Costa Rica - Anyone been?

[Hodders]

We are planning a family holiday and are planning to be in Costa Rica for about 18 days next July/August.

We are fully aware that that is the beginning of the rainy season but wanted to see if anyone has been to any of the following:

Monteverde cloud forest
Manuel Antonio Nature reserve
Arenal hot springs and volcano

We are going with our kids age 14 and 12.

Part of me is thinking that we would be better off focusing on one or two areas rather than rushing around trying to fit everything in. Maybe even just staying in Manuel Antonio as that gives us beach, sea, rainforest, etc all in one place at the expense of not seeing the hot springs or the cloudforest. Although in July the coastal rainforest is likely to be pretty wet !

Any suggestions of AirBNB of places to stay would also be awesome!

 

[robgmun]

Arenal hot springs and volcano

My parents go almost annually to a hotel there called The Tabacon. They absolutely love it there and love the springs. It's a wind-down and chill place through so your kids might get bored after a day or two.

 

[eviled]

Monteverde is great, loads to do and great food and drink, no the cheapest though.

hot springs were a bit boring after a couple of hours and quite far from anywhere else.

If you have the opportunity pop over to Nicaragua, beautiful country and different feel to Costa Rica

 

[Hodders]

Anyone been to Manuel Antonio?

Appreciate the suggestions so far.