kiwi1677

We have plans to go to Costa Rica for nine days this coming January. We will be on our honeymoon and this will be our first trip to Costa Rica. Anything you can tell me will be most appreciated! These are the plans we have so far....
Fly into San Jose
Stay the first two nights at the Peace Lodge
Drive to Arenal and spend two nights at Arenal Paraiso.
Then Drive to Manual Antonio and stay three nights at Hotel Verde Mar.
Then Drive to San Jose and spend the last night there before flying out.

What I need to know is the driving distances between each place.

Any recommadations on inexpensive but nice places to stay our last night in San Jose (close to the airport)

Is this a good itiniery? Anything you would do differently and why?

Thank you SO SO much.
Carrie

dncee11

I think your itinerary looks fine; I beleive the drive from PL to Arenal should be about 1/2 day. From Arenal to MA plan on almost a full days drive with stops, etc. I understand there are some great places to stay around Alajuala for your last night; check with Shillmac about this. Congratulations, good luck and have fun!

greenfieldhunter

since money is a consideration I would suggest skipping the rental car and hiring private drivers(or flying legs when possible) instead

that it what we did on our CR honeymoon and liked it so much we have not rented a car in CR since

each to his own

shillmac

Congratulations!

Arenal-Manuel Antonio about 6 hours. Yes, the better part of a day!

Manuel Antonio back to the airport is about 3 hours.

Two places near the airport are our favorites, both about $50-60.

Las Orquideas (20 minutes from airport)
is a hotel with a fun bar called the Marilyn Monroe--good breakfasts--not an easy drive through town to the airport, however. 3 types of rooms ranging $50-$90, I believe.

Hotel Villa Bonita (about 5 minutes from the airport). HVB is a bed and breakfast--also a good breakfast. Owned by young Tico couple, Humbeerto and Carmen--great people--an old 2 story house, remodeled. Internet access, even in the rooms, and some rooms have tubs--a rarety in CR! $50 tops. The more we stay at HVB, the better we like it. But we always go over to Las Orquideas for a couple of hours at the bar!

Yes, to each his own! We prefer driving--always have.

shillmac

Oh my, the typos! It certainly isn't HumBEERto! His name is Humberto!

Kennedy3

Peace Lodge to Arenal is less than 2 hours.

kiwi1677

Thank you so much for the advice and input. After reading so many other posts, I am really getting excited for Costa Rica!!