- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Tell me about Costa Rica - especially the North Pacific Coast
Posted on 6/15/23 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 6/15/23 at 1:38 pm
When to go?
Where to stay?
Cost of flights?
I’m not OT rich, so keep that in mind.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
Where to stay?
Cost of flights?
I’m not OT rich, so keep that in mind.
Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated.
12
Posted on 6/15/23 at 1:45 pm to jimmy the leg
I stayed in Dominical for a week 20 years ago. Great little surf town. My room was $20 a night, split three ways. No clue what’s it like now.
Posted on 6/15/23 at 2:17 pm to dirtsandwich
That sounds wonderful.
I suppose I need to also consider the option of an all inclusive resort.
Thanks for the info.
I suppose I need to also consider the option of an all inclusive resort.
Thanks for the info.
Posted on 6/15/23 at 3:10 pm to jimmy the leg
Stayed in Playa Flamingo for 6 days and only $145/night. It was an 8 story condo with full kitchen, two bedrooms, patio with an ocean view. Rented a car for two weeks and that was $850.
Also spent a week at a house on the beach South of Jaco that was about $1700 for the week. The beach was almost empty and the house also had a pool. We bought groceries to eat in but ate at local Sodas too.
Four tickets to San Jose were $3400. Search for Liberia airport as well.
Also spent a week at a house on the beach South of Jaco that was about $1700 for the week. The beach was almost empty and the house also had a pool. We bought groceries to eat in but ate at local Sodas too.
Four tickets to San Jose were $3400. Search for Liberia airport as well.
This post was edited on 6/15/23 at 3:19 pm
Posted on 6/15/23 at 3:24 pm to jimmy the leg
I have been there twice but the last time was over 30 years ago. The best advice I can give you is to go whitewater rafting on the Rio Reventazon. That was a blast.
Posted on 6/15/23 at 5:11 pm to jimmy the leg
quote:
I suppose I need to also consider the option of an all inclusive resort.
I wouldnt consider that at all in costa rica. Alot of cool places to travel and see.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 9:42 am to jimmy the leg
quote:
I’m not OT rich, so keep that in mind.
The wife and I are headed to just outside Quepos in December with a big group. We got our flight from Atlanta, direct to San Jose on Delta, last week for about $800. There's only one flight a day from Atlanta on Delta. Not sure about other cities.
There are so many affordable places on airbnb/vrbo, etc. Costa Rica is not an expensive destination.
Look around and I'm sure you can find something great within your price range. We have two really nice houses with a chef everynight(we have to pay for food, but the chef is included) and it's gonna be maybe $300/couple per night.
Posted on 6/16/23 at 11:28 am to jimmy the leg
Don't try driving yourself from San Jose to Playa del Flamingo area unless you enjoy a white knuckle adventure.
Tamarindo is a cool, relaxed beachside town.
The surf is extremely rough, so be careful in the water.
Tamarindo is a cool, relaxed beachside town.
The surf is extremely rough, so be careful in the water.
Posted on 6/17/23 at 12:27 am to jimmy the leg
quote:
When to go?
2nd week of December to middle of April. This is the dry season.
On the other hand, if you want the scariest driving experience of your life go during the wet season.
The majority of the roads are not well maintained. Think NOLA potholes in rapid succession on main highways with Ticos always speeding.
If you plan on driving (lots of people hire drivers and you don't have to be OT rich to do it) familiarize yourself with the Costa Rican car insurance craziness.
Liability insurance is purchased from the government and is required for everyone. (Typically about $15/day and rarely mentioned when you book the car) This only covers damages to things you hit. You'll still be on the hook for damage to the rental car.
You can purchase a variety of other insurance policies all the way up to zero liability. This link has lots of helpful info on this topic.
I usually buy the government required one and then use a credit card with rental coverage.
I know it sounds like I've complained and made it seem miserable but I just wanted you to be aware of certain difficulties. Honestly, it's one of the best places I've ever been. It's absolutely beautiful and the all of the locals are unbelievably nice.
Posted on 6/17/23 at 5:46 am to jimmy the leg
I went to Santa Teresa in February. It was incredible, but I would do the trip differently knowing what I know now.
The roads into the town suck. Plan for that to be the case in your rental car.
The closer you can get into Santa Teresa, the better. We stayed in Hermosa. It wasn't far, but it was a pain in the arse to drive the 15 minutes into Santa Teresa each time. I would stay in town if I did it again.
If you fly into San Jose or Libera, take the Green Airways flight into Santa Teresa. It's worth whatever the additional cost would be to not have to drive.
Costa Rica is not cheap. Plan for everything to cost the same as it does in the states.
The roads into the town suck. Plan for that to be the case in your rental car.
The closer you can get into Santa Teresa, the better. We stayed in Hermosa. It wasn't far, but it was a pain in the arse to drive the 15 minutes into Santa Teresa each time. I would stay in town if I did it again.
If you fly into San Jose or Libera, take the Green Airways flight into Santa Teresa. It's worth whatever the additional cost would be to not have to drive.
Costa Rica is not cheap. Plan for everything to cost the same as it does in the states.
Posted on 6/18/23 at 7:42 am to jimmy the leg
I highly recommend you go visit or do cloud forest excursion with a guide. We went to the Monteverde Cloud Forest after a 6 night stay at the Four Seasons. From the hotel itself we did a zip line tour and a boat ride through National Park. We drove inland towards Monteverde and it was crazy bumpy roads but we had a proper rental car. We did a night hike which allowed us to see lots of insects and spiders as well as roosting birds. One thing we learned at the beach is sand gets scorching hot be prepared bring water shoes.
Posted on 6/19/23 at 10:01 am to Sisyphus
quote:
The majority of the roads are not well maintained. Think NOLA potholes in rapid succession on main highways with Ticos always speeding.
If you plan on driving (lots of people hire drivers and you don't have to be OT rich to do it) familiarize yourself with the Costa Rican car insurance craziness.
My daughter (no pics) and I didn't find driving a problem at all. And we were there during the rainy season. (June)
Go with a local rental company, like Vamanos Car Rentals. Rent a small SUV. You don't need 4 wheel drive. Buy the ins from them. There are whole threads about insurance on lots of websites. Just buy it all. It's not that expensive.
We were mostly on decent roads and even some 4 lane highways driving from Liberia to La Fortuna and then to Tamarindo. When we turned off the highways, yes, there were lots of potholes. We drove slow and never felt threatened by Tico drivers. They just passed. No big deal. We found Costa Rica to be a very friendly place and less third world than both Mexico and Belize where we have traveled. I agree that it's one of the best places I've traveled as well.
Also, going during the rainy season wasn't bad at all. We did have some rain every day, but not huge storms. We brought raincoats and just got wet. LOL!
Posted on 6/19/23 at 10:03 am to LaLadyinTx
What is the prime offshore fishing season and what area do you all suggest staying in for the best experience for that part of a trip?
Posted on 6/19/23 at 12:16 pm to jimmy the leg
My wife and I have been to Costa Rica a few times. Our favorite areas are on the Nicoya Peninsula stretching from Montezuma up to Santa Teresa and beyond. We stayed at Casa Chameleon in Mail Pais. Highly recommend this area
Posted on 6/20/23 at 3:05 pm to jimmy the leg
The wife and I have been to Tamarindo a couple times. Flew into Liberia airport Wouldn't say it's cheap but more moderately priced than similar accommodations in Florida. Locals are great and it's within a few hours of rainforest tours and Arenal Volcano. Zip lines and ATV rentals are close by. Plenty of restaurants and bars in Tamarindo. I would highly recommend the sunset cruise. We did that last time there and had a blast. We entertained buying a small parcel of land there as money goes much further than in the states once you're away from the tourist areas.
Posted on 7/11/23 at 3:29 pm to samson73103
Does anyone know how the snorkeling is off the beach around Tamarindo? Googling only seems to give results from "tours" which I am sure are great but don't know if we'll have time for a multi hour thing. Just wondering if it's worth it to bring the stuff.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Posted on 7/11/23 at 7:13 pm to Havoc
Went to Tamarindo & Santa Teresa this past May. I saw zero people snorkeling in Tamarindo. It’s a good surf spot. The water clarity is not what you would want for snorkeling.
Posted on 7/12/23 at 12:38 am to LunkerDawg
That’s what I’ve gathered too.
Thanks. Any other info is appreciated.
Thanks. Any other info is appreciated.
Posted on 7/12/23 at 2:45 pm to jimmy the leg
Check out Las Catalinas, it is very easy to get to from Liberia. It is a brand new resort town (15-20 years old) that will give you all of the comforts of home while also providing the unique culture of costa rica. I seriously can't say enough good things about it. I would recommend renting a house, they come with a house mom that is just an incredible perk. The town itself is basically private to give you an idea of the level of quality you can expect.
Someone else mentioned casa chameleon mal pais, there is a casa chameleon on las catalinas that is also ridiculously sick.
Someone else mentioned casa chameleon mal pais, there is a casa chameleon on las catalinas that is also ridiculously sick.
This post was edited on 7/12/23 at 2:53 pm
Posted on 7/13/23 at 8:05 am to Sisyphus
quote:
On the other hand, if you want the scariest driving experience of your life go during the wet season. ?
No shite. We went last October flew into San Jose and we were staying at Playa Hermosa just south of Jaco. Got the rental 4x4 and waze said we should make it to the Coast in 2.5 hours. Wrong. We got stuck in the Mountains in a freaking Monsoon. Rained 2.5 hours straight then there was a landslide at top of mountain where road went through. It took us almost 7 hours to get there. If i could have turned around that night and went home i would have. Fortunately we made it and the rest of the trip was amazing. Waterfalls and great surfing.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News