<p>I’ve been a reader for years but not much of a poster and have always been impressed by the knowledge in the C.C. group so thought I would broach a question. We’ve cashed in all our frequent flyer miles for a family vacation with our three children who are college age/college grads and who’ve been able to clear a week out of their schedule for this trip. We’re flying in and out of San Jose and have a week scheduled for February. With this well travelled group, has anyone travelled to Costa Rica and have any suggestions on where to stay and what to see? We know we’ll want to spend time on the beach!</p>
<p>I have never been to Costa Rica but from what I have heard from others who travelled to that part of the world is first and foremost, keep your travel documents especially your passports with you at all times . Have the hotel lock them in a safe and give you an itemized receipt for what you gave them.Losing your travel documents in these parts of the globe can turn your “vacation” into a “nightmare” and you will only have yourself to blame in the end.Go to travelstate.gov.and see what they have about COSTA RICA.Good luck and I hope you enjoy your STAY(lol).LIONEL</p>
<p>I am also planning a Costa Rica vacation, in March. Just me and my husband, though. So I’m also interested in people’s suggestions!</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Arenal area: Lost Iguana. Prettiest place I’ve ever been. Imagine sitting on your patio (or being in th hot tub on your patio) with a volcano in the background, a stream in the foreground, toucans, monkeys…</p></li>
<li><p>Manuel Antonio - several good choices . Lots of folks like Si Como No. Read about your options on Trip Advisor.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>If you go to fodors.com and do a thread search under missypie, you will find several reports of our trip to Costa Rica.</p>
<p>La Paloma Lodge on the Osa *****ula near cano Island and Corcovado National Park. Wonderful staff, great food, a part of Costa Rica that is not over developed! It is an not the place for you if you want drinks with umbrellas delivered to your beach chair. Our kids had a great time and would love to go back. Rates include all meals, some excursions with educated guides, airfare from San Jose to Drake Bay. Resort is reachable only by small boat. The villas are tastefully decorated with great views. Great verandas with a hammock.
We stayed one night in San Jose and went river rafting for the day. It was a great trip. We stayed 6 nights and the kids were not bored. If you go don’t miss the night bug lady walk.</p>
<p>My son just got back from this trip with Spanish students from his h.s. Here were some highlights he enjoyed and would recommend. I was surprised he liked the coffee tour but he said it was kind of amazing. (Descriptions from the pre-trip brochure.)</p>
<p>DAY THREE – River Cruise/Optional Canopy
Panoramic drive via exuberant Braulio Carrillo National Park. Upon arrival at the Sarapiqui River, cruise through the magnificent rainforest as you witness tropical birds, monkeys, sloth, lizards and caiman. Canyon, landing right by the reception building. Following lunch, consider a popular option to Hacienda Pozo Azul, a 400 acre, protected forest where 12 cables and 14 platforms have been installed. This canopy ride has double cable in each zip line. The tour ends with a spectacular 330 ft. line that crosses the Sarapiqui River Canyon, landing right by the reception building, $35. </p>
<p>DAY FOUR - Arenal Hot Springs
A delightful drive through the highlands leads to Arenal, Costa Rica’s most active volcano. Lunch is included today. Visit a hot springs recreational area. Swim in one of nature’s therapeutic pools, stroll the botanical gardens, and witness the spectacular fiery display from an observation point at sunset. </p>
<p>DAY FIVE – Caf</p>
<p>Tortuguero, hands down, was our favorite part of our trip to Costa Rica. A little rustic but awesome.</p>
<p>Places we love in Costa Rica:
Beaches inside Manuel Antionio National Park(there is a pricey but absolutely gorgeous hotel near there called La Mariposa)
Cahuita beaches on the Caribbean side, both white and black sand beaches
Monteverde cloud forest
Arenal volcano
Tortuguero</p>
<p>It’s a fantastic vacation to take with teenagers and young adults-Enjoy!</p>
<p>We took a family vacation to Costa Rica about 10 years ago – D & S were in elementary school. Arenal and nearby Tabacon Springs, and Monteverde Cloud Forest were highlights. We also spent some time at Pacific side beaches, staying with a business associate of H’s. We actually went from Arenal to Monteverde by horseback (our bags were transported by the ride operator), which was a fun experience. When we were there the roads were all horrible, and driving was a not-so-fun adventure. We didn’t rent a car – we had a driver take us from the San Jose area (where we spent 1 night after arriving) to Arenal, then the horseback ride, then H’s associate picked us up at Monteverde, drove us to his home, and, several days later, back to the airport. Oh, we also went zip-lining in Monteverde. That was lots of fun and a real kid pleaser!</p>
<p>We did one long and two shorter trips to CR. Really liked the Monteverde area; were disappointed in Arenal/Tabacon. I remember talking to an Englishman who’d made 3-4 trips to Arenal and swore it didn’t actually exist. It’s usually covered in clouds, so while you can hear the volcano, many people go there and never actually see the lava flow. Tabacon was pretty enough, but so tourist-y compared to every other place we visited in the country. It seemed really odd after spending time in more native areas.</p>
<p>We finished our first trip and spent our entire second and third trips on the Nicoya peninsula in a little town called Nosara. Playa Guiones allegedly has the most consistently surf-able waves in the hemisphere. It was perfect for us–small, walkable, fair number of ex-pats (a Va Tech alum owns a surf shop there). Stayed in our own lovely little house at Harbor Reef Lodge (also owned by an American). I’d go back in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Thanks so much for all the ideas, you’ve given me lots of information to get started with!</p>
<p>S and I took a Caravan tour when he was 12. Thought you might find their itinerary a good starting point.</p>
<p>[Costa</a> Rica Tours | All Inclusive, Fully Escorted](<a href=“Costa Rica Tours - 8 Days $895”>Costa Rica Tours - 8 Days $895)</p>
<p>This takes you through varied and beautiful sections of the country. Also check out which hotels Caravan uses since the ones we were assigned to were beautiful!</p>
<p>A couple of points - in country air travel is not regulated by international standards, you may want to think twice about using it. You can get to Tortuguero Park for example, by water taxi. Also, I don’t remember what the speed limit is (seems to me it is under 55 mph), but DO NOT SPEED, the penalties are very harsh.</p>
<p>Manuel Antonio is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica. You can hire a guide for the hikes, but it is not necessary. You will see lots of monkeys, butterflies, sloths. On your way back from the park stop at El Avion restaurant for food and refreshments, the view is incredible and the place has a great story. The Blue Monkey is another good restaurant. The Damas tour and ATV tours are excellent out of nearby Quepos.</p>
<p>There are lots of great hotels, but another good one is Tulemar bungalows. Good security, lots of space for families and it has it’s own little private beach. </p>
<p>The Osa peninsula is still pretty wild and biologically intense. We stayed at a place called Casa Corcovado which borders the National Park and reminded me of a wild, rustic “Fantasy Island.” Luxury bungalows and some of the best service I’ve ever had in CR, but be warned; the howler monkeys will wake you up at 4am, well, howling, and you will want to shake the tarantulas out of your shoes out before putting them on. That said, it was one of my favorite places I have ever been.</p>
<p>The new road from San Jose to Quepos (yay! no potholes!) travels much faster than the old road, “el aguacate.” We have always rented a car when we go and have always felt safe, but there is transportation provided by most hotels and tour operators. You should be aware of petty theft and if you leave stuff lying around or visible in your car, even if it’s locked, it will probably be gone. Ticos are some of the loveliest, most polite people you will meet and they are very accommodating to tourists and speak excellent English, but they are very sweet about helping the you practice their language. They do not roll their “r’s” and according to my H, easier to understand than Spanish from some other countries.</p>
<p>Pura Vida! Enjoy your trip!</p>