Hi, We're going to CR March 31st. This is our 1st trip to CR does this itinerary sound plausible? We don’t mind driving long distances. (seriously) Is there any other location you would recommend or a location you’d replace? Thanks for your input. CatchAWave

M-31 San Jose
A-1 Arenal
A-2 Arenal- Monteverde
A-3 Monteverde
A-4 Manuel Antonio Nt Park
A-5 Manuel Antonio Nt Park
A-6 San Jose
A-7 Tortugero
A-8 Tortugero
A-9 USA

Even though you don't mind driving, all the driving is going to keep you from actually being at and enjoying the places you're going to. For example, it will take half the day to get to Arenal. Then you're leaving the next day for another half-day drive. Keep in mind that it gets dark between 5:30 & 6:00, so you don't have much time in these places. I assume you're flying to Tortuguero, because it's quite a haul if you're driving up in one day and back the next. I recommend cutting out Monteverde and staying in Arenal this time.

Sandy

Not that the driving is boring in such a beautiful country (even if the roads are notoriously horrible), but your plan has you transitioning 7 days out of 10 - whew! You'll only have 3 days during your whole trip when you're exploring an area instead of moving on. Remember that it takes 2 nights to = 1 full day; you should ask yourself, "Aren't any of those places worth more than 1 full day?"

I know from personal experience how hard it is to leave anything out, but that's part of my motivation to keep planning my next trip to Latin America. Sorry - if you can't bear to hear it, just ignore me.

Just me personally, I would attempt only 3 locations in 9 days, unless you're doing some kind of road survey . Don't take this the wrong way, but unless you've been there before, you really can't appreciate what it's like getting from one place to another. I know it looks like a small country, but the infrastructure just isn't there to bop around from one place to the next. I would cut either Monteverde or MA, plus Tortuguero. Just my dos colones

Absolutely agree--this is a nightmare itinerary--and this from someone who bounces around quite a bit when in Costa Rica!

You simply must eliminate one of your locations or you'll be running yourselves ragged. We don't mind driving either, but we don't like so much packing, unpacking, checking in, checking out, and not having time to enjoy a location!

With 9 nights, please consider that you might end up with only 7 if you have to spend the first and last nights near the airport due to arrival/departure times. If that should be the case, you need to choose 2 locations. Arenal and Manuel Antonio together give a nice overview of the country--beaches, wildlife, active volcano, hotsprings. .etc.

Look very closely at your schedule, then remember 2.5-3 hours from San Jose to Arenal. Probably 4 hours from Arenal to Monteverde. 5-6 hours Monteverde to Manuel Antonio. 3 hours back to San Jose from Manuel Antonio. Then arrange a flight or boat to Tortuguero? Whew!

Do allow enough time to truly enjoy the locations you choose! There is a lot to do at each of these places!

Have fun!

Thanks for all the wonderful input. I was worried that this itenerary was too jam packed. Thanks Colones! CatchAWave