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posted 07-21-2008 10:47 AM            

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I am a newly single 45 yr old Mom and I have a few days to myself and I thought I would go to Costa Rica to do a canopy tour.

I am actually going to be there 4 nights but arrive at 8pm in San Jose the first night.

I would appreciate any advice on where I should stay, how I should get around and what tour I should do.

Thanks!

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posted 07-22-2008 04:59 AM            

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I agree with jdocop that if you have never been to Costa Rica you should take at least a few weeks to enjoy the country and culture, but a long weekend is better than nothing. Before oil prices starting getting crazy and airline ticket prices more than doubled I used always be able to take long weekends to Costa Rica. I found it better to take a bunch of long weekends ever couple months than one two week vacation or two one week vacations. I have made a number of friends in CR over the past few years so it allowed me to see them more often. I could find a ticket from LA to CR for under $300, fly the redeye, get in early Friday morning be at the beach by early afternoon, go back to the airport late Monday and be back in LA late Monday night. So your idea is not that outrageous, especially if you are an experienced traveler. I would never have given up those trips for anything. I have met many people who fly all over the world for shorter duration trips than 4 days and pay extreme prices. Just call this trip a teaser for a future longer trip.

To answer your question about what canopy tour to take, it depends. I have two options in mind depending on what you are looking for. Day 1 you arrive and I would stay someplace by the airport. I would wake up very early the next day (like 5 AM) and either take the first public bus or the interbus to either Manuel Antonio if you want the beach along with your canopy tour or Arenal if you want a volcano/mountains with your trip. Each place has a number of activities you can do in addition to a canopy tour. It is 3.5 – 4 hours from San Jose to Manuel Antonio and it is 4 – 5 hours to Arenal, so either way you can be at your destination by mid to late morning and still have the better part of three days to enjoy your trip (the way you make it sound is that you have 5 days 4 nights including the day you arrive). Depending on what time your flight leaves the last day should determine whether you want to go back to San Jose that day or the night before. With 3 days you won’t be able to get the full Costa Rica experience, but you will definitely be able to enjoy yourself.

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posted 07-27-2008 11:19 AM            

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If I just had a few days I'd go to Arenal. Depending on how adventurous you want to be, you can hike around the volcano, go horseback riding, go on a canyoning tour (we loved the one from Pure Trek Canyoning), go zip-lining (we did it in Monteverde, but heard that some of the ones in Arenal were as good or better), go rest in hot springs (we love Tabacon, although it is pricey).

Arenal does NOT have beaches though. If you're looking for that you'll have to go somewhere other than Arenal.

All times are CT