susan300

Is there any reason to go to Manuel Antonio and Drake Bay. Seems to me they are too similar. If there are definite differences can you please let me know? Also, if you had to choose one - would it be Arenal or Monteverde? Thank you

volcanogirl

Manuel Antonio and Drake Bay would be very different. Manuel Antonio has a lot of hotel and restaurant choices, one of the most popular national parks in the country, tons of adventure activities, and wildlife that's fairly used to human contact. Drake Bay is more undeveloped with that get away from it all feeling; lots of wildlife, but not in constant contact with people. Manuel Antonio is going to give you all the amenities like air conditioning, etc. Drake Bay is going to give you more of a jungle experience. Just depends on your preference. If you go to Manuel Antonio, I'd recommend staying somewhere with their own beach like Tulemar Bungalows. We saw tons of wildlife on the property too.

Between Arenal and Monteverde, we love the Arenal area for the volcano, tons of adventure activities, the lake, river tours, waterfall and natural hot springs. Monteverde is nice if you want to see the cloud forest, have a cooler weather pattern (we wore fleece at night), and go birding to see quetzals, etc. The Monteverde area tends to be more rustic than the Arenal area and will give you fewer hotel choices.

susan300

thank you. While I will be traveling on my own, my tendency is always to go for the less developed area. Having said that I will check out Tulemar Buglaows. Arenal sounds like the place to go.

volcanogirl

If you want the less developed area, you may love Monteverde. We stayed at Fonda Vela and liked it. We've never had a big desire to go back to Monteverde, but birders love it. Drake Bay would probably be more your style than MA. In the Arenal area, we love the Lost Iguana. It's set away from town so very quiet and jungly feeling. Silencio del Campo is popular if you want to be closer to town.

RAC

Drake Bay is a lot more untamed, but has fewer lodging/dining options. It's also expensive due to the remoteness. But, it does give you boat access to Sirena station in the heart of Corcovado, as well as maybe the best diving/snorkeling in Costa Rica.

Arenal vs Monteverde, Monteverde is less developed, unless you stay at the Arenal Observatory Lodge,a which is in a very remote area with lots of wildlife and hiking (but far from town and good restaurants).

volcanogirl

If you like undeveloped areas, you might take a look at Selva Verde. We saw some nice wildlife there, and there's some good hiking.