beena

If you were I, sensitive to heat/humidity, and were going to CR in June for the first time for 7-10 days, and didn't care to spend too much time at the beach but would love a beautiful ocean view from a rental home (A/C'd), AND was mostly interested in seeing M.A., the famous volcano's everyone talks about, maybe some hot springs, sport-fishing (husband & son), jungle trek and/or ziplining ( I know there's another word for it), HB riding, jet-skiing (kids-17 & 19), and maybe river-rafting, BUT you didn't want to spend most of your precious time driving back and forth, WHAT PART OF COSTA RICA WOULD YOU STAY IN?! I am sure there is no easy, perfect answer so I guess I am wondering in what area we would be able to do MOST of what we want without the extensive traveling. I have been looking at vacation rental homes quite a bit on the internet and finding some beautiful ones to rent but after narrowing them down by the cost of the rental, the amenities, especially air conditioning, I end up with several possibilities in several different areas and I know that location, location, location is probably one of the most important factors so if you could help me narrow it down some more, I would be ETERNALLY GRATEFUL.
Thanks again, Tina

beena

Should I not even be looking at renting a house vs. hotels. I have been noticing that not many people seem to rent vacation homes, that most people move around to different hotels. Is it unrealistic to stay in one place and see the things we want? Someone please let me know-my time is running out to make reservations! Thanks again

tully

For fishing, wildlife, ziplining, horseback riding, jet skiing (would not suggest though) and river rafting, you can do all of this in Manuel Antonio and many of the hotels there have AC. But it is going to be hot, though not unbearable. In Arenal you really won't need AC. Since you only have 7-10 days that's not really long enough to warrant a rental house IMO, especially considering you'll probably have to stay in San Jose 1st & last nights unless you get great timed flights. You can fly from San Jose to MA in 20 minutes, and from San Jose either fly Nature Air to Arenal or drive/be driven, I think it's about2-3 hours.

dfarmer

beena - your interests describe a trip split between Manual Antonio and Arenal.

You cannot see Arenal and the ocean without driving.

MA and Arenal have the most activities available in CR. However there is no one central location to easily do all that you want. By splitting your trip between these two locations, you can experience everything on your wish list, with very little daily driving.

For MA you could choose to fly into Quepos or to have a driver take you and pick you up, utilize the bus, taxis and tour pickups while there. Once back to SJ pick up a rental and drive to Arenal.

As for lodgings - I would choose hotels and lodges over a home - I do not want to see a kitchen while on vacation, I fear having to cook!

beena

Thank you tully and dfarmer, I appreciate the suggestions. They are good ones. I wonder why more people do not utilize the inter-country flights vs renting cars as I notice there are tons of questions regarding the drive and roads to MA area and vicinity. Would you have an idea of the cost to fly from SJ to quepos? Do they not have flights from quepos to Arenal? or maybe there's not even an airport in arenal? Thanks for your answers.

tully

beena, check the schedules & prices on www.flysansa.com and www.natureair.com (Remember though that nature air leaves from Pavas, not SJO, about 30-45 minutes away). Nature Air just started up flights again to Arenal, you can get there from SJO or from Quepos (via SJO).

shillmac

Tina, we like driving through the country, stopping at roadside places, people watching, seeing the sights of Costa Rica from place to place. AND we like having a car once we arrive.

Arenal and MA are 2 places you can certainly get by without a car, and those who fly domestically in Costa Rica have said that it is beautiful from the air as well! Just a matter of preference, I think.

4travelers

Try Casa Girasol its a guesthouse that specializes with small groups like yours their site is http://www.geocities.com/casagirasol
Have a Great Trip