Hi all! I am taking a trip to costa rica with my wife in November!we are going from the 10th to the 26th. We will be flying into San Jose and staying for about a week around Sarchi with family.(My wife was born in COsta Rica but has not been back in about 11 years. SHe still has family there though and she speaks spanish fluently, and I know enough to get by) Throughout the week we will be taking day trips to poas, irazu, san jose, and surrounding towns (Zarcero, grecia, etc.), as well as visiting with her family. Any other suggestions about places to go\See as a day trip in this area? On friday we will drive to Arenal and stay overnight(Havent picked a place yet but we're not worriead about it) Saturday we will drive to monteverde and stay two nights (Undecided about where to stay here too!)Monday morning bright and early we will drive to Punta islita (Near Samara)and return our rental car. We are staying four nights here! after four nights on friday we will be flying back to san jose where we will stay with family for another day and a half and fly home. So my questions are
1. Day trips in the sarchi area\things we must see?
2. Has anyone made the drive from monteverde to punta islita or the area? How was it? How long did it take? ANy cool places to stop and see along the way? Any advice about this drive or driving at all?
3. ANy other thoughts or tips about our trip?

You guys are always so helpful on here with all your answers to posts. I really appreciate any and all help you can give us! We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks all!

I have a feeling that your wife's family will take good care of you and you will never be lonely or be wondering what to do with your time! I've had the pleasure of staying with Ticos, and they are so generous and fun and everyone will come by to meet you and you will be taken to all the relatives homes. They'll show you their country -- you won't have to worry. A lot of those places you mention for day trips around SJ are small, so you can see several in one day. Have fun!
Sandy

Also while im asking all of these questions :-> I might as well ask for suggestion of places ot stay while in monteverde and arenal...I was thinking max 125 a night here. AGain thanx for your help!!

in monteverde i like Sapo Dorado:

http://monteverde.typepad.com/montev...ome/index.html

in arenal i like arenal lodge for the views:

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html

on the way- sort of- from monteverde to punta islita is the san luis waterall,a beauty.
or you can stop for a late lunch in playa samara, it's only about 1.5 hours drive to islita:

http://costa-rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

I second the vote on Arenal Lodge, and in Monteverde I've only stayed at Fonda Vela and I liked it a lot.

Sandy