PP here. I highly recommend stopping at the Peace Lodge for a night or two on your way from SJO to Arenal.

OP here. We will prob hire a driver, it’s more that he just doesn’t want us spending multiple hours in vehicles, so looking for an itinerary where we are still staying in multiple places, but not as much time in a car getting from one place to another. Flying into SJO as it’s more cost effective. Thanks for the comments about Manuel Antonio, I think will cross off our list.

Anonymous wrote:I would skip Manuel Antonio personally. Do Arenal + Guanacaste. The drive from Arenal to Guanacaste was pretty awful TBH. We were all really car sick from the windy roads, etc. and we don’t usually have issues with road trips.

Sorry, meant to say the drive from Arenal to Manuel Antonio was awful!

I would skip Manuel Antonio personally. Do Arenal + Guanacaste. The drive from Arenal to Guanacaste was pretty awful TBH. We were all really car sick from the windy roads, etc. and we don’t usually have issues with road trips.

I’d also recommend the west coast beaches over MA - more relaxed and more of a local vibe. Playa Hermosa is great.

Anonymous wrote:I would hire a driver, too. It’s not as expensive as it would be here, and then H can enjoy the scenery, too. Another option is to fly into Liberia and do a Pacific beach close to there and then Monteverde and Arsenal, flying out of SJO. Manuel Antonio is very touristy, IMO.

OP is a tourist. What’s wrong with “touristy?”

Also Manuel Antonio is not worth it. Just go to a US resort if all you are after is touristic crap.

This is a about as easy of a drive as you can do in Costa Rica. Only easier is Liberia to Guanacaste, but that is just a pretty beach trip. He (or you) should suck it up so that your family can actually see anything. I thought this was going to be a question where you were actually driving in the cool places slightly off the beaten path but nope.

Go from SJO to Manuel Antonio and stay in that general area. (Make sure you stop and look at the Crocodile Bridge on the way!) Maybe take an extra drive up to the Cloudbridge Nature Preserve on one day.

The drive is easier now that the highway was completed. We stayed in Uvita and did zip lining and horseback riding from there, then did a day trip to Manuel Antonio.

I would hire a driver, too. It’s not as expensive as it would be here, and then H can enjoy the scenery, too. Another option is to fly into Liberia and do a Pacific beach close to there and then Monteverde and Arsenal, flying out of SJO. Manuel Antonio is very touristy, IMO.

Driving from SJO to Manuel Antonio is an easy drive on good roads.

We flew to Liberia and went to the West coast beach instead because it’s closer and loved it. We were at Playa Hermosa and then went to stay near Tilaran and did day trips to La Fortuna and Monteverde areas. We hired an awesome driver to take us around which was totally worth it.

You can fly from SJO to Manuel Antonio, but honestly, the drive isn't that bad.

Planning to go to Costa Rica for winter break with daughters, ages 9 and 12. We will fly in SJO. Husband is whining about all the driving. I was initially thinking La Fortuna-Monteverde-Manuel Antonio, but now I’m rethinking because of all of the driving. What’s a great itinerary for families that involves a little less driving getting from Point A to Point B? We’ll be there for 9 days total (not counting our travel in and travel out days) Would also like a few days of relaxation/beach time. Thanks!