Costa Rica- where to save and where to spend?

[rnorwo1]

hi,
We will be going to CR mid-July for 10 days. I've been posting questions on TA for itinerary and such, but I would love some more budget minded advice.

We are flying for (almost) free via SWA into San Jose and out of Liberia. Here are our plans so far:

Spend 3 nights/2 days in Alajuela not far from airport. Hotel will pick us up at airport (getting in very late), and they will have rental car waiting for us next morning at the hotel. During those two days, we will see Poas, La Paz, maybe a coffee plantation tour, etc. I don't think we would need a guide here?

We will then drive to Tortuga, spending 2 nights at an extremely budget hotel right on the beach to see the turtles laying (I think the hotel will meet us at the parking area to get to the isle). We plan on doing organized tours for turtle viewing at night (I think it's required to have a guide) and then a morning kayak tour with a guide. We will just explore on our own after that.

Then we have a not-budget friendly vacation rental in Nuevo Arenal. I just fell in love with the house, it has tons of acreage, animals, trails, and waterfalls right on the property. While here, we want to go white water rafting (obviously with a guide), go on hanging bridges, Rio Celeste and Cano Negro areas, and of course Arenal NP.

My main question is: where else do you think hiring a guide is essential? I don't want to miss out on things trying to do them on our own, but if we already have a tour in Tortuga, do we need to repeat a tour in Cano Negro? Are they just going to be pointing out the same flora/fauna? I know they are different places, so perhaps a guide is needed for each? Should we do the hanging bridges on our own?

Additional advice on itinerary/things to do/places to eat in each of these areas will be most welcome! I really want to save on food budget, so we will be doing as much as we can in our rooms, but I would love to know about little, inexpensive local places to sample different foods, also.
thanks for any advice!

 

[kat0291]

we rented a house in Puerti Viego, Costa Rica last July. Rain season very wet and muddy. The day we flew in roads were washed out so I took 8 hours to get from Airport on back dirt roads. So glad we took a shuttle and weren't driving. The town was a true surf city. Enjoyed days at the beach, and waterfalls and black sand beach. we also rented bicycles. The town we stayed in had several local restaurants (huts) very reasonable priced. Also a truck would drive by the house daily selling local fruits and vegetables and eggs. It was in the rainforest there were holler monkeys and sloths in the trees above the house on a couple of days. It will be a vacation we will talk about for years to come.

 

[rnorwo1]

That sounds like a great trip! We are very excited!

 

[katyjeka]

we rented a house in Puerti Viego, Costa Rica last July. Rain season very wet and muddy. The day we flew in roads were washed out so I took 8 hours to get from Airport on back dirt roads. So glad we took a shuttle and weren't driving. The town was a true surf city. Enjoyed days at the beach, and waterfalls and black sand beach. we also rented bicycles. The town we stayed in had several local restaurants (huts) very reasonable priced. Also a truck would drive by the house daily selling local fruits and vegetables and eggs. It was in the rainforest there were holler monkeys and sloths in the trees above the house on a couple of days. It will be a vacation we will talk about for years to come.

Can you message me with the house you stayed in. Thanks

 

[kat0291]

here is the information of the house we rented for a month last July. https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p320995vb. Villa Casa Luna, it was owned by the owners of the restaurant Amimodoa It is a 5 minute walk down back dirt road right in the rainforest. We never walked the road by ourselves always at least 2 of us. The pictures are exactly as I remember. It was a great location walking distance to beach, restaurants, and stores. I loved seeing the monkeys in the trees.

 

[FreeDiningFanatic]

I know this isn't what you asked, but whenever anyone posts about traveling internationally, I always like to remind about purchasing travel medical insurance. I purchase a comprehensive plan via insuremytrip.com . Our 2015 trip to Mexico resulted in hospitalization- so glad we had insurance. Also, remember in countries like Costa Rica, full car rental insurance is so important!
We have dear friends who love Costa Rica! Sounds like you've booked an amazing time!

 

[katyjeka]

here is the information of the house we rented for a month last July. https://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p320995vb. Villa Casa Luna, it was owned by the owners of the restaurant Amimodoa It is a 5 minute walk down back dirt road right in the rainforest. We never walked the road by ourselves always at least 2 of us. The pictures are exactly as I remember. It was a great location walking distance to beach, restaurants, and stores. I loved seeing the monkeys in the trees.[/QUOTE
Thanks so much!!!

 

[katyjeka]

Not sure what happened with my post??? Thanks so much.