back to SJ.
Another suggestion for your last night would be the Peace Lodge, another amazing property and again, a bit of a splurge, but well worth it.
Have fun planning!
Oct 13th, 2011, 08:24 AM
#27
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"Instead of 4 nights each, should we do 3 in Arenal area and 5 in MA?"
If there is a factual answer to your question, it's one that you will only know the answer to after you've been there, and that answer will only apply to you. Opinions could go either way. Read up on the offerings at Arenal and Manuel Antonio and try to distribute your time according to what appeals to you. "The rip-offs that Arenal is known for" are completely unknown to me-except for the mention of molten lava. I am not entirely sure what people mean when they say "touristy." Popular areas are going to have more people, and things that some people would call tourist-tacky are simply referred to as eco-rustic. If seeing other tourists around you is touristy in a negative sense, then you need to choose some other areas. The popular areas tend to have the most choices and best services, thus the most people.
If there is a factual answer to your question, it's one that you will only know the answer to after you've been there, and that answer will only apply to you. Opinions could go either way. Read up on the offerings at Arenal and Manuel Antonio and try to distribute your time according to what appeals to you. "The rip-offs that Arenal is known for" are completely unknown to me-except for the mention of molten lava. I am not entirely sure what people mean when they say "touristy." Popular areas are going to have more people, and things that some people would call tourist-tacky are simply referred to as eco-rustic. If seeing other tourists around you is touristy in a negative sense, then you need to choose some other areas. The popular areas tend to have the most choices and best services, thus the most people.
Oct 13th, 2011, 08:30 AM
#28
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OK, the more I read the more I get confused. Some people say 2 days is more than enough in Arenal, and some say the same for MA. I guess I'll have to find out for myself!
To confuse me more, I just stumbled upon the Hidden Canopy Treehouses in Monteverde, which have a 2 night min. I'd consider adding that to the mix, but afraid it's too much relocating for a 9 day trip.
To confuse me more, I just stumbled upon the Hidden Canopy Treehouses in Monteverde, which have a 2 night min. I'd consider adding that to the mix, but afraid it's too much relocating for a 9 day trip.
Oct 13th, 2011, 08:40 AM
#29
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Monteverde is really a minimum two night stay to be worthwhile. To break up our drive between Manuel Antonio and Arenal, we stopped near Tarcoles for a night to do a tour of Carara national park and do a crocodile/bird sighting boat tour of the Tarcoles river.
I had never been a bird/wildlife person before going to Costa Rica. Now I'm one of those nerds who writes down places/sightings of species whenever I travel.
The main attractions for Arenal are:
1) Seeing the volcano itself (impressive even if not active);
2) Hot springs;
3) Wildlife tour of Cano Negro wetland reserve
If you'd rather get close to the crater of a volcano, then Poas and Irazu might be better. Arenal is more impressive while being admired from a distance than those two, but you're not allowed to get anywhere near the crater.
There are some things (rafting, ziplines) that you can do in most parts of the country.
I had never been a bird/wildlife person before going to Costa Rica. Now I'm one of those nerds who writes down places/sightings of species whenever I travel.
The main attractions for Arenal are:
1) Seeing the volcano itself (impressive even if not active);
2) Hot springs;
3) Wildlife tour of Cano Negro wetland reserve
If you'd rather get close to the crater of a volcano, then Poas and Irazu might be better. Arenal is more impressive while being admired from a distance than those two, but you're not allowed to get anywhere near the crater.
There are some things (rafting, ziplines) that you can do in most parts of the country.
Oct 13th, 2011, 09:16 AM
#30
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Arenal has tons to do. I wouldn't shortchange your time there, not sure what the ripoffs are since we've never encountered anything like that. I'd only give more time to MA if you're a huge beach person. Agree with everyone else that an even split is good. We loved the Cano Negro tour that RAC mentioned, and I think the waterfall hike is a don't miss. You can swim at the base, and the river there is crystal clear. Eco Termales serves a good chicken dinner in a charming setting, and I like that it's locally owned.
Monteverde is nice if you're into birding. It's also very pretty there with green rolling hills. Temps there can be very chilly though. We had to wear sweatshirts and fleece jackets when we were there, and we got a lot of rain. They have some nice ziplines, and we loved the night hike at Hidden Valley. Agree that you'd have to stay two nights to make it worth it. The drive there is long and bumpy.
Monteverde is nice if you're into birding. It's also very pretty there with green rolling hills. Temps there can be very chilly though. We had to wear sweatshirts and fleece jackets when we were there, and we got a lot of rain. They have some nice ziplines, and we loved the night hike at Hidden Valley. Agree that you'd have to stay two nights to make it worth it. The drive there is long and bumpy.
Oct 13th, 2011, 10:58 AM
#32
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The deed is done! I booked 4 nights in Arenal at the Lost Iguano with the Groupon deal ($145/nt + tax) and 4 nights in MA at the Tulemar Villa Mot Mot lower. I plan on booking the last night near the airport. I'm waiting to hear back from Casa Bella Rita, Grand de Oro does have availability.
Oct 13th, 2011, 05:22 PM
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MF,
If Rita and Steve don't have any rooms, you could also try Alegria B&B. Much more basic, but George is very charming and makes a nice breakfast. He will also give you a ride to the airport.
I love Savannah (my son is in graduate school in nearby Statesboro). Which B&B did you visit...there are quite a few nice ones?
If Rita and Steve don't have any rooms, you could also try Alegria B&B. Much more basic, but George is very charming and makes a nice breakfast. He will also give you a ride to the airport.
I love Savannah (my son is in graduate school in nearby Statesboro). Which B&B did you visit...there are quite a few nice ones?
Oct 14th, 2011, 05:38 AM
#38
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MF,
I think you will like it there. We saw all the rooms and you can't go wrong with any of them. If you just want to chill out once you get there, they can make dinner for you too for a reasonable fee. A 10% discount is offered for cash payment.
I think you will like it there. We saw all the rooms and you can't go wrong with any of them. If you just want to chill out once you get there, they can make dinner for you too for a reasonable fee. A 10% discount is offered for cash payment.
