Anna asked 7 years ago
Thank you for a very good and informative site! We are travelling to Costa Rica, end Oct / beginning Nov this year and have 11 full Days there (yey!) We have planned to pick up a rental car at the San Jose Airport and to spend the first 2 Days in the Poas / Arenal / Fortuna area. The Children are crazy about animals (and hikes that are not too long). Waterfalls and other \”cool\” sightings and possibilites to swim – anywhere – would be great. Could you recommend anything for those first 2 Days? Then on the 3rd day, we plan to take the ferry to Paquera and then travel to Santa Teresa. We have understood that we are still in the rainy season then? How are the roads on the Niqoya peninsula? If possible, should we leave our rental car in Puntarenas? Do you, in that case, know of any Agency that can pick-up in Paquera and drive us to Santa Teresa? Are there many possibilites to travel to Mal Pais and Montezuma without own car? We would like to go to Tortuga Island as well. Finally, if we are without car, we take the ferry Montezuma – Jaco and continue to Manuel Antonio for 3 Days. ALso there, we would very much appreciate recommendations for nice things to do in that area w kids. Thank you in advance!Anna from Sweden
Jenn and Matt Staff answered 7 years ago
Hi Anna,
Around the Poas area, you could check out La Paz Waterfall Gardens. They have a lot of animals and kids really like it. Just make sure to check before you come about the Poas Volcano since it has been active lately and could cause closures at some local attractions temporarily. La Fortuna is a lot farther away (about 3 hours) so it is best to stay there for an night or more if you go. Proyecto Asis is a great wildlife center near La Fortuna and Ecocentre Daunis is another good place for wildlife viewing. The roads from Paquera to Mal Pais/Santa Teresa might be a little rougher but if you have a good 4×4 you should be fine. There are shuttle options on the Nicoya Peninsula if you don’t feel comfortable driving (let us know if you need a company) and a local one that runs daily between Montezuma and Santa Teresa/Mal Pais. Here are some links to help you plan:
Taking the Puntarenas Ferry
Mal Pais/Santa Teresa
Montezuma
Jaco
Manuel Antonio
Have a nice visit!!
