Itenerary suggestions for CR and Nica
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Nov 13, 2012 1:19 PM Last Post By: wiremu
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Itenerary suggestions for CR and Nica
Doing a last minute trip to CR and Nica and need some suggestions. I'll arrive in San Jose the evening of Nov. 28 and depart from Managua on Dec. 24. After a night in SJ, I plan on heading to Osa peninsula, probably Drake Bay, the next day to do some day trips into Corcovado. I'm on a budget a bit higher than backpacker, but a lot less than most CR visitors, so will probably spend more of my time in Nica, but was wondering what else would be a must see in CR. Not really looking for big crowds of tourists if it can be avoided (probably not this time of year!). I'm in my mid-50's and I am interested more in nature and culture. Not in great physical condition and don't dive or surf. Don't think I'm up to climbing volcanoes, either! Would like to see turtles nesting/hatching, but don't know that my timing is right for that. With that in mind any suggestions for after Corcovado?I'm a little more set for Nica, planning on Ometepe, Masaya, Granada, Leon and somewhere around Esteli/Jinotega area. Probably will not plan very far ahead in Nica since I never know what I'll find most enjoyable. Figured I should maybe have a bit of a plan for CR, however!
Any tips or suggestions for either CR or Nica would be appreciated! Thanks!
1
the arenal area would be good.you could: see the volcano
ride horseback
go to the waterfall
spend some time in the hot springs (after horseback)
take a day trip to cano negro for a boat tour through the preserve
go boating or fishing on lake arenal
my favorite place to stay in that area is arenal observatory lodge http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com it has an interesting history, is the closest hotel to the volcano (i enjoy sitting on their deck with my binoculars and checking out the volcano), they have their own trails and each morning there is a free guided walk.
some other suggestions: samara beach http://www.samarabeach.com
santa rosa national park http://www.acguanacaste.ac.cr/1997/ecodesarrollo/ecoturismo/santa_rosa_turing.html if you go to the la casona entrance (the main entrance), there are several trails there that are not hard. it's mostly flat in that area so no issues with climbing. you can take short or long trails - there are cottages for rent in the park.
2
AOL at Arenal is not easy to get to if the poster does not have car, and its rather isolated there. But very nice.You will need more than a few days in DB area, then work you way up the pacific coast via Ochojal, great dining scene, then to Dominical, a surf town to eat n drink, then to Quepos/Manual Antonio, from there you can head to Liberia and Tenorio area, of to Arenal via shuttle, from Arenal you can cross the Nica border via Los Chiles, on the Rio San Juan, check out the parks near El Castillo too, very off the beaten path, then head to Ometepe a good 4 nights, then to Granada, then Leon. But Granada is rather touristy, but I best very pretty for the holidays with all the churches, avoid San Juan Del Sur, and hit the beach near Leon, a very cultural city to explore.
3
wait - you wouldn't really go from quepos to liberia and then to tenorio and arenal, would you? i think not.manuel antonio is the most visited national park in the country, so crowds can be expected.
i like the idea of crossing the border at los chiles and taking the boat to ometepe - but - i would recommend a stopover at solentiname islands and only 2 or 3 days at ometepe. it's also a very long ride across the lake from san carlos to granada - but breaking it up with solentiname and ometepe is helpful.
