www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Reaching out to the brotherhood for thoughts on were to send my Sisters family of 3 and a close friend of theirs family of 4. I have several ideas but would appreciate any thoughts from the brotherhood.

Ch*ldren are 12 and 13 years old and am thinking about activities for them in these scenarios.
Including ATV tours, Canopy Tours, Volcanoes, Hiking, etc encompassed within an hours drive of a locale they can stay planted that would include pools, maybe basketball courts or miniature golf type activities.

Options I am considering suggesting are...

1) Los Suenos Condominiums or the Marriott attached. I know there are several of the above mentioned activities in Jaco. Although I know Jaco is not the first place I would send them I know a lot of the activities are close.

2) Manual Antonio National Park. I am pretty sure all of the above activities can be done there, although not positive of this. I do like the National park, the white sand beaches, but will the K*ds be bored with not much in the way of activities or the all inclusive resorts designed for them.

3) Guanacaste. I have reviewed some of the all inclusive resorts near the 4 Seasons hotel but I do not see a whole lot of activities close by. This location is close to Playa Hermosa and is fair distance from Arenal. Are there other activities to do that Ch*ldren would enjoy such as the above mentioned activities nearby.


I am open to any and all suggestions, Any thoughts or recommendation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

I've been to Manuel Antonio several times and would definitely recommend it for a family style vacation. All of the touristy things are right there and can be set up by any hotel front desk. Other than the random dudes trying to sell you weed on the beach, it's very family friendly and totally safe. Because of the geography of MA, it's very important to pick the right hotel. Gotta weigh the closeness to the beach/cost/shittiness factors. Pm me if you want some recommendations.

Yo, Silensioso,
I would recommend Playa Flamingo/Playa Coco area in the Northwest Guanacaste area. Decent, safe beaches and all the tours to Arenal, etc, are easily available. And, they can fly into Liberia, so they would only be a 20 or 30 minute ride to the resort.

Los Suenos very nice, very $, very isolated, beach not much, never noticed K*D activities other than the norm. MA, lots to do near but not near volcano, great beach, world class in fact, no mini golf, one basketball court, public, near soccer field in MA, don't know of any all inclusive's there. MA is my favorite in CR so maybe I am not seeing the light in the other options mentioned, all of which I have been to, for family.

Alot of variety in Quepos/MA for adults and K*ds. Different hotel options, some really really nice up on the hill, but a bus, cab, or car ride to the beach. Only a few right on the beach or walkable, some of those OK (one with kitchens), a few not recommended ever. Mail me after you take a peek at what's avail and have narrowed your hotel options (on the hill or near the beach which to me would be the big determinant) if you want a little more input, seems like I've stayed at all of them at least once in 13 years.

Take a look at Lynch Travel's website in Quepos for an idea of what's available for entertainment for the K*ds; they can arrange everrything and it won't cost you more than if you booked it, they get their commish from the vendor.

Car rental another decision, I'd do it, Budget always the best internet rate. Decision on getting it there or SJ. I do SJ and drive, now only 2.75 hs with the new Autopista del Sol.

Staying in Monteverde, La Fortuna and then Manual Antonio for a few days each is another option. Rides from Manual Antonio are like 4-6 hours each way to some on these places. Better off just renting a van for everybody. Don't forget the GPS. Monteverde has the rain forest and without a doubt the best zip lining in all of Costa Rica. La Fortuna has Arenal volcano and the La Fortuna falls. This would be the best option imo. But if you would just like to hang on a beach that's fine too.

I was in Playa Hermosa for a bit. Very nice beach, but very little to do. Its the kind of place I would take a girl for the weekend, check into a decent hotel.

The nice thing about staying in Playa Hermosa is the proximity to the other beaches. Playa Del Coco had more going on then any of the other beaches. Playa Ocotal (spelling?) was my favourite beach, although not a whole lot going on there.

There were many lodges on Rincon de la Vieja that offered horse back riding, hiking, zip lines, mud baths etc. Very close to Liberia.

La Fortuna was nice, but not a whole lot in the way of activities for K*ds.

I'm not sure if it is an all year round deal, but I found Guanacaste to be considerably warmer then places in the San Jose province. It got quite uncomfortable some days. I know from experience, K*ds can have a particularly tough time handling the heat.

Good suggestions - also, white water rafting on the Pacuare is another good option