Returned recently from an amazing 17-days in CR. Want to thank everyone at Fodors for all the help-we couldn't have planned the trip without you. Quick summary-day 1-picked up Dollar Rented 4x4-kia. Dollar was very efficient and helpful and the car was great. Immediately drove to Arenal but because of clouds got as far as San Carlos. Next morning to La Fortuna-La Catarata Eco-Lodge-very nice people,close to Falls,etc. They arranged a tour with Jacamar the next day(Santos-guide) to Cano Negro-excellent. We used the hot springs in Las Fuentas THermales across from Tabacon-much cheaper and really great. That evening we saw Arenal gushing lava-a great experience. Day 4-drove to Monteverde-road around Lake Arenal not so bad and absolutely gorgeous up to Taliran.Arrived in St. Helena in time for Sky Walk-most pleasant and lodging in Finca Terra Viva-great place for us because of great kitchen as we did all our own cooking. At night cloud settled in with heavy winds and no visibility for the next three days. Toured Finca Ecological Farm with guide Heida-300 meters lower than MV and therefore no cloud. Very interesting and lots of animals. During weekend walks and visiting various sites but the depressing clouds and winds were relentless. Sunday-through Guanacaste to Rincon dela Vieja. Amazing trip and happy to warm up.Stayed at Guachipelin-very pleasant and toured their grounds and the park for two days. Next to Santa Rosa where I fiund out that there is no passage from Playa Naranjo to Hermosa so we toured one trail and saw La Casona being repaired. From there back to Liberia to Playa Hermosa-Cabinas La Casona and Playa Nosara-Almost Paradise. Beautiful pristine beaches. From there a long trip to highlight of our trip-La Finca que ama-near Oratina and managed by Neta Talmor,It is a beautiful small hotel-10 casitas in the amazing hills an hour out of Oratina in the Cental Pacific Coastal area-new so doesn't appear in guide books yet. Neta and Arbel do evrything to give guests a memorable experience. From them 15 minutes to TuruBari Park-a full day experience highly recommened. From there to MA-on a Sunday. Park was very crowded so a little disappointment but still very beautiful and full of too tame animals. To avoid crowds we drove North to Parrita and slept in the lovely Beso del Viento-again alone on a beautiful beach. From there to Alajuela -Hotel El Pino-rustic but again great kitchen, internet, etc. Next morning very early up to Volcan Poas but despite opening the park and waiting three hours, did not see the volcnao due to heavy cloud. From there to Las Paz-quite amazing-enough water for my country for a year. Next day to Sarchi-little too touristy and Zarcero with the garden in Parque Central. On return to Alajuela we visited Zoo Ave-pleasant to see the parrots that we hadn't seen in Nature. Next day-Britt Coffee Tour-excellent, museo de cultura popular-very interesting and Moravia-best place for gifts. Last day walked around San Jose after returning car-cheapest for shirts, etc. Last looks at airport of beautiful mountains, green forests and a wonderful friendly country. We had no problems with thefts, car, finding accomadations at last minute and finding our way-despite no Spanish. People are very helpful. Fresh fruit and vegetables were abundant-we thought that we would find more fresh fish. Thank you all again for being there and thanks again to Neta.-josh mn

xt day to to see the Parrots that we hadn't seen in Nature

Josh, thanks for the trip report. You have covered a lot of ground in 17 days! Glad you had such great trip.

Josh, Did you pick up your Dollar rental car at the airport? If not, how did you get to the rental agency & how long did it take? We are going in Aug and our flight arrives at 12:40. I would like to pick up the car at the airport so that we can quickly start our drive to Manuel Antonio.
Thanks for a great trip report!

We ordered the car off the internet and requested to pick it up in the city, a savings of 17% in taxes when picked up at the airport. After customs we went to the Dollar desk and they sent us to their office near their airport. Because of the mixup, we did not pay the 17% tax. We returned the car in the city. Taxi to the city from the airport will cost about $12 and the ride is about 20 minutes in the wrong direction from Manual Antonio. Pickup was very efficient. We finished it in less than 20 minutes. Returning was even faster.

Thanks for a great trip report! It was very informative. We are planning a 2 week trip with our 4 and 6 yr old in June and you went to several of the places that I am having a hard time finding info on. We are flying into Liberia and then thinking about going to Hermosa for 4 days, Rincon La Vieja and Nosara and possibly Samara. How do you think Rincon de la Vieja will be for kids? How would you compare Nosara and Hermosa?
Thanks in advance for your help!

rjd 24-Hi! Liberia is fine for renting car or cab to Rincon de la Viega. The trail is park is great for kids-buy the clear and informative booklet at the entrance. Do walk with the children to the waterfalls on the hotel grounds.. There is also a pool at the hotel. Nosara has three beautiful, quiet beaches each separate from each other. Choose according to hotel. Hermosa was a little colder and more active than our beach in Nosara(Playa Glayada?) but both Hermosa and Nosara are fine for the kids. You will be in wet season and I'm not sure about rain in the park and beaches then. I again recommend Neta's hotel and TurruBari Park on your last days-the park is also fine for the children and the hotel has pool etc. They are not too far from the airport and it will leave you with a peaceful Costa Rican feeling. Have a great trip-maybe I can come back some day with my grandchildren.