What to see between Arenal and Jaco
 

We are spending 3 days/2 nights in Arenal, and 4 nights north of Jaco (Herradura) with a day trip to Manuel Antonio. For traveling from La Fortuna to Herradura, my initial plan was to stop for a canopy tour in Monteverde, (taking the taxi-boat-private taxi option from Lake Arenal) and then have the private taxi take us to Herradura. The more I read this sounds like a crazy idea given the road system. Is Monteverde not to be missed? What other adventure awaits between La Fortuna and Jaco via private taxi for a long stop over? We're open to other transport but want to stop along the way. Parque Carara is in between but the guidebooks don't give it the best review.

We loved Monteverde and spent 2 nights there...I wished we had a third. We did a canopy tour with Selvatura and it took a good part of the day. I don't see how you would be able to enjoy your time in Monteverde and make the trip in the same day. We did a jeep-boat-jeep transport from Montverde and Arenal and it took at least 3 hours.

But...I only have the experience of one trip, so maybe others will have better feedback.

Monteverde is not a day-trip or stopover place. It requires at least two nights to be worth it.

A guided tour of Carara is well worth the time. Also worthwhile is one of the crocodile tours--Jungle Crocodile Safari is more bird-oriented than Crocodile Man Tour, if that matters. We saw about 35-40 different species of bird on our crocodile boat tour.