Trying to work out an itinerary for CR in Nov.
Sep 9th, 2005, 01:41 PM
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Trying to work out an itinerary for CR in Nov.
Husband and I plan to go to CR in November. I have been left with the planning of the trip, since he works full time. Therefore, I have been doing nothing but reading all I can for the last month on anything and everything I can get my hands onto on the topic of CR. We sort of jumped into this with both feet and got a pretty good deal from Travelocity. We chose the Hotel Punta Leona. I may regret that now, but thats a done deal.
We arrive at 2pm on a Tuesday, and plan to get our luggage, go thru customs, get our rental 4wd, and then drive to Punta Leona. Which I have been told is north of Jaco, and not a good idea to drive there that time of the evening. However, we are going to wing it. If we feel like stopping somewhere along the way and stay the night, we will do that.
My problem is trying to decide whats the best way to organize the itinerary. We want to use Punta Leona as our base and do day trips,, maybe even an overnighter or two.
Here is what we would like to include in our next 7 days:
Arenal volcano ---maybe spend the night there
Monteverde Cloud forest
Aerial tram ride
Manuel Antonio
We will be driving ourselves and probably not getting a guide. But if circumstances arrise and we find one, then thats ok too.
Also, we are leaving our options open about maybe extending the vacation a few days and going on over to the Caribbean side. I was thinking if we do that can we just turn in our rental car the day we already planned, and make plans from the airport last minute to go over there?
I suppose I am just looking for a little input. I am open to all suggestions. PLease forgive my ignorance, I am trying to learn all the locations..but it is hard to do by just reading. I feel like it would be easier if I were there.
Thanks for any suggestions..Mary Jane
We arrive at 2pm on a Tuesday, and plan to get our luggage, go thru customs, get our rental 4wd, and then drive to Punta Leona. Which I have been told is north of Jaco, and not a good idea to drive there that time of the evening. However, we are going to wing it. If we feel like stopping somewhere along the way and stay the night, we will do that.
My problem is trying to decide whats the best way to organize the itinerary. We want to use Punta Leona as our base and do day trips,, maybe even an overnighter or two.
Here is what we would like to include in our next 7 days:
Arenal volcano ---maybe spend the night there
Monteverde Cloud forest
Aerial tram ride
Manuel Antonio
We will be driving ourselves and probably not getting a guide. But if circumstances arrise and we find one, then thats ok too.
Also, we are leaving our options open about maybe extending the vacation a few days and going on over to the Caribbean side. I was thinking if we do that can we just turn in our rental car the day we already planned, and make plans from the airport last minute to go over there?
I suppose I am just looking for a little input. I am open to all suggestions. PLease forgive my ignorance, I am trying to learn all the locations..but it is hard to do by just reading. I feel like it would be easier if I were there.
Thanks for any suggestions..Mary Jane
Sep 9th, 2005, 06:41 PM
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Your task is challenging! 
At least in 7 days.
Don't worry about driving to Punta Leona--shouldn't be a problem as it is just a couple of hours from the airport. Be sure you have good directions. We've been to Jaco and on down to Manuel Antonio a few times, but I really don't know exactly where Punta Leona is. Surely there are signs--just can't remember. You won't need to spend the night on the way.
Manuel Antonio for a day trip is no problem. You can be there in an hour and a half, more or less. Plan to arrive as early as possible because you'll have the best chance of wildlife viewing in the park early in the morning--closed on Mondays. Hire a guide at the park entrance--he'll spot way more than you can!
Arenal and Monteverde a different story. You shouldn't even consider Monteverde unless you can spend at least 2 nights there. The drive up there is just too strenuous to warrant anything less.
Arenal is a good overnighter, though. It will take you about 5 hours to get there, so you'll definitely want to spend the night. It would be nice if you could stay there 2 nights because of the drive time. You'll really only have 2 half days there. At best.
You'd enjoy the Caribbean if you can swing a few extra days--as many as 4. Again, the drive time can eat up whole days!
Enjoy!
At least in 7 days.Don't worry about driving to Punta Leona--shouldn't be a problem as it is just a couple of hours from the airport. Be sure you have good directions. We've been to Jaco and on down to Manuel Antonio a few times, but I really don't know exactly where Punta Leona is. Surely there are signs--just can't remember. You won't need to spend the night on the way.
Manuel Antonio for a day trip is no problem. You can be there in an hour and a half, more or less. Plan to arrive as early as possible because you'll have the best chance of wildlife viewing in the park early in the morning--closed on Mondays. Hire a guide at the park entrance--he'll spot way more than you can!
Arenal and Monteverde a different story. You shouldn't even consider Monteverde unless you can spend at least 2 nights there. The drive up there is just too strenuous to warrant anything less.
Arenal is a good overnighter, though. It will take you about 5 hours to get there, so you'll definitely want to spend the night. It would be nice if you could stay there 2 nights because of the drive time. You'll really only have 2 half days there. At best.
You'd enjoy the Caribbean if you can swing a few extra days--as many as 4. Again, the drive time can eat up whole days!
Enjoy!
Sep 10th, 2005, 06:27 AM
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Truly don't attempt to go to Monteverde and Arenal for daytrips. You really need to stay at least 2 nights in each of these places, or else you will miss so much.
Yes there were signs marking the entrance to Punta Leona, I also remember signs near there for Villa Caletas and Arenal Pacifico (sp). You say that Punta Leona is a done deal. Is there no cancellation policy?
If you got a really killer deal, then keep it and abandon your room for overnights to the other areas you want to visit. On our first trip we booked an AI up on the North Pacific coast at a killer deal, that afforded us this opportunity. We had a home base to return to, when necessary, at an incredibly inexpensive rate.
I really hate to be negative, and have weighed my thoughts on this one overnight. So, everyone has their own personal reasons for booking different places, and certainly something about Punta Leona was attractive to you. As something about this place was attractive to me a few years back. So, know that Punta Leona is a gated community, with many of the cabins packed tightly together. We were in a cabin, with views of other cabins, no forest, no water, just concrete paths and cabins. I assumed these cabins would be on a hill, but were on flat land. (after looking at their website we had a Selvamar room) It reminded me more of a church camp. They do however have an onsight, well stocked store, a souvenir shop, and a pretty decent restaurant. We were booked there for 3 nights, mainly due to a few good reports, however upon arriving it just was not what I had experienced in CR or wanted to experience, we stayed one night and left the next morning. We prefer small intimate places with stunning views of water or forest, wildlife and less people.
OK so now I have drank 2 cups of coffee before I hit POST, because I truly do know exactly how much time goes into planning a trip and do not want to cause you additional frustration. But wanted you to understand the lay out of Punta Leona, then maybe you will not be shocked or disappointed. Hopefully there are a few buidings with a view, and that you have one of those (if that is important to you).
There are some that will fault me with this recommendation, because yes CR travel can be planned and booked on your own, however I still feel it is sometimes a good thing to use a travel professional that specializes in specific destinations for first time trips. One that I have great confidence in, although I did not heed his advice on this particular trip! Is Pat Hewitt of Costa Rica Travel Exchange. http://www.truecostarica.com/index.html
Yes there were signs marking the entrance to Punta Leona, I also remember signs near there for Villa Caletas and Arenal Pacifico (sp). You say that Punta Leona is a done deal. Is there no cancellation policy?
If you got a really killer deal, then keep it and abandon your room for overnights to the other areas you want to visit. On our first trip we booked an AI up on the North Pacific coast at a killer deal, that afforded us this opportunity. We had a home base to return to, when necessary, at an incredibly inexpensive rate.
I really hate to be negative, and have weighed my thoughts on this one overnight. So, everyone has their own personal reasons for booking different places, and certainly something about Punta Leona was attractive to you. As something about this place was attractive to me a few years back. So, know that Punta Leona is a gated community, with many of the cabins packed tightly together. We were in a cabin, with views of other cabins, no forest, no water, just concrete paths and cabins. I assumed these cabins would be on a hill, but were on flat land. (after looking at their website we had a Selvamar room) It reminded me more of a church camp. They do however have an onsight, well stocked store, a souvenir shop, and a pretty decent restaurant. We were booked there for 3 nights, mainly due to a few good reports, however upon arriving it just was not what I had experienced in CR or wanted to experience, we stayed one night and left the next morning. We prefer small intimate places with stunning views of water or forest, wildlife and less people.
OK so now I have drank 2 cups of coffee before I hit POST, because I truly do know exactly how much time goes into planning a trip and do not want to cause you additional frustration. But wanted you to understand the lay out of Punta Leona, then maybe you will not be shocked or disappointed. Hopefully there are a few buidings with a view, and that you have one of those (if that is important to you).
There are some that will fault me with this recommendation, because yes CR travel can be planned and booked on your own, however I still feel it is sometimes a good thing to use a travel professional that specializes in specific destinations for first time trips. One that I have great confidence in, although I did not heed his advice on this particular trip! Is Pat Hewitt of Costa Rica Travel Exchange. http://www.truecostarica.com/index.html
Sep 10th, 2005, 06:42 AM
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Thanks for the advise shillmac. I agree we should stay over night in some of the more distant locations. That is not a problem. We will probably venture off to Arenal and Monteverde for three nights. I think staying in that area and getting it donw without driving back to our original hotel will save us time.
Certainly there is no problem leaving our hotel room empty for days. After all, its already paid for. I guess a word with the front desk will clear that up. Sorry if I'm thinking out loud here. Things are finally coming into focus.
I have planned a lot of trips before. To me its the most stressful part. I want everything to go smoothly..or somewhat!
I have been told that the drive from SJO to Punta Leona was undoable. But we are not letting that stop us. My husband is fearless, a great driver, a mechanic, and very big! GLad to get reassurance that we should be OK.
ANY more input from you knowledgable people out there? Keep it coming! Thanks, Mary Jane
Certainly there is no problem leaving our hotel room empty for days. After all, its already paid for. I guess a word with the front desk will clear that up. Sorry if I'm thinking out loud here. Things are finally coming into focus.
I have planned a lot of trips before. To me its the most stressful part. I want everything to go smoothly..or somewhat!
I have been told that the drive from SJO to Punta Leona was undoable. But we are not letting that stop us. My husband is fearless, a great driver, a mechanic, and very big! GLad to get reassurance that we should be OK.
ANY more input from you knowledgable people out there? Keep it coming! Thanks, Mary Jane
Sep 10th, 2005, 08:25 AM
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Undo-able? For whatever reason?
Dfarmer has given you excellent advice also. She is always right on with her recommendations. Had no idea Punta Leona was as she described it, and I am glad to know--for the most part, this is the type of place most try to avoid. Having said that, you are going to see lots of amazing things in CR--staying there a night or two certainly won't ruin the rest of it for you! Just enjoy everything!
How does this look?
Monday (for example): arrive, drive to PL, spend night
Tuesday, drive to Arenal (or MV)--overnight
Wednesday, overnight Arenal or MV
Thursday, overnight Arenal or MV
Friday, drive back to PL, overnight
Saturday, drive to Manuel Antonio, spend day
Saturday night, PL,
Sunday, return to SJO
Dfarmer has given you excellent advice also. She is always right on with her recommendations. Had no idea Punta Leona was as she described it, and I am glad to know--for the most part, this is the type of place most try to avoid. Having said that, you are going to see lots of amazing things in CR--staying there a night or two certainly won't ruin the rest of it for you! Just enjoy everything!
How does this look?
Monday (for example): arrive, drive to PL, spend night
Tuesday, drive to Arenal (or MV)--overnight
Wednesday, overnight Arenal or MV
Thursday, overnight Arenal or MV
Friday, drive back to PL, overnight
Saturday, drive to Manuel Antonio, spend day
Saturday night, PL,
Sunday, return to SJO
Sep 10th, 2005, 09:17 AM
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Hi .. Oh the reason I said it was undoable was that I was on a couple of other sites and asked how the drive from SJO to Jaco area would be at night. I got a lot of respponses..all of which were say "DON'T DO IT" It's too dangerous..roads are bad theives animals..you name it people were waring me not to drive that road at night. Well that does not really concern me. I think they are just chickens. Anyway we have already pretty much decided to drive there. We have done it in Mexico in the pitch black with no road signs. I will let you know afgter the trip how that goes.
Thanks for the advise dfarmer. At my time o f booking any hotel was as good as another and I was limited with time to get the good deal we did. Honestly, the airfare and hotel price package we paid for is ridiculously low. We dont plan on staying at the hotel except to sleep and maybe eat once in a while. So, like I have said, it will be a good base. From my research I can see what kind of place it is now...and yes its a done deal..no refunds..we didnt get the insurance..Shoulda, but didnt...
Also,. in reality we have 9 days, 7 full days to do what we want, I dont count travel days to and from airport.
We sill are thinking of going to the Caribbean side..seems like a waste not too. Can this be done last minute..while we are there?
Thanks for the advise dfarmer. At my time o f booking any hotel was as good as another and I was limited with time to get the good deal we did. Honestly, the airfare and hotel price package we paid for is ridiculously low. We dont plan on staying at the hotel except to sleep and maybe eat once in a while. So, like I have said, it will be a good base. From my research I can see what kind of place it is now...and yes its a done deal..no refunds..we didnt get the insurance..Shoulda, but didnt...
Also,. in reality we have 9 days, 7 full days to do what we want, I dont count travel days to and from airport.
We sill are thinking of going to the Caribbean side..seems like a waste not too. Can this be done last minute..while we are there?
Sep 10th, 2005, 01:52 PM
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From Jaco, it will take you about 7 hours to drive to the southern Caribbean areas of Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. That's allowing an hour of down time somewhere along the way for leg stretching, lunch, bathroom, etc. You could do it if you were willing to drop either Arenal or Monteverde from your schedule. It would still be a stretch and a rush, I think, without adding a couple of days--or at least 1! A good rule of thumb is 2 locations in one week, 3 in 10 days, 4 in 2 weeks, etc.
If you don't mind, spell it out a little more. What is your arrival day and departure day--and departure time? Do you have 8 nights or 9?
If you don't mind, spell it out a little more. What is your arrival day and departure day--and departure time? Do you have 8 nights or 9?
Sep 10th, 2005, 04:21 PM
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We arrive Nov 8th a Tuesday. Scheduled to leave Nov 16th. But we are open for staying few more days. I think I will have to eliminate driving so far south. But I do think Arenal MOnteverde in three days is ok? Or something in between. We only want to go to Monteverde to do the hanging bridges.
Sep 10th, 2005, 06:16 PM
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Monteverde is amazing--as is Arenal. Both are great locations. I really wish you could find a way to do 2 nights each.
You think you won't drive so far south? Are you talking about Manuel Antonio? You are so close! You have just enough time to enjoy Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and a couple of places right there near Jaco.
Check out Turu-Ba-Ri park as well as Carrara Biological Reserve, both in the area. They would make good day trips for you.
You think you won't drive so far south? Are you talking about Manuel Antonio? You are so close! You have just enough time to enjoy Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, and a couple of places right there near Jaco.
Check out Turu-Ba-Ri park as well as Carrara Biological Reserve, both in the area. They would make good day trips for you.
Sep 11th, 2005, 07:15 AM
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If you are not interested in hiking and exploring the Cloud Forest, you could always do the hanging bridges in Arenal and skip Monteverde all together.
Just keep in mind that although CR is a very small country, it takes about twice as long as you might think to get anywhere. The road to Monteverde is a very narrow, bumpy, curvy road, clinging to the side of a mountain. It can take about 2 hours to drive 20 miles. Now the views on this road are awesome.
Just keep in mind that although CR is a very small country, it takes about twice as long as you might think to get anywhere. The road to Monteverde is a very narrow, bumpy, curvy road, clinging to the side of a mountain. It can take about 2 hours to drive 20 miles. Now the views on this road are awesome.
