In Manuel Antonio we did a spice tour, rain forest hiking, played at the beach, and a few other things I think. Our hotel had a pool and it was fun to hang out in the pool with sloths and monkeys We had a good time in Manuel Antonio. It's very touristy with lots of hotels and restaurants.
What about Monteverde? Lots of wildlife, lots of hiking, lots of different accommodations available. My 4 year old LOVED Monteverde - we did the sloth rescue center, frog center (awesome night tour), insect centre (awesome) and a train ride through the rain forest (weird, pricey but super cool). In Monteverde we stayed at Calla Lodge and we had a kitchenette, balcony, free breakfast and two rooms -- one a room with two beds and in the living room/kitchenette there were two bunk beds. Very simple rustic accommodations but fantastic owners and delicious breakfast.
We didn't go to Arenal because DD was terrified of the volcano, so I can't add much there.
I will say that loved everything about Costa Rica and never once complained about being bored. We did some stuff to 'prep' her - got kid binoculars, got her a wildlife guide, watched a lot of Diego Let me know if you have any questions. We found Costa Rica to be very kid friendly and easy to travel with a little one.
I've thought about Monteverde but haven't looked into it a bunch. I'm just so confused. Every time I think I've picked a destination, I change my mind. I would like to do more than one place but I know it would be too stressful. Our other trips with DD have been to just one place that works well for us. I would like to find a place with a pool or a playground nearby so that if I need to sit around and feed the baby, DH can entertain DD1 there. We went to Sedona last year with a side trip to the Grand Canyon and a couple of other places but what she liked about the trip was the public playground we took her to a couple of times.
The kid binoculars are a good idea; where did you get them?
I don't remember ever seeing a public playground in Costa Rica, it's not really that kind of place if you know what I mean. We would just go outside of our room and do things like look at leaf cutter ants and find frogs and chase butterflies. Monteverde hotels would not have a pool (I think there's one with a pool in the whole place). Manual Antonio hotels are more likely to have a pool.
We have these binoculars and they're pretty good http://www.amazon.com/Carson-HU-530-.../dp/B000JQ3A7A Although I think for that age even making "binoculars" from a paper towel tube is good too, it just helps them to focus on a small area.
I am considering CR for an anniversary trip next year, but I have no idea where to begin. We want to go in July, but I am unsure about how wet it may be. Also, we will only have about 5 days, so we probably want to stay in one place. I would like to find a very nice resort on a nice beach where there would also be some cool tours and day trips. Any ideas for me?
We honeymooned in CR. My favorite resort was Makanda by the Sea. It was so private and romantic. It has a private beach that is beautiful. One thing about CR is that the beaches are not as picture perfect postcard amazing as Hawaii or the Caribbean islands. I found them gorgeous but definitely not turquoise water and white sand beaches.
We did a banana and coffee plantation tour, a night rain forest hike, zip lining and a cross country horse back ride spaced between lots of beach and pool days. The night rain forest hike was amazing - a must do. I hated the zip line but I am a highly anxious person with a mild fear of heights. I did it for DH. The tours were cool but I now feel guilty only paying 15 cents for a banana.
We leave for Costa Rica next Wed. 7 adults, no kids. We are staying two nights in Arenal and a week in Manuel Antonio. I'll post once we're back and let you know how it went :-)
E & J 4/26/03
Elijah Wallace 2/6/04
Caleb Maxwell 10/16/07
We (2 adults, 5 year-old, then 8 month old) went in April and stayed in the Uvita area. I enjoyed the trip but it wasn't my favorite. I think a lot had to do with realizing that jungle is not my favorite scenery plus DH and I went to Puerto Rico just two years ago and while they are different, there are quite a few similarities. I'm glad we went, though. It was my first time traveling with a baby and it was a relatively easy trip.
Rosa- I would look into Manuel Antonio. It's really touristy but it has quite a few resorts and lots of activities. The beaches inside the park are really nice and the public beach I saw was pretty nice, too.
Rosa- yes, that's the Pacific coast. Most of the tourism is on the Pacific but I believe there are some nice resorts on the Caribbean side. We're not resort people so I know nothing about them.
We had a good time in Manuel Antonio. It's very touristy with lots of hotels and restaurants. 
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