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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Costa Rica-Family Trip
I'd love to do a family vacation to Costa Rica. My kids would be 7 and 8 by the time we would go. We were looking at a few places but its gotten overwhelming. My hubby is more adventurous and he is willing to "rough it" but I definitely want more of a resort feel. If you have been to Costa Rica and stayed at a place with a nice balance please chime in. I am open to all suggestions. TIA!
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Posted 7/25/16 9:27 PM  |
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BunnyWife
Insert Witty Comment Here
Member since 5/07 8274 total posts
Name:
BunnyWife
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
We are going next week. Are you looking for a beach resort, jungle or a mix of both?
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| Posted 7/26/16 10:11 AM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
When I went to Costa Rica we stayed in two parts Arenal and Manuel Antonio.
We stayed at Hotel Magic Mountain in Arenal which was your basic hotel not roughing it but not luxury resort feel either. It was a good price, clean and staff was amazing. We even went white water rafting with owner and some staff members. Plus views of the Arenal Volcano.
When we stayed in Manuel Antonio we stayed at Buena Vista Villas and had a tree top villa but there are two floors in the villas we had the bottom floor and it was right in the middle of the trees. Every morning I would go out on the balcony and you could just hear the trees start to rustle and all the monkeys that came swing through. It was amazing. You are on a steep hill side so there are lots of hills at this resort but it was amazing. This was more the relaxation part of the trip they have their own beach. It is very close to the national park which we did a tour of there.
Costa Rica is probably my favorite place I have traveled too. Hope some of that helps.
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| Posted 7/26/16 11:20 AM |
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muffaboo
LIF Adult
Member since 12/10 3797 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
I've been a couple of times. We stayed in 4 different areas--Manuel Antonio (Falls Resort), Arenal (Hotel El Silencio del Campo), Tamarindo (Cala Luna Resort), and the Osa peninsula (Aguila de Osa Inn).
We did tons of excursions and your kids would be a great age for many of them.
I've been to Europe, the South Pacific, around the Caribbean, etc. Costa Rica is my favorite place ever. I would love to live there 
ETA:
The Falls Resort in Manuel Antonio is a small resort. It's not a huge luxurious resort but the rooms are very nice and private. The grounds are well taken care of. There is a small pool and restaurant, which wasn't bad. We also walked to the national park and other neighborhood restaurants.
Hotel El Silencio del Campo is awesome. My sister is actually going there for part of her honeymoon in May (SO jealous). The grounds are immaculate and beautifully landscaped. There is a swimming pool and separate hot spring pools. The rooms are all separate villas. La Fortuna has a nice town area. We took a cab there a couple nights for dinner.
Cala Luna is a "luxury boutique" hotel. It's very nice and has a nice pool and it's own private beach. We took a cab into town every day. It's a beachy town with lots of restaurants and shops.
I probably wouldn't recommend the Osa peninsula for someone with young kids because it's very secluded and more rugged, albeit gorgeous.
Excursions we did:
Arenal: Waterfall rappelling, Caño Negro Riverboat Safari, Arenal hike, white water rafting, zip lining, hanging bridges
Tamarindo: ATVs, Buena Vista Combo Tour, snorkeling
Manuel Antonio: national park hike, Ocean King Catamaran/Snorkeling, ATVs, white water rafting
Osa Peninsula: Corcovado hike, snorkeling, the Night Tour
I have an awesome travel agent if you're interested--she is an American that lives in CR and she is so accommodating and will work with you to plan a perfect individualized itinerary
Message edited 7/26/2016 4:24:37 PM.
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| Posted 7/26/16 3:33 PM |
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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Posted by BunnyWife
We are going next week. Are you looking for a beach resort, jungle or a mix of both?
I guess a balance of both. I would much prefer a beach resort but my husband wants the locals/adventurous effect. A nice balance would keep us both sane.
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| Posted 7/26/16 6:25 PM |
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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Posted by kmr6107
When I went to Costa Rica we stayed in two parts Arenal and Manuel Antonio.
We stayed at Hotel Magic Mountain in Arenal which was your basic hotel not roughing it but not luxury resort feel either. It was a good price, clean and staff was amazing. We even went white water rafting with owner and some staff members. Plus views of the Arenal Volcano.
When we stayed in Manuel Antonio we stayed at Buena Vista Villas and had a tree top villa but there are two floors in the villas we had the bottom floor and it was right in the middle of the trees. Every morning I would go out on the balcony and you could just hear the trees start to rustle and all the monkeys that came swing through. It was amazing. You are on a steep hill side so there are lots of hills at this resort but it was amazing. This was more the relaxation part of the trip they have their own beach. It is very close to the national park which we did a tour of there.
Costa Rica is probably my favorite place I have traveled too. Hope some of that helps.
This is very helpful! Thank you! How far was the beach from the resort? Did you have to drive or rent a car?
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| Posted 7/26/16 6:27 PM |
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FHmomma
LIF Zygote
Member since 12/11 48 total posts
Name:
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Costa Rica-Family Trip
I second the hotel el silencio. Arenal is amazing. We rented a car and drove from arenal to two different beach towns. The hanging bridges was really cool and zip lining (both in arenal). My favorite beach we went to was in Nosara. We stayed at the harbor reef and took surf lessons! Nosara is off the beaten path but a jem once you get there. Once my kids are older we will be taking a family trip! Good luck and whatever you decide you will have a wonderful time!
Message edited 7/26/2016 6:57:42 PM.
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| Posted 7/26/16 6:56 PM |
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kmr6107
LIF Toddler
Member since 7/07 463 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Posted by lazybug
Posted by kmr6107
When I went to Costa Rica we stayed in two parts Arenal and Manuel Antonio.
We stayed at Hotel Magic Mountain in Arenal which was your basic hotel not roughing it but not luxury resort feel either. It was a good price, clean and staff was amazing. We even went white water rafting with owner and some staff members. Plus views of the Arenal Volcano.
When we stayed in Manuel Antonio we stayed at Buena Vista Villas and had a tree top villa but there are two floors in the villas we had the bottom floor and it was right in the middle of the trees. Every morning I would go out on the balcony and you could just hear the trees start to rustle and all the monkeys that came swing through. It was amazing. You are on a steep hill side so there are lots of hills at this resort but it was amazing. This was more the relaxation part of the trip they have their own beach. It is very close to the national park which we did a tour of there.
Costa Rica is probably my favorite place I have traveled too. Hope some of that helps.
This is very helpful! Thank you! How far was the beach from the resort? Did you have to drive or rent a car?
The beach was at the resort. Probably 5-10 minute walk but i believe you can have a staff member take u in a golf cart. We did not rent a car. We flew between each destination and got picked up my hotel or taxi cant remember. We did tours in arenal and they picked up and dropped off.
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| Posted 7/26/16 7:21 PM |
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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Posted by FHmomma
I second the hotel el silencio. Arenal is amazing. We rented a car and drove from arenal to two different beach towns. The hanging bridges was really cool and zip lining (both in arenal). My favorite beach we went to was in Nosara. We stayed at the harbor reef and took surf lessons! Nosara is off the beaten path but a jem once you get there. Once my kids are older we will be taking a family trip! Good luck and whatever you decide you will have a wonderful time!
Thank you! Surfing lessons in Costa Rica is on my husband's bucket list. Me on the other hand, I'm very content just hanging in the beach. Zip lining looks amazing as well.
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| Posted 7/26/16 10:08 PM |
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lazybug
LIF Adult
Member since 3/12 1013 total posts
Name:
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Posted by muffaboo
I've been a couple of times. We stayed in 4 different areas--Manuel Antonio (Falls Resort), Arenal (Hotel El Silencio del Campo), Tamarindo (Cala Luna Resort), and the Osa peninsula (Aguila de Osa Inn).
We did tons of excursions and your kids would be a great age for many of them.
I've been to Europe, the South Pacific, around the Caribbean, etc. Costa Rica is my favorite place ever. I would love to live there
ETA:
The Falls Resort in Manuel Antonio is a small resort. It's not a huge luxurious resort but the rooms are very nice and private. The grounds are well taken care of. There is a small pool and restaurant, which wasn't bad. We also walked to the national park and other neighborhood restaurants.
Hotel El Silencio del Campo is awesome. My sister is actually going there for part of her honeymoon in May (SO jealous). The grounds are immaculate and beautifully landscaped. There is a swimming pool and separate hot spring pools. The rooms are all separate villas. La Fortuna has a nice town area. We took a cab there a couple nights for dinner.
Cala Luna is a "luxury boutique" hotel. It's very nice and has a nice pool and it's own private beach. We took a cab into town every day. It's a beachy town with lots of restaurants and shops.
I probably wouldn't recommend the Osa peninsula for someone with young kids because it's very secluded and more rugged, albeit gorgeous.
Excursions we did:
Arenal: Waterfall rappelling, Caño Negro Riverboat Safari, Arenal hike, white water rafting, zip lining, hanging bridges
Tamarindo: ATVs, Buena Vista Combo Tour, snorkeling
Manuel Antonio: national park hike, Ocean King Catamaran/Snorkeling, ATVs, white water rafting
Osa Peninsula: Corcovado hike, snorkeling, the Night Tour
I have an awesome travel agent if you're interested--she is an American that lives in CR and she is so accommodating and will work with you to plan a perfect individualized itinerary
Such valuable information! Thank you sooo much!
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| Posted 7/26/16 10:29 PM |
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Siren77
LIF Adolescent
Member since 9/09 828 total posts
Name:
Siren77
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Re: Costa Rica-Family Trip
Not so much a recommendation for hotels but
we had a driver in Costa Rica who we loved (and have since recommended to so many people) if you want his info. This way we were able to stay in different places and explore the area.
Also, look up Rainmaker Tour. It's the hanging bridges tour. It was AWESOME but not scary.
Message edited 7/27/2016 7:04:11 AM.
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| Posted 7/27/16 7:03 AM |
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