If you do the Sky Trek zipline, that includes an aerial tram ride up. You can do everything on your list if you want to. Do the Cano Negro tour one day and maybe the hot springs at night, then another day do the Hanging Bridges and the zipline. If you have time the waterfall hike is also nice. When we stayed at the Peace Lodge, we spent a day exploring the exhibits and hiking the grounds and then did their nocturnal frog tour one evening. We also did a combo tour of going to Poas and the Doka Coffee Estate.

Just use the "official" taxi service right at the airport, although the Marriott also has a shuttle.

In addition to the recommendations above, while down at Los Suenos, you could visit either Carara and/or Manuel Antonio National Park, do any number of zip line tours, take a surf lesson in Jaco (Del Mar Surf Camp is great). take a Crocodile Tour on the Tarcoles river...

Hi Julie, I've not yet been to some of the areas you are going, but I do have some advice for you. Be sure to get a GPS with your rental car. We would NEVER have made it out of San Jose without it. You are right, the streets usually DO NOT have names. Even with the GPS we missed some turns, but it reroutes you back when you make a mistake. The driving in San Jose can be quite stressful, so we think the GPS is worth every penny. Once out of San Jose area, things do calm down.

We've never had a problem with the car rental drop off (we've been in CR several times), just be sure to leave yourself enough time. Also make sure the car rental place is in the GPS, so you can drive right to it.

Other than that, get ready to enjoy a wonderful trip!

I am planning a trip to Costa Rica in the summer. I'm looking to experience the island culture as well as some sailing and snorkeling. Does anyone have any recommended <a href="http://www.stayincostarica.com/los-suenos-resort/">Costa Rica Resorts</a>?