Cathy

I am just beginning to plan a summer trip with our 19 &amp; 21 year old sons. We will be in CR about 9 days,so 3 places are probably the most we will do. We definitely want one beach site with some nightlife and excitement--adventure and wildlife for the other two. Any suggestions? Also, is there one summer month that's better than <BR>the others?

Iza

Cathy, we travelled to CR twice with our daughter in August and had a great time both times.<BR>With 9 days you have several options. First of all bear in mind that you may have to spend the first and last night near San Jose. So that really leaves you with 7 days. Squeezing 3 destinations into 7 days may be tough.<BR>I would say pick Tamarindo as your beach destination. I think your sons would enjoy it, especially if they surf. Another good option for a fun beach destination would be Manuel Antonio. <BR>So a possible itinerary could be: 2 nights at Arenal, 2 nights at Monteverde and 3 nights in Tamarindo.<BR>Another option would be to combine Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Or Osa Penninsula and Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo.<BR>Do some reading about the places I mentioned and see which appeals most to you and your family.

Sandy Schaub

I agree your son's would enjoy Tamarindo. Nice little beach town. We stayed there last March for 9 day's. Loved it. Flamingo is right up the road too. They have sailing trips for the day out of the Pasitiempo Hotel where we stayed. Lovely little hotel and quite cheap. check it out. Owners name is Ron. Great guy from the states. He took us on the sailing trip. Fabulous. Good Luck<BR>Sandy

Marilynn

Cathy,<BR>The later you go in the summer the more rain and storms you will have as that is their rainy season. My husband and I were there end of June to July 12th and had some severe storms in Tamarindo and Osa Peninsula. If you like adventure take the Highway from San Jose to Jaco, then to Dominical, and on to Osa Peninsula - beautiful. We stayed at Parrot Bay Club - new Charleston, SC owners showed us a marvelous time. Had a guide take us to the rainforest way out at end of Gulfo Dulce. Saw four diff. types of monkeys. I'd really plan on early summer as Aug./Sept is really rainy. The first 3 weeks of july is their school winter recess. <BR>I was there in Feb. with friends and it just so happened that one of my sons was surfing for a couple of months in Mal Pais (southern tip of Nicoya Peninsula)so we went across to visit for 3 days and loved it - kinda remote - but terrific surf and a guy named Frank has nice cabinas which are at end of road - great, with a pool and restaurant. We loved the area. Cheap too. Your boys will meet all the surfers here - also in Tamarindo there are alot of &quot;coming and going&quot; to all the different surf beaches surfers. Great restaurants and fun town. I will be there this summer again as I bought a place so am looking forward to enjoying the life. It's easy going, not like here in Connecticut/NY area. If you fly into San Jose go on up to Arenal Volcano for a nite and then to Monteverde CLoud Forest. Pot hole Haven road but interesting area - do the &quot;Zip-Trek&quot; trip across the canopy there - boys will love it. I was scared at first but loved the experience. We stayed at Hotel Montana - quaint but reasonable. Loved the bar tender - we left here and went to Mal Pais and stayed at Franks, then went to Jaco (nightlife here) ask for the Jungle Cafe restaurant on main road - great &amp; cheap. Californian owns it - best tuna for 6 bucks a meal. Poseidon restaurant is also very good. We then went to Manuel antonio for a couple days - stayed at Karahe Hotel on beach with the capuchin monkeys playing on bar roof around 5 o'clock every day. Hope this is helpful. Marilynn

Scott

Dear Cathy,<BR><BR>I'm living in Manuel Antonio right now and think your sons would enjoy it (I'm 22). There's great beaches here along with some good nightlife, bars, clubs, places to listen to live music, etc. Plus you have lots of wildlife, beautiful beaches, and hiking at the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park. Tamarindo is a fun area too, though, especially if your sons are surfers or want to learn how to surf. Good luck.<BR><BR>Scott<BR>Hotel California