tobewed

Hi all! I've found this forum (among others) a great resource. My husband & I are planning a mid-Aug CR vacation & I just have a few questions. From researching, I think I have a pretty good idea of what we want to do, but I could use a little advice on how to go about it. We were thinking of 9 days, but we might just have to add on a few more...

I know we'd like to visit Arenal, Monteverde & Manuel Antonio. I'd also like to throw in some beach time...maybe Tamarindo? We're really interested in the zip lines, canopy tours, hiking/wildlife watching, possibly some rafting, turtle watching, the hot springs, maybe a horse ride (any recs for well treated horses, or should we avoid this altogether?) a bit of R&R, atv, etc. The catch is that we'd like to try to only stay in two cities (fly into SJ, stay there 1 night, then head to first stop for a few days, then second stop for a few days, then back to SJ to leave).

Can anyone recommend areas to stay in that might be more centrally located so we can do tours from our hotel, instead of hotel hopping every 2 days or so? You know, keep it to two cities (besides San Jose) as home base. Ideally, we'd have one rain forest hotel location (w/good day tour options) and one beach hotel location (ditto). Is that a bad idea or is it even possible? Should we just rent a car & jump from place to place? I would really appreciate any suggestions! Thanks!

acctg

I'd suggest contacting Pat Hewitt, an American travel agent who is recommended and well thought of on this forum and many others. I can personally vouch for his honesty and helpfullness. I think he has been enormously helpful for our trip, and we've ended up saving a bit of money due to his terrific advice.

www.lovescostarica.com

58smom

We were in CR over Easter. Landed San Jose, stayed 20 min. north of SJ at a place called Vista de Valle, spent 2 nights there. Loved it. Drove up to Arenal (La Fortuna) stayed for 3 nights at Tabacon- check out Montana de Feugo on the web, I think I would stay there instead. Tabacon was pricey and not very many rooms have a volcano view. Went hiking to waterfall, visited hot springs, drove up to Arenal Observ. Lodge a place worth checking out! You can do some nice hikes there. Kayaked Lake Arenal, walked around La Fortuna. We didn't get to the caves, guess I'll have to go back. Then we drove down to MA. Stayed at Tulemar bungalows... incredible. Hired a guide to take us through the Park, well worth it. Kayaked, chilled at the pool and at the beach-they have their own private beach and went on a tour of the mangrove trees (boat). Alot of wildlife in this area. There is alot to do, can line up all kinds of tours if you so desire, zip lines,rafting, deep sea fishing. You can go surfing, like I said there's alot to do anywhere in CR. Stayed in MA for 5 days, then drove back up to SJ to spend the night close to airport for early morning flight. Stayed at Finca Rosa Blanca... I was sad to only spend one night here. This place was AWESOME. Run as more of an inn or B&B style, but so different than any B&B's we've ever stayed at. Total days in CR 12 we were very happy!!
You can e-mail me for details,
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dncee11

Be sure to visit your local bookstore and pick up a CR guidebook. My personal favorite is Lonely Planet but there are many good choices including Fodor's. This will give you a view of the entire country and help you narrow your choices of places to go. Our strategy (2 different times) was to take 2 weeks, spend 1 week in a single place and then hop around 1-2 days in different places the final week. One of my all-time favorites: Villa Baulas in Playa Grande, just north of Tamarindo: A 2-rm bungalow built around a giant tree steps to the beach! Good luck and have fun! E-mail me if you want to know more.

sandyc

You can do all the adventure stuff you listed from Arenal, so I'd recommend dividing the time between Arenal and a beach . . . lots of beaches to choose from, just depends on what kind of scene you like.

Sandy

shillmac

Arenal and Manuel Antonio is a good combination for first timers. Wildlife is excellent in the park at Manuel Antonio. Also in MA there is a horseback tour company called Finca Valmy that gets great reviews--you might consider checking into it.

The Tamarindo area (and north of there near Playa Hermosa) are both nice areas to visit. Guanacaste province is one of our favorite. From there you can do day trips to places like Los Inocentes for horseback riding with a guide through tropical dry forest. Or to Rincon de la Vieja to the volcanic mud baths. Nice area for hiking, ziplines, and just enjoying the Costa Rican countryside. Perhaps it is just a bit less touristy, which might be nice.

If it's turtles you'd like to see, this is the time for nesting in Tortuguero. You could tack on a 1 or 2 night trip out of San Jose at the beginning or end of your time.

ShSue

We did a similar length trip last November. We spent the first night at the Peace Lodge, then headed to Arenal for three nights. We split the drive to MA up with a night a La Finca Que Ama, but I also would have liked to try Villablanca. Then we stayed in MA for three days. One night at Orquideas before our flight out. Nine nights... mostly two locations, with tons to see in between!

guanacaste

i agree with the above suggestions for la fortuna/ arenal:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/la_for...ome/index.html

and manuel antonio:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/manuel...ome/index.html


why are you flying to san jose, why not fly to liberia, you're 30 mins drive to the beach!
san jose is a dump, spend as little time there as possible!