Costa Rica Itinerary Suggestions

[yourmom]

For any of you that have been and can suggest an itinerary (or blog/website/travel page) that would be great. We're thinking of going in February (though are flexible, can be Jan - Mar), for about 10 days.

(the search function is giving me an error right now)

[mx27]

i was in costa rica in june. i visited the following:

1) pacuare lodge for two nights. highly recommend! it's a jungle lodge and you have the option to white water raft to and from the lodge.

2) arenal for two nights. i don't recommend the hotel i stayed at, however, i had a nice time. horseback riding, nature hike, natural springs, waterfall.

3) manuel antonio for two nights. i stayed at arenas del mar. highly recommend! i visited manuel antonio state park and lounged on the beach.

flew into and out of san jose.

[travelingjen]

I went to Costa Rica for 8 nights last year with my friend and we visited Nosara and La Fortuna/Arenal. I have two entries in my travel blog on the trip here:

La Fortuna and Arenal

Nicoya and Nosara

[ILikeSloths]

We went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon a couple of years ago in late June for 8 nights. We had a great time!

We spent the first 5 nights at Arenas del Mar resort in Manuel Antonio. Loved the hotel and loved the area. It's beautiful with rainforest meeting the shoreline and wildlife everywhere. We lounged on the beach and went hiking in MA National Park.

We stayed in the Arenal region for the last 3 nights and had a blast doing several excursions. We hiked near the volcano, did Sky Trek ziplining, Tabacon hot springs, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and La Fortuna waterfall. Seeing the volcano erupt at night was awesome. I wouldn't recommend the resort (Arenal Nayara) -- the rooms were gorgeous but there were many problems and there are better options for accommodations in the area, IMO.

We enjoyed both areas and it was the perfect amount of time for us in each. Since you're going to be there a few more days then I'd probably do 3 locations total. I've heard good things about the cloud forest in Monteverde, but I've also heard great things about the Osa Peninsula and some other beaches in the Central Pacific. There are so many options and each area is very different so I'd do a bunch of research to see what fits your interests. Let me know if you have any questions!

[chicago]

I'd do:

- 3 nights in the cloud forest - check out El Silencio Lodge (do some hiking, some mud massages, some horseback riding, hang out in your hot tub while you watch the misty fog roll in)

- 3 nights in Arenal (go whitewater rafting, ziplining, waterfall rappelling, visit the hot springs)

- 4 nights in the Osa Peninsula - we loved Lapa Rios, which was absolutely amazing

[marshian85]

We went in December 2009. Our itinerary was:

1 Nights Pacuare Jungle Lodge - Absolutely amazing! Best whitewater rafting I've ever done.
2 Nights Arenal - Stayed at the Arenal Observatory Lodge.
2 Nights Monteverde - Stayed at Rustic Lodge.
2 Nights Manual Antonio - Stayed at La Posada Jungle Bungalows.

When we went, the volcano was very active so we really enjoyed being on the active side at the Observatory Lodge. I hear it's not so active now, so it might make more sense to stay somewhere closer to town.

[yourmom]

Thank you everyone! This gives me a great place to start.

[Deleted]

We did it 2 Christmases ago and this is what we did:

1 night San Jose

4 nights Manuel Antonio www.hotels.com/ho145194/la-mariposa-hotel-quepos-costa-rica/

2 nights Arenal The hotel that we stayed at there was eh and I wouldn't really recommend it

6 nights Tamarindo www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g309253-d293489-Reviews-Hotel_Tamarindo_Diria_Beach_Golf_Resort-Tamarindo_Province_of_Guanacaste.html

[juliabug]

Aug 2, 2012 0:08:14 GMT -5 ILikeSloths said:

We went to Costa Rica for our honeymoon a couple of years ago in late June for 8 nights. We had a great time!

We spent the first 5 nights at Arenas del Mar resort in Manuel Antonio. Loved the hotel and loved the area. It's beautiful with rainforest meeting the shoreline and wildlife everywhere. We lounged on the beach and went hiking in MA National Park.

We stayed in the Arenal region for the last 3 nights and had a blast doing several excursions. We hiked near the volcano, did Sky Trek ziplining, Tabacon hot springs, Arenal Hanging Bridges, and La Fortuna waterfall. Seeing the volcano erupt at night was awesome. I wouldn't recommend the resort (Arenal Nayara) -- the rooms were gorgeous but there were many problems and there are better options for accommodations in the area, IMO.

We enjoyed both areas and it was the perfect amount of time for us in each. Since you're going to be there a few more days then I'd probably do 3 locations total. I've heard good things about the cloud forest in Monteverde, but I've also heard great things about the Osa Peninsula and some other beaches in the Central Pacific. There are so many options and each area is very different so I'd do a bunch of research to see what fits your interests. Let me know if you have any questions!

It's been a really long time, so I can't make any suggestions other than that I love love loved the Tabacon hot springs. If it works out, do it toward the end of your trip. It is so relaxing.

[jewel]

We went a couple of years ago, in January. The weather was wonderful.

Others have made great recommendations. I would suggest splitting your time in half, between Arenal and a beach town. We stayed at a Hilton AI in Papagayo (http://www.hiltonpapagayoresort.com/en/home.html). It was very beautiful, but I would have liked to stay in town, specifically in Tamarindo.

Costa Rica is such a beautiful country with a variety of things to do and places to stay. Your personal preferences (busy, laid back, in town, AI, etc) play a huge role in choosing the best location. However you split it, I think you'll get a great experience if you see the beach and the volcano.

[Deleted]

My absolute most favorite place in CR

in La Paz www.waterfallgardens.com/

[blackkitty]

I just went in June ot the Manuel Antonio area. We only stayed for 6 days so we stayed in that area. We stayed here and it was great because we had our own villa and it had a private beach
www.buenavistaluxuryvillas.com/

We went hiking in the park (get a guide if you go b/c you will see more animals), ziplining and white water rafting. Beautiful country and awesome trip!