Can I get some suggestions on a one week vacation for 2 to Costa Rica?

Question

I would like to stay near or on the beach and try surfing, but I would also like to try the canapy tour and maybe check out a volcano. Where is a good place to stay to get around to all these places easily?

I'm not really looking for a big city, and I've been reading not great things about San Jose.

Also how is transportation? is it easy to get around or should I think about renting a car?

and I don't need a luxury hotel. I'd like to spend around $100 a night.

what do you think?

Answer 1

I live and work in Costa Rica, my bussines is tourism. Because of my experince  in tourism I could suggest you to take a full package:

Day 1 Arrives to Costa Rica.

A representative will greet you at the airport and provide transportation to the Hotel ________, located downtown San Jose.

Overnight at Hotel  ________.

Day 2 Poás Volcano, Arenal Volcano, Baldi Hot Springs

Early morning pick up at your hotel and begin your journey to the Poas Volcano National Park. The active crater with temperatures between 104° F and 158° F is located in the center of the park; the poisonous sulfur fumes do not allow any life near by but make Poás - because of the gas process - the world's second biggest geyser. We then pass by car Costa Rica's most impressing waterfall - Catarata La Paz - that comes down on the east slope of Poás Volcano over 3,900 ft. in different cascades. You will stop at an amazing hummingbird gallery before continuing your trip to La Fortuna and the Arenal Volcano.

In the evening at the Baldi Hotsprings, you will enjoy a bath in the sulfur water of a little river forming natural pools within a beautiful tropical setting, where - with some luck - you will be able to watch the fascinating volcano eruptions of red sparkling lava. After dinner, return to your hotel.

Overnight at Hotel  __________.

Meals included: Breakfast and dinner.

Day 3 Monteverde Cloud Forest.

After breakfast you will explore Arenal Volcano National Park and hike with your private guide through secondary forest and over the lava fields at the foot of awesome Arenal.

After the hike and stop for a lunch (nor included) drive around Arenal Lake to Cañas and on the Interamericana south, until you turn left on an adventurous gravel road that will take you on a 35 km long ride to Sta. Elena in the Monteverde Cloud Forest Region.

Overnight at Hotel  ____________.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 4 Monteverde Cloud Forest

After early breakfast, explore with your private guide the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. Right at the entrance, you will already meet many different kinds of hummingbirds that come very close to their feeding stations.

After lunch, you will go for a "walk in the clouds". The „Walkways" of Selvatura, a complex of suspended bridges, platforms and trails, built within the cloud forest, allow a vision from a different perspective which starts with a walk on the ground through the forest and takes you up to explore the tops of the trees, a world which is very close but yet unknown to most of us - the canopy of the cloud forest. The bridge system is located along a 1.7-mile trail designed to walk by people of all ages and physical conditions so most of the way is level with occasional small slopes. It has 8 suspension bridges, which add, up a distance of 1200 feet of total bridge length, plus the trail goes 90% through primary cloud forest.

Overnight at Hotel  ______.

Meals included: Breakfast.  

Day 5 Manuel Antonio National Park area.

After breakfast, drive on the Interamericana South and following the coastline continue towards the town of Jacó, stopping on the way at the bridge over Rio Tarcoles where we have the opportunity to observe large crocodiles. On the way you will visit the Carara National Park, one of the main nesting areas of the Scarlet Macaw. Short hike on the park trails. Drive further South to Manuel Antonio; arrival at your hotel in the afternoon.

Overnight at Hotel  _________.

Meals included: Breakfast.  

Day 6 Manuel Antonio.

Free day for optional activities, like go surfing.

Overnight at Hotel  ________.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 7 Transfer back to San Jose

At midmorning, we will provide land transportation to San Jose (4 hours approx.).

Afternoon free for optional activities which can be arranged with your guide.

Overnight at Hotel  __________.

Meals included: Breakfast.

Day 8 Departure transfer.

A representative of __________ will drive you to the Juan Santamaria International Airport for your return flight.

Meals included: Breakfast



Now if u just want hotel prices around the best surfing spots and the best deal in a rental car I can help u with that too. Of course u will need to rent a car otherwise u will loose all day traveling by bus. Please let me know [e-mail].

Answer 2

Just enjoy it!

It's a wonderful country

Answer 3

montezuma... you'll love it. lots to do there and things to see.

"Hotels in Montezuma offer accommodation for every taste and budget. In high season however, Dec - March the little town fills up and it is advisable to make advanced reservations"

Answer 4

Tamnarindo anSamara Beach are good beginners surf spots!

Hotel prices depend on season, but USD50 a night wiull get you a good hotel!

San Jose is a very unattractive city!

You can use the tourist shuttle buses to get around from destination to destination.

Buy a guide book!

Answer 5

$100.00 a night? you will spend less in most places...Arenal is good for a volcano and hot springs...for beaches I would suggest Quepos/Manuel Antonio...from either you can day trip for canopy tours and other things....for surfing most go to Jaco or Tamarindo.

Answer 6

um I'm Costa Ric-an.going there for the summer and yes you should rent a car. San Jose stay away it is dangerous if you must pass by do it by car. Guanacaste is beautiful they have the best beaches.  the volcan poas is my absolute favorite. it has two lakes one is alive and oone isn't before you get to the volcano if you go to another part of the local you see a waterfall.

http://www.infocostarica.com/places/poas...

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qsc...

http://www.expedia.com/pub/agent.dll?qsc...

well i could help and i hope you have fun.

Answer 7

The resort at Punta Leona near Jaco is a great place if you have only a week. They have a canopy tour right near there. You can get various packages from all inclusive to breakfast only. There is a great seafood restaurant called Hicaco in Jaco. For nightlife, there is a place called the Beatles Bar in Jaco as well. If I were only going to one place, I would look into alternative transportation and forego the car.

If you want to travel to the Arenal Volcano, you can see the volcano from the hot springs at Baldi or Tabicon. they both have hotels but are a little pricey. For a more modest but comfortable spot, you can stay at the Hotel Arenal Rabfer in La Fortuna.

You will have a great time! Let me know if you need more info.