Help with a family vacation in Costa Rica?

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Kristina L

I've actually never seen a hotel advertised that has a waterslide/waterpark here. Not that they don't exist, but I don't think they are common. In June I stayed in Manual Antonio (just south of Quepos) at a place called Costa Verde. This is a really great hotel/resort. We stayed in the open air room but they have bungelows here that would fit your requirements (with the exception of the waterslide). There are pools and restaraunts on sight, the beach is within easy walking distance. There are numerous hiking paths on property also. Wildlife is prevelent. There motto is "More monkeys than people". The view is outstanding. There are numerous tour companies that will take you wwr, zip lining, guided hikes, kayaking, scuba diving etc. They also pick you up at the hotel which makes life easier. I also saw signs for surfing lessons and there is a spa down the road if you are looking for a down day. Manual Antonio is incredible beautiful and worth spending time at. The previous poster also suggested Arenol Volcano and I agree. It erupts all through the day but at night you can really see it. There are 2 places that have hot springs a little ways from the volcano Tabacon and Baldi. There are a number of volcanos in CR but this is probably the prettiest as it's a traditional cone shape and is very active.

San Jose isn't as bad as what some people say. Now, don't get me wrong, its a big city and has big city crime. But people get way to comfortable with the kindness of the people that they interact with and sometimes forget that the bad people are out there too. Use the same common sense you would use if you were visiting Detroit, Atlanta, Washington DC or LA. Don't wander at night. Don't wander in areas you aren't familiar with. Use cabs. And don't spend to much time there because there is so much great stuff to see in CR - and you can see a big city anywhere.

Enjoy your vacation - this is such a great country! It's so beautiful and the people are so kind. I hope you guys have a great time!

Also, I've included the link for La Posada - which was our 2nd choice for hotel. It's also very nice and very close to the beach and National Park.

Edmund Dantes

Hello, you guys are already on the right track by planning ahead. I planned for only one month and had the best vacation ever. As for the Hotel I dont know what to tell you. The place I stayed at was a 5-star but it did not have a slide (it did have a horizon pool with inpool bar). Take this advice...DO NOT STAY IN SAN JOSE. If you do, you better be prepared to be robbed or mugged. Trust me on this one. San Jose is horrible. You will want to stay in a place called Quepos. Is f'ing beautiful. There is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too much for me to write so I will tell you a list of placed you MUST SEE. Go to Quepos. The beach is right there and if you are lucky you can walk it at night and see huge turtles dropping off their eggs, unfortunately there will be poachers there as well trying to steal them but dont worry, the poachers will not bother you at all. They dont want any attention. Go to the butterfly garden. Definately go to the Manuel Antonio National Rainforest Park BUT DO NOT GO WITH A TRAVEL AGENCY. Find a local small Tico owned travel company. Tell them you want to see monkeys. They will definately hook you up. Its illegal to feed the monkeys but just dont tell anyone. DO go to a placed called "The Tabicon" You cant miss it, its at the bottom of a big volcano called Arenal. See the volcano and even hike up it a little ways. The volcano explodes every single night. If you have more time, take the horseback riding trip to the waterfalls, go hang glidding, white water rafting. All of this can be done in Quepos with the exception of the volcano. Of course, use caution while in Costa Rica. No matter what people tell you, it is not the safest place. Keep family close (especially near port towns) and have fun.

hey...
well, first, how long are you planning to stay?
my suggestions are first to go to monteverde for a while, couple of days, then to conchal beach (paradisus playa conchal resort), the best all inclusive resort with the unique white beach in costa rica. that is not that far from tamarindo and there is lot to do there.

karlotta

for info>
http://www.costadevelopers.com/
this is a web page that offers u an excellent option to visit costa rica,
for example they rent u a luxury home with good prices, made, the houses are close to the beach.
you can be their guest 4 days and three nigths.
my family and me stay at one house called bougainvillea, omg it was awesome!!! the house has 3 bedrooms,4 toilets,pool area...well you just have to visit the web page...

on the web pages you can see the different things u can do here is the list http://www.costadevelopers.com/guide.asp?but=6

bye!!!

www.costaricanativa.com

IÂ´ve checked in Manuel Antonio. The Si como no Hotel has the slide, check their web page. Also there are at least 5 canopy (zip line) tours, canyoing, etc. The main tour company there is Iguana Tours, biggest tour operator there, check their web page for prices and options. The hotel is a 4 star with all accommodations you might need, so donÂ´t worry its a beautiful, nature surrounded place.
The hotel is not beach side but has a shuttle bus that will take you for free to the Manuel Antonio park or the public beach.
Also, turtles donÂ´t arrive to Manuel Antonio, thats in Guanacaste; Arenal Volcano has a small town next to it, called TabacÃ³n, not tabicon; Costa Rica has one of the lowest crime rates in Latin America, and far under the United States, if you donÂ´t walk around with a back pack at p.m. in downtown San JosÃ© you not going to get mugged.
If you try to be cheap and get people from the street in order to save a few bucks you will get in trouble.

moci_arane

hope you'll find something you need. check out the list below

AttorneyKearney

You can find good acomodations pretty much at any of the tourist places.
Some of the must see and do places are one of the volcanoes, Arenal, Irazu, Poas are the closest ones.
Some of the hotels in La Fortuna have large slides just before the Arenal volcano.
Avellanas beach , Tamarindo, Brazilito, Flamingo and Conchal are very pretty on the pacific coast of Guanacaste.
DonÂ´t forget the canopy tour, Tortugeuro, Tortuga island.
PS. The first guy who warned you about San JosÃ© lives in San Jose, doesnÂ´t make much sense does it ?

Lic.Gregory Kearney Lawson.
http://attorneykearney.com

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