ireland6

Hello, I am planning my honeymoon. We will prob stay around 7-10 days. I want to visit Arenal, Osa peninsula, Manuel Antonia, and Monteverde. I know from reading all your great posts that this is not possible in my time frame. But I dont know what place (or places) to "cut" from my list because all these places sound amazing!!! We want to do a lot of activites and tours. We love nature and would like to have at least one day at the beach (if possible). So where should I go???? Thanks so much in advance!!!
Kellie

bellaboo

If I were you I'd do Arenal & Osa.

volcanogirl

I would definitely go to Arenal; it's our favorite spot and has tons of activities and tours - active volcano, natural hot springs, Hanging Bridges, the waterfall, ziplines at SkyTrek, and the Cano Negro tour with Sunset Tours to see wildlife. I'd give Monteverde a pass and either go to the Osa or Manuel Antonio. If you want wild and untamed then pick the Osa. If you want loads of restaurants and a little more Americanized spot, pick Manuel Antonio.

Kwoo

Just to give you an idea of what can be done in 7 - 10 days, we went to Costa Rica in 2004 for 10 days. We went to Manual Antonio, Arenal, Poas Volcano and Alajuela (close to San Jose). We felt we had enough time in each location, and had a mixture of beaches, rainforest, volcanoes & city. I thought it was a great overview of CR and the most popular areas.

Places we stayed if you are looking for suggestions:

Manuel Antonio - La Colina
Arenal - Arenal Paraiso
Poas - Poas Volcano Lodge
Alajuela - Orquideas Inn

If you go to MA, I highly recommend going horseback riding with Finca Valmy - it was the highlight of our trip.
Other things we did in MA - spend one day at the beach outside of the park just relaxing after arriving the night before.
Guided tour of the park in the morning, afternoon at the beach inside the park.
Finca Valmy horseback riding - day long tour.

Arenal - hanging bridges, saw volcano erupt at night from Arenal Paraiso, Cano Negro boat tour (all day) & zipliens.

Poas - La Paz waterfalls, hummingbirds, gardens, Poas Volcano

Alajuela - spent one day in San Jose.

Hope this helps. If I remember correctly from when I was planning our trip, it seems to me that if want to go to Osa Pensinsula, it would make sense to also go to MA as far as logistics go.

Are you planning on renting a car? We did, and loved the freedom we had with the car. Just drive carefully and use common sense. I wouldn't have done it any other way. The drive from MA to Arenal took us all day but it was worth it to see all the beautiful scenery.

volcanogirl

If you go the 10-day route, I'd try to do 2 locations plus two days at the Peace Lodge. It's the most honeymoonish hotel we've ever been to - jacuzzi tubs, beautiful views, fireplace, waterfall shower plus the beautiful La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Poas Volcano is close by.

ireland6

Thanks for all the replies. So it sounds like Monteverde is out for this trip. Maybe hit that on my next trip there I think that only hitting 2 locations is the best plan and I like the idea of staying at the Peace Lodge. I am still torn though as to drop Osa, MA or Arenal from my trip though

volcanogirl

I wouldn't combine MA and the Osa - they are just two different versions of the same thing, one very developed and one with very little development; they both offer you the beach/wildlife combo.

Are you the type that wants to give up your blow dryer and be all alone with just your husband hiking in the jungle and seeing all 4 kinds of monkeys, or are you the type that wants to try a lot of different restaurants, enjoy sunset views and air conditioning, and see a much tamer version of wildlife? It really depends upon your own personality and which you prefer.

In the Osa, we could hike for hours and not see another soul, but we saw amazing wildlife in its natural state. In MA, the wildlife gets up close and personal but will probably steal a bag of chips from you! In the Osa, you may have to hike to get to the beach while in MA you can probably take a taxi or a shuttle. Most people drive to MA or use Interbus or a private driver. To get to the Osa, most people fly on Nature Air or Sansa.

ireland6

MMMM, good questions volcanogirl. I love the outdoors (we live in the Adirondacks in NY) so I want to be where their is wild life and nature. I dont mind hiking to the beach because we are not "beach bums" who will be hanging out there everyday. But we dont live near any beaches so we want to at least spend some time on one. So basically I wont have the all the pleasures of home at Osa, but I will see more wildlife and experience more of the "true" Costa Rica than the comercialized one?

volcanogirl

Yep, most of the Osa is sort of "off the grid" - places like Bosque del Cabo are wonderful, but you'll have to rely on the ocean breeze rather than ac, you'll have a great outdoor shower, you won't have a lock on your door, things like that. You would eat most of your meals on the property where you stay. There's enough light in the cabin to read by, but you can't use your blow dryer.

MA is very Americanized; you'll be greeted with "hey, guys" a lot more than hola. When we toured MA park, there were 15 people with cameras crowded around one monkey, lots of vendors outside the park, etc. Lots of good restaurants here though and many hotel choices. Most hotels have ac.

On my favorite day in the Osa, I was sitting on the lounge chair in front of our cabin, and an entire troop of howlers, then capuchins, then spider monkeys swung by. I was the only one who saw it, which was really cool! Also scarlet macaws and toucans are abundant here. BdC has trails that go to the Golfo Dulce and to the Pacific, but you will have to hike to get there. A lot of the entertainment on the Osa will just be hiking to see the amazing wildlife.

volcanogirl

I meant to post the link to BdC so you can get a better idea of what it's like. They have a great video which will let you know if it's the kind of place for you. www.bosquedelcabo.com. Happy honeymooning!