bodhijack

3 nts in MA & fortuna, 2 in monteverde. what w/b the best day-time activities in each location?

laratada

I went to Arenal last May and there are tons of activities to enjoy. I recommend checking out the Tabacon Hot Springs, hiking in the rainforest parks next to the Arenal Volcano, and checking out the waterfall in La Fortuna. We were only in Moteverde for a day but had an awesome time doing the zip wire and suspended bridge tours. Costa Rica is very laid back and is great for adventure or relaxing. Have fun!

LA_FadeAway

I've also heard that Cano Negro is a good day trip from Arenal. How are the hanging bridges there? Has anyone done those. If we plan to do the hot springs, volcano hiking, Cano Negro, and possibly the hanging bridges, will 2 nights be enough or should we stay for 3?

Brent

In Monteverde, you have to go to the Monteverde Cloud forest - go early in the morning and pay the extra $10 per person for the guide (w/out a guide you will miss most things).

Also, go to the Butterfly Garden. Highly recommend it.
We also did the Sky Walk (suspension bridges) and loved it.
For eating, check out Johnny's Pizzeria and Morphos. Both great values.

gualalalisa

In Monteverde, I rented a horse with a guide (on his own horse!) for 3 hours and it was absolutely awesome!

We rode through all kinds of terrain and he pointed out all kinds of flora and fauna - just incredible.

The guide brought the horse right to the front of the lodge where I was staying and I think the whole thing cost about $25 - well worth it!

Also, I agree with Brent's suggestions.

Lovincostarica

In Manuel Antonio, you must go to the park, and as Brent said of Monteverde, spend the money and get a guide, without one you will see the monkeys, and not much else. Make sure you go early, and do NOT GO ON MONDAYS, the park is closed. Other than that, it depends on what you like to do. I highly recommend the damas island mangrove tour, lots of wildlife, monkeys will sit on you and eat bananas from your hand, and lots of other neat things on the trip. Times vary depending on the tide, so be sure to find out what time that day you need to go. Other than that, there are enough options to keep you busy for 6 months here, look at your choices, and decide what is the most appealing to you and your company. I loved the aTV tour, and we went in rainy season, and we got sooo dirty the cab made us buy garbage bags to put on the seat before he would let us in his car (and we couldnt touch anything), but for us that was a great day.
I'll give you a sample of what there is to do here. If you like fishing, Quepos is world famous for the deep sea fishing, but there is also jet ski rentals, zip lines, a butterfly farm, a night time nature walk, laying on the beach, white water rafting, it just goes on and on.
For food, Mar Luna is the best sea food resteraunt here, also one of the best resteraunts here is Escondido, its a little off the beaten path (3 blocks off the beach), but it is always a good meal at decent prices. Very helpful staff as well. If you want pizza while here, the best is Byblos pizza (but they dont' deliver), a little spendy, but good. But please remember I have been here for 3 years, and have forgotten what a great greasy pizza from home taste like, so don't get your hopes too high. For a more romantic meal go to Makanda for dinner one night, everyone loves that place. Hope that helps, Walt

shillmac

LA FadeAway
I think you will need 2 full days at the least. That may require 3 nights depending on your arrival/departure schedule! Cano Negro will take most of one day. If you do the hot springs at night, it will free up some daylight hours for you. You could probably do the Hanging Bridges AND do some hiking in one day (morning and afternoon). That's a full schedule with no down time built in, but I think it is do-able in 2 days.

katolb90

In Monteverde in January I did the horsebackride and hike to San Luis waterfall. What a great trip. It was a different type of hike than the typical preserve hikes. Rushing streams and rocks. You get to cross the stream a couple of times before you reach the absolutely HUGE waterfall. (No swimming)

The trail can be kinda wet and slippery though so I would only recommend it only if it hasn't been raining much. It was not raining when I was in Monteverde and it was still slippery in spots. You do have to be careful and I wouldn't recommend it for older people. The scenery down into the valley on the horse is beautiful and so is the hike. Ask for an english-speaking guide. It was definitely one of the highlights of my trip.