Wife and I are looking to do a semi-quick (4-5 nights) trip to Costa Rica and I’m looking for suggestions. We havent been before, but given the shorter nature of the trip I’m kinda hoping we can find one location that offers a good combination of more active things we can do and relaxing things. Leaning towards either Arenal or Manuel Antonio areas but open to suggestions.
Also would love hotel suggestions. Hoping to avoid a large hundred room resort in favor of individual villas or casitas, but again open to suggestions!
Looks like maybe its been a while since a Costa Rica thread happened.
We just returned from there. The arenal area is good albeit lots of people over holidays which is busy there.
The Pacuare lodge is something special. One rafts to and from there. or drive if needed. Activities and food are included in the daily rate so not as pricey as it may look. Very highly recommended. Very few people.
I don’t have a recommendation for a hotel but if you end up on the west coast in the Guanacaste region, go to dinner at Villa Deevena. High end Los Angeles chef moved to Costa Rica and opened a restaurant. Great food and a fantastic wine list at a reasonable price. Caveat - we were there in 2014.
We went two years ago in December and stayed at Arenas Del Mar in Manual Antonio (https://arenasdelmar.com/). It was perfect for us. Great location with very nice beach and super friendly staff. Dining choices were somewhat limited, as it’s a smaller property, but we loved every meal we had. Enough activities on site, but some of the family also went zip lining, which was a bit of a ride, but they said well worth it.
That is a super cool hotel. I dont think i could get my wife on board with the rafting out thing. Do you just go right to the airport from the rafting?? Haha but ill add that one to my bucket list.
My parents did not raft in or out. So can certainly do none and go direct to and from airport. The rafting to lodge is class 1 & 2 rapids in lowish Dec flow. The bottom section is more rowdy and solid 2 & 3 class in Dec but 3 & 4 class rapids in more full flow. We were 8 rafter and did have one person pop out on way out. No biggie.
Laura and I have been to the Arenal Lodge twice, and loved it both times. The grounds are lovely. So many birds. Lots of interesting walks relatively nearby. Another place we have adored is Hotel Quelitales. More romantic (separate cabins), and also lovely, if much smaller, grounds. Rancho Natualista is also amazing!