Part One: Choices That Make Me Happy
Chris and I are getting the details nailed down for our adventure in Costa Rica in March and part of that means choosing which vacation we want to take. We have a choice of five and we have gone back and forth on several of them, so we decided that we would do what a good blogger should do. We’re going to let you all vote! Below are short little blips on each vacation package we can choose. Read through them and then vote at the end on which one you think Chris and I would enjoy the most. Whatever wins, we’ll do!
Ready?
Set?
GO!
Package One: Authentic Happiness (in The South Caribbean and Manuel Antonio National Park)
This trip gives us an authentic view of Costa Rica and its people. On our first night, we stay at the Ramada Plaza Herradura Hotel, which is five miles from the airport in downtown San Jose. The next morning we are picked up by our driver (who we will have all week with us) and taken to the Aerial Tram at Rainforest Adventures Costa Rica Atlantic. The tram covers a distance of 2.6 kilometers through the treetops of the primary rainforest at a leisurely pace of 2 kilometers per hour. Can you imagine the views we’d see?!?!
That night we are taken to the Almond and Coral Resort, where we will spend three nights. This hotel looks amazing and we’ll spend our time there doing things like exploring the beach (well, that’s what the brochure say… In real life, I’ll be laying on the beach with some kind of fruity drink), exploring the Yorkin River in a dug-out canoe in a tour led by the Bribri people, taking tours of banana and cocoa plantations, and enjoying a candlelit dinner by the beach.
Uhhhh…yes, please.
On the fifth day, we head to the Jaguar Animal Rescue Center in Playa Chiquita where we get to see how they work with injured and rescued rainforest animals to reintroduce them to their natural habitat before they are released back into the rainforest. We’ll get to have direct interactions with monkeys, wild cats, sloths, raccoons, anteaters, marsupials, reptiles, and amphibians. That same afternoon, we’ll take an aerial flight with the Nature Air to the Pacific Coast and Manuel Antonio National Park. (This would be the part of this trip when I’d pop a few Dramamine and pray I didn’t throw up in our tiny helicopter…) That night we’ll stay at the El Parador Resort and Spa. And let me show you this hotel. Holy moly. This hotel boasts a rich breakfast buffet, three ocean-view swimming pools, four superb restaurants, and a world class spa.
Yeah. That’ll do.
The sixth day is a slow day with a guided tour through Manuel Antonio National Park, which is a perfect blend of rainforest and Pacific waters. The seventh day is a full day of leisure. We can hang out around the resort or choose to participate in some optional activities in the local area. Or, we could indulge in spa treatments. (That last one gets my vote!) We leave the next day for home.
Package #2: Adrenaline Happiness (Central Valley, Pacuare River & Caribbean Slopes)
This package is all about exploring remote regions on Costa Rica and experiencing adventure tours at each destination. After a one-night stay at the same Ramada by the airport as in the first package, we travel the next morning to the Pacuare River put-in, where we then white water raft through category four rapids to our resort, the Pacuare Lodge.
And, ya’ll. Let me tell you. This hotel might be the best one in all the packages. We would stay in our own bungalow with a pool. And these things are SWAAAAAAANKY.
The lodge offers 19 different bungalows nestled in the hillside, with river on one side and rainforest on the other. The main lodge building features a restaurant, an open kitchen, and a lounge bar. On the third day of our trip, we get to hang out at the lodge all day, taking a waterfall hike or just hanging out at the resort.
The fourth day, we depart the lodge by rafting through class four rapids again, stopping for a picnic lunch along the way. That night we arrive at the Selva Bananito Ecolodge, where we spend two days exploring the rainforest by zip-lining, on horseback, and taking hiking tours.
Our last two nights are spent at the Hacienda Pozo Azul Tent Suites and Ecolodge, where we stay in actual tents on an authentic working ranch and eco-adventure center. We’ll do zip-lining, river rafting, repelling (not for me, but maybe for someone else…), and horseback riding.
We depart the ecolodge and head home the next day.
Okay, I thought I could profile all these trips in one blog post, but I’ve been working on this post for two hours so far and I’m going cross-eyed! These trips are just too awesome to squeeze into one post. So, tomorrow I’ll post the last three trips and the poll. Hang in there… some of the best trips are still to come!
** This is not a paid or sponsored post. I’m just sharing because IT’S FREAKING AWESOME!**
30 Comments
Becky
For some reason all I can think of is, renewal of wedding vows. I think it’s the romance of the venue going to my head!
Petra
Katie, what wonderful choices! All look so much fun and different, which I’m sure you both would enjoy very much. I love your blog, and your adorable family!!!
holly
I would choose the 1st option as I think the rafting would scare me 😉 Both look AMAZING though! Congrats!
Nicole
I don’t think your readers should decide for you- it is your trip.
Katie
1!
The Life and Times of Me
Right now I’m leaning toward #2, but we’ll see when I see the rest of the trips. No matter which one it is you know it’s going to be spectacular. This is a no-lose situation.
Tiffany
I think the 1st option sounds wonderful! I hope you and Chris have a fantastic trip.
Jenna@CallHerHappy
So far, I am liking #1. I am no adrenaline junky! And you’re taking me too, so that matters, right?
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
Can’t wait to see the other options! This whole thing sounds amazing!
Laura
I went to Costa Rica this spring and you definitely want to do the option with Manuel Antonio National Park! It was the highlight of our trip and I can’t recommend it strongly enough.
Whit
I just got back from CR about three weeks ago and loved going to Guanacaste. It’s on the Pacific side, and I highly recommend it.
If they ask you to zip-line upside down, DO IT! It’s terrifying but awesome. The horseback riding is really neat too – especially if you’re up in the mountains. Just remember….the horses know the trail better than you, so if they want to go somewhere, LET THEM! 🙂
The eco-lodges are okay, but remember it’s an eco-lodge, so there are some odd rules (like not TP in the toilet, it’s wipe and toss in the trash).
I will say that you honestly do not miss the AC (and I’m from the Breeze too!).
Bug spray is a MUST – I still have mosquito bites that have not gone away. Yeesh.
Can’t wait to see the rest of them!
Kimmi
I would definitely go for #1 — you already have 2 kids and you need a break, girl!! #2 sounds like a blast but not relaxing at all. And the bugs you’d have to deal with? No thanks. Also, #2 looks like the bungalows might be open air? CR has things other than mosquitos (scorpions come to mind) that like to get into open air places…Go for relaxation: the beach, a fruity cocktail and some spa treatments 🙂
Mommy, Esq.
I vote for #1 because it will give you the best sense of the people and cultural, along with nature. Plus you’ll get some pampering.
Nikki
I know that you have more to post, but # 1 looks amazing!! I like the idea of # 2 and getting to be all adventurous and what not, but the idea of getting to lounge on the beach and drink some fruity concoction is too much to resist! I need to go enter again…
Laura @ Casa del Hansen
They both look amazing – I can’t wait to hear more. Also, I’m happy to “vote,” but I must confess that I’m just as horrible at making decisions as you and Chris are (if only you could take a month and do all 5, right?). Here’s what Loren and I did to decide what we’re doing in London and Paris next week (crazy it’s coming so soon!): we each ranked what we wanted to do – 1 being highest, and (for you) 5 being lowest. Then we added the scores, and whichever got the lowest scores were the ones we decided to do – worked like a charm!
Kristin
I am jealous. The end.
Suz McA
katie… we went to costa rica on our honeymoon stayed in 5 different spots and my favorite was manel antonio (though we loved almost every place we visited!) so my vote is for package number 1!!! enjoy your trip… pura vida!
Alaina
I’m all for #1, but that’s only after reading just those two choices…both of which sound absolutely incredible!
Farrar
# 1 sounds more my speed, but both look fantastic!!
Shana Bresnahan
My husband and I went for our 1 year anniversary trip was also our honeymoon since we didn’t take one right away. I wanted a local adventurous destination and he wanted to relax on the beach. We ended up with a compromise. We stayed at Si Como No Resort in Manual Antonio. It was recommended by a friend. It was an amazing trip. Lots of adventurous things to do. Si Como No gives you the escape feel while still being in town. Manuel Antonio beaches are beautiful and monies are everywhere. We would go back in a heartbeat. So Manuel Antonio is my vote, but you will have an amazing time no matter where you go in Costa Rica. I also spent some time on the east coast a few years back. It’s jut an incredible country.
Sharlee@believinginsomething
Um, adrenaline package–that’s my very very very jealous vote!!!!
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewife
right now, I’m loving package #2…. but I’ll wait to cast my official vote tomorrow. However, I will say that if you like adventure…#2 is going to be FREAKING AMAZING and I’m just a teeny tiny little bit jealous…
Shelley
Amazing. Package #2 just isn’t for you, Katie!
So, I am holding my vote for #1 pending your psot of the next three.
Julienne
Package 1.. I prefer my vacations to be low key and relaxing 😉
Meredith J
OMG! Can I come? This makes me want to go there so bad!! I can’t wait for the last three choices… I’m actually excited myself to choose for you guys! 😀
Lindsay (Young Married Mom)
#1! I want to see photos of you both interacting with rainforest animals!
teachytam
Option 1 – relaxation heaven!
Nate's Mom @ Nate is Great
In every scenario, do you get a private driver? Or just scenario #1? That will play into the way I vote….
Bama Leigh
#1, for the win!
Michelle @ ourlifedownunda
OMG…. I WANT TO COME TOO!!!!! This is a pretty amazing opportunity kate!