The bulk of our trip (9 days) was booked through a Gate1 Travel fly and drive package which included hotels and breakfasts.  They were extremely flexible in allowing us to add two days to the 7 day package to slow down the trip to our liking. We were also able to book our car through them for the entire time. The hotels were amazing. Highly recommend--sign up for their weekly deals to be emailed to you. http://www.gate1travel.com/costa-rica-travel

During the second week we stayed on a homeaway near Montezuma. http://www.homeaway.com/vacation-rental/p240014 Here is my review:
         
PARADISE WITH WIFI  5 of 5

My husband and I, recently retired, spent an entire week at Sol y Luna. From the moment we arrived I knew we had found paradise--and of course any great paradise also has wifi! Patricia provided us with details instructions on the area that provided a framework to do as little or as much as we wanted during our visit. 

On those days we felt super active we went zip-lining (yes, I actually did it!), took surfing lessons, walked to Cabuya Island, hiked Cabo Blanco, and took a snorkelling trip to Tortuga Island. Just as special were the days we spent thirty minutes watching leaf cutter ants, hung out with the capuchin monkeys or bought the perfect piece of fish from the local fishermen. If you are looking for the perfect blend of adventure and relaxation--book this rental now--before the secret is out!

Green Season

• We loved the rainy season, but if you go during this time don't be surprised if it rains--wear a rain coat and keep going
  
• Bonus--things aren't busy--we had an entire river, raft and guide all to ourselves on our river float
  

Food

• If it's being sold on the side of the street buy it and figure out what it is later--it is probably delicious
  
• Whenever you can eat at a Soda--cheap, filling, authentic Costa Rican food and a chance to practice your spanish
  
• If you can buy fish from the same person that fished it--do it
  
• You will probably not pay the same as locals--whatever--you are NOT a local
  

Driving

• The roads will be awful--accept that now
  
• Pay for the full insurance--it will cost an enormous amount of money--and then forget about it 
  
• Get the GPS--folks here don't do the whole street and number thing
  

$

• Calones/US dollars--yes they do both--just roll with it
  
• No--you probably won't always get a perfect exchange rate, but close enough--don't let it spoil your vacation
  
• Cash is King
  

Activities

San Jose/Casa Conde

• Eat breakfast by the pool
  
• Recommend the Bario Bird Walking Tour http://www.toursanjosecostarica.com
  
• Some folks skip San Jose--we felt it provided excellent context
  

Catargo

• Yes, check out the Basilica and La Negrita--an excellent exposure to the faithful of Costa Rica
  
• Don't miss the ruins 
  

Arenal/La Fortuna/Tilajari Resort

• Take your camera to breakfast--the birds were amazing
  
• Book the Tilajari river float-this was a trip highlight***
  
• Plan some time just to hang out with the iguanas and butterflies at the resort
  
• Free hotsprings--unless your goal is drinks with fancy umbrellas, then go to Tabacon
  
• The La Fortuna waterfalls is worth the hike up and down
  
• Don't expect to see a  volcano--that pretty picture you saw was probably a one in a hundred day view
  

Monteverde/Hotel Montana

• Spend some time on the veranda with the humming birds and every evening watching the sunset from your balcony
  
• Hanging bridges--you might not see much wildlife so think of it as a cloud forest walk...really magical
  
• Don Jaun Coffee tour which included coffee/chocolate/sugar cane--we should have been sick from all the samples we consumed...we weren't :)
  
• The Frog Pond--great rainy day activity..great tour from folks that really seemed to enjoy their job
  

Montezuma/Sol y Luna

• Plan time to enjoy paradise--capuchin monkeys & leaf cutter ants can fill an afternoon
  
• Try a lot of different beaches at high tide and low tide..they all have a different personality--it's worth the walk to Playa Grande
  
• Walk to Cabuya Island at low tide
  
• Catch the Saturday market, but also when you see a house with a sign out selling marmalade etc. try that out too
  
• Hike Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve--go quietly, watch, and listen and bring lots of water to drink
  
• Try your luck at surfing http://southnicoyasurfschool.com
  
• Zip Lining with SunTrails which includes swimming in Montezuma Falls--another trip highlight--my first time and I loved it**
  
• Take a boat/snorkelling tour to Tortuga Island--this was a full day and included luch--loved, loved, loved it!
  
• On your way back to San Jose stop at http://www.santuariolapas.com--this is an amazing Macaw Sanctuary--the gate might be locked, but just wait and they will come for you 
  

Finally, ask lots of questions and enjoy. Pura Vida. You are Always in my Prayers. Love MOM

This afternoon, on our way back to San Jose, we visited the El Manantial Macaw sanctuary near Puntarenas.  Due to the destruction of macaw habitat, and poaching for pets, both the scarlet and green macaw are considered endangered within Costa Rica. El Manantial is dedicated to conserving and breeding macaws with the purpose of reintroducing them back into the wild. I managed to snap a picture of this happy pair who are now free and thriving. Dad was particularly impressed with the two pairs of Hyacinth macaws that were seized and are cared for by the sanctuary. These giant purplish parrots are considerably taller than your average Labrador retriever. 

Do you see the fire red colour of those smiling macaws? Now imagine your father that colour, especially his back! We went snorkelling yesterday and he definitely got fried by the sun. Dad managed to get a deal on a full day snorkelling adventure out to Tortuga Island. I was, as always, sceptical--especially when I realized that the two young men that pulled up on their ATVs, munching on a bag of Cheetos, were our guides for the day. They led us down to the  water. I wondered how we were going to fit 15 into the relatively small boat that pulled up--no problem three young ladies were "invited" to sit up on the deck in front of the driver. Then the safety instructions--wait there were none! Dad noted my concern and pointed to some life jackets hanging from the canopy. Once I let all of this go--magic! It was like a Disney movie.  Dolphins leapt out of the crystal blue water beside the boat. We snorkelled in two different locations--there were so many brightly coloured fish--I'm pretty sure I even saw Nemo.  Lunch was served under a canopy located on the white shell beach of Tortuga island. Dad's sunburn will soon be forgotten (we're treating is with aloe plant our host cut from the garden), but this magical day will not. 

 We have met many wonderful people and have had unforgettable experiences. Our next adventure will be Turkey starting September 11th.  In the meantime we look forward to heading home in the morning to catch up with all of you.

You are always in my prayers. Love Mom