Ugh...Please talk me out of Manuel Antonio...

As you don't have much time you could fly to Drake Bay or Puerto Jimenez (at least one way). By bus it is 8 hours or so from San Jose to Puerto Jimenez. Drake Bay would be 6 hours or so by bus (bus to Palmar Norte, bus or taxi to Sierpe) and then a boat to Drake Bay. Do you have 7 full days or are you including your day of arrival and departure?

If you could spend 5 full days in the Osa you would have to choose: Puerto Jimenez, Cabo Matapalo, Carate and maybe the three day trek to the Sirena ranger station in Corcovado Park.
Or Drake Bay with a boat tour to Sirena and the snorkeling tour to Cano Island.

As for Cahuita: I would actually choose a beach south of Puerto Viejo to stay at if you are going to stay in one spot. That is also where you would rent the bike. And do a day trip to the Cahuita National Park by bus. Again, it depends on how many full days you have. If you do stay in Cahuita you can choose to be near Playa Negra (a 15 minute walk from downtown and the National Park) or downtown.

Sorry- Isla Cano, Not Cano Negro...

Thanks everyone for this great information! Some really great things to think about and work in. I have seven days, but that's including arrival and departure... so kind of like 5 days I guess... and because our departure flight is at 7AM, kind of like 4 days. I probably should get back to Alleluja the day before I leave, right?

The snorkeling thing isn't as important to me as it is my fiancee. We're from New ORleans, and she's never seen clear water her entire life, at least like it is in the Caribbean and all. I just really want her to experience how it looks I suppose, but that can be a different trip for a different year. If we can see the entire MA park in like a day, there really is no reason to spend our entire trip there. Logistic from the airport and back are super easy, and that was one big positive for me (given our short time frame) but if the Caribbean coast is just as easy to get to/from, I am really exploring that idea now. The thought of rafting back to Alleluja seems really cool too!

From New Orleans, some of the best beaches in the entire hemisphere are 5 hours east in Destin/Sea Side...crystal clear blue water right now....

With 4 nights, head to Cahuita, as you need two nights for Tortuguero...

Yes, you need to be back in Alajuela the day prior, its 4 hours to/from Cahuita to SJ, and 5 hours from Pt Viejo.

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