Author Topic: Costa Rica Master Thread (Read 125600 times)

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #20 on:** September 21, 2012, 06:04:44 PM »

Quote from: steve L on September 21, 2012, 12:42:52 PM

im thinking of doing two nights and having a base around arenal and then drive to one of the beaches by gunacaste and stay there the other 2 nights.

what do the people have done costa rica think

That is the best way to do it. It is also worth doing the beaches at the end so that you can relax. Since you are flying into Liberia that really makes the most sense. Are you planning on spending any night in Liberia? It is a boring town but we stayed there on the night before our flight. There is a really nice and affordable Hilton there which compared to standard Costa Rica lodging is really nice.

daganster · « **Reply #21 on:** September 21, 2012, 06:12:02 PM »

Quote from: CholentTheTraveler on September 19, 2012, 09:41:58 PM

You have to go on the zipline there(over the waterfalls), it is something well worth waiting for!

I was there a couple of years ago and I went ziplining in a place called Monte Verde, they say that it's the nicest there.

steve L · « **Reply #22 on:** September 22, 2012, 08:57:44 PM »

So I found a grt house on home away near arenal but she wants a min of 3nights @150 with privatevpool . She is willing to do 2 nights but more money

So I was thinking maybe it makes sense to do sun afternoon till we'd morningish and then drive to gunacastevarea for last day to relax. But bec with my short time I think maybe to spend more time by arenal doing activities vs just sitting by the beach

What do u think

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #23 on:** September 22, 2012, 10:17:18 PM »

The drive to Guancaste from Arenal will take you longer than you think as you have to drive around the entire lake arenal which is windy and one lane, at times you can stuck behind a truck etc for a really long time. Figure a couple of hours, maybe 4. So you will not have that much time for relaxing.

steve L · « **Reply #24 on:** September 22, 2012, 10:46:08 PM »

Ok so would you recommend two or 3 days in arenal doing zip lining hiking water rafting.

steve L · « **Reply #25 on:** September 22, 2012, 11:00:56 PM »

@fandan. Did u like arenal and what did u do there

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #26 on:** September 23, 2012, 12:19:58 AM »

Quote from: steve L on September 22, 2012, 11:00:56 PM

@fandan. Did u like arenal and what did u do there

The first thing I did was a hike through the lava fields at the foot of Arenal. Worth it but make sure to decline the guide they offer, not worth it. We went to some hot springs in the area at night. If u want i can tell u about a free place. We spent a full day doing a very worth it trip to the Rio Frio which is a river at the town of Los Chiles in Northern Costa Rica. We hired a private boat there and they took us on the river to see troops of howler monkeys, many different types of birds etc. then the boat took us to the border town of San Carlos which is located in Nicaragua. The whole thing was super cool a real highlight of our trip as many people go from Arenal to see the river and we got to check out Nicaragua as well. Just the border crossing was an amazing experience. Nicaragua is so so cool and I would never stay there because it is so 3rd world so was a good way to see it. We had a tour guide who took us around the city as part of the package.
We didn't do horseback riding there because we did it in Monteverde but for you I would say to do it by Arenal. A lot of people do zip line there we didn't end up doing it (we got sunburned at the beach and didn't want the harness to aggravate it).
Didn't go rafting. If you want a tropical vacation then don't spend all your time at Arenal it is really worth it and cool but isn't in a tropical setting.

steve L · « **Reply #27 on:** September 23, 2012, 10:15:10 AM »

@fan Dan thank u so much for your advice

Do u think there is enough to do by arenal for 3 days ? I also want some tropical but afraid to much time doing that bec can get bored vs spending time doing activities I can spend time by guanacaste but sounds like the only things to do is beach related stuff

THX for your help and advice

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #28 on:** September 23, 2012, 07:51:44 PM »

Quote from: steve L on September 23, 2012, 10:15:10 AM

@fan Dan thank u so much for your advice

Do u think there is enough to do by arenal for 3 days ? I also want some tropical but afraid to much time doing that bec can get bored vs spending time doing activities I can spend time by guanacaste but sounds like the only things to do is beach related stuff

THX for your help and advice

My pleasure.

What time would you arrive in Arenal on Sunday and what time would you depart on Wednesday.

If you have just Monday and Tuesday in Arenal then the Monday morning I would do a hike through the lava fields at the foot of Arenal. In the afternoon you can do a zip line with a canopy tour. Tuesday you can go horseback riding in the am to a really nice waterfall (forgot name) and then in the afternoon you can find something to do on Lake Arenal or something else. Maybe do a river tour of the Rio Frio they have many tours going from Arenal. Then Wednesday first thing in the morning you can go to Guancaste. Not a bad arrangement. If you are dying to go to Monteverde then you can do it Sunday if you have time it does not require a full day, I just do not know what time you land, note though that it is alot of extra driving.

Another option for Monday or Tues is to drive to Volcan La Poas which is about a 2 hour drive and if you get there before ten am when the clouds come in you can see the inside of a volcanic crater and actually see the some coming out of it.

steve L · « **Reply #29 on:** September 24, 2012, 09:12:15 AM »

@fan dan

i arrive 2 pm sun aft and leave thurs aft 2pm. ilike your itinerary for arenal.

not dying to go to montevedre. i just want to get the rain forest feeling with all the animals and activities. i think i will drive straight from lir till wed morning and then drive to guanacaste wed morning and chill out there for a day on the beach

did you go to guanacaste area? know any good place to stay?

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #30 on:** September 24, 2012, 02:53:39 PM »

I did not go to Guancaste at all as I did the beaches further south. You mention that you wanted to see rainforests. I thought I would mention that in general at Arenal there is not so much of what you would call rain forest. There are some animals, though also not as much as you would think. The real rain forests are really further south and on the Carribean coast. You will still find smaller areas especially near the base of Arenal that are rainforest.

steve L · « **Reply #31 on:** September 24, 2012, 04:03:29 PM »

thx fan dan.

so it seems bec im flying in and out of lir that i should stick with arenal vs driving further to places where have have gone

Fan of Dan · « **Reply #32 on:** September 27, 2012, 10:29:23 AM »

Quote from: steve L on September 24, 2012, 04:03:29 PM

thx fan dan.

so it seems bec im flying in and out of lir that i should stick with arenal vs driving further to places where have have gone

Right I would stick to Arenal and Guancaste not worth going elsewhere. If you want to see animals we did very well on the hike at the base of Arenal.

It is worth it IMHO to fly in and out of LIR at any case as you will have a much more relaxing flight and rental car experience.

wonderlust · « **Reply #33 on:** September 27, 2012, 11:18:23 AM »

i will be flying in2 sjo for week debating manuel antonio or Guncastce-any thoughts? also can you buy propane grill in country?

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #34 on:** November 19, 2012, 04:29:46 PM »

I started this post in April 2010 and we are finally going to Costa Rica this January. We are flying into LIR on Monday, renting a 4x4, driving to Arenal and will be there until Thursday (2 full days) then driving to Manuel Antonio until Monday. We are flying back from SJO.

We are looking to get the most out of our time and do activities that are unique to Costa Rica. If anyone has any tips as to the best activities and companies to go with please share.

SGF · « **Reply #35 on:** November 20, 2012, 11:28:06 AM »

I'm considering a trip to central america for 5 days that has many nice activities and nature seeing and also looking to relax at the beach, is this the right place?
How are the beaches there, nice? Clear blue water? Or just a regular beach?

BrooklynCPA · « **Reply #36 on:** November 28, 2012, 02:28:34 PM »

Does anyone have any experience with bringing in meats, chicken, dairy..... I am getting mixed messages about what is allowed and have heard they can be strict and confiscate.....

If you've been been to Costa Rica please tell what you brought in. Also, I am flying into LIR and was told they can be stricter because its a small airport.

daganster · « **Reply #37 on:** November 28, 2012, 08:55:31 PM »

Quote from: SGF on November 20, 2012, 11:28:06 AM

I'm considering a trip to central america for 5 days that has many nice activities and nature seeing and also looking to relax at the beach, is this the right place?
How are the beaches there, nice? Clear blue water? Or just a regular beach?

The Pacific side has nice beaches with big waves, ideal for surfing, while the Caribbean side has nice beaches closer to what your looking for, nonetheless if I was looking for nice beaches I wouldn't necessarily go to Costa Rica.

SGF · « **Reply #38 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:04:09 PM »

Quote from: daganster on November 28, 2012, 08:55:31 PM

The Pacific side has nice beaches with big waves, ideal for surfing, while the Caribbean side has nice beaches closer to what your looking for, nonetheless if I was looking for nice beaches I wouldn't necessarily go to Costa Rica.

Thanx, I'm not looking to go for the beaches mostly for the activities, just wanted to know what they are like.

daganster · « **Reply #39 on:** November 28, 2012, 09:32:01 PM »

Quote from: SGF on November 28, 2012, 09:04:09 PM

Thanx, I'm not looking to go for the beaches mostly for the activities, just wanted to know what they are like.

There are some nice activities e.g. zip lining. I just think that Costa Rica is overrated, and that the reason why Amercan's travel there is because they feel safer there than in other Central American countries .

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Author Topic: Costa Rica Master Thread (Read 125600 times)