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Posted
On 4/16/2025 at 8:57 PM, kevwun said:

Checked with my wife and we are going there on a large mammal tour.

I went with a friend in 2014. We did I think a half-day trip into the park. We had caiman, crocodile, tamandua, 3-toed sloth, family groups of spider and squirrel monkey and most remarkably tapir.

I wasn't a yet a birder when we went, but pretty sure we also had scarlet macaw and some trogon species without any effort. It's a very cool place.

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Posted

Since I'm here, any thoughts or recommendations on a family trip to CR with young kids? Im looking at a week in late January. Oldest kid is about to turn 3, the other is currently 8 months. I'd happily leave them with the grandparents for a week, but my wife isn't there yet.

The youngest is very chill (for now), and the 3 year-old loves to be outdoors generally. I really want to go to Arenal area one day, but it seems like a place to save for when they are a little older and can do more of the active stuff. My wife's #1 priority for travel is probably food, mine is nature.

Would Quepos/Manuel Antonio be the ideal location in our situation, or are there other places you would suggest? I figured we could find a hotel or rental with a pool and be on the edge of the jungle, while also having easy access to the beach and dining options.

Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, hookem2010 said:

Since I'm here, any thoughts or recommendations on a family trip to CR with young kids? Im looking at a week in late January. Oldest kid is about to turn 3, the other is currently 8 months. I'd happily leave them with the grandparents for a week, but my wife isn't there yet.

The youngest is very chill (for now), and the 3 year-old loves to be outdoors generally. I really want to go to Arenal area one day, but it seems like a place to save for when they are a little older and can do more of the active stuff. My wife's #1 priority for travel is probably food, mine is nature.

Would Quepos/Manuel Antonio be the ideal location in our situation, or are there other places you would suggest? I figured we could find a hotel or rental with a pool and be on the edge of the jungle, while also having easy access to the beach and dining options.

Tulemar resort in Manuel Antonio is probably my first and only choice for your situation. A very distant 2nd choice would be Los Suenos but there isn’t nearly as much nature stuff there. I’m very hesitant to tell people with kids that young that CR is a good vacation choice.

Edited by justhookit
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Posted
17 hours ago, justhookit said:

Tulemar resort in Manuel Antonio is probably my first and only choice for your situation

Parador is just behind Tulemar and it's pretty kid friendly.  Luckily they also have an adults only pool

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Posted
17 hours ago, justhookit said:

Tulemar resort in Manuel Antonio is probably my first and only choice for your situation. A very distant 2nd choice would be Los Suenos but there isn’t nearly as much nature stuff there. I’m very hesitant to tell people with kids that young that CR is a good vacation choice.

Due to the activities being geared toward non-toddlers? I certainly don't want to burn that bridge and struggle to convince the wife to go back for a more fulfilling experience.

Posted
17 hours ago, justhookit said:

Tulemar resort in Manuel Antonio is probably my first and only choice for your situation. A very distant 2nd choice would be Los Suenos but there isn’t nearly as much nature stuff there. I’m very hesitant to tell people with kids that young that CR is a good vacation choice.

Here. We're repeat guests every November. Just a great property all around - beautiful and really well maintained, nice houses / villas, outstanding customer service including a dedicated concierge, private beach, 3 pools, lots of wildlife (monkeys, toucans, sloths, etc.), great location w/ grocery store / restaurants within walking distance, onsite cafe which is good.  And on.  

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Posted
2 hours ago, midtown said:

Parador is just behind Tulemar and it's pretty kid friendly.  Luckily they also have an adults only pool

The problem with Parador is no beach access and it’s not on the main road so you have to take a taxi to anywhere you want to go. There are a ton of nice properties in Manuel Antonio and some are nicer than Tulemar. But because of Tulemar’s location it is really, really hard to beat. And it will be much easier with kids with 10 good restaurants within walking distance.

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Posted
2 hours ago, hookem2010 said:

Due to the activities being geared toward non-toddlers? I certainly don't want to burn that bridge and struggle to convince the wife to go back for a more fulfilling experience.

Exactly. Now, if you don’t mind just staying on property all day it’s fine. And at Tulemar you can walk to some really great restaurants. But you won’t be able to take either kid on any excursions.

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Posted

Looking at doing a trip somewhere in mid/late August, and CR is on the list.  But is it too deathly hot in August?  Wife and I and our two adult kids (21 & 19)

Posted
20 hours ago, justhookit said:

Tulemar resort in Manuel Antonio is probably my first and only choice for your situation. A very distant 2nd choice would be Los Suenos but there isn’t nearly as much nature stuff there. I’m very hesitant to tell people with kids that young that CR is a good vacation choice.

The beach at Tulemar is amazing for younger kids.  And there's so much wildlife on the property that you don't even need to go to the park.  Just do a sloth tour on property.

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Posted (edited)

Parador is a tad cheaper so just throwing it out as a nice option. It has the public beach right at the bottom of the hill.  Its literally one cove over from Tulemar beach right? Be warned ifyou stumble goign down youre going to the bottom fast and the walk up is a workout.

And yes that road to parador is not to be done under the influence at all.  Wasnt sure if OP was renting a car or not>  Walking is preferable but if you want to get into town to hit a soda, go to the marina, MA Park, or shoot down to Uvita you;ll want to rent a car anyway.

@justhookit is the pro though. just throwing a few other options.  What did they ever do with Buena Vista down the hill?  google satallite tells me they built something next to it but it says closed.  That is prime real estate. 

Edited by midtown
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Posted
6 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Looking at doing a trip somewhere in mid/late August, and CR is on the list.  But is it too deathly hot in August?  Wife and I and our two adult kids (21 & 19)

August is height of rain season in CR. Heat is not too bad but be prepared to spend afternoon somewhere dry. 
 I think Oct Nov is earliest and Dec Jan is best. Also heavy tourist seasons then also. 

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Posted
Leaving in the morning, trying not to stab anyone at work because people keep dropping last minute shit on me.
I say stab them and then fight the extradition from the beach sipping on imperials
Posted
23 hours ago, Sbbruin said:

Looking at doing a trip somewhere in mid/late August, and CR is on the list.  But is it too deathly hot in August?  Wife and I and our two adult kids (21 & 19)

August is one of the “cooler” months because it is rainy season but it is always hot in CR. Around 90 degrees and humid year round unless you are in the mountains. If you do end up in Manuel Antonio let me know, I’ll be there and will take y’all fishing one day if you want.

22 hours ago, midtown said:

Parador is a tad cheaper so just throwing it out as a nice option. It has the public beach right at the bottom of the hill.  Its literally one cove over from Tulemar beach right? Be warned ifyou stumble goign down youre going to the bottom fast and the walk up is a workout.

And yes that road to parador is not to be done under the influence at all.  Wasnt sure if OP was renting a car or not>  Walking is preferable but if you want to get into town to hit a soda, go to the marina, MA Park, or shoot down to Uvita you;ll want to rent a car anyway.

@justhookit is the pro though. just throwing a few other options.  What did they ever do with Buena Vista down the hill?  google satallite tells me they built something next to it but it says closed.  That is prime real estate. 

I only went down to the main beach once while we were their last trip. Didn’t notice anything going on around Buena Vista. They are starting to see a pretty big decline in tourism numbers - it’s very noticeable. Doubt we will see much new development anytime soon.

16 hours ago, Shaddie said:

August is height of rain season in CR. Heat is not too bad but be prepared to spend afternoon somewhere dry. 
 I think Oct Nov is earliest and Dec Jan is best. Also heavy tourist seasons then also. 

Yup. August through October is generally the worst of rainy season. Sometimes November too. That said it’s pretty rare to lose a whole day or trip due to rain. I was there for almost 3 months last year from July until the end of September and never had a problem. This year April was much more rainy than usual and it’s been raining a ton in late May. January, February, and March it is sunny every day. 

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Posted

Don't not go because it's rainy season or green season.  Most of the time its sunny until about 4 and then it pours for the rest of the night.   Go do something like fish or raft and by the time you get back and get showered grab a bevarge and sit under a patio/balcony and watch it pour.  there is nothing more relaxing.  Of course sometimes the weather just sucks.  Its also cheaper and less crowds

 

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Posted
9 hours ago, midtown said:

Don't not go because it's rainy season or green season.  Most of the time its sunny until about 4 and then it pours for the rest of the night.   Go do something like fish or raft and by the time you get back and get showered grab a bevarge and sit under a patio/balcony and watch it pour.  there is nothing more relaxing.  Of course sometimes the weather just sucks.  Its also cheaper and less crowds

 

Seconded. I think I went in May. It rained most every night, but was sunny all day. By then, we had either scuba'd, hiked, ziplined, kayaked, whatever we wanted to do. Then we just chilled with a few Imperial and hung out with the other people at our camping/glamping site on Osa.

I loved that trip. Why I want to return so badly with my family. 

Posted (edited)

One of the best investment you will make as a traveler is a good rain jacket.  Just take it everywhere.  If it rains, put it on and continue about your trip

Edited by midtown
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Posted

I’d like to do a family trip next summer to Costa Rica. Our youngest will be 10 by then so it seems like we’re finally at a decent spot to enjoy most of what it has to offer.

I was thinking about ~10 nights split between La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio area, but after reading this thread I’m second guessing the hops. A few specific concerns/questions:
 

Driving: I liked the idea of having a rental, but there’s no way I can fit everyone in one car (I think). We will have 6 people - 3 adults - and I only really trust myself to navigate tricky roads so don’t want to get 2 cars. How feasible is it to get around when you stay at places like Tulemar or a vacation rental around La Fortuna?

Tulemar: After learning about it on this thread and checking out their properties, it seems like a winner. It seems like it’s 1 week rentals only though - would I miss out on a lot for a first time trip staying there for a week?

Posted
27 minutes ago, midtown said:

Pretty sure Interbus will take you pretty much everywhere you want to go.  I have done both interbus and car rental. I prefer car rental just for flexibility.   Its not terrbily hard to drive in CR. 

https://www.interbusonline.com/

I’m more concerned about needing 2 vehicles - no large 4x4 options.

 

Posted

Looks like I read bad internet info - shouldn’t be an issue finding a large enough vehicle.

I guess that just leaves me at is 3 - 4 days enough around arenal (or other region) and is 7 too much at tulemar?

Posted
2 hours ago, bigcigar said:

Looks like I read bad internet info - shouldn’t be an issue finding a large enough vehicle.

I guess that just leaves me at is 3 - 4 days enough around arenal (or other region) and is 7 too much at tulemar?

Just get a driver to get you to Arenal, Manuel Antonio and the airport and save yourself the hassle of driving there. I’m not sure why you are seeing that Tulemar is week long rentals only. But a week there is about perfect.

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Posted
2 hours ago, justhookit said:

Just get a driver to get you to Arenal, Manuel Antonio and the airport and save yourself the hassle of driving there. I’m not sure why you are seeing that Tulemar is week long rentals only. But a week there is about perfect.

Maybe it’s just the ones I’m looking at. I’d prefer 4 bedrooms and they all look like Saturday check-ins

 

IMG_8956.jpeg

Posted
12 hours ago, bigcigar said:

Maybe it’s just the ones I’m looking at. I’d prefer 4 bedrooms and they all look like Saturday check-ins

 

IMG_8956.jpeg

I didn’t realize they did that on the villas. Good to know. 

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Posted
11 hours ago, justhookit said:

I didn’t realize they did that on the villas. Good to know. 

I think the villas (4 - 6 occupants) are rented for < a week. Least that's been our experience and was so last November.

The houses, like he is looking at, are typically week rentals. 

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Posted
On 6/1/2025 at 10:22 AM, bigcigar said:

I’d like to do a family trip next summer to Costa Rica. Our youngest will be 10 by then so it seems like we’re finally at a decent spot to enjoy most of what it has to offer.

I was thinking about ~10 nights split between La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio area, but after reading this thread I’m second guessing the hops. A few specific concerns/questions:
 

Driving: I liked the idea of having a rental, but there’s no way I can fit everyone in one car (I think). We will have 6 people - 3 adults - and I only really trust myself to navigate tricky roads so don’t want to get 2 cars. How feasible is it to get around when you stay at places like Tulemar or a vacation rental around La Fortuna?

Tulemar: After learning about it on this thread and checking out their properties, it seems like a winner. It seems like it’s 1 week rentals only though - would I miss out on a lot for a first time trip staying there for a week?

As hook said, don't mess with driving around. 

There's plenty to do in a week at Tulemar / Quepos / Manuel Antonio. The private beach itself could occupy a lot of your time. Offsite, outside of fishing with hook, of many things I highly recommend the zip lining. Not really for the faint of heart - the highest platform is 15 stories up which gets you eye level with the clouds in the rain forest. But is's a helluva time. We saw 8 and 10-year olds doing it when were there last November and you could tell they were having the time of their lives. 

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