Carribean worth it?
Dec 19th, 2005, 08:19 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Carribean worth it?
Will be travelling to CR next August with my wife and two little ones, ages 2 and 4, and trying to decide where to go. Will be there for 8 days. My last trip consisted of Manuel Antonio and Guanacast areas, Tamarindo and Playa Hermosa, so this time want to try other areas. Arenal is definitely in, now for my second part of the trip. Would love to go to Tortuega, but looks like it would be to difficult to get to with the little ones, so I need advice about Limon or areas that are easier to get to on the Carribean coast. We will have a 4 x 4 and will be driving. My other destination would be Punterenas or somewhere on Nicoya Peninsula, but would prefer the Carribean side. Please any recomendations would be greatly appreciated.
Dec 19th, 2005, 09:25 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi ewesthoff!
The Caribbean side is a great choice! There is a new spa at Hotel La Costa de Papito just south of Puerto Viejo. You might also check out Cariblue, Shwanda Lodge, Aguas Claras cottages.
We spent a few days there in July at one of the cottages at Aguas Claras--had a great time right on an excellent swimming beach. As you probably already know, some of the beaches on both sides are not safe for swimming, and the hotels don't always mention that until you get there!
Aguas Claras has a new little breakfast/lunch restaurant called Miss Holly's that is excellent. Also you should try La Pecora Nera for wonderful Italian food. The owners of Aguas Claras, Flore and Mario, are a very nice couple. She'll even call Walter for you, and he'll come up and give you guys fabulous massages on the beach with a cool breeze and the sounds of the ocean adding to the relaxation! Traveling with little children, you may need a few moments like that!
Your kids would also enjoy some time in Cahuita Parque Nacional as well. It's a great place to see wildlife, although you'll see (and hear) howlers in the trees all up and down the highway (using that term loosely) between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.
Hopefully you'll get some afternoon rains. When we were there, it was unusually dry which made for some very hot and humid days! We had a 6 month old with us, and she was a real trooper, but we all jumped in a cold shower every couple of hours! We didn't have air conditioning, and many places don't. The Caribbean side is usually several degrees cooler than the Pacific.
You might also check out Azania (I think that's the name of it)--it has gotten excellent reviews, but they were already full up when we tried to book them earlier in the summer.
You'll have a great time. Driving through Braulio Carillo Parque Nacional is a nice experience. The first time we went to the Caribbean side, we turned south at Siquirres (on the way back) and returned to San Jose through the Turrialba/Orosi Valley/Lankaster Gardens area--very pretty.
Whatever you decide, have a fun time! I guess from Arenal you would travel over to Puerto de Viejo de Sarapiqui, then down. The Caribbean lowlands are an interesting part of the country, and an area you'll enjoy visiting!
The Caribbean side is a great choice! There is a new spa at Hotel La Costa de Papito just south of Puerto Viejo. You might also check out Cariblue, Shwanda Lodge, Aguas Claras cottages.
We spent a few days there in July at one of the cottages at Aguas Claras--had a great time right on an excellent swimming beach. As you probably already know, some of the beaches on both sides are not safe for swimming, and the hotels don't always mention that until you get there!
Aguas Claras has a new little breakfast/lunch restaurant called Miss Holly's that is excellent. Also you should try La Pecora Nera for wonderful Italian food. The owners of Aguas Claras, Flore and Mario, are a very nice couple. She'll even call Walter for you, and he'll come up and give you guys fabulous massages on the beach with a cool breeze and the sounds of the ocean adding to the relaxation! Traveling with little children, you may need a few moments like that!
Your kids would also enjoy some time in Cahuita Parque Nacional as well. It's a great place to see wildlife, although you'll see (and hear) howlers in the trees all up and down the highway (using that term loosely) between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo.
Hopefully you'll get some afternoon rains. When we were there, it was unusually dry which made for some very hot and humid days! We had a 6 month old with us, and she was a real trooper, but we all jumped in a cold shower every couple of hours! We didn't have air conditioning, and many places don't. The Caribbean side is usually several degrees cooler than the Pacific.
You might also check out Azania (I think that's the name of it)--it has gotten excellent reviews, but they were already full up when we tried to book them earlier in the summer.
You'll have a great time. Driving through Braulio Carillo Parque Nacional is a nice experience. The first time we went to the Caribbean side, we turned south at Siquirres (on the way back) and returned to San Jose through the Turrialba/Orosi Valley/Lankaster Gardens area--very pretty.
Whatever you decide, have a fun time! I guess from Arenal you would travel over to Puerto de Viejo de Sarapiqui, then down. The Caribbean lowlands are an interesting part of the country, and an area you'll enjoy visiting!
Dec 20th, 2005, 05:01 AM
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Dear Shillmac. I really want to say thanks for all the information you provide to people and this really helped me. I now know that this is definitely the right choice. Hope you have a great holiday and I will post my info when we get back. Thanks again.
Dec 20th, 2005, 06:04 AM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 10,212
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Caribbean is a unique place, and as beautiful as the rest of the country. The beaches of Cahuita Parque Nacional are gorgeous. It is also one of the best areas in the country for birding.
If you or your spouse are interested in that (or any type of guided experience), go to Manzanillo (end of the road and the absolutely best place on this side!) and find Abel Bustamante. He is a wonderful man and an excellent guide. He loves people and has a deep respect for nature. I think you can even google his phone number--I've done it a time or two. I have a card, but would have to go through my CR stuff to find it.
Absolutely he would enrich your experience even if you had to take turns going with him!
Have a wonderful time! We hope to make it down there sometime in July! Fingers are crossed. . . .and thanks for your kind words. Happy holidays to you as well. It's always so much fun with little ones!
If you or your spouse are interested in that (or any type of guided experience), go to Manzanillo (end of the road and the absolutely best place on this side!) and find Abel Bustamante. He is a wonderful man and an excellent guide. He loves people and has a deep respect for nature. I think you can even google his phone number--I've done it a time or two. I have a card, but would have to go through my CR stuff to find it.
Absolutely he would enrich your experience even if you had to take turns going with him!
Have a wonderful time! We hope to make it down there sometime in July! Fingers are crossed. . . .and thanks for your kind words. Happy holidays to you as well. It's always so much fun with little ones!
Dec 22nd, 2005, 09:17 AM
#5
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey Shillmac,
Wow! I ahven't been online in a long time. I was thrilled to see you went to Aguas Claras! Wasn't it nice? Flor and Mario were just buildiung the soda when we pulled out in June 2004. I did want to add, the hotel across the road (and a bit south) has a nice pool and will allow anyone to either pay an entrance fee or swim free if they eat in teh restaurant. One day we paid to get in, another day or two, we simply had lunch beside the pool and let the kids swim. At that point, they were tired of getting beat up on the coral at the beach). Just a thought for those with the small children.
Blessings,
Julie
Wow! I ahven't been online in a long time. I was thrilled to see you went to Aguas Claras! Wasn't it nice? Flor and Mario were just buildiung the soda when we pulled out in June 2004. I did want to add, the hotel across the road (and a bit south) has a nice pool and will allow anyone to either pay an entrance fee or swim free if they eat in teh restaurant. One day we paid to get in, another day or two, we simply had lunch beside the pool and let the kids swim. At that point, they were tired of getting beat up on the coral at the beach). Just a thought for those with the small children.
Blessings,
Julie
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
cmerrell
Mexico & Central America
8
Feb 14th, 2007 04:55 PM
