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You could go to Nicaragua for an overnight trip, which is easy to do from Guanacaste. You could also fly to Bocas Del Toro in Panama.
That being said, there is so much to do in CR. You will never run out of things to do. You could go to the Sarapiqui region and go rafting, although it's very rustic. Fun and wildlife filled, but very basic accommodations.
If you want upscale, you could stay at the Peace Lodge/La Paz Waterfall gardens. It's very expensive, but lovely. It's centrally located for easy excursions and it's not too far to the airport.
Thanks so much, everyone -- you've given me lots of ideas!!! We are not into fancy, but I DO want a bed, running water, and electricity! LOL
Regarding Nicaragua, is it possible to drive a rental car across or is that not advisable (or not allowed)? What's in Bocas Del Toro in Panama? I'm just really intrigued by Panama.
It's totally fine driving across the border into Nicaragua in the far western corner. You can even take a day trip if you want easy. There's a lake and it's really great.
Bocas is a series of little islands. Very pretty and a bit hippyish.
Sarapiqui in CR is a hidden gem. Not too many people go there. We have stayed at the Selva Verde lodge and enjoyed it immensely. No AC in their river lodge rooms, but it's fine. You will have running water and toilets. It's just not a European/American style hotel.
I personally would stick with CR. There is just so much to do and see there.
Just got back from 5 days in Guanacaste on Saturday. We had planned 2 nights in Arenal and then just 3 in Guanacaste, but our flight was cancelled out of Houston on Monday (terrible weather) and we didn't leave until Tuesday, so we decided to just stay put in one area.
OP, when are you plan on taking this trip? I ask because when we were there last week it was very, very hot (temps upper 90's) and dry. I'm from Houston, so I know hot. This year has been particularly dry and there were a fair amount of grass fires burning.
In any event, our prior trips to CR have been Jan/Feb and much more comfortable, and I think we will try and stick with that time of year in the future, or even better, late Fall (when you have passed rainy season, but things are still greened up).
This is low season and not a great time to go, but for us, it was the only option.
Just got back from 5 days in Guanacaste on Saturday. We had planned 2 nights in Arenal and then just 3 in Guanacaste, but our flight was cancelled out of Houston on Monday (terrible weather) and we didn't leave until Tuesday, so we decided to just stay put in one area.
OP, when are you plan on taking this trip? I ask because when we were there last week it was very, very hot (temps upper 90's) and dry. I'm from Houston, so I know hot. This year has been particularly dry and there were a fair amount of grass fires burning.
In any event, our prior trips to CR have been Jan/Feb and much more comfortable, and I think we will try and stick with that time of year in the future, or even better, late Fall (when you have passed rainy season, but things are still greened up).
This is low season and not a great time to go, but for us, it was the only option.
We are going mid-May. We are from Austin and native Texans, so we are accustomed to HOT, and we love it (much better than cool or cold for us)!
NO need to visit another country. There are tons of things to do in CR. Check the hotels in a few places to make sure that you don't end up somewhere crappy.
But I think that it is a good idea to leave a few days free. The weather or a local nature phenomenon or anything else that happens during the trip may influence you. If you have a 4X4 and a good GPS that will also open up more possibilities.
If you had three unscheduled days in Costa Rica, what would you do? Would you consider a flight from San Jose to Panama City or somewhere else? Or, would you stay and explore Costa Rica more, hitting a different area or go back to already explored areas?
Background: surprise birthday trip for my husband....3 nights in Arenal Volcano/Rainforest area for jungle activities, 3 nights in Southern Guanacaste area for beach activities/diving, 1 night in San Jose...then I have 3 additional nights/days (Saturday, Sunday, Monday with our flight out of San Jose for Tuesday morning) with nothing booked. I left these days open so we could decide at that time where we wanted to go (since this is all a total surprise, with absolutely NO input from my husband!)...and we will have a rental car, if we decide to go elsewhere.
I've always wanted to see the Panama Canal so I thought about that, but I don't know that it would be a prudent use of our time.
Any input would be appreciated!
That seems like a lot of travel while traveling and only 3 nights in each spot seems a little rushed. I would probably add another night to each location and call it good (or something like that), maybe 3 nts Arenal, 5 nts beach and then 2 nts San jose and take a day trip to Sarchi. Have fun. We loved CR so much we booked another trip as soon as we got home, but we're doing less travel on the second trip, driving in CR is the pits!
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