xymox

Hi,

We are planning to visit Costa Rica this coming Jan.

Our itinerary is pretty simple:

- Day 1
Fly to San Jose and stay the night

- Day 2, 3
Arenal

- Day 4 - 7
Manuel Antonio

- Day 8
Drive back to San Jose to catch the flight the next day

Now the questions:

1) Any recommendations on the following hotels:
San Jose
HOTEL GRANO DE ORO

Arenal
Montana De Fuego
Tabacon
Si Como No

Manuel Antonio
La Mariposa
Cosat Verde
Villa Nicolas

2) My concern here is the driving. How long will it take to drive from Arenal to Manuel Antonio?
How is the road condition? Do we need a 4x4? Are the road signs clear?

Thanks a lot.

Ally

If you perfer to stay in the township of San Jose, then you can't do much better than Grand De Oro.

Montana De Fuego for Arenal. (And Si Como No is not in Arenal, it's in Manuel Antonio.

I've stayed at both Costa Verde and Villa Nicolas. I prefered Villa Nicolas because it's a MUCH smaller property and is less expenisve. However, in Jan. you may like to have A/C, and I'm not sure that Villa Nicolas has any rooms with A/C, and I think that Costa Verde does. The room we stayed at at Costa Verde did not, and we could have used it, but didn't want to spend the extra money as we were only staying for one night. I can also add that the rooms at Costa Verde was much nicer than the room we had at Villa Nicolas, but we stilled like the atmosphere more at Villa Nicolas.

I've not made the drive from Arenal to Manuel Antonio myself, but this questions was asked fairly recently. Type in 'Arenal to Manuel Antonio' in the search box and I'm sure it will come up.

You will not need a 4X4 for your itinerary. Roads in all these places are pretty good.

Tess_Durberville

I've said this before and will repeat my mantra ... "do NOT rent a sedan, ALWAYS rent a 4x4 (or some type SUV)". To describe roads where you'll be traveling as "pretty good" is a relative term. There certainly are worse roads to be had throughout Costa Rica and yes, you'll have the advantage of being there during January (dry season). Nevertheless, there are potholes to be avoided. Being in a vehicle that sits high and affords you a better driving view is an advantage you'll want & need.

Ally

Tess, we all appreciate you opinion and in a LOT od cases I would totally agree, But I think that for where he is going a sedan will be fine. Most of the roads he will be on are paved, if not all the roads. It's not like he's going to Nosara, Samara, Monteverde, Osa, etc.
He's sticking to good areas as far as road conditions. Some people can't afford the price of a 4X4, so I'm sticking to what I said.

Tess_Durberville

That's why I love this forum as you'll get a variety of opinions. And I too, stand by my suggestion to go for the 4x4.

As for your query regarding road signage ..... well, let's say it's not as ubiquitous as what you'll see in the US or even other parts of the world. On the San Jose to Arenal leg of your journey, I'd suggest you get the directions that are on the Tabacon website. Montana de Fuego is on same road to Tabacon, so should you be staying there you'll pass right by it. Montana is about 1 mile before you get to Tabacon Resort.

Arenal to MA
Limited signage, however I only recall our making one wrong turn before getting back on track. Do plan to leave Arenal area by 10:00 am allowing yourself ample time to drive to MA (with a lunch stop along the way), and find your hotel before the sun sets around 6:00pm or so.

xymox

Ally & Tess,

Thanks for the valuable tips. You guys are great. We most likely will rent a 4x4, just to be on the safe side. Regarding the hotel, I have not yet received any response from Mantana De Fuego, perhaps I should call them up directly. I'm still debating between Costa Verde and Villas Nicolas. Villas Nicolas offered us Type 3 for first 2 nights and Type 1 for the last 2 nights. Is Type 1 not very comfortable? Do we need A/C in Jan?

Thanks again.