jojoblais

Well, we had pretty much decided on CR. Spend a few days in the volcanic area, visit hot springs, etc, then make our way to Pacific coast, because we liked the vibe we got & that it seems much less developed w/ condos, etc than the Pacific coast.

However, Now some folks are saying that we'll be disappointed in the beaches because the water is rough & often muddy.

I know that I love that calm, clear sea green carib water one gets on some of the islands, particularly because I'm not the best swimmer.

And folks are also saying that it's going to be very rainy in May.

I'm really confused.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

volcanogirl

We went to Manuel Antonio in July and thought it was very pretty. Sand was nice, water was pretty, lots of wildlife - there was sediment in the water so snorkeling wasn't great, but it was still beautiful. Had afternoon rains but still got to do everything we wanted to. Which area are you thinking of visiting?

jojoblais

We were thinking of Puerto Viejo, because we wanted to stay away from the overly developed areas on the Pacific coast.

volcanogirl

Oh, sorry, I read "make our way to the Pacific Coast" so thought you were wanting something on that side. http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html shows a good rainfall map. You can mouse over the areas you're interested in to get an idea of general rain patterns. We were on the Carib. side in July and did get a ton of rain, but May doesn't look too bad.

Banana Azul in PV always gets good reviews. You could also take a look at Guanacaste - it tends to be drier and less developed.

mlgb

Have you considered Akumal in Mexico instead?

skacian

We have rented a house in Nosara in Guanacaste from May 1-15. It is a sparsely populated area on the coast with many lovely beaches. We understand we may get some rain, but nothing severe enough to interfere with our outdoor plans.

amagkid

There will be little rain in May, especially on the Pacific coast. Nosara is a great little town and the whole stretch of coast from Nosara to Mal Pais is undiscovered and very remote. There are some amazing little B&B's and rentals in this part of the country that are far from the crowded beaches, loud dance clubs and Pizza Huts. In particular, my favorite hidden retreats are Luna Azul, Cristal Azul, and Ylang Ylang.

jojoblais

Thanks all! You've given me so many great suggestions -- I want to try them all!