Drive times between SJ, Arenal and Manuel Antonio?

I'm in the early stages of planning a week-long trip to CR for my five-year wedding anniversary. At this point, all I've secured are our flights to and from San Jose. We're thinking of renting a car and driving from San Jose to Arenal, from Arenal to Manuel Antonio, and from Manuel Antonio back to San Jose. We're considering four nights in Arenal and three nights in Manuel Antonio. Here are my questions ...

Does anyone know the drive times between these locations? Also, where can I find a really good street map?

Drive time to Fortuna from Arenal?

Are we going to kick ourselves for not spending a couple nights in Monteverde? We could shorten our stay in Arenal and stay a couple nights in Monteverde if it's recommended?

What's the drive time from Arenal to Monteverde? Should we make a day trip and visit the Cloud Forest?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. We are really looking forward to our first trip to CR!

Here are the driving times:

San Jose -> Arenal 4.20 hours
Arenal -> Manuel Antonio 5.10 hours
Manuela Antonio -> San Jose 4 hours
Fortuna -> Arenal 1 hours
Arenal -> Monteverde 2.15 hours

Thanks so much, Jose!

Do you know where I can find a good street map?

Any thoughts on altering schedule to spend some time in Monteverde?

Hi,

We have different driving times than José.
San José - Arenal (La Fortuna) about 3½ hours
Arenal - Manuel Antonio about 5 - 6 hours
Manuel Antonio - San José (airport) about 3 hours
La Fortuna - Arenal (NP) about 20 minutes
Arenal - Monteverde about 4 hours
We talk about hours because it all depends on what you want to see and how many stops you will make, we give the driving times without or with one stop. One of the best maps is the Nacional Geographic adventure map, available at Amazon and in the tourist placs in Costa Rica.
If you can see the Arenal one of the first nights you can go to Monteverde, but Monteverde isn't for everybody though a lot of persons do like it. We prefer another cloudforest south of Cartago along Cerro de la Muerte/San Gerardo de Dota. You cann't make a daytrip to Monteverde from la Fortuna.

Have a nice time in Costa Rica!!

jan & ili

#3 Jan has more accurate times...but it will vary

Thanks, all, for your feedback! Very helpful ...