My boyfriend and I are leaving to Costa Rica in a few days. I still have not completely booked our hotels and stuff. I'm having trouble making up my mind. Can someone please help?

I have a plane ticket and a rental car. We are flying into San Jose. We would like to avoid staying in San Jose and head on over to Monteverde, however we don't have a 4x4 rental because it's too expensive. I suppose that rules out staying there? Everyone says you can't get there without a 4x4 vehicle. We wanted to stay there for 2 nights then stay at Tobocan Hot Springs for 1 night. Then spend our last 3 nights in Manuel Antonio.

Is Monteverde worth visiting? Can you get there somehow from Arenal by a tour? I am very set on staying at the Tobocan Hot Springs for one night, however it is out of our price range...is it worth it?

Would you suggest staying in the Arenal area for 2 or 3 nights (Maybe at a more budget hotel for 1 or 2 nights and then Tobocan for 1 night? We would like to do a Canopy Tour and possibly horseback riding...should we do this is Arenal? Monteverde? Where?

The last part of our trip we want to be at the beach. I have been told to stay in Manuel Antonio, is it better then Tarimindo?

I have fell in love with 3 hotels in Manuel Antonio, but I wonder if I'm being silly wanting a nice hotel when most people don't spend that much time in their hotel. I like Hotel Parador, La Mariposa and Si Como No. Is it stupid to pay for these type of hotels? Do you spend much time in your hotel? If we didn't stay in those are there any other hotels you suggest?

The last thing we would like to do is the white river rafting...Is Manuel Antonio a good place for this? Or would you suggest another area?

Sorry I'm so overwhelmed. The more I research the more confused I become!

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

My first and last suggestion is to post this on the Latin America forum.

Hey Gardylou, you don't have to get snotty.

Moi?

Sorry I have never done this before and I didn't realize I posted it on the US one sorry thanks for letting me know!

Canibosh, if you are going to drive around Costa Rica yourself, you really should have a 4x4 vehicle. The roads there are the worst we have ever experienced anywhere and we were there in the dry season. You will be there in the rainy season, which makes the potholes worse.

Good idea to avoid staying overnight in San Jose. The countryside is breathtakingly beautiful. I would like to suggest a place we fell in love with, about a 20 minute drive from San Jose: http://www.vistadelvalle.com/ Their cottages are only $150/night. It is a coffee/citrus plantation overlooking a nature preserve. The owners are Californians, and he was a former peace corps worker who fell in love with Costa Rica. They pick you up from the airport and will even arrange a car rental for you. You might want to check what price they can offer you on a 4x4. They will discuss your plans with you and give you great advice.

It was worth staying in exotic accomodations there because even the most beautiful weren't expensive by the rest of the world's standards. Villa Caletas was breathtaking. http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/caletas.htm
We did love Si Como No as well, try to get a front cottage where your only view is the ocean and the jungle. Monkeys come swing in the trees every afternoon.

Regarding Arenal, Tabacon Springs is fantastic, a must see. But you don't have to sleep there. The volcano views are much more dramatic from Arenal Lodge and the rustic cabins are cheap. It's a bit of a drive, but worth it to see the volcano at night while you are in bed.

The biggest problem for us was to find our way around. The streets are not well marked. Get a good map!

You are in for an adventure of a lifetime. Have a great trip! Be sure to post a trip report when you get back, OK?