Smitten

Hi,

My fiancé and I are planning our honeymoon to Costa Rica in December. We have a tentative itinerary, but are willing to change our plans if it rains in the Caribbean side in December. We would love your feed back about which beach we should visit in December. We heard the Caribbean side in December is end of rainy season. I know rain is unpredictable. Will it only rain for a few hours? Day time ? Evening? How much does it really rain in December? Should we keep our plans to travel to the Caribbean side, or opt out and head to Manuel Antonio? The last few days of our trip, we want to relax on the beach. Thanks!

12/10 – SJO
12/11 – SJO to Monteverde
12/12 – Monteverde
12/13 – Monteverde to Arenal
12/14 – Arenal
12/15 – Arenal
12/16 – Arenal to Puerto Viejo (rafting day trip instead of driving)
12/17 – Puerto Viejo
12/18 – Puerto Viejo
12/19 - Puerto Viejo to SJO

Jeff_Costa_Rica

December is the start of the dry season in most of the country, but it's the rainiest month on the Caribbean side. I'm not talking just a few afternoon showers. It can be torrential downpours 24/7 for days at a time. If good weather is important to you on your honeymoon, I'd skip the Caribbean entirely in December.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

This is all because the Caribbean side has a completely different microclimate than the rest of the country. The same rainy/dry season divisions don't apply.

volcanogirl

http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html is a good map to show the average weather patterns. Just mouse over the areas that interest you.

hipvirgochick

Agree with Jeff there, I'd skip Puerto Viejo in December. You might take a look at Montezuma or Mal Pais or even further south to the Dominical/Uvita area.

Smitten

Thanks for the feedback.

incabod

Agree with all of the above. You might also find some of the best weather that time of year further North in Guanacaste as well. Many beaches around Tamarindo to choose from, I love the Nicoya peninsula, Montezuma, Mal Pais, lots of alternatives.
Cheers

Enchanting_girl

I agree with the other posts, I would be better to skip Puerto Viejo and look for another option, as you said could be Manuel Antonio, or in my personal opinion Mal País/Montezuma area, is very beautiful, and I think is a good choice for honeymoon.
Hope this helps!

hsmithcr

Look here for more information about the Nicoya Peninsula.
www.nicoyapeninsula.com

If you are looking for a very special place for part of your honeymoon, I can recommend Punta Islita and Westin Playa Conchal. Both of these are upscale, dreamy places to be. Not sure if this is what you are looking for - but worth taking a look at their websites.

And yes, agree with everyone else. Also - that weather site that volcanogirl gave you is excellent.

volcanogirl

h, I saw Punta Islita on Luxury Link. Is this a good price for it?

http://www.luxurylink.com/fivestar/h...l-punta-islita