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[keepitmovin]

Well, at the end of the month my 2 friends and I are leaving the girls at home and headed down south. We are renting a 4x4 montero and heading out to see the country. Our plans are pretty loose. Rafting on the pacuare river the first day. After that, who knows. We know we want to hit up Monteverde, La Fortuna, and Arenal, but other than that, we are just going to go where the wind takes us.

We plan on staying in hostels whenever possible. Hopefully we'll meet some other cool travelers along the way.

Any input or ideas on things we shouldnt miss or places we need to see, bars or places to eat would be great.

take it easy.....

[starlagurl]

Welcome to the forums, keepitmovin, I'll ask my friend who LOVES Costa Rica, we'll see what she says.

In the meantime, check out the rest of the forum topics on CR if you haven't already.
http://www.travelpod.com/forums/index.php?showforum=110

[shylopruyn]

In addition to the other places you're stopping, you might want to check out Montezuma-everyone there is friendly and you can rent a hammock on the beach or stay at motel for $10. Not much for night life-the bars/restuarant closed around 11, but great hiking. If you're into surfing I would stop in Tamarindo or Jaco- I preferred Tamarindo-the beaches were nicer, but Jaco had a better night life. Another big tourist desintation for bio diversity is Manuel Antonio-lots of wildlife. Hope this helps.

Ps. While in Fortuna, there is a kerplunking (sp??caving) tour, I think it was $30-If you're into that I would check it out. Not many people do it, on my tour there was myself, boyfriend and guide.

Have fun!

[starlagurl]

Thanks again for the tips Shylo!

(I think you mean spelunking)

[keepitmovin]

In addition to the other places you're stopping, you might want to check out Montezuma-everyone there is friendly and you can rent a hammock on the beach or stay at motel for $10. Not much for night life-the bars/restuarant closed around 11, but great hiking. If you're into surfing I would stop in Tamarindo or Jaco- I preferred Tamarindo-the beaches were nicer, but Jaco had a better night life. Another big tourist desintation for bio diversity is Manuel Antonio-lots of wildlife. Hope this helps.

Ps. While in Fortuna, there is a kerplunking (sp??caving) tour, I think it was $30-If you're into that I would check it out. Not many people do it, on my tour there was myself, boyfriend and guide.

Have fun!

Thanks for the info!!!!

[adventravel]

I would take my time to visit Manuel Antonio. The national park is beautiful and host one of the country's nicest beaches. You can find some hostels from $10 per night per person (Pura Vida Hostel - at the beginning of the hill to the park is a pretty decent option) Also you get to experience practically all the tours that Costa Rica has to offer in one place. One of the nicest Canopy tours of the country is here: CANOPY SAFARI (great fun!), also you can have rappelling, jet skis, kayaking, whitewater rafting, surfing, also there is a new horseback riding tour that Safari Tours offer where they take you on a real cowboy ride through the forest up and down mountains and through rivers... pretty cool, not the regular slow ride along the boring road...

Hope this will help you and have fun!

PS. Night life is pretty fun also! Don't miss Music Lounge, Sugar Bar & Republik...