Should we spend more time in Arenal or MA?
Jul 21st, 2005, 06:23 AM
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Should we spend more time in Arenal or MA?
We are a family of 5, kids ages 15, 13 and 10, looking to hike, have a few adventures and relax in mid-March 2006.
If you factor in driving time, we can either have two full days in Arenal and three in MA, or the other way around. Which would you recommend?
If you factor in driving time, we can either have two full days in Arenal and three in MA, or the other way around. Which would you recommend?
Jul 21st, 2005, 10:41 AM
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missypie, I recommend the 3 full days in Arenal. There's so much to do in Arenal, the rainforest is more beautiful and less affected by people; also it was cooler in Arenal than it was in Manuel Antonio. In June, it was so hot in Manuel Antonio that it was really uncomfortable hiking for 2 hours.
2 full days in Manuel Antonio is plenty of time to see the wildlife in the Manuel Antonio national Park (monkeys, sloths, big lizards), and relax on the beaches. The best beaches are within the manuel Antonio national park so bring your swim suits into the park with you. Bring some change as there's a little boat that may have to take you across some knee-deep water to get to the park, you just give the boatmen some change or a small bill. Also the butterfly gardens across from the Hotel Si Como No are worthwhile, we enjoyed that.
In Arenal your kids and the whole family would love the Sky Tram/Sky Trek zip-line. Fun adventure, also the sky tram goes up through pretty view. We got this for $45 each, discounted price from our Lost Iguana resort. Normally it's about $60 each I think.
2 full days in Manuel Antonio is plenty of time to see the wildlife in the Manuel Antonio national Park (monkeys, sloths, big lizards), and relax on the beaches. The best beaches are within the manuel Antonio national park so bring your swim suits into the park with you. Bring some change as there's a little boat that may have to take you across some knee-deep water to get to the park, you just give the boatmen some change or a small bill. Also the butterfly gardens across from the Hotel Si Como No are worthwhile, we enjoyed that.
In Arenal your kids and the whole family would love the Sky Tram/Sky Trek zip-line. Fun adventure, also the sky tram goes up through pretty view. We got this for $45 each, discounted price from our Lost Iguana resort. Normally it's about $60 each I think.
Jul 22nd, 2005, 05:22 AM
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Missypie,
I would have to agree w/Melissa. We enjoyed Arenal so much more to MA. There just seemed so much more to do, if I would have realized this, I would have spent longer than 3 nights there.
It is much cooler in Arenal and in March should be really nice. We were there now in July and it was pretty darned hot and humid in MA, it was hard to lay on the beach and after a hike in the park we were drenched. Arenal was pleasant.
Things that we saw to do:
waterfall repelling (we did)
hike to the La Fortuna waterfall & swim there
atv tours
sky trek zip lines
river rafting
tabacon hot springs (or others to choose from)
hanging bridges
sky trek tram
observatory
Gosh, so much more I can't remember it all!
Have fun!
I would have to agree w/Melissa. We enjoyed Arenal so much more to MA. There just seemed so much more to do, if I would have realized this, I would have spent longer than 3 nights there.
It is much cooler in Arenal and in March should be really nice. We were there now in July and it was pretty darned hot and humid in MA, it was hard to lay on the beach and after a hike in the park we were drenched. Arenal was pleasant.
Things that we saw to do:
waterfall repelling (we did)
hike to the La Fortuna waterfall & swim there
atv tours
sky trek zip lines
river rafting
tabacon hot springs (or others to choose from)
hanging bridges
sky trek tram
observatory
Gosh, so much more I can't remember it all!
Have fun!
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