JYK

Hi everyone, I have been reading this forum for over a year and finally have plans to be in Costa Rica, Nov 20-27. Thanks for wealth of knowledge, it's been a great place to research.

We are 28 and 30, friends who are active and enjoy some night life. We finally decided on Arenal and MA and to rent a car. But I am so confused on final details! Please help, any suggestion would be great.

Arrive in SJO by noon, drive to Arenal for 2 nights, thinking of Arenal Parasio.
1. Is there a huge difference in the view b/w standard and superior rooms?
2. I want to try one of the hot springs the first night to relax from traveling. Is Tabacon worth it for only a couple of hours? I read about a few smaller/newer places.
3. Next day, we want to Skytrek and hanging bridges, would we have time to do both?

Drive to MA, spend 3 nights. MA hotel decision has been the hardest. First we liked La Colina, then Costa Verde then Villas Nicolas. Looking to spend $60-$80.
1. Latter two doesn't include breakfast, but are they more in convenient locations?
2. Nicolas doesn't have AC, are we going to need it in Nov?
3. How does efficiency vs studio rooms compare @ Costa Verde?
4. Can anyone comment on views from all three hotels?

Activities in MA: Horseback riding, ocean kayaking, hiking, also my friend wants to take a surfing lesson.
1. since there is so much I want to do, I thought instead of Skytrek @ Arenal, doing the RioSPArasio 5 in 1 tour. Is SkyTrek that much more exciting?
2. Would skipping the park for ocean kayaking defeat some purpose of visiting MA?

Drive back to San Jose for 2 nights, probably @ Orquideas Inn. We really want to try bungee jumping! Can anyone comment on this? some friends here were concerned about safety.. Last day to Poas, waterfalls, buy coffee then fly out saturday mid AM.

Thanks for your suggestions, Jo

lvk

Okay, I can answer a few of your questions.

Arenal Paraiso - We stayed in the superior room. If you're trying to save money, then I think the standard rooms would be fine. The standard bungalow buildings are slightly lower on the hill than the superiors, but the view is still good. The only other major differences are the lack of an enclosed patio, and the lack of air conditioning. If you can live without these amenities, then go for it.

We went to Tabacon after 7:30, when the rates drop, and definitely believe it was worth it. Great way to unwind after a long flight and drive! They also have some happy hour 2 for one drink specials at that time.

You will have plenty of time to do a zip line and hanging bridges in the same day. I would advise you to schedule your zip line first thing in the am. We really enjoyed the ones at AP, I don't have any experience with Skytrek.

There is a restaurant at the Hanging Bridges which gets really good reviews. You could eat lunch there and then walk it off on the hike.

In the MA area, there is a horseback riding tour on a farm that gets mentioned on this board. Wished we would have tried it, because it sounds great.

If you go into the park, I highly recommend a guide with a scope. They are very pricey, but you will not see very much wildlife without one. Ocean kayaking sounds great too. I'm not sure how good the surfing is around MA, it looked pretty calm to me.

Sounds like a great itinerary. You'll have a wonderful time.

cactushugger

JYK
You will LOVE Costa Rica. However, do allow yourself plenty of driving time from place to place. To say that the roads are not well marked is an understatement! Plan time for getting lost. You will. Having said that, I don't know about landing at SJO at noon and then driving to Aranel. Remember that it will get dark by about six oclock every night. You DEFINATELY don't want to try to find your way around in the dark. Also, everything you have read about Tico drivers being suicidal is true. Be careful...they won't.

We didn't stay at any of the hotels you mentioned. Can't help you there. I will warn you that Arenal may not live up to your expectations - though we really enjoyed our visit to the area. If you are only there for two days, it is quite possible that you won't see the top of the volcano. It is often socked in with clouds. Also, the spectacular eruption photos you may have seen in your research are VERY misleading. Arenal has not erupted like that for many years. You may be lucky to see a little lava flowing. There was one VERY small flow when we were there. Our stay there would have been a bust if that was all we were interested in. (If interested you can find out how active it has been recently. I think if you search for "volcano eruptions" you will find your way to the information.) We enjoyed hiking, bird watching, and seeing howler monkeys on our Arenal visit. But, you can see and do those things many places.

If I can give you any more info, let me know.

Gretchen

shillmac

Arriving SJO at noon, you won't have any problem getting to Arenal well before dark.

You can easily get by without AC at Arenal Paraiso--temps are cooler there than MA. However, even at MA, the evenings cool down and you might be able to do without AC there, as well. Probably could--especially if your accomodations allow for an ocean breeze.

I think everyone who goes to MA should take a guided tour through the park--it is a nice park and with a guide you'll see so much more, as IVK says. Also, don't book a tour with your hotel. Do it at the park entrance--it will cost you less $$. Have a great time! Don't worry too much about micro-details. It will all work out.

Kwoo

Hello,
We stayed at La Colina last August & were very happy with our stay there. We had an ocean-view suite with a balcony & the views were beautiful! We were told we had the best view...I think our room was #10. The grounds are very lush, the swim-up bar is small but fun, and the staff were very friendly and polite. The breakfast was delicious...you choose from about 5 meals on the menu...a nice change from buffets (although we like buffets, too). La Colina is in an excellent and convenient location. Close to both MA and Quepos.

We went horseback riding in MA and it was the highlight of our trip. The tour is with Finca Valmy. They pick you up at your hotel around 8:30am and bring you to their ranch. We went horseback riding for 3 1/2 hours through beautiful mountain scenery and rainforest, fields and through streams. We stopped at a waterfall to swim and for a snack. When we returned to the ranch, we had a delicious gourmet lunch on their beautiful veranda next to their swimming pool. There is plenty of time for a leisurely lunch and swimming in the pool. We returned to our hotel about 4:00pm. The cost for this full day, fabulous tour is $65.00, which we thought was well worth it.

We also stayed at Arenal Paraiso, which we were very happy with & we would stay there again. We did the Hanging Bridges...it takes about 2 hours & consists of 14 bridges and walking trails (for a total of 1.9 miles).

I didn't think the cost of hiring a guide for MA was high. It is $20pp or $15pp if there are 5 or more people in your group. Don't buy the hotel tours to MA; they are too expensive and not necessary. It is definitely worth it to hire a guide for the hike. You see so many more animals than you would see without the guide. The hike lasts for about 3 - 3 1/2 hours; then we spent the afternoon swimming inside the park at Playa Manuel Antonio. Beautiful beach with white sand! We booked our guide the day before for a 8:00am hike.

You will love CR!! Let us know what you decide to do.

JYK

Thanks! I'll try not to worry about micro details. I'm such a planning freak, my friend Jeff who's the complete opposite is going crazy.

I decided on SkyTrek and Hanging Bridges @ Arenal, Horseback riding, park hiking and maybe kayaking @ MA. I have to have some time to just hang out

Still undecided on the hotel options.. Thanks again!

LA_FadeAway

I stayed at Arenal Paraiso and Villas Nicolas this past July and loved them both. Villas Nicolas supposedly has AC in some units, although ours did not and it wasn't bad at all. The room hat tons of ventilation and a kicking ceiling fan. The view was great. Even though breakfast is not included, there was a man who cooked and sold breakfast down by the pool at the pool bar. I'm not sure if he's always there, but his food was awesome and cheap!

Nightime

I am going in December to Monteverde, what is the average temperature at that time (mid December) I am staying at Arenal Parasio and I am worried that we got a room w/out air conditioning?

I am also trying to find a reasonable place to stay for ONE night between Puntarenas and SJ Airport.(closer to Puntarenas) Any suggestions?

dfarmer

I don't see a waterfall in your trip itineray. Can I suggest, if you have time visit the La Fortuna Waterfall while at Arenal.
Or take the horseback trip in MA and visit the waterfalls.
All the waterfalls in CR are so beautiful.