Planning a week's vacation to Costa Rica - any advice?

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radhak

Senior member
Aug 10, 2011
843
14
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I want to take my family (we two and two daughters 9 and 12) to Costa Rica for a vacation in mid-march for a week (week of 9-16th). The timing is dictated by school vacation, so can't help it if it is peak season. Hopefully I can book now for some early discounts?

We live in south Florida, so fly out of Fort Lauderdale/Miami. Primary question is - which city should we go to? I see direct flights to San Jose or Quepos at decent prices ($350), while Liberia is slightly more. Which of these are good place to visit, or close to some such?

I have heard a lot about jungle treks and zip-line adventures, but while any type of trek is welcome, not sure I am up to any wild-ride zip-lining (LOML is definitely not). Are there good beaches out there? Can we combine rain-forest/beach experiences? Not that we look down on wandering around any small towns - that has a charm of its own; but which town?

For accommodations, I am hoping to avoid the usual chains and try for one-off lodges or something. Any recommendation?
 
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MrsBugi

Platinum Member
Aug 19, 2005
2,481
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Guanacaste and Tamarindo are beautiful!

I would recommend surfing lessons at Witch's Rock. Natalie Portman learned how to surf there. Really cool place, the owner's name is Joe... Tell him Ivy from AwesomenessFest sent you over, such a cool place and vibe with a restaurant on the beach and all. :)

Have an amazing time!!! Costa Rica is beautiful, but beware of the giant bugs. There are grasshoppers as big as your head there!
 
IronWing

IronWing

No Lifer
Jul 20, 2001
72,414
32,997
136
Make the most of it. Start a mod callout thread just before you head to the airport.
 
T

The_Dude8

Diamond Member
Jan 8, 2000
5,167
1
71
MrsBugi said:
Guanacaste and Tamarindo are beautiful!

I would recommend surfing lessons at Witch's Rock. Natalie Portman learned how to surf there. Really cool place, the owner's name is Joe... Tell him Ivy from AwesomenessFest sent you over, such a cool place and vibe with a restaurant on the beach and all. :)

Have an amazing time!!! Costa Rica is beautiful, but beware of the giant bugs. There are grasshoppers as big as your head there!
Click to expand...

deep fried giant grasshoppers yum.
 
Patranus

Patranus

Diamond Member
Apr 15, 2007
9,280
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Go to Manuel Antonio, stay at La Posada, and ask for a tour from Father of the Monkeys.
 
glenn1

glenn1

Lifer
Sep 6, 2000
25,383
1,013
126
We flew into San Jose (SJO), and used the first day to acclimatize and rest from the flight; there's actually some interesting things to see and shop downtown. For the rest of the trip, we took a shuttle bus to Monteverde cloud forest and had a great time (getting there is an adventure in itself as the roads there are only paved half-way). Monteverde has tons to do there and your hotel should be able to organize any trips or activities you want to do. We did everything; from zip lines horseback riding, to coffee plantation and wildlife tours and had an amazing time. I'd recommend Arco Iris Lodge. Depending on what you want to do and/or how much you want to be on the move while you're there, you could also visit Arenal Volcano or Manuel Antonio beaches instead or in addition to Monteverde.
 
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radhak

Senior member
Aug 10, 2011
843
14
81
Lots of great info - thanks, y'all! The caravan tours seem a good itinerary to copy from, and the Arco Iris lodge is exactly what I had in mind!

I've noted down the other recommendations too - but will pass on the fried grasshoppers if you don't mind ;)!

How's the language - do I need more than my first 10 sentences in spanish?
 
DougK62

DougK62

Diamond Member
Mar 28, 2001
8,035
6
81
If you stay to the touristy parts of Costa Rica you won't need to know any Spanish at all. Of course, you'd be missing the best parts of Costa Rica.

You will be short on time with just a week, so if you can get to Quepos for nearly the same price as San Jose then I would go for that - it'll save having to take a trip to the coast since you'll already be there. Bookend your trip on the beach, and in the middle of the week check out some forest activity.

I suggest taking the local buses when traveling in the country. You'll likely be the only non-ticos on there, but they're quite nice. Big, comfortable, cheap, and they're one of the few things in the country that doesn't run on "tico time"!
 
KB

KB

Diamond Member
Nov 8, 1999
5,406
389
126
If you plan to rent a car, rent a GPS, the roads are poorly marked and confusing. When driving you are supposed to have your license and your passport or they will ticket you. If you stay to the touristy areas the police don't seem to bother you. The moment I left the resort to "see the people" I was pulled over in a random passport check.

The beaches on the caribbean side are much nicer but most of the country is beautiful.

Ziplines are a blast!

You need somethign like $27 dollars per person to pay an exit tax at the airport.
 
S

spidey07

No Lifer
Aug 4, 2000
65,469
5
76
Don't have sex with their children. There are signs all over the place telling you not to.
 
Quasmo

Quasmo

Diamond Member
Jul 7, 2004
9,630
1
76
We have friends that run a bread and breakfast / fishing charter out of Tamarindo. My wife and I went there on our honeymoon, it is in walking distance from the beach and we absolutely loved it.

http://www.tamarindomirador.com/

They are great guys.
 
R

radhak

Senior member
Aug 10, 2011
843
14
81
I am definitely using public transport wherever available - no other way of really getting to know the place!

Good info about the license + passport, for whenever we drive/rent. I presume US driving license is accepted, and they drive the same side of the road?

Tamarind looks nice, if a bit upscale for my budget; but I can see my wife feeling pampered there.

spidey07 said:
Don't have sex with their children. There are signs all over the place telling you not to.
Click to expand...

I thought this was a joke, but sadly, it is probably not. I hope I never know somebody for whom this warning is needed.
 
OutHouse

OutHouse

Lifer
Jun 5, 2000
36,410
616
126
great thread ive been wanting to take a CR vaction for years.

I think the mods should make a vacation topic, it would be a great place to post vacation info and stories.
 
R

radhak

Senior member
Aug 10, 2011
843
14
81
OutHouse said:
great thread ive been wanting to take a CR vaction for years.

I think the mods should make a vacation topic, it would be a great place to post vacation info and stories.
Click to expand...


I was thinking we should have a a separate forum just for 'Travel' - vacation or otherwise; we would accumulate a load of information.
 
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