www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I have my trip planned from March 6th to the 15th, with my first 2 nights booked at the Dunn Inn Hotel. My thought was to spend 2 nights in San Jose, then move on to other parts of Costa Rica. I thought 2 nights in Arenal at a hot spring would be nice, white water rafting/bungee jumping/zip lining etc... then a beach somewhere to do some snorkeling/scuba diving. Jaco sounds like a mediocre beach from what some members are saying, and I've searched out the Arenal experience on here as well. I really was hoping to get into some crazy adventures while I was there, not just the Ticas. Anybody have any guidance for me of different locations or should I stick with Arenal and maybe Jaco?

monte verde

Actually for all the nonmongering info, http://www.tripadvisor.com Some of our Brothers also write as Resident Experts over their. You have read and absorbed if not memorized Brother Orange'sCosta Rica for Dummies in this forum (post #16357)? An invaluable way to hit the ground running. Most any kind of adventuring can be booked at any hotel front desk. However look into an outfit called Rios Tropicales http://www.riostropicales.com

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I would stay at somewhere else than the Dunn....they are a shady bunch with no common sense and your typical screw over the gringo mentality.

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The difference between a Sea Story and a Fairy Tale is that a Fairy Tale starts out 'Once Upon a Time..' and a Sea Story starts out 'This is no Shit...'

(export version only, some restrictions may apply, some assembly required, not valid where the sun don't shine...

if you live in the states of Poverty, Darkness or anywhere outside of The Blessings of Civilization Trust, Inc...other rules may apply)

I just looked into the Sportsman's Lodge instead, waiting to hear back from them. Thanks for the head's up, AND I won't run afoul of Dunn's cancellation penalty

Ronjon....if you have the inclination and time: http://www.villablanca-costarica.com/

it's on the other side of San Ramon on the way to Jaco, of sorts.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

Tamarindo is a nice beach and there is scuba diving nearby, ditto with Ocotal, nice diving, cool little beach town.

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“Good people sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.” And we are the guys that keep them in Eggs & Grits

Pick the phone up and call SL if they have not got back to you by now, you are to close to your dates to wait for email back... if SL is full, call one of the others Castillo or Amistad for starters. do not wait for emails backs

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My best friend was the clock on the wall, and he turned out not to be much of a friend in the end

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34196&p=380699#p380699

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

Now, with Brother Boyd in attendance, add the Clarion Amon Plaza to the mix. And PM him directly.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Mt first trip to CR was a non-mongering trip. If you are looking to get the most out of CR other than pounding hot latina poon, my suggestion would be to hit Monteverde and go ziplining in the cloud forest, Arenal for the hot springs, volcano, and waterfall, and Manuel Anotonio for beach fun. Just my suggestion. If you are on the younger side of things like myself throw in a side trip to Tamarindo, as it is a fun beach/party town and lots of traveling gringas.

This type of information is just what I was looking for, thank you. I plan on doing some mongering, but I don't want my whole time spent in San Jose. I want to see a lot of Costa Rica beyond just the ladies (though the ladies are certainly a big part of it... ) I don't think I'll get to do that just staying in San Jose

To add some flesh to my comments about daytrip ino here, see this as an example (look for Brother Prolijo's post):
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=34196&p=384124

I Searched "daytrips" here for this (most recent recap) --there are more excellent Threads available.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

Villa Blanca has both a huge, mulit-tiered zipline (no lines; private); horseback riding; and is in the cloud forest. (However, zipline tours destroy any ability to see wild life due to all the noise and such.....might as well be zipling between the World Trade Buildings....oh....wait....those are gone.... While it IS "upscale", the rates are incredibly friendly and the service is 5 stars as is the facility itself. It is a huge, private park, essentially; with very mellow walking paths for bird watching and other animal watching activities. There are NO "bird of the night" activities whatsoever; you're in the middle of nowhere; mellow beyond belief as well as relaxed beyond all belief. Maybe more geared toward the more "mature" amongst us....

Stay there a night or two, and then push forward to the volcanco....although "volcano" is not my thing (seen one, ya seen 'em all), many enjoy it.

Amistad and Castillo are going to provide you with "better" discounts than the Clarion. I hope Boyd can get the rates back to what Nixon had quoted me all the while he was there and up to his departure.

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"Actual happiness always looks pretty squalid in comparison with the over-compensations for misery. And, of course, stability isn't nearly so spectacular as instability. And being contented has none of the glamour of a good fight against misfortune, none of the picturesqueness of a struggle with temptation, or a fatal overthrow by passion or doubt. Happiness is never grand."
- Aldous Huxley, Brave New World, Ch. 16

If your looking for adventure dont miss repeling/Canyoning with:

http://www.puretrekcostarica.com/

I've done this twice! What a rush!

Bring chicas with ya from San Jose if you want some action while up there in Arenal/La Fortuna.