My husband and I are planning our first trip to CR May 20-28th. I have been reading the posts for a few weeks now, but I am still unsure about our itinerary. We have already booked our flights based on suggestions from friends who have already traveled to CR. We will be flying into SJO and leaving from Liberia. I did this with the thought that we would start in San Jose and end in Guanacaste. We would like to spend time visiting the sites, hiking, seeing animals, as well as having some time for R&R on a beach. I have 2 thoughts for itineraries. If anyone has any comments or suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.

Itinerary #1: 5/20-arrive SJO at 12:30, drive to MA. 5/21-22-MA, tours and beach, drive to Arenal the afternoon of 22nd. 5/23-25-see Arenal and Monteverde. 5/26-27-Tamarindo. 5/28-depart from Liberia at 2pm.

Itinerary#2: 5/20-arrive SJO, see Sarchi or maybe coffee plantation. 5/21-Volcan Poas, La Paz. 5/22-23-Arenal. 5/24-25-Monteverde. 5/26-27-Tamarindo. 5/28-depart.

Is this way too much traveling? What would you suggest cutting out? Would anyone recommend someplace other than Tamarindo for a final beach destination, maybe someplace further north? I also haven't decided if we will rent a car or hire a driver. If we want a driver, how should we go about getting one?

Thanks for any help you can provide me.

In 8 days you are doing a lot of driving! It can take a long time to drive to Manual Antonio 4-5 hours. We took the 20 minute flight there and back. Great way to see CR. You won't need a car in MA.

When you get back to San Jose, pick up a car. Drive to Arenal. (3 1/2 hours) 2 days is fine here.

I did not drive through Monteverde but heard that drive is a bear because it is not all paved.

Thse that drove directly to the north coast says it takes about 5 hours. Others will know. We hired drivers instead of driving ourselves.

Tamarindo, we were told not to go to because it was a lot like Venice Beach in CA. Lots of pot smoking, surfing (upside!) and we did meet some people that got tatoos while there. However, some people that were just north and south near something teresa found it to be relaxing and beautiful. Good luck! It is a wonderful country with wonderful people!

If you are looking to spend just a few days relaxing on a beach in Guanacaste I would shy away from Tamarindo and maybe look into Playa Grande or Playa Hermosa. Tamarindo has a lot going on as well as construction and dust. The beach is over rated and usually over-populated.

Thanks for the replies. Does anyone know what kind of planes Sansa flies? We've had a bad experience on small propeller planes, and might not wan to take one this vacation.

Another beach suggestion is Playa Flamingo. It is a gorgeous beach, and the Flamingo Beach Resort is offering a great deal through August--$69 per night. From there you can visit Tamarindo (30 min) and several other nearby beaches--Sugar Beach, Conchal, etc.

I do think you are trying to do too much. I'd rent a car, drive to Manuel Antonio (3 nights), then drive up to the northern Pacific (3 nights). You can hang around near SJO the first night if you'd like and take in La Paz and Poas.

OR, drive to Arenal (2 nights), then over to the northern beaches. For sure, take a day before going to Arenal to explore Sarchi, Poas, La Paz. Perhaps at Peace Lodge, gets great reviews.

8 days--2 main locations is a good rule of thumb, especially if you want to throw in a day to explore the central valley.

Still trying to decide on a definite itinerary, and I know that we have to cut out some things from my first message.

Where would you suggest going for the first trip to CR? MA vs Arenal/Monteverde?

As for the beach portion of the trip, which is nicer? Playa Hermosa or Ocotal?

Manuel Antonio is a cool place, but your itinerary (and arrival/departure cities) really lends itself much better to Arenal/Monteverde/Northern Pacific Beach area. You can always see Manuel Antonio another time. We didn't make it there until our 4th trip!

If you take a day to see Poas, LaPaz, etc. I'd also drop Monteverde. If you go to Arenal and Monteverde both, you need to scoot right on up to Arenal the day you arrive. Either way would be good.

thanks for the advice shillmac.

Last year my girlfirend and I flew to SJO and drove to Flamingo Beach. Drive wasn't that bad and the resort was excellent. Very sleepy but the hotel can arrange things for you to do.

This year we are going back with 3 other couples and are kind of doing your flight plan... into SJO and out of LIR. We are taking Sansa as it flies into Tamarindo and transfering to the Flamingo Beach resort again.

Everything I've read and heard is to rely on taxis and private transfers and last year we rented a car and never used it the entire trip. And the resorts can rent them for a day or so.

Have fun on your trip!

heathmd,
We did our 2nd trip to Costa Rica similar to your plan except we flew in and out of Liberia. We went first to Arenal for 2 nights, then down to Tambor for 4 nights, then spent the night in Tamarindo before our flight out the next day. Arenal is a good combination with any of your beach locations. We did a lot of driving because of the distance from Arenal to Tambor, and then the distance from Tambor to Tamarindo, but had a great time!

Playa Ocotal is a rocky beach while Hermosa is a long calm beach in a cove. Hermosa would be a better choice. Some good hotels and restaurants.

We are thinking of staying at Lost Iguana Resort while in Arenal. Everyone on this site seems to give it great reviews. I have only been able to get info on making reservations through other sites, such as centralamerica.com. Does anyone know how to get in touch with the resort itself? Or is this the only way to make reservations?

heathmd,
The direct # to the resort is 001 506-461-0122.
The owners name is Elaine. She is also owns a store in Houston. The number to the store is 281-535-2552. I believe the web site is (lostiguanaresort.com).

cooper1

Try contacting Ralph at gaialinktours.com. He can arrange private drivers for you and make hotel reservations, including Lost Iguana. We used Ralph for our Costa Rica trip and it couldn't have been easier. The cost of our package was very reasonable.

Sara