Anonymous
07/07/2025 16:38
Subject: Re:Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
How did everyone skip our families favorite, Tortuguero? I would start with 2-3 nights there, do a river kayak tour during the day and a nighttime turtle tour on the beach (watch the turtles lay eggs, very small groups), stay on the side of the river on a property with a pool.
I've been to CR several times, starting 25 years ago and finally made it to Tortuguero. I am sorry to say it was the worst part of our trip! Its a long bumpy drive and then boat ride, and then it POURED the entire time, we saw almost no animals on our kayak tour and desite having good rain gear it was just unpleasant after an hour or so. Then, the lodging and food was not that great. I was pretty disappointed. LOVED the Osa, the caribbean side, the orosi valley, the ojochal area but we did not have a great experience in Tortuguero. I understand it is not always like that, but it is a long way to go for it to not work out. Just FYI.
Anonymous
07/07/2025 08:11
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Anonymous wrote:I loved Costa Rica and want to go back so DH can see it. I would suggest:
1. Arenal
There is hiking, ziplining, white water rafting, sloth tours, and hot springs (adults might enjoy mud baths and massages -- we loved that). You can gave dinner at a place with a view of the volcano.
2. Monteverde cloud forest
See hummingbirds, butterflies, wildlife, hiking, chocolate and coffee tours. You can zipline here as well.
3. Manuel Antonio/Quepos (we spent most of our time here)
Hike and see wildlife (monkeys!), beach, catamaran cruising, surf lessons, wildlife sanctuary
This is the pretty standard first time to Costa Rica Itinerary. There are a LOT of travel agencies that plan CR trips and can organize everything including driver/transfers for you.
I would definitely recommend hiring drivers to get you from place to place, especially if you have a large group/would need to rent 2 cars or a big van. Driving in CR is no joke. We did it but it was a LOT.
Anonymous
07/06/2025 15:14
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
We flew in and out of Liberia and stayed at a Resort in Guanacaste. Did a couple of excursions with Frank the Tank and had a good experience. I might stay at a different resort next time but I would definitely do more excursions with Frank's team.
Anonymous
07/06/2025 14:56
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
This is what we did, using some Marriott points:
Day 1: fly bwi to sjo, dan Jose. Stay at Costa Rica Marriott, a former coffee plantation.
Rented a car from Turo and got the insurance.
Go to peace park animal sanctuary, tried to see the falls but they were hidden.
Day 3: drove 3hours to Arenal/la fortuna. Stayed at a place volcano lodge and springs from Expedia. Did hot springs, zip lines, and hiked the volcano national park.
Day 6: drove 3 hours to Autograph el mangroove papagayo. Awesome pool and cute beach area. We did one boating excursion one day from Viator and that was sketchy, but that was probably the only bad part of the trip. My husband backed into a tree and broke the back window glass on our rental car, and the insurance covered everything.
Day 9: fly home Liberia to bwi.
There are also all inclusive now in Costa Rica that are really great, the W and the Westin both have all inclusive options.
Day 1: fly bwi to sjo, dan Jose. Stay at Costa Rica Marriott, a former coffee plantation.
Rented a car from Turo and got the insurance.
Go to peace park animal sanctuary, tried to see the falls but they were hidden.
Day 3: drove 3hours to Arenal/la fortuna. Stayed at a place volcano lodge and springs from Expedia. Did hot springs, zip lines, and hiked the volcano national park.
Day 6: drove 3 hours to Autograph el mangroove papagayo. Awesome pool and cute beach area. We did one boating excursion one day from Viator and that was sketchy, but that was probably the only bad part of the trip. My husband backed into a tree and broke the back window glass on our rental car, and the insurance covered everything.
Day 9: fly home Liberia to bwi.
There are also all inclusive now in Costa Rica that are really great, the W and the Westin both have all inclusive options.
Anonymous
07/06/2025 13:37
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Anonymous wrote:https://www.tulemar.com/ My husband and I were married there and fell in love with CR on that trip!
Anonymous
07/06/2025 13:36
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
tulemar.com My husband and I were married there and fell in love with CR on that trip!
Anonymous
07/05/2025 10:24
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Anonymous wrote:just do a search on this website. posters are obsessed with Costa Rica and post about it constantly. personally I don't think it's that great, but DCUM seems to think it's a required right of passage.
I think rite is the word you are looking for.
Anonymous
07/05/2025 10:14
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
I haven't read through all of these, but one of my favorite things we did was visit an Animal Rescue Center. I can't remember which one we went to but here's a list: https://www.costaricavibes.com/costa-rica-animal-sanctuaries/
I know people are being snarky about ChatGPT but I love to use it to brainstorm trip planning.
I know people are being snarky about ChatGPT but I love to use it to brainstorm trip planning.
Anonymous
07/05/2025 09:28
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
We stayed at La Maison Inn near Lake arenal. It had the most gorgeous views, very quiet and private. They served “typical breakfast” which we still joke about consisting of a traditional Costa Rican breakfast. We rented an SUV and drove to the Springs resort. The Club Rio Tours give you an option for two activities and lunch which was so fun, we did river kayaking and horseback riding. We also did zip lining but I can’t remember where now. We asked the hotel clerk for some ideas and he took us to a night tour of the rainforest privately. My son was nervous because he pulled out a machete and it was just our family and friends alone in the middle of nowhere. But it was amazing to see the rainforest alive at night. We even saw two different species of venomous snakes. (We were never in danger, don’t worry). Monteverde was fun too and I think cloud forests are becoming extinct so see it while you can. We went to the hanging bridges but it closed due to rain, we went to the La Fortuna waterfall by the volcano, lots of steps but beautiful. We also spent a day ar Baldi resort. Waterslides for the kids while us older folks spent the day soaking in hot springs. We did the beach on the Pacific side last day and were not impressed.the tide pools were nice but I think we’re just too spoiled with nicer beaches.
Anonymous
07/05/2025 07:58
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:We are not ChatGPT
Seriously. Do it yourself. Or call a travel agent. My goodness.
What’s the point of a travel forum if we no longer share tips, itineraries, reviews, etc.?
Geez.
Anonymous
07/05/2025 07:41
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
I used Costa Rica Experts travel agency and they were fantastic. Trip was seamless.
The Springs is a great place to stay in the Arenal region, and I second the vote for Tulemar.
The Springs is a great place to stay in the Arenal region, and I second the vote for Tulemar.
Anonymous
07/04/2025 09:27
Subject: Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
If it’s your first trip - people have already outlined the “best” itinerary. Arenal - hot springs, hiking, wildlife. Monteverde - zip lining, wildlife. Manuel Antonio - beach, wildlife.
There is a lot more to see like the carribean side (tortuguero, PV) and then the osa - but probably better for a second trip once you get the lay of the land.
There is a lot more to see like the carribean side (tortuguero, PV) and then the osa - but probably better for a second trip once you get the lay of the land.
Anonymous
07/04/2025 08:55
Subject: Re:Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Sorry final thing: video with experiences from Tulemar: https://youtu.be/26CBQ5SzSaA
Anonymous
07/04/2025 08:50
Subject: Re:Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
Also if you consider Tulemar join the Facebook group for Tulemar guests for tons of info on tours etc
Anonymous
07/04/2025 08:48
Subject: Re:Put a Costa Rica Itinerary together for me
The simplest op is what most people have said:
Fly into San Jose rent a car. Arenal first for volcanoes, hot springs and zip lines. Look into cloud forest and decide if you want to go, many say you can skip it. It’s close if you decide to.
Then Manuel Antonio for rainforest and animals. Yes it is tourist heavy - but it’s the best way to see the monkeys, animals, plus beach with a big group like that. if you can afford it the best thing is to stay at Tulemar. You’ll have the beach right there, all the animals from the national park right there so you don’t even need to go to the crowded national park (we skipped it and everyone we talked to at the resort who went said that was the best call, you can see it all there!) and they can organize a bunch of adventure things for you from there. https://www.tulemarresort.com/
This trip above is not an off the beaten path trip. Costa Rica isn’t that. But it’s beautiful and fun for the kids and full of fun adventure. If you want a little more remote and are willing to travel I 100% ageee with the Osa peninsula. My kids were younger so I didn’t do it but it’s supposed to be fantastic.
Fly into San Jose rent a car. Arenal first for volcanoes, hot springs and zip lines. Look into cloud forest and decide if you want to go, many say you can skip it. It’s close if you decide to.
Then Manuel Antonio for rainforest and animals. Yes it is tourist heavy - but it’s the best way to see the monkeys, animals, plus beach with a big group like that. if you can afford it the best thing is to stay at Tulemar. You’ll have the beach right there, all the animals from the national park right there so you don’t even need to go to the crowded national park (we skipped it and everyone we talked to at the resort who went said that was the best call, you can see it all there!) and they can organize a bunch of adventure things for you from there. https://www.tulemarresort.com/
This trip above is not an off the beaten path trip. Costa Rica isn’t that. But it’s beautiful and fun for the kids and full of fun adventure. If you want a little more remote and are willing to travel I 100% ageee with the Osa peninsula. My kids were younger so I didn’t do it but it’s supposed to be fantastic.