Rincon de la Vieja vs. Arenal
 

Honeymoon coming up in July. Do you all have pinions on the two? Would we be really missing out by skipping Arenal? Flying in/out of Liberia. 5 days at Sugar Beach. Three at Ricon. We could shorten the beach by a day and Rincon by a day and add 2 at Arenal. Trying to weigh the travel headache/stress vs. Arenal. CR Experts have any ideas?

Tough one. We didn't see Arenal til trips 2 and 3 to CR, (I'm awfully glad we eventually got there), so no, you don't need to see it this time. Part of me says yes, it is a drive of 4 or so hours to get there and why goof up a relaxing honeymoon? You can save Arenal for another trip when you have more time to spend there - it's worth 3 or 4 nights, though 2 is fine.
The other part of me says I've been to and enjoyed Sugar Beach and Rincon, but you could shave off a day from both places and not feel terrible. Arenal is lush and beautiful and the other places you mention are drier so it may provide a different experience. (I haven't been to CR in July though, my experience is in winter and early spring. Those who have visited CR more will have more accurate info here.)
In Rincon we did a decent hike to a lovely waterfall, seeing monkeys and toucans along the way, and found some small shallow hot springs on the other side of the pool. If you like horseback riding, my husband was totally blown away by the tour booked through Sugar Beach Resort. The horses are uniquely trained to a very smooth gate and they were happy to run on the beach.
No matter what you choose, I'm sure you'll have a great honeymoon!

Thanks RickandPat. I guess, like you said, either choice will be great. Maybe we'll just save a little heachache and money and choose the more relaxed choice. Can anybody else offer their 2 cents?

What are you going to do for 3 days at Rincon?
Apart from the 'honeymoon' stuff hahaha

Go to the beach:

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

Its 30 mins drive from Liberia Airport.
Do a day trip to Rincopn or stay overnight if you really want.
Then go to Arenal, 4 hours drive, see the volcano, bathe in natural hot springs, swim in a stream at the base of a waterfaLL, Go ON A DAY TRIP TO Cano Negro Reserve

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html

p.s: Sugar Beach Hotel is very nice but the beach is quite rocky, best swim on the beaches close by!

Is 3 days overkill for Rincon? Want to do some good hiking, etc., but certainly don't want to stay here too long. Our plan is Sugar Beach 4-5 days, move to Rincon, then possibley move to Arenal and back to Liberia to fly home. Suggestions. Also no car. Thanks to all.