I didn't really want to stay in San Jose as it seems that most people say there's nothing there and to avoid it, but now you've got me thinking, since we want to raft, maybe we should stay at Grano d' Oro the first night, raft from there, come back to Grano d' Oro then go to Poas and Doka (I want to go to a coffee estate) and return to the Marriott our third night before departing to Manuel Antonio? I want to stay at the Marriott one night since it will be free with points.

Okay, so;

Day 1 - arrive San Jose at 4:00, Grano d'Oro for evening

Day 2 - raft all day and return to Grano d'Oro for overnight

Day 3 - Visit Poas, Doka coffee estate Marriott for overnight

Day4-8 Manuel Antonio at Tulemar

OR

Day 1 - arrive San Jose at 4:00, Marriott for evening

Day 2 - raft all day and return to VDV or Orquideas for overnight

Day 3 - Visit Poas, Doka coffee estate VDV or Orquideas for overnight

Day4-8 Manuel Antonio at Tulemar

Which would you do?

Maybe you're already decided, but I'd vote for staying outside of San Jose, especially if you don't like city congestion. Grano de Oro is nice, if you have to stay in the city, but I wouldn't go out of my way to stay there. I'm not a Marriott fan, but you can't beat staying for free, so I'd stay there the first night, then either Orquideas or Vista del Valle are really nice resorts. Vista del Valle cuts about a half hour off the trip to Manuel Antonio. They have really nice horseback riding that goes through the coffee plantations and up a mountain, if that appeals to your kids, as well as a beautiful pool and nice jacuzzi. Orquideas has a nice restaurant and the Marilyn Monroe bar. Both are extremely helpful in arranging your trip to Poas and Doka as well as Sarchi and Grecia. Have a great trip.

Wait a minute, nina. I think you're going to HAVE to stay in San Jose for your pick up for the rafting trip. Grano de Oro is an excellent choice. I know that most people say to avoid the city, but "there's nothing there" simply isn't true. The Plaza de la Cultura, the Gold Museum, the Teatro Nacional (across from the plaza), Avenida Central and the Mercado Central--all very interesting. You could EASILY spend an afternoon looking around--and enjoying yourself in a few of these spots--all within short walking distance of each other. Don't be out and about at night, except by taxi.

If you don't arrive early enough to walk around a bit and see the above sights, then you'll enjoy resting at your hotel and getting a good night's sleep before your pick up in the a.m.
Grano de Oro seems to be known for good food as well. So it really doesn't matter WHAT hotel you are at just to rest up from your traveling, but the rafting companies pick up at hotels in town.

Grano de Oro gets fabulous reviews and those who've stayed there highly recommend it to others.

It would also make sense to stay there the night you return from rafting (you'll be tired, it will be later in the day, and there's no reason to change hotels). For a different type of evening, take a taxi to El Pueblo. It's always a good place for an evening visit--bars, restaurants, artisan shops--interesting setting.

Sure, after your 2nd day, it would make a lot of sense to stay somewhere near the airport because that puts you 30 min. closer to Manuel Antonio since it is west of the city. Hope this is helpful. Hope it's clearer than mud!

P.S. I also second MarciaM's suggestions for Vista del Valle (we LOVED Ilan Ilan room). Orquideas is quite nice as well (less expensive) with a fun far, as MM mentioned.

The Pacuare River people will pick you up at the Hampton Inn by the airport as well as the downtown hotels, so I assume they will pick you up at other hotels in that area as well? Just a thought.

Marcia,

They will pick up at some hotels, like the Marriott where we'll stay the first night, then they'll drop us at the Hampton Inn and Vista del Valle will send a driver for us.

Oh and Marcia, thanks for your insight, we love to ride, we went to Tanque Verde Ranch in Tucson last April and absolutely loved it, so that will be a huge bonus for us while staying at Vista del Valle, you just made my decision easy, thanks so much!

About how far is it from Orchideas Inn to Sarchi and Grecia? If we want to do some shopping, would it be worth an afternoon trip on our last day? I don't want to haul stuff around before then, especially when we fly Sansa at the end of trip.

Orquideas to Grecia is about 40 (could be less, it's been awhile!) min. Sarchi a bit further, perhaps another 20 or 25 min.

Absolutely worth an afternoon trip--perfect, I'd say. Both are interesting little towns with beautiful churches.