We are looking at a short get away (4 days and three nights) to Costa Rica in mid January.
The three things we would be looking to blend and maximize are 1) a nice beach 2) time in a rain forest and 3) good local food. I am thinking something in either the Tamarindo or Manuel Antonio area. Which would be better? How about Montezuma or even the Caribbean side of Costa Rica?

Yes. I know I am asking a lot for 4 days. I don't expect to be at the best beach or best rain forest area, but just the best blend.

Thanks for your input.

I would suggest "it cannot be done" in your time frame.
M

IF you are arriving in the morning or early afternoon, and IF you also have an afternoon departure, you can certainly do this. Otherwise it wouldn't be feasible unless you would be happy to stay within 2 hours of the airport and forego the beach--Arenal Volcano would be a good choice.

3 beach areas would work for you:

Jaco--1.5 hour from San Jose (popular with the locals)

Manuel Antonio--3 hours (your best bet for the blend you are looking for)

Caribbean (Puerto Viejo area)--3.5 hr.
interesting and a little different!

I'd recommend Manuel Antonio.

Thanks shillmax.

Seems like you can always be counted on for good information.

We did a 5 day trip a couple of years ago and spent 3 nights in Cahuita (Caribbean) and last night in San Jose. It was fun for a shorty. Later this week we are heading back down that way for another 4 nighter. Couldn't resist an exceptionally low airfare offer! Our first short trip was in January. For you, January will be a fabulous time to see Manuel Antonio.

We like Tamarindo also, but it would cost you about 4 extra hours of travel and you wouldn't have the great beach/forest combination. Plus Tam and Montezuma (definitely too time consuming to get to for a short trip) both tend to be brown and dusty during the dry season--not as pretty as they are in the green. Have a fun time! Have you been before? You'll want to go back!

Hi Shillman

Thanks for all your input. My plans are not to do a lot of traveling while there, just get to one place and stay, except for SHORT trips out. This will be our first trip to Costa Rica, the idea came up suddenly. I assume the airport to fly into would be at San Jose for Manuel Antonio? We may push this out to 4 nights and 5 days.

How is Puerto Viego different?

Thanks again.

Less infrastructure, more Caribbean style, different people (Jamaican descent rather than Spanish). Very indolent, slow, laid-back, but picking up in tourism all the time. You won't find big resorts over there (at least I hope they don't show up)--just small funky places. Very rainy, except Sept., October, Feb. and March.