We have decided that we are going to start our trip at Monteverde, stay 2 or 3 nights then head to Arenal area for another 3 nights. We have a total of 10 nights. So, where to next? I was thinking Playa Grande area to see sea turtles, perhaps? OR some people say to head to Miguel Antonio. Osa Pennisula? La Selva Biological? What other options? What is doable, how far/realistic are these places? We are really into nature and wildlife. Would like to experience the Costa Rican beach at some point for sure. Thank you

We went to Costa Rica last January for 12 days and did virtually the same trip, ending with a week in Manuel Antonio at Tulemar. We LOVED it and can't wait to go back. We saw lots of animals, ziplined, and relaxed. We rented a car and drove ourselves--it's very do-able, it's a small country. Just make sure you rent a GPS AND take maps along as we used both at different times. Have a great trip! Pura vida!

If you're into nature and wildlife, I think the Osa is pretty hard to beat, but MA is a good option if you want lots of hotel and restaurant choices and a beautiful beach inside the park. The wildlife there is tamer than what you'll see in other areas of the country, very used to being around people. MA would be about a 5 hour drive from Arenal. If you want to do the Osa, your best bet is to fly on Sansa or Nature Air.

Another vote for the Osa. Can't be beat. Bosque del Cabo if you can swing it financially, for amazing wildlife viewing, but there are certainly less expensive options. What time of year are you traveling?

Oh, and since you enjoy nature and wildlife, while in Arenal, don't miss a Cano Negro day trip!

with 3 nights max remaing including travel time

for me www.manuelantoniopark.com www.tulemar.com

Totally agree with volcanogirl and cattail regarding the Osa, and nothing beats Bosque del Cabo for wildlife (you have to hike down to the beach, but it's fun).

Agree with qwovadis that time is an issue. If you could drop one of your northern locations, you could swing 5 nights on the Osa (near perfect amount of time). I'd choose Arenal (4 nights) and Osa (5 nights).

See, we are steering you in a totally different direction than what you thought! We always do that, don't let it bug you. The thing about Monteverde/Arenal is that each of them really deserve 3 nights minimum. That just doesn't leave you much beach time considering the fact that the nearest beach is hours away.

If you want to hang onto both of them (MV and Arenal), then I'd do the 2/3 night split that you mentioned and head to Manuel Antonio for 3 nights. It would be a good trip anyway you shake it. La Selva is amazing, lots of other inland places are. Playa Grande would be a good choice also, about the same distance as Manuel Antonio. Best turtle viewing Dec.-March, I believe. Highly recommend Tulemar Bungalows, lower MotMot villa, in Manuel Antonio.

We are going March 1-11 and although we want to hit a beach for a day or two and definitely try to see some turtles, the three of us going all agree that we want to see more wildlife, rainforest, etc than beach. Does that change any of your responses?

Not sure you could find availability, but if it's wildlife you're interested in, you won't see it anywhere like you will at Bosque del Cabo. And of course, you have the beach there as well (down below, fun hiking). It will offer the best rainforest/wildlife experience you could possibly have, especially given the Animal Sanctuary across the gulf, horseback riding on the beach, and those fabulous miles of trails on BdC property. You'll be in awe the entire time.

The turtles are the problem. That is a very specialized "see" requiring a trip to a particular area. I read an above reference to Ostional, but honestly, I've always thought it was Playa Grande that was absolutely best for leatherbacks Dec.-March. Point is: you're going to give up some travel time getting to the turtle nesting area just for that one activity (and beach and SOME wildlife, none guaranteed). And no guarantees on the turtle viewing either.

Having been to all those places, if I were in your shoes, I'd check on availability at BdC, and if they have an oceanview cabina available, standard or deluxe, I'd grab it so fast somebody's head would be spinning--and combine it with a few days at Arenal. That said, anything you do, anywhere you go, you'll have an awesome time. The entire country is delightful.

http://www.costarica-nationalparks.c...iferefuge.html

This site talks about the arribadas of the Olive Ridley at Ostional July-December. It doesn't mention leatherbacks in March.

Just looked at the site for Bosque del Cabo and it is incredible, but at $165 per night per person, it is quite a bit out of our price range.
As for turtles, isn't Nosara just a few miles south of Playa Grande? We were looking between the two for lodging.

Two more options: a garden cabina at BdC, though still pricey at $125 pp, I think, and no ocean view or breeze. Or try other, less remote properties on the Osa. Las Cabinas is one. That was where we stayed our first trip, and we were blown away by the beauty and wildlife. It was $60 pp a few years ago, meals included. More basic, and doesn't have the sheer diversity of wildlife, but still amazing.

Points to keep in mind: The price includes all meals and use of the extensive trail system. We all have our personal rationale for paying so much ;0 Mine is that we "renting" a piece of paradise which we could never afford on our own, rather than impacting on the precious remaining Osa property.Also, we are supporting the ecologically-sound practices the owners have adopted.

Believe me, I felt exactly as you do my first trip - no way was I ever going to be forking out that much money!

Oops, a typo. Meant to say " Cabinas Las Caletas" !

If you're really into wildlife, another option is Tortuguero. We really loved that area. You won't be there in turtle season, but the wildlife is pretty amazing. We saw howlers, capuchin, and spider monkeys, crocs, river otters, toucans, a boa, blue morphos, caimans, roseate spoonbills and other cool birds. Lots of poison dart frogs too. Two nights in the area is about right, and the lodges will handle food and transportation for you. The accommodations in the area are pretty basic, but we loved it there. The canal experience is pretty unique.

The little beach at Tulemar is fabulous!

We love that little beach at Tulemar, and have really enjoyed the lower part of Villa MotMot. It is a very nice accomodation. At $125 per night (July) we thought we'd found a great bargain, breakfast included. Both times we've stayed there, we've seen so much wildlife on the property that we didn't even bother to venture into the park, having already done that a couple of times.

I know BdC is so expensive. Believe me, that gives us pause as well. But having stayed that first time (back when it was $125 pp, seemed bad enough at the time) and having experienced all this property offers, we have since considered it a worthy splurge for, as cattail says, that little bit of paradise.