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Arenal or Monteverde in Costa Rica?

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I am going to costa rica for 7 days and was planning to go to Arenal and Monteverde. My travel agent says I should go to Arenal and Manuel Antonio b/c Arenal and Monteverde are very similiar. Am I missing out if I don't go to Monteverde? What two cities would you do?

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I am a Costa Rican living in Costa Rica. Honestly I will tell you that you have to go definitively to Manuel Antonio, which is a beach that combines clear sand and water, and forest, it is warm and humid. It has a national park where you can be in the jungle, white sand beach and monkeys included. In the area you will find good restaurants.
And then from Arenal and Monteverde, despite the fact I love Monteverde, I think as a tourist attraction I will choose Arenal. The Tabacon experience which is a spa with hot water springs and wild nature would amaze anyone. The volcano if you can see it, it is incredible.- night or day time it is a show! I have been lucky and most of the time has been without clouds. The arenal lake is also very nice. You can do the canopy and some other activities in the area.
Monteverde is a cloud forest (you will see real jungle in Manuel Antonio), very peaceful and an experience in bird watching ( probably Manuel Antonio will give you that experience too). Source(s): Costa Rican living in Costa Rica who loves to travel

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If you are a serious birdwatcher, yes, you could. However, as a general tourist, possibly not. We've not been to Arenal, but you may not be able to see the volcano because of cloud. This happens a lot.

Here is a link to a journal a friend of mine wrote about Arenal ... http://jackmaryetc.com/travel/americas/c...

And here is the link to the one she wrote about Monteverde ... http://jackmaryetc.com/travel/americas/c...

On a previous trip, we visited Manuel Antonio, which is much more beach-y. It has nicer hotels and restaurants, though all we stayed in were fine.
Hi,Yes, go to the Arenal volcano,you can drive or take a tour for the whole day that includes different points of view including the Arenal. For about $75.00 all day better than driving. As to manuel antonio, yes it's a pretty beach. There are many beautiful beaches and people in costa Rica. I know i've been there (5) times.Weather,People are great, Max..
You can drive to Monteverde by way of La Fortuna. That way, If you are lucky, you may be able to see the volcano sumit from afar. The other Arenal attraction is the hot water springs. If you are not into that, drive on to Monteverde.
Other than birds, the main attractions of Monteverde are the canopy trips that I am reported are quite exciting.
Manuel Antonio is mostly beach (a beatiful one) but no surfing.
Monteverde and Arenal are no way similar-- except they are both in Costa Rica. Arenal is lower and warmer and has the volcano (the principal reason for going there). Monteverde is high and cool and has primary rain/cloud forests and coffee farms. The only thing that Arenal and Monteverde have in common are canopy tours. There is a very good one on the Lake side of Arenal that is comparable to those in Monteverde. The other answerer is correct about Arenal being a bird watchers paradise. If you want a forest experience, you won't easily get it in La Fortuna/Arenal or in Manuel Antonio. On the other hand, going to three places will eat up a lot of time. Only Manuel Antonio has a beach. If you have to choose, I would go to Monteverde if you love the outdoors and hiking and to la Fortuna if you don't.
Have been to Arenal 15 times, Monteverde 20 times and Manuel Antonio 7 times.