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Costa Rica destination questions...
Costa Rica destination questions...
Y'all know how much my heart lives on Maho, but considering Costa Rica next year...-
Need help!!!
We don't know the terrain whatsoever.
Should we do an all inclusive?
Thanks for the help,
and always-
Smiles-
MJ
Need help!!!
We don't know the terrain whatsoever.
Should we do an all inclusive?
Thanks for the help,
and always-
Smiles-
MJ
-
piscesgirl0314
- Posts: 598
- Joined: Thu Sep 25, 2008 12:31 pm
- Location: Chesapeake, VA
Thats funny because we're looking at CR for next year too...I like the Tamarindo area...tons of villas/condos within walking distance of everything...VERY inexpensive food/alcohol prices...from what I've read Tamarindo is a surfers heaven...seems like it has a good vibe and family friendly...which means 'safe' to me. We're looking at flying in to Liberia which is about an hour from Tamarindo...LOVE the idea of not having to rent a car for the entire week...the villa agents I've spoke to said all the companies that offer excursions will pick you up right from the villa or condo your staying it. Can't help but like that...hope this helps... 
Hey Jim
Costa rica is very different than St. John but wonderful in it's own way. We stayed in the Manuel Antiono / Quepos area. The Hotel was called The Hotel Costa Verde. It was a great hotel, check it out. 3 resturants within a 3- 4 mins walk. Really good food and cheap. It is also a 3 min taxi or local bus ride to the beach and right by a national rainforest, so lots of wildlife.
There is lots to do and see and all the people we met were very nice, locals and tourists alike. There is a good amount of crime, but like anywhere just be on your toes.
I would go back, but given a choice STJ would be my first pick. However my brother is going back in Feb and likes it better than STJ. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Costa rica is very different than St. John but wonderful in it's own way. We stayed in the Manuel Antiono / Quepos area. The Hotel was called The Hotel Costa Verde. It was a great hotel, check it out. 3 resturants within a 3- 4 mins walk. Really good food and cheap. It is also a 3 min taxi or local bus ride to the beach and right by a national rainforest, so lots of wildlife.
There is lots to do and see and all the people we met were very nice, locals and tourists alike. There is a good amount of crime, but like anywhere just be on your toes.
I would go back, but given a choice STJ would be my first pick. However my brother is going back in Feb and likes it better than STJ. Let me know if you have any other questions.
parafins:
I was very dissapointed in the snorkling where I visted. The visiblity was not good and there are crocodiles. For some reason I can deal with sharks, but crocs....um no thank you.
Maybe the carribean side is better or if you take a boat out, but shore snorkling from Manuel Antiono was bad.
I was very dissapointed in the snorkling where I visted. The visiblity was not good and there are crocodiles. For some reason I can deal with sharks, but crocs....um no thank you.
Maybe the carribean side is better or if you take a boat out, but shore snorkling from Manuel Antiono was bad.
Costa Rica is an entirely different experience than St John and it's wonderful. It's about the rain forest, the climates, the coasts, the monkeys, the birds, river rafting, hiking and generally becoming one with nature..... at least it was for me. We spent time in 4 areas....Xandari Plantation (about 20 min from San Jose), Villa Caletas in the Jaco area on the Pacific Coast, Pachira Lodge in Tortuguero on the Caribbean East Coast and the Casa Corcovado on the Osa Peninsula. It was all amazing..see as much as you can:) Don't expect St. John though.... St.John is St John 
all you have to do is smile, smile, smile
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Backtotheislands
- Posts: 371
- Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2011 10:32 pm
- Location: Rockwall, Texas
Hey Maho! We are looking at CR, too. Hubby thinks it might be an option for retirement, but we've never been there. Unfortunately, St. John is too darned expensive!I've done a lot of research and I'm still confused! 
I think I'm leaning toward Manuel Antonio area, Playa Conchal or Punta Islita. Seeing the monkeys would be too cool. I think (from what I've read) the best snorkeling is at some islands offshore. I have no idea what they are near. I'm interested in the Ballena Marine Park - WHALES!! I don't know if there is much around there, though. Glad you started this thread! 
I think I'm leaning toward Manuel Antonio area, Playa Conchal or Punta Islita. Seeing the monkeys would be too cool. I think (from what I've read) the best snorkeling is at some islands offshore. I have no idea what they are near. I'm interested in the Ballena Marine Park - WHALES!! I don't know if there is much around there, though. Glad you started this thread! Thanks for the input so far,family!
Of course I'm guessing the snorkelling wouldn't be as good, but wouldn't mind the "interior" parts of the island,-especially the zip line tours!
(gotta' still try it while I'm relatively young emough...
)
PLEASE-! Keep the ideas coming!
Thanks,and always-
Smiles-
MJ
Of course I'm guessing the snorkelling wouldn't be as good, but wouldn't mind the "interior" parts of the island,-especially the zip line tours!
(gotta' still try it while I'm relatively young emough...
)PLEASE-! Keep the ideas coming!
Thanks,and always-
Smiles-
MJ
My wife & I did CR several years ago. Arrived/departed in San Jose. Rented a car, then did Arenal, Tamarindo, and Jaco. Flora & fauna amazing. Roads horrible. But would do it again.
Last month, my daughter celebrated her 30th b-day by spending a week there w/ friends. Did some sort of combo package w/ flight, rooms, and van with driver. Arrived in San Jose; departed from Liberia. They did Arenal, MonteVerde rain forest, and Tamarindo. Daughter did a dive near Tamarindo; said it was the best diving she's ever done (she worked at an aquarium in San Diego Co.) They all said they'd go back in a heartbeat.
RE snorkeling: Don't think there's much of a shallow reef system there, so doubt it'd be good.
Last month, my daughter celebrated her 30th b-day by spending a week there w/ friends. Did some sort of combo package w/ flight, rooms, and van with driver. Arrived in San Jose; departed from Liberia. They did Arenal, MonteVerde rain forest, and Tamarindo. Daughter did a dive near Tamarindo; said it was the best diving she's ever done (she worked at an aquarium in San Diego Co.) They all said they'd go back in a heartbeat.
RE snorkeling: Don't think there's much of a shallow reef system there, so doubt it'd be good.
"The exuberance of youth pales in comparison to a middle-age crisis."
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chicagoans
- Posts: 1586
- Joined: Thu Jan 18, 2007 2:51 pm
- Location: IL
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texasmermaid
- Posts: 24
- Joined: Wed Apr 29, 2009 5:06 pm
- Location: Too far from H20, TX
We found CR before we found STJ. At that point it was our favorite vacation of all time. Now it's a toss up between CR & STJ - depends on if we're looking for a snorkeling/chillaxin or adventure/active vacation.
We based our stay in Jaco at Hotel Club del Mar, a combination hotel/condo where a friend has a unit. (http://www.clubdelmarcostarica.com/index.html) It is a relatively small place with a chilled out feel. We walked up the beach to town a few times for meals and a few snacks for the condo, easy walk. We took surfing lessons right there at the hotel as they have a great area with a small break that is perfect for beginners. There is a zip line close by that we did. Playa Hermosa is nearby as well and is a great place to watch the really good surfers with a beer and burger.
We took a day trip down to Manuel Antonio to see the national park. It was worth the trip! Mid way through our stay we went up to La Fortuna overnight to see the Arenal volcano (active) and indulge in the hot springs (don't miss this!). We visited a cloud forest on the way back to Jaco that was fantastic, although I cannot remember the name of it.
lisa mcg mentioned Villa Calletas - another don't-miss thing to do if you go to Jaco. The sunset there is phenomenal - go there for drinks or dinner to view the sunset and birds. Very romantic!
I wouldn't do an all inclusive, but we are fairly adventurous when we travel by ourselves and like to experience more of the culture and food of the places we visit by doing our own thing and kind of letting the trip play out and explore. If you like to have all that already taken care of, then an all inclusive might be your thing. We didn't rent a car as our friend who owned the condo knew a guy we could hire to drive us on the excursions. We flew into San Jose and at that time the road between SJ and Jaco was pretty scary (twisty with steep drop offs). Now they have a straight shot toll road to Jaco, so we might rent a car the next time we go. I never felt unsafe there, just went with my normal level of precaution that I use at home, i.e. be alert to your surroundings, don't leave things out to tempt a would-be thief, etc.
No snorkeling where we were, although there were excursions out to Tortuga Island that we could have done. We are divers/snorklers, but decided not to try to squeeze that activity in on that trip. We had plenty of fun without diving and were exhausted when we returned home (the good kind of exhaustion).
I did come home with an addiction - coffee! I never liked coffee before the trip and now can't start my day without it. We have talked about going back with an itinerary of visiting many of the coffee plantations.
Have fun if you decide to go!
Jennifer
At that point it was our favorite vacation of all time. Now it's a toss up between CR & STJ - depends on if we're looking for a snorkeling/chillaxin or adventure/active vacation.We based our stay in Jaco at Hotel Club del Mar, a combination hotel/condo where a friend has a unit. (http://www.clubdelmarcostarica.com/index.html) It is a relatively small place with a chilled out feel. We walked up the beach to town a few times for meals and a few snacks for the condo, easy walk. We took surfing lessons right there at the hotel as they have a great area with a small break that is perfect for beginners. There is a zip line close by that we did. Playa Hermosa is nearby as well and is a great place to watch the really good surfers with a beer and burger.
We took a day trip down to Manuel Antonio to see the national park. It was worth the trip! Mid way through our stay we went up to La Fortuna overnight to see the Arenal volcano (active) and indulge in the hot springs (don't miss this!). We visited a cloud forest on the way back to Jaco that was fantastic, although I cannot remember the name of it.
lisa mcg mentioned Villa Calletas - another don't-miss thing to do if you go to Jaco. The sunset there is phenomenal - go there for drinks or dinner to view the sunset and birds. Very romantic!
I wouldn't do an all inclusive, but we are fairly adventurous when we travel by ourselves and like to experience more of the culture and food of the places we visit by doing our own thing and kind of letting the trip play out and explore. If you like to have all that already taken care of, then an all inclusive might be your thing. We didn't rent a car as our friend who owned the condo knew a guy we could hire to drive us on the excursions. We flew into San Jose and at that time the road between SJ and Jaco was pretty scary (twisty with steep drop offs). Now they have a straight shot toll road to Jaco, so we might rent a car the next time we go. I never felt unsafe there, just went with my normal level of precaution that I use at home, i.e. be alert to your surroundings, don't leave things out to tempt a would-be thief, etc.
No snorkeling where we were, although there were excursions out to Tortuga Island that we could have done. We are divers/snorklers, but decided not to try to squeeze that activity in on that trip. We had plenty of fun without diving and were exhausted when we returned home (the good kind of exhaustion).
I did come home with an addiction - coffee! I never liked coffee before the trip and now can't start my day without it. We have talked about going back with an itinerary of visiting many of the coffee plantations.
Have fun if you decide to go!
Jennifer
