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Started By
Message
Costa Rica help
Posted on 12/6/17 at 6:12 pm
Posted on 12/6/17 at 6:12 pm
Looking for a little guidance, planning on going to CR next year, probably either summer or fall. I started looking at options and kind of settled in the Arenal/Monteverde area of the country, thinking that our priority was hiking/zip lining. Wife tells me tonight she wants to be on the beach, but also do the nature oriented activities. Any feedback for where I should look? Pacific or Atlantic? Resort or Airbnb? 
5
Posted on 12/6/17 at 6:37 pm to BlastOff
quote:
Pacific or Atlantic?
Pacific. The Atlantic is a mostly a hot, humid, buggy swamp. The Pacific side is very nice. Manuel Antonio is touristy but very pretty and good for the nature stuff and near beaches.
Honestly, I prefer cooler, higher locations that are less crowded (like San Gerardo de Dota for one) but I'm not a beach person and you've got to keep your wife happy.
Posted on 12/6/17 at 7:38 pm to BlastOff
I have a trip booked to CR for April. We are doing Manuel Antonio/Quepos (fishing and park there), Jaco (Isla Tortuga and around town there) & Arenal. We have AirBnBs at the first two and a resort at Arenal, only because I had a couple Free nights to burn and we found a really cool place. There are some great AirBnB deals in CR. We’re also renting a car and driving everywhere - flying in/our of San Jose. Obviously, I would say Pacific side, based on our picks. I can’t provide a whole lot yet since I haven’t been yet, but will write a review when we go.
Posted on 12/7/17 at 8:43 am to BlastOff
Playa Potrero area (Playa Flamingo is a nice "resort" beach there and ) is pretty awesome and chill. Just make sure your wife knows that these aren't Caribbean beaches. Surf is generally rough, water isn't crystal clear, and sand can be rocky. That being said, being on a beach with monkeys hanging out in the trees behind you is pretty awesome. Las Catalinas is also a really nice resort area that is being developed with lots of cool active things to do there (mountain biking, trail running, paddle boarding, etc..).
Posted on 12/7/17 at 8:57 am to BlastOff
The best spot in CR is Montezuma...take her there. Research accommodations. Hike the waterfalls and the nature preserve, Cabo Blanco, on the point. From Mal Pais to Manzanillo up the Pacific coast is beautiful and wild.
Hike up the waterfalls out of town, on top the third one it turns amazing.
Seriously, research Montezuma.
Hike up the waterfalls out of town, on top the third one it turns amazing.
Seriously, research Montezuma.
Posted on 12/7/17 at 1:24 pm to BlastOff
Don't Drive from San Jose (SJO) international Airport.
Either get little flights via Sansa Air from SJO to your ultimate destiantion(s) or fly directly into Liberia (LIR).
As to a volcano sightseeing trip, I'd recommend Arenal.
Echoing the previous posts, the East Coast of Costa Rica is no bueno.
On the West Coast, the beach destinations I've been to:
Tamarindo is north up near Liberia airport, highly recommended but during dry season it is very arid all around there.
Further south- at the end of the Nicoya Peninsula, fly into Tambor, I've stayed in Malpais. Off the grid but I felt really safe.
Even further south, Quepos is good as well, Manuel Antonio Park and you are in the real jungle.
I'd rate them (for me):
1: Tambor
2: Quepos
3: Tamarindo
I have driven a bunch in CR, some routes are OK, other roads may be impassible when you get to a river or stream. Some roads you literally can only make 5 mph on for miles and miles due to them being so bad in a 4WD.
Don't mistake short distances on a map necessarily for a short drive time.
I love driving there but it does eat up time.
The Ticos are very nice, lots of expats there as well.
Good luck.
Either get little flights via Sansa Air from SJO to your ultimate destiantion(s) or fly directly into Liberia (LIR).
As to a volcano sightseeing trip, I'd recommend Arenal.
Echoing the previous posts, the East Coast of Costa Rica is no bueno.
On the West Coast, the beach destinations I've been to:
Tamarindo is north up near Liberia airport, highly recommended but during dry season it is very arid all around there.
Further south- at the end of the Nicoya Peninsula, fly into Tambor, I've stayed in Malpais. Off the grid but I felt really safe.
Even further south, Quepos is good as well, Manuel Antonio Park and you are in the real jungle.
I'd rate them (for me):
1: Tambor
2: Quepos
3: Tamarindo
I have driven a bunch in CR, some routes are OK, other roads may be impassible when you get to a river or stream. Some roads you literally can only make 5 mph on for miles and miles due to them being so bad in a 4WD.
Don't mistake short distances on a map necessarily for a short drive time.
I love driving there but it does eat up time.
The Ticos are very nice, lots of expats there as well.
Good luck.
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