www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Want to book some daytime tours...
Budget for the wife and I (we're in our early 40's) is no more than $120/person/day. Half day tours work for us, too.
1- Who is reputable and recommended?
2- When should I book tours?
3- Anyone interested in joining us for fishing, rafting, rainforest tours? No ziplining.
I think that's it...post links to websites or just give me the run down on best bang for the buck.
Thank you.

$240 per day for both of you? Is that after hotel, food, transportation, etc.? In other words, is that $240 per day play money??

$120 per person per day. The $240 for the both of us is budgeted just for tourism while we're staying at La Amistad. We plan on 2-4 touristy trips during our 6 day stay.

120 a day is on the upper range for the day tours... you can book thru the from desk... most of the tours include transportation,

send Rudy or Carlos at amistad an email to get a price list... they can usually be booked the day before....
most of the trips will have you leaving 5-7am and have you back by mid afternoon.

in june zip line was about 80 bucks, included transport breakfast and lunch.... i believe the other tours were plus minus 20$...

just be sure to inquire what the physical requirements are as some of the excursions require some level of physical exertion, not much but it should be noted.

also some light rain gear would make some of the activites more comfortable during green season

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its easier to fool people than to convince them they have been fooled- mark twain

Are you also looking for some play dates with you and your wife?

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

monte wants a rundown on the best bang for the buck

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im way deep into nothing special
riding the crest of a wave breaking just west of hollywood

Sorry monte but...that's a whole other thread......be more specific? We've beat that subject around and around....just what's available and what your looking for/expecting?

Dime los detalles, por favor

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

For adventure tours, you'd be best staying closer to those areas. You'll be spending a lot of time on the road for those 4 tours. La Fortuna, Monte Verde, Jaco, Qeypos are better options for an adventure-tour stay.

For in-valley, there's a daytrip to La Paz, volcan Poas, and the Moka coffee plantation: free desayuno y almuerzo. You can also hire a driver to see Cartago, volcan Irazu, Orosi Valley, and the ruins.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

6 days ain't much for a coupla straights....

but all good....i'd say 3 nites in san jose and 2 in something like manuel antonio. day trip out of the city and explore around as you choose of the package tours. they're all good for first timers....

but go to the coast. gives you a taste of the extremes of CR. turf and surf so to speak so you can see the city and coast and wildlife.... 1 night in sj for recovery for the flight out.

A slow day out to MA and a slow day back may unwind you in unexpected ways....it is the tropics after all.
peace!

F

I guess I can't be much more specific, because we've never done a vacation like this before, so I don't know the best tours to take. Or when to book them. I figured that I would pose the question, read replies, and re-read them before my trip to be as best prepared as possible.
As far as a daytime play date for the wife...nah...that's a nocturnal activity. Unless a keeper jumps in the boat unexpectedly.

Ok.......1st... you picked a decent Hotel......La Amistad.....it's just up the hill from the Sportmens Lodge and I have stayed there when the SL was full......Enjoy your all-inclusive if you have it but definitely come down to the SL.

I have been all over this country......Since zip lining is out.....I highly recommend a rafting trip in the Serepepida Class 3...ok spelling is probably wrong......Also many offer a 4 in 1 or 5 in 1 combos tour......I recommend the one that takes you to La Paz Waterfalls, Vulcan Poas, Coffee plantation and Rainforest. Also they have day trips to Arenal...the famous Volcano and you can visit the hot springs. For the time you are there I only recommend 2 full day trips and the rest you can fill-in. Counting the 12th and 18th as travel days....this leaves you 5 full days....pick 2 full day tours and fill in the short ones that are close to San Jose. Another day trip recommended is to Manuel Antonio Park......you will find crystal clear blue waters, natural protected park , walk through the rainforest and see all sorts of wildlife......monkeys, wild pigs, birds and perezozos (of the sloth family) amazing! Here the beaches are amazing......you will feel like you are in paradise!

So here are your full day choices:
Rafting
Combo Tour
Arenal Volcano
Manuel Antonio
ATV tour trip

These are all available from your hotel desk or the SL hotel desk....if you want to pre book one ahead of time to get a head start.....which is a good idea......pick one and I'll try to send you the link.

Pura Vida

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"

I am curious as to why people suggest a day trip to places like Arenal and MA? Much better to stay overnight and enjoy yourself. To drive for 3 hours, look at some stuff, and drive 3 hours back is not my idea of a day well spent.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

Your a monger and they are a couple.......he doesn't have to go the hunt for p*ssy. So, they can do day trips to those places.....they are already booked at La Amistad.

Of course, it is better to stay overnight.....just like the The Peace Lodge....if it were not for a day combo tour I would not get a good look in person how amazing this place is. I returned with a favorita for three days, great three days!

So....even if your are a monger.....sometimes you need a day out of SJ to appreciate the country and get away from the sharks. But...you always know what awaits for you on your return.

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GG
"Last time I said no......I misunderstood the question!"