I would go to the beach first, then take a few tours out of Liberia to any of a number of places: http://www.anywherecostarica.com/destina... Day trips and overnights can work for you to maximize your sightseeing wishes. Travel time is always a killer in Costa Rica, so remember that when making plans. Monteverde and Arenal could eat up most of your time, and much of that time will be spent looking out the window of a vehicle transporting you to your destinations. Hint: If Volcan Arenal is fogged in and clouded over, set your alarm for 4 AM. You may get to see a cherry red cone top then.

Costa Rica is a great place to visit. My advice: Visit a travel agency and obtain a brochure featuring Costa Rica tours. With that information, you can work up an itinerary that suits you. There might even be a short tour you can sign up for.

That's what we did, although our tour was seven days. It's so relaxing not to have to hunt for lodging or worry about meals. All our hotels were comfortable, and all the meals were served buffet style, with lots of lovely fresh fruits and vegetables, along with beverages, meats, carbs, and beautiful desserts. There was always something that would appeal to anyone's taste.

Among other things, our tour featured a visit to coffee and banana plantations, soaking in a volcanically-heated pool near Arenal, guided boat trips along rivers to see wildlife, a visit to a museum in San Jose, shopping for local handicrafts, and a day at a Pacific beach in the south of the country. (We were warned against the Atlantic beaches, because of the possibility of sharks.)

Prices in the latest brochure were about $1100 per person (including bus transportation on the tour, with bottled water provided, but not airfare getting to Costa Rica and back).

I'd say two days in Arenal, spend a day in Monteverde and then have someone drive you that night to the coast. But you will only get a day on the coast. So really you would be better picking either monteverde or the coast. And use Sansa Airlines to fly from place to place - you really don't have that much time.

Are you renting a car? You could probably do two days in La Fortuna and two days on the coast that way, but if you re using public transportation you ll be spending a lot of time waiting for buses.

Hello.

Looking for help with my itinerary. We will be staying for 5 nights/6days (including travel sadly) we know we have to sacrifice on areas but are willing to exhaustingly squeeze in what we can.

We will be traveling in Jan, flying in and out of Liberia.

Top of the list would be La Fortuna/Arenal and monteverde. And, if possible? through creative planning

...some beach time

We arrive on the 10th at 12noon and fly back the 15th at 3pm

We understand that realistically we will miss a lot. That just leaves for more next visit!

We plan to stay in hostels most likely just a crash pad type place.