we will vacationing for the 1st time in Costa Rica from June 23 to July 7 renting a 4x4 suv. We have a few tentative schedule.
1st day arrive in San Jose and travel
to La Paz
2nd day La paz
3nd day volcan poas
4-6 days Monterverde and San Elena
7-9 days Volcan Arsenal
10&11 days Santa Rosa
12&13 days Manual Antonio
14 day to be added in somewhere
15 day return home
As i ve said, this is very tentative and i m looking for any suggestions or ideas to add or subtract from this agenda. Its also our 25th anniversary and looking for a special motel for one of the areas. Thought maybe the Arsenal area would be great with a good view of the volcanic and hopefully any activity. We rather stay at smaller places most of the time and rather not spend a good deal except for the one place for our 25th. Any places that you recommend would be helpful.

Everything make sense...but can you please tell us about Santa Rosa?? We have a few Santa Rosas!!

R.A Luis

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in paradise!!

help coolbluewater, shillmac, anyone. I took your advice coolbluewater and shillmac and made up a tentative agenda with some specific questions about the trip. Can you be of help to me? I greatly appreciate any info or advice given. To answer roadadvisors question, i will be going to santa road national park. Thanks for any help. Bill

OK now I know...Santa Rosa National Park...I love that area...many memories..anyway...from Santa Rosa to Manuel Antonio is going to be easy 5 hours!! If you are not driving from all the way from the beach area of the park!!

Happy Anniversary!! 25th humm great !!

R.A Luis

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in paradise!!

thanks roadadvisor. I will take that into consideration when driving to Manual Antonio. That is one of things that i m looking to find out. I have a couple of maps that give the distances and have read that it takes considerably longer to get to alot of places because to different conditions of the roads. We tentatively have one extra day, do you have any suggestion to a good stopover on the way like Montezuma?

I ve just read a second opinion to avoid Monteverde because of the roads to get there. We have a 4x4 suv. should be go there or avoid as some have said. we really did want to see it? Bill

we loved Monteverde, it's worth it---but you'll be back, so you can save it for later

I just reread your itinerary and I see that you plan to drive from Arenal to Santa Rosa for 2 days and then back to Manuel Antonio. I hope you realize that it is quite a loop to visit that park. Did you have other things in mind to see in the area or places to stay? And you also mentioned Montezuma as a stopover.
That won't fit in your schedule as it stands now as it is very far south and a long drive.

petegumbo. So, its true that you cant drive up to monteverde now or in another month?
Joeschmo. we have a acquictance in Playa del Coco that invited us to visit them so want to go in that area. Do you think if we skip Santa Rosa national park and went directly to Manual Antonio that is doable. Spending days 10 & 11 in Coco and 12-14 in Manual Antonio. We are considering staying at Peace Lodge when at La Paz. Sounds kinda experience but alot to do. Anybody been there or have any opinions on Peace Lodge?

oops. sorry about the typo. it should have read expensive instead of experience when referring to Peace Lodge
thanks

Santa Rosa Nat'l Park is in the general direction of getting to Playa Coco except you will go north to get up there. It's a nice park but with only 2 days to spend with friends in Coco, I wouldn't bother. As far as Peace Lodge, many on this forum have stayed there and given their opinions. Put Peace Lodge in the Search line and you'll see what they've had to say.