Hi all
We (myself, wife and our 2 kids: 6.5 and 8 years old) are going to Costa Rica in June for 3 weeks. I was reading with great interest through the forum-pages and following your advice, we definitely will go to Tortuguero, Cahuita and Manzanillo-Ganduca. But that covers about half, for the rest we are confused...
Either we head north-west (Arenal, Sarapiqui, Cano Negro NP, Tenerio / Celeste, Rincon) or head south (Irazu, San Gerardo, Chirripo NP). What do you recommend or do you have any other ideas? We are big into nature, wildlife, trekking and prefer the non-touristy authentic areas, NO resorts. Kids are adventurous and are used to walk 4-5 hours-treks. We would also like to see a volcano on our itinerary . For the trip, we would prefer public transport, taxi, boats, hitch-hiking (car-hire only if really necessary). Looking forward to your suggestions!
we definitely will go to Tortuguero, Cahuita and Manzanillo-Ganduca. But that covers about half
I would suggest more like 2 weeks, 10 days is to short, IMO. Really depends on how fast you like to move, could easily spend the entire 3 weeks on the Caribe side, it's that nice.
Tortuguero, 3 nights, Cahuita, 3-4, nights, PV, 3 nights, Manzanillo, 2-3 nights.
Figure 2 nights arriving-leaving in Alajuela, nice little town 10mins. from the airport, leaves you about 6 nights left.
Could head down to Bocas, very cool place and fly back.
Maybe start off in La Fortuna, Arenal is not active but there is a lot to do in the area, for a couple nights then over to Sarapiqui for a couple nights and on to Tortuguero. I would not try and hit the Pacific side for this trip, just to much moving around.
Head up first to Arenal, Tenerio, Cano Negro areas, via rental car, and drop it in either La Fortuna, and take the shuttle transfer from there to Pavona for boats to Tortuguero. If you want to include Sarapiqui, then take car to SJ and drop there, and then bus Sarapiqui, the to Pavona via Guapiles, then do caribe coast, with some beaches at end to relax and chill.
You could also go from Arenal>Paos>Sarapiqui>SJ, drop car, then bus to Pavona...
La Amistad Chirppo is nice, though not a lot of wildlife there, great hiking.
The most wildlife and bio diversity will be-
Cano Negro
Sarapiqui
Tortuguero
Cahuita
The best hiking will be
Arenal
Tenerio
Tortuguero
Chapati
Here are my recs for great family style, family owned and family friendly places that are really intrinsic to the Costa Rica landscape.
Playa Cahuita- Monkeys and Sloths, walk to town, beach and enjoy thatched roof caribe life.
http://www.albylodge.com/Home_Java_Version/Englisch/englisch.html
Playa Punta Uva- Great beach and best family cooking next door at Selvyns, rent bikes.
http://www.cabinaspuntauva.com/presentation_eng.html
Playa Chequita- great beach, full stocked kitchens, pool and cafe if you want to lux it.
http://www.villasdelcaribe.com
Sarapiqui - top conservationist in country saving habitat for the Macaw and other bird species. Get the kids the TreeHouse...
http://posadaandrea.wix.com/andreacristina
Arenal- 3 generation family, great places to eat within walking distance and Baldo Hot Springs kids will go bonkers with the local families...
http://www.hotelcampoverde.com
Tenerio- Family style outdoor kitchen working farm, owners have children same age..horses, guides and food included...
http://cms.lacarolinalodge.com
Paos- Birding, wine list, mountain views, hit La Paz and Bruaullio...
http://www.poasvolcanolodge.com
Cano Negro- enjoy the great setting to swim, eat in fun outdoor cafe, guides/boats and fishing all right there.
Mrmoto, thank you SO much for the excellent and detailed answer and all the directions you wrote us regarding the kids! Great also the accommodation-tips where the kids can mingle with the locals. Tree-house is a fantastic idea, kids (and parents) are thrilled! It's also going to be my 50st birthday-trip, my own present :-)
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