We have decided that we will fly into San Jose on June 14 arriving around 11:30.

We will use a private transfer. My first question is if we arrive in San Jose at 11:30, would it be better for us to stay in San Jose or will we ba able to head to Arenal? On our way to Arenal, we would like to stop by La Paz and Paos on our way to Arenal. I would love it if someone would give me an idea of what a transfer for five people from San Jose to Arenal, stopping at those parks would cost? The last time we went, our driver personally took us around the parks. Is this the norm? It really made our trip more enjoyable and allowed us to notice things we would have missed if we did it ourselves.

Second, will the price of the transfer include admission in to the parks? If not, could someone give me an estimate on admission?

I would love to hear some recommendations on drivers!

Third-we have five in our family-three kids, age 18, 15, and 10. We really have a fairly tight budget. Which would the best economical, but nice hotel be and will we need to book two rooms?

My last question- we will be flying out of San Jose on the 21 of June. We would like to have a couple of days on the beach. We know it is quite a stretch to go from Arenal to the beach and back to San Jose-we are thinking about 3 nights at the beach, maybe 2. Would someone recommend a beach that is nice to swim and the kids would enjoy-with decent hotels? Also, maybe a good transfer from Arenal to that beach?

Thanks so much!!