mitdoac

Sorry this has probably been asked before...
I am going in the rainy season, and only have time for 2 of these 3.

Which 2 would you pick?
Monteverde
Arenal
MA

Thanks a bunch!

Tim

volcanogirl

We loved Arenal and liked Manuel Antonio - skipped Monteverde because we didn't have time to do it all and wanted a combination of volcano and beach time. Still hope to make it to Monteverde one day though. But I would probably give up all of them to go back to the Osa Peninsula!

shillmac

Arenal-MA combo is excellent for first time visitors--the best of Costa Rica in a week (with diversity in mind). Enjoy! Don't fret the rainy season--great time to visit--seldom rains all that much, outside a brief p.m. shower. . .

volcanogirl

Tim, we did Arenal/Manuel Antonio combo last year and just got afternoon showers like Shillmac said. I think that's a great combo for first-timers.

plmrod

we are thinking of a volcano/beach trip. Friends have told us to fly into Liberia then go to Arenal for a few nights, then to the coast(tamarindo, Flamingo?)
What is the deal with Arenal/MA? Wohould you fly into SJO o Liberia?

What would you suggest?

memejs

I would definitely suggest a combo of Arenal and Flamingo (or better, Playa Conchal). There is lots of wildlife at Manuel Antonio, but you can see and do everything in about a day. There is tons to do in Arenal. After spending a few days at Conchal the beaches at Manuel Antonio didn't even tempt us. You can see wildlife near Arenal if you do the Cano Negro boat tour (though not as much wildlife and not as up close as at MA).

robrick

Hi. We were in Costa Rica in Feb. this year. We loved Areanal, and MA. We would skipp Monteverde the next time. Its a long trip there, and disappointing. MA is incredable, as was Arenal. Costa Rica is sooooooooo Wonderful. You will have a great trip.

Eagle

I agree with Robrick. MA and Arenal are great but would not go back to Monteverde. The roads are terrible and there is not that much to see.

rainbowtravelercr

MA and Arenal! The roads are terrible in Monteverde.

volcanogirl

Monteverde is popular with birders - good place to see the quetzal; if that's not your thing, I'd pass on it since you only have time to hit two spots.

rmeyer

I would disagree that there isn't much to do in Monteverde. We had the best canopy tour of the trip there, the rain/cloud forest are just spectacular to hike in, and it was interestingly enough the best restaurants (Sofia, Johnny's Pizza and Restaurant di Lucia) of our trip (Arenal, Monteverde, MA). If I would choose 2, I would say Arenal/MA just for sake of convenience, but highly recommend Monteverde for another trip.

The roads are bad, but not as bad as many make it out to be...just lots of potholes, etc, drive slow and aware and it is just fine. Part of the adventure.

It just depends on what you like/dislike. Everyone will give you a different perspective, so do a lot of research, figure out what you like and the research will guide you to your final decision.

costaricaeasyride

Manuel Antonio and Arenal...great combination!!

Luis Road Advisor

cmerrell

Hi mitdoac,

I have not been to Monteverde (would like to check it out someday), but can add another first-hand endorsement to the Arenal/MA combo. We loved that itinerary last year!