Yes, the hot springs are a good thing to do on your first night. Tabacon and Eco Termales are the two that we like. Desafio is a great company, so you should be fine there. The waterfall hike would be a nice activity for your last morning, or you could hike the Hanging Bridges. The drive between Arenal and MA took us about five hours including a stop at the Rio Tarcoles bridge to see the huge crocs down below. If you wanted to you could do the MA park and beach on the same day. The most beautiful beach is inside the park, and you will have already paid admission. The Damas mangrove tour is a popular thing to do. The Villa Vanilla spice tour looks neat; we haven't done it, but it's on my to do list.

I think March 11 is a Monday, so the beaches inside the park will be closed. I meant to mention that in my earlier post.

Thanks volcanogirl,
I think the rappelling includes the waterfall so maybe I should do the hanging bridges? Or is there a volcano hike u recommend? (or is that part of it? Lol so much info and I have been so busy to become more informed)

If we can do the Park and beach in one day, that is Sunday, what activities do u recommend for Monday? Is there a good horseback riding tour in MA? That's an activity I cut out of Arenal

Thanks

I don't think people rappel at La Fortuna waterfall; they usually do that at smaller falls, but double check me. La Fortuna waterfall is huge. If you do the Hanging Bridges, I'd go with a guide to up your chances of seeing wildlife. It's a pretty hike. We liked the volcano hike too, but we did it when the lava was flowing and that's no longer the case. That was definitely the highlight. In MA, you could explore Finca Valmy for horseback riding; they're very popular, or do the spice tour or mangrove tour that I mentioned.

Thanks!! Yea ok I'm pretty sure you are correct and the waterfall is a smaller one. I will look into the hikes tonight

When we went rappelling, we did it through a canyon, and it was a series of multiple waterfalls; we would do one, then hike, then the next one, etc. We did ours through La Roca, not sure if Desafio does something similar. I think you might die if you did it at La Fortuna Falls.

Hi Vgutierrez..I like your itinerary..we too fly into SJO at noon and go to Arenal but a few weeks after you...we are contemplating renting a car or getting a driver from the airport... $160 for the private driver. Just wondering what rental car agency you used and approximate price. Also ...we plan to do the white water rafting one day and zip line the next as well..do you know how long the zipline and rappell tour takes?

we were there in early february. We did volcano walks, cano nego day trip, lots of hikes (day and night), but our favorite activity was the hanging bridges. My husband does not do well with heights, but there was only one bridge that was really high, and it was so well built that he didnt have a problem. Great place to spend about three hours.

Susyeq, our car rental through thrifty is just under $100 with taxes for the week. I figured that even with gas we would save a lot in transport. Just today Desafio company told me they do not pick up at our hotel for free, it's an additional feel. So we are just driving to them and saving the $$.

The zipline/rappelling your is from 7:30 returning around 3:30, it is through Desafio as well.

Cathygreen, thanks we are our def leaning towards hanging bridges for our last morning in Arenal

Volcanogirl, thanks I def don't want to put my life at risk hahaha. So excited....we leave Tuesday night!!!

That's great, v - looking forward to your trip report!

Hi Vgutierrez.. We are now leaning towards the day trip of zipline and rapelling...will do the hanging bridges the day of arrival as right next to our hotel. We are thinking of doing the white water rafting through Desafio with the included transport to our next destination. We may rent a car once down in Guanacaste. Thank you for your rental car info...we signed up for a private transport to our hotel on first day but it is quite pricey..have a great trip!!

Just got back, trip was amazing. The weather in Arenal was crazy (raining the whole time we were there), appearantly this has not happened in over 100 years....raining for over a week straight during dry season. However, it did not affect our activities one bit. Hopefully I have time to write the trip report some time this week thanks to everyone for your help!!!