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Posted on 3/24/23 at 9:46 pm to Jax-Tiger
Circling back to this thread, we’ve narrowed it down to either Costa Rica or British Columbia. The one concern I have about CR is getting around. The plan would be to start near Montezuma and work our way up the west coast to Tamarindo and then over to Arenal. The way I’ve sorted it out would be a 8 night trip. Again it just seems like getting from place to place can be extremely challenging. I’m a young guy and capable of driving rough roads but does the travel time and poor road conditions take away from the vacation? If so, we will do BC instead. Both places seem equally beautiful.
Posted on 3/25/23 at 12:03 pm to Jake009
The route I have tentatively planned out is,
Fly into Liberia then drive to Tamarindo area. 2 nights here. Drive to Montezuma Falls area ( based on high recommendations ). 2 nights here. Drive to La Fortuna area. 2 nights here. Head to Nayara Springs resort for the final 2 nights. I’m thinking the resort would be a great spot to relax and enjoy the end of the trip after lots of traveling. Then back to Liberia to fly home. 8 nights in total with 3 Major areas of Costa Rica visited.
Please help with RECS or alternative suggestions on my routing. Thanks!
* I considered flying into San Jose and starting in Uvita or Jaco, however it just creates so much more drive time. Even with an 8 day trip it’s already a lot of driving.
Fly into Liberia then drive to Tamarindo area. 2 nights here. Drive to Montezuma Falls area ( based on high recommendations ). 2 nights here. Drive to La Fortuna area. 2 nights here. Head to Nayara Springs resort for the final 2 nights. I’m thinking the resort would be a great spot to relax and enjoy the end of the trip after lots of traveling. Then back to Liberia to fly home. 8 nights in total with 3 Major areas of Costa Rica visited.
Please help with RECS or alternative suggestions on my routing. Thanks!
* I considered flying into San Jose and starting in Uvita or Jaco, however it just creates so much more drive time. Even with an 8 day trip it’s already a lot of driving.
This post was edited on 3/25/23 at 12:06 pm
Posted on 3/26/23 at 12:59 pm to Jake009
Got married at Nayara Springs. Still one of the best resorts I've ever been to. I'm rarely a repeat traveler but been to Nayara 4 times.
The ala carte restaurant on the Springs side is better for breakfast than the buffet. Have one dinner at the fancy restaurant with the pool. And eat at the sushi restaurant.
Sky Trek has amazing zip lines. If you are active, I would book Sky Trek one morning and the canyoning tour the next. You would be back in time for lunch so you can spend the rest of the day chilling at the pool and day drinking -- or get a massage.
While you can go into town (La Fortuna), I would just stay at Nayara since its only two nights, its the end of your trip, and you will have already seen plenty of Costa Rican culture.
Also, FWIW, I've never driven in Costa Rica. It's not that its difficult -- we elected not to because we do two stops at a time. We start at the beach somewhere for a few days and always finish with at least 4 nights at Nayara. It's easier to get transport from airport to first resort to second resort to airport. The drive from Nayara to the airport in San Jose is something crazy like 4 hours. You go through rain forest, fog, and over mountains on some pretty narrow roads and bridges. It made for much less hassle. At every resort/hotel we did what I suggested: do a morning activity (they always pick you up at your hotel) and chill in the afternoon and evening.
The ala carte restaurant on the Springs side is better for breakfast than the buffet. Have one dinner at the fancy restaurant with the pool. And eat at the sushi restaurant.
Sky Trek has amazing zip lines. If you are active, I would book Sky Trek one morning and the canyoning tour the next. You would be back in time for lunch so you can spend the rest of the day chilling at the pool and day drinking -- or get a massage.
While you can go into town (La Fortuna), I would just stay at Nayara since its only two nights, its the end of your trip, and you will have already seen plenty of Costa Rican culture.
Also, FWIW, I've never driven in Costa Rica. It's not that its difficult -- we elected not to because we do two stops at a time. We start at the beach somewhere for a few days and always finish with at least 4 nights at Nayara. It's easier to get transport from airport to first resort to second resort to airport. The drive from Nayara to the airport in San Jose is something crazy like 4 hours. You go through rain forest, fog, and over mountains on some pretty narrow roads and bridges. It made for much less hassle. At every resort/hotel we did what I suggested: do a morning activity (they always pick you up at your hotel) and chill in the afternoon and evening.
Posted on 3/26/23 at 1:20 pm to Jake009
If I follow your route, you said 2 nights in La Fortuna area and 2 nights at Nayara Springs. Nayara is just outside La Fortuna, so if I understand you, your best bet is 4 nights at Nayara.
The La Fortuna/Arenal area is all about adventure sports. It's great for white water rafting, horseback riding, 4-wheeling, biking, hiking, etc. So, I am sticking with my recommendation of 4 nights at Nayara Springs with an activity every morning.
Driving from Montezuma Falls to La Fortuna is about 5 1/2 hours.
Let me suggest this classic first trip to Costa Rica:
Fly in and out of San Jose.
Spend the first half of your trip at Manuel Antonio National Park -- near Quepos. It's about a 3 hour drive. Manuel Antonio is stunningly beautiful with Pacific beaches, lots of wildlife, fishing and activities. Quepos is a little beach town with plenty of restaurants and bars. Nowhere near as sleazy as Jaco.
Then drive 5 hours to Nayara. That's a plenty long travel day and a really interesting drive. Stop at the crocodile bridge. Do your 4 nights at Nayara.
Fly home out of San Jose again.
Compare arranging transport compared to renting a car. If transport is comparable or cheaper, do that instead. Yes, you can drive, but you will be so much more relaxed with a guide. And your guide can take you to the best ceviche spot on the route as well as tell you about the country.
While you want to get some sense of Costa Rica, this is not like traveling in Europe. You're not going for architecture, history, food and museums. You're going for outdoor activities. Minimizing travel hassle and time will make for a better trip.
Last tip: eat ceviche. Every day.
The La Fortuna/Arenal area is all about adventure sports. It's great for white water rafting, horseback riding, 4-wheeling, biking, hiking, etc. So, I am sticking with my recommendation of 4 nights at Nayara Springs with an activity every morning.
Driving from Montezuma Falls to La Fortuna is about 5 1/2 hours.
Let me suggest this classic first trip to Costa Rica:
Fly in and out of San Jose.
Spend the first half of your trip at Manuel Antonio National Park -- near Quepos. It's about a 3 hour drive. Manuel Antonio is stunningly beautiful with Pacific beaches, lots of wildlife, fishing and activities. Quepos is a little beach town with plenty of restaurants and bars. Nowhere near as sleazy as Jaco.
Then drive 5 hours to Nayara. That's a plenty long travel day and a really interesting drive. Stop at the crocodile bridge. Do your 4 nights at Nayara.
Fly home out of San Jose again.
Compare arranging transport compared to renting a car. If transport is comparable or cheaper, do that instead. Yes, you can drive, but you will be so much more relaxed with a guide. And your guide can take you to the best ceviche spot on the route as well as tell you about the country.
While you want to get some sense of Costa Rica, this is not like traveling in Europe. You're not going for architecture, history, food and museums. You're going for outdoor activities. Minimizing travel hassle and time will make for a better trip.
Last tip: eat ceviche. Every day.
Posted on 3/26/23 at 1:33 pm to Jake009
Looks like transportation runs about $160 per leg. So, you are looking at about $480-500 transportation for the whole trip. Transfers in Costa Rica on Viatour
Rental car looks to be around $400 minimum -- probably more when you factor in insurance, extra charges and fuel.
Rental car looks to be around $400 minimum -- probably more when you factor in insurance, extra charges and fuel.
Posted on 7/4/23 at 1:57 pm to madamsquirrel
Posted on 7/4/23 at 3:18 pm to SpringBokCock
Imo if you are going to costa rica you should visit monteverde to see the cloud forest. Unless youbare planning on going back I would skip a average beach spot like manuel antonio to visit the cloud forest. Just my opinion and I have been to costa rica twice.
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