First trip questions- travel, accomdations, tours

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Atlanta, GA

posts: 31

First trip questions- travel, accomdations, tours

Dec 18, 2012, 5:28 PM

My girlfriend and I (both in mid 20s) are planning a trip to Costa Rica which will be our first. Plan on the trip being in Mid-may. After a little research I have decided we want to fly into San Jose (SJO) and travel to La Fortuna. We want to raft Toro River, Zipline and hike around/at the valcano national park. We also plan to eat good, and relax with drinks. As far as I can tell we need to plan on being in La Fortuna 2-3 nights. Any further recommendations?

What are some recommendations for places to stay? Our budget is around $150/night, would like nice accomadations, a pool with a bar if possible, breakfast included, nice views ect. Probably will not have a rental car/suv.

From La Fortuna we plan on going elsewhere. Definitly want to go to the beach for a few days. Would you recommend stopping a night or two in monteverde? If we plan on rafting, ziplining, and hiking the volcano in La Fortuna is something we HAVE to goto monteverde for?

Either way what beach town would you recommend? We are looking for laid back, possibly go sport fishing, drinks at the pool/beach, nice resturants for dinner/drinks, easy to get it from either place (la fortuna or monteverde) and an easy trip to to SJO to fly out of.

Let me know your thoughts and thanks in advance.

Edited: 5:30 pm, December 18, 2012

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4 replies to this topic

roadadvisor

San Jose, Costa Rica

Destination Expert

for Costa Rica

posts: 36,970

1. Re: First trip questions- travel, accomdations, tours

Dec 18, 2012, 6:49 PM

Around La Fortuna...check Los Lagos or Silencio del Campo hotels...small and nice location...check Hotel La Fortuna...

Can be a good idea to take the jeep boat jeep to Monteverde...about $ 29.00 per preson is door to door service...

Then to Manuel Antonio National Park...nic beaches and a lot of wild life...check hotel Mariposa...The Falls...La Posada Inn..

From Manuel Antonio to SJO is only 3 hours...

roadadvisor

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Briguy7676

Chicago, Illinois

posts: 7

reviews: 2

2. Re: First trip questions- travel, accomdations, tours

Dec 18, 2012, 7:01 PM

We just got back from CR. We were in La Fortuna for two nights and stayed at Tabacon. We got a deal on Expedia and it was so worth it, beautiful hotel with some awesome Hot Springs - so beautiful and relaxing. We also flew into San Jose and drove up. I really recommend driving if you're up for it. The roads to la fortuna are all paved and the steep windy road through the mountains is a lot of fun... just don't do the drive at night. We didn't raft there (we did that near Manuel Antonio) but did do some zip lining. They have a superman zipline that is a lot of fun. Have a blast, you are going to love this country!

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phil_11

boston, ma

posts: 83

reviews: 1

3. Re: First trip questions- travel, accomdations, tours

Dec 19, 2012, 8:43 PM

Tabacon or The Springs in Arenal area.

I am partial to Samara for the beach portion - will be going for the 8th straight year in February. We stay at Villas Kalimba, but the Tree House is worth a look as well.

Also - you really should consider a rental for the Arenal portion - it will make life a lot easier as everything is REALLY spread out. Will also make getting to your beach destination more efficient as well. We typically rent when we get to SJO drive to Arenal, then to Samara and dump the car once we get there as its really not needed at that point.

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