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ChristianC16:41 UTC12 Apr 2016

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!

hermosajoe19:06 UTC13 Apr 2016

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.

mrmoto11:44 UTC14 Apr 2016

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.

http://www.hoteldecampo.com

ChristianC16:04 UTC17 Apr 2016

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 :-)

Thorn Tree01:01 UTC18 Apr 2017

This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.

3 weeks family trip in June Country forums / Central America / Costa Rica
ChristianC16:41 UTC12 Apr 2016	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!
hermosajoe19:06 UTC13 Apr 2016	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.	1
mrmoto11:44 UTC14 Apr 2016	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. http://www.hoteldecampo.com	2
ChristianC16:04 UTC17 Apr 2016	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 :-)	3
Thorn Tree01:01 UTC18 Apr 2017	This topic has been automatically locked due to inactivity. Email community@lonelyplanet.com if you would like to add to this topic and we'll unlock it for you.	4

3 weeks family trip in June