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here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed



 
 
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  #11  
Old June 4th, 2007, 03:44 PM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
Doug McDonald
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 86
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed

AA wrote:
OK.
I have already booked the airlines to COSTA RICA and a car (12 full days).
Also, based on
the responses I received from this newsgroup and many web sites: We decided
to visit the
following 6 areas :
1) San Jose
2) Tortuguero National Park area
3) Arenal
4) Monteverde
5) North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste)
6) Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio).




I would suggest skipping Manuel Antonio ... it is so overused
that it is a dump. It would be a nice place if not so
overused.

You also want to visit at least one of the places with canopy
tours, typically they are on your way anyway, in the Monteverde area.

Doug McDonald
  #12  
Old June 4th, 2007, 06:29 PM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
Nick and Judy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed

I second the canopy tour in Monteverde. It is fabulous. If I recall the
drive from Monteverde to the Tabacon Hot Springs(which is in Arenal or close
to it) took 2 hours. Thats not counting the time it took to get a new rental
car when I drove/slid the car off the road near the Botanical Gardens
opposite Lake Arenal! Just remember like the others have said: what is 30
miles on the map can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to drive depending on the
road. You may have to Skip Tortuguero, and just do Arenal, Monteverde and
the Pacific Coast.


"Doug McDonald" wrote in message
...
AA wrote:
OK.
I have already booked the airlines to COSTA RICA and a car (12 full days).
Also, based on
the responses I received from this newsgroup and many web sites: We
decided to visit the
following 6 areas :
1) San Jose
2) Tortuguero National Park area
3) Arenal
4) Monteverde
5) North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste)
6) Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio).




I would suggest skipping Manuel Antonio ... it is so overused
that it is a dump. It would be a nice place if not so
overused.

You also want to visit at least one of the places with canopy
tours, typically they are on your way anyway, in the Monteverde area.

Doug McDonald


  #13  
Old June 5th, 2007, 01:57 AM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
Nick and Judy
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 38
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed

Google "Costa Rica driving times" and San Jose to Tortuguero driving times.
It says 6 hours from San Jose to Tortuguero, 3.5 hours Arenal to Monteverde,
etc. You will see it takes a lot longer than you think to get from place to
place.

"AA" wrote in message
news:3yE8i.20917$dy1.18122@bigfe9...
Thanks a lot for such an abundance of directions.
Are you sure "Tortuguero " would need 3 days? does this include Arenal as
well? I was under the impression I needed 2-3 days in Arenal?
How about driving: Even though we will be "boating" a lot in "Tortuguero",
you think we will be doing a lot of driving
Also, I was under the impression that Monteverde and Arenal are in the
same area, you have put Arenal destination on my way to the North; and
Monteverde on the way South to Jaco?

The above questions are just to make sure I understood you right and see
if you have any further comments.
I will take your advice ad visit the Flamingo beach, ay recommended
accommodations?
I heard Manuel Antonio is better area for mainly than Jaco (I heard it is
a party town).

Again: between you and janerene, you guys have been a great help for me so
far.
thanks
AA

"k" wrote in message
et...
This is a nice trip. The following are just suggestions, and I put the
longest stat in the middle so you can squeeze that part or stretch it out
to fit your wants.

Tortuguero will take a minimum of three days, and two of those days will
involve quite a bit of driving. I'll leave a lodging suggestion to
others, because it's been a long time since we went down that way. Boat
tours within the park will afford you the best wildlife viewing, and the
beach there is tropical paradise. It's easy to find an unoccupied
stretch to call your own. Be aware that it is HUMID on the Caribbean
side, and also buggy, so bring plenty of repellant.

From there, it's not a bad ride at all to Arenal. You should probably
plan lodging in advance, but the volcano-view places seem pretty similar.
They consist of main lodges with regular rooms, and cabins on a hillside
facing the volcano, and because of the hill, everyone has unimpeded
views. The mountain plays its rhythm around the clock, but you see the
lava flows after dark. You can rent horses in Fortuna and follow a guide
out to a jungle falls, where you can swim in remarkably cool water, then
find your own way back to the farm. Fortuna is a funky town, and it
evokes feelings of the old west. There are jungle boat tours nearby, and
a lot of wildlife in the area. Two nights at Arenal should be plenty.

From there, it's not far out to Guanacoste, and here I'll recommend a
place you're sure to like. It's the Flamingo Beach Resort, and it sits
right in the sand on one of the best beaches you're likely to encounter
in CA. http://www.resortflamingobeach.com/. Spend four or five nights
there. Diving is good, horses are available, and there are jungle and
canopy tours right from the hotel area. With a car, you can also check
out some of the neighboring beaches, which are all very nice.

You can drive through Monteverde on the trip from Flamingo Beach to Jaco.
Be sure to stop and hike out to a waterfall or, better yet, see the
reserve on horseback. On the way down from there to Jaco, you'll cross a
bridge near the sea, and you'll see all sorts of vehicles pulled off the
road there. That's because crocodiles congregate on the riverbank there,
and you'll get a nice, safe view of them from the bridge.

I can also recommend a high-end resort in Jaco. The beach isn't nice
there, but there are acres of swimming pool instead, and you can have a
lot of fun swimming and floating around. The place is Los Suenos
http://www.lossuenosresort.com/hotel.html. It's definitely upscale, run
by Marriott. You might actually do better with a condo there, but it
will be nice way to end your trip. It's not far back to San Jose. Be
sure to take a ride on a birdwatch boat from near there. You'll see a
lot of exotic birds, as well as dolphins and more crocs.

Before I forget, if you want a real 'downtown' experience in San Jose,
try the older Gran Hotel, which sits right on the main plaza. There is a
front balcony where you can eat or have a drink, and it's very sociable.
The hotel is pretty well maintained, but it's a grand hotel in the
Central American tradition, not by world standards. It's still our hotel
of choice in San Jose.

Keith

"AA" wrote in message
.. .
OK.
I have already booked the airlines to COSTA RICA and a car (12 full
days). Also, based on
the responses I received from this newsgroup and many web sites: We
decided to visit the
following 6 areas :
1) San Jose
2) Tortuguero National Park area
3) Arenal
4) Monteverde
5) North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste)
6) Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio).

My Four questions a

1) How would you order the itinerary given that we will fly in and out
of
San Jose
2`) How many days do you suggest we should stay in each spot
3) Do you have a recommended accommodation (we don't mind spending a
little
more money for a luxury accommodation), and a contact information that
gets
us a good deal
4) Do we need the car the entire stay?

thanks for those who responded to my inquiry ad to those who will help
with
these questions.
thanks again








  #14  
Old June 5th, 2007, 02:12 AM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
k[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 130
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed


"AA" wrote in message
. ..
Wow, you have been specific enough for me.
One last thing, I keep hearing about the "CR highlights" by
http://www.ecoscapetours.com/ not to be missed.

So here is what is in my mind:
day 1 : CR highlights
day 2, 3: Tortuguera
day 4, 5: Arenal
day 6, 7, 8, 9 Flamingo+Monteverde
day 10, 11, and 12: Jaco and Manuel Antonio
Head back to Sa Jose on the 12th day.

Please tell me what you think
AA


It sounds good if you have a late flight out on that last day, otherwise I'd
go back to San Jose the night before you leave. Stay out near the airport
and wake up with no worries.

Keith


  #15  
Old June 5th, 2007, 04:15 AM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
AA
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 18
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed

I tend to skip Tortuguero and in this case I intend to go to Monteverde (1
night) straight from San Jose, followed by Arenal (2 nights), followed by
Flamong North Pacific (4 nights), followed by Manuel Antonio (3 nights), and
finally San Jose again for 2 nights.


"Nick and Judy" wrote in message
t...
I second the canopy tour in Monteverde. It is fabulous. If I recall the
drive from Monteverde to the Tabacon Hot Springs(which is in Arenal or
close to it) took 2 hours. Thats not counting the time it took to get a new
rental car when I drove/slid the car off the road near the Botanical
Gardens opposite Lake Arenal! Just remember like the others have said: what
is 30 miles on the map can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to drive depending
on the road. You may have to Skip Tortuguero, and just do Arenal,
Monteverde and the Pacific Coast.


"Doug McDonald" wrote in message
...
AA wrote:
OK.
I have already booked the airlines to COSTA RICA and a car (12 full
days). Also, based on
the responses I received from this newsgroup and many web sites: We
decided to visit the
following 6 areas :
1) San Jose
2) Tortuguero National Park area
3) Arenal
4) Monteverde
5) North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste)
6) Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio).




I would suggest skipping Manuel Antonio ... it is so overused
that it is a dump. It would be a nice place if not so
overused.

You also want to visit at least one of the places with canopy
tours, typically they are on your way anyway, in the Monteverde area.

Doug McDonald



  #16  
Old June 5th, 2007, 08:48 PM posted to rec.travel.latin-america
k[_1_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 130
Default here is my Costa Rica Vacation Plan, feedback needed

Don't miss the gold museum in San Jose. It's underneath the main plaza, and
would be interesting just for the architecture, but there's all that gold,
too.

Do consider staying at the Grand Hotel. It's the epicenter of San Jose.
http://www.grandhotelcostarica.com/

Keith

"AA" wrote in message
. ..
I tend to skip Tortuguero and in this case I intend to go to Monteverde (1
night) straight from San Jose, followed by Arenal (2 nights), followed by
Flamong North Pacific (4 nights), followed by Manuel Antonio (3 nights),
and finally San Jose again for 2 nights.


"Nick and Judy" wrote in message
t...
I second the canopy tour in Monteverde. It is fabulous. If I recall the
drive from Monteverde to the Tabacon Hot Springs(which is in Arenal or
close to it) took 2 hours. Thats not counting the time it took to get a
new rental car when I drove/slid the car off the road near the Botanical
Gardens opposite Lake Arenal! Just remember like the others have said:
what is 30 miles on the map can take anywhere from 1-3 hours to drive
depending on the road. You may have to Skip Tortuguero, and just do
Arenal, Monteverde and the Pacific Coast.


"Doug McDonald" wrote in message
...
AA wrote:
OK.
I have already booked the airlines to COSTA RICA and a car (12 full
days). Also, based on
the responses I received from this newsgroup and many web sites: We
decided to visit the
following 6 areas :
1) San Jose
2) Tortuguero National Park area
3) Arenal
4) Monteverde
5) North Pacific Coast (Guanacaste)
6) Central Pacific (Jacó, Manuel Antonio).




I would suggest skipping Manuel Antonio ... it is so overused
that it is a dump. It would be a nice place if not so
overused.

You also want to visit at least one of the places with canopy
tours, typically they are on your way anyway, in the Monteverde area.

Doug McDonald





 




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