I have been totally overwhelmed planning our mulitgenerational trip to Costa Rica in July. Thanks to all who have offered suggestions. Here's a very tentative itinerary. Does this seem feasible?

Day One Arrive San Jose stay at the Marriot or Hotel Gran oro

Day Two and three take domestic flight to Tortugero stay at Tortuga or Mwamba Lodge -- Rainforest tour/night turtle walk/River raft trip

Day Four and Five fly back to San Jose (or Go with driver in van?) to Peace Lodge Butterfly Gardens/Volcano Tour/Tobacan Hot Springs

Day Six Seven and Eight got to resort in Guanacaste (paradisius playa conchal?) relax on beach/take horseback tour/ canopy tour etc.

Day nine fly out from Liberia airport.

Any Opinions? I want to check out Montverde. Is that a possible day trip from Guanacaste? Are there other lodgings or activities that I should consider? Most importantly will it be too hot and humid to be so active?

Any input would be really appreciated!

Just a couple of things to think about:

Part of Day 4 will be spent traveling. Arenal is a couple of hours (or a little more) from Peace Lodge. Days 4 and 5 give you such a short amount of time to enjoy Peace Lodge AND Arenal/Tabacon.

Day 6: will you be traveling to Guanacaste (Paradisus Playa Conchal) from Peace Lodge or Arenal? From Peace Lodge, it will take you at least 5 hours--likely more. From Arenal, 4 hours--possibly more. Travel times always take longer than you think they will and are unpredictable.

By the time you get to PPC and check in, it will be later in the day. So you'll have basically Day 7 and Day 8 to enjoy this resort. I don't know about you, but we sure hate to shell out $350 or more per day to be gone from the resort all day! Monteverde is a good 3 hour one way trip from Playa Conchal. And the usual: could be longer!

You have a good basic itinerary--just don't try to fit too much in, or frustration will overcome enjoyment! My point: You could easily fill a day and a half just in the Peace Lodge area--particularly if you go to nearby Poas Volcano, do the Doka Coffee Plantation tour, enjoy the La Paz property around Peace Lodge, etc. EASILY!

Same with Paradisus. This would be a great place to just relax and unwind near the end of your vacation. There are several things to do that are closer to the resort than Monteverde. Even so, they would take you away from the resort for a good length of time.

Just food for thought. . . .

You're right shillmac. Thanks for the input. What do you suggest? Is there a more central place to stay? Is there a closer unwinding place? If I have to cut out one place which would you suggest? I realize that you are a master CR trip planner and would love your ideas on how to tweak/totally revise this itinerary.

LOL--No master anything here! I'm having trouble narrowing my own choices down for July! Believe me, it's never easy. Just know that whatever you choose, you'll enjoy. You can't make a mistake other than the one of trying to squeeze too much in.

Since you asked, I think I'd opt for an Arenal-Monteverde 4 day combo, followed by some beach time before flying out of Liberia. Or Tortuguero/Peace Lodge/beach. Heck, it's impossible--just pick one! We've been to CR 9 times during 4 years and have yet to go to Monteverde and Tortuguero. We have finally made reservations at Monteverde for a weekend in July, but are still debating on Tortuguero. We know we'll be going back--so we try to do something new each time, but not necessarily EVERYTHING we'd like to do. It always drives me nuts. I can't tell you how many times I've scrapped this location or that one, thinking "Next time". Still doing it!

We really do love the central valley around Peace Lodge, though. It's such a fun area to explore. There are several little towns, in addition to the main attractions I mentioned above, and we do enjoy spending time in those places. We love to just observe life in Costa Rica as it normally occurs!

One thing we are thinking about is the turtle nesting in Tortuguero. Everything I read tells me that there is more activity AFTER July 15 and through the month of September. Techically, guide books say July-October. But early in July isn't a great time, nor is the tail end of the season. Since we would have to go early in July if we go at all, I'd rather wait until we can go in August sometime and be able to see the nesting--since it's one of the reasons for going there. I don't know if it helps you or not, but these are things we consider. Just close your eyes and spin the bottle--you'll have a wonderful time!

Thanks, Shillmac, I feel a little bit more relieved. I think I'm putting so much pressure on myself because both my husband's and my parents are coming and I want it to be so special/comfortable for them and yet exciting for my husband and kids. We are going around the 17th so taking advantage of the turtle season might be the smartest thing to do. What are the little towns you enjoy visiting near the Peace Lodge? I really want a sense of the real Costa Rica, too.

Is the Poas Volcano as impressive as the Arenal?


Wow! Nine times in four years if that doesn't make you a master I don't know what does.

Poas is very different. It isn't active at the moment, so you can go to the top and peer down into a beautiful blue crater--said to be the most acidic water in the world. Need an early start before the clouds come over.

Mid-July, yes, Tortuguero sounds like a winner!

Near Peace Lodge, Sarchi--great for souvenir shopping.

Grecia--said to be the cleanest little town in Central America

Zarcero--a little further away perhaps, but a beautiful little town at a higher altitude, with pine trees on the hillside and a beautiful topiary garden in front of the church with shaped evergreens. There is a beautiful little hotel on the corner across from the church. Only one in town, I think. Someday I want to stay there just for the heck of it. Definitely worth a visit--this is the real Costa Rica! Not where the tourists hang out--but in these small places; although tourists do visit regularly--it's not like Arenal or Manuel Antonio and the busier places.

If you were to hire a guide for the day, he could take you to all these places easily. It would be a good way to spend a day!

Shillmac thank you for bringing the magic of Costa Rica alive. I am now more excited than ever. (I went throgh a brief depression yesterday when I was told by several people that I should wait til my kids were in their teens to book a trip. )

I hate to keep bugging you, but, do you have the names of any guides that you would suggest? Alos, where in that area do you stay?

We've stayed at Arenal Paraiso, Tilajari Resort (several km east and north of La Fortuna on the Rio San Carlos). Last year, we spent several days at Las Orquideas and traveled around the central valley from there. One year we stayed in San Jose at the Hotel Don Carlos and explored down around the Orosi Valley, Cartago, etc. Also took in the sights and museums (and opera!) of San Jose.

Poas Volcano Lodge is a place that has always sounded interesting to me. Several have mentioned it on Fodor's and it has gotten some good reviews. Small, less expensive, I believe. Great central location.