Honeymoon in CR in October
May 11th, 2004, 04:54 AM
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Honeymoon in CR in October
My fiancee and I were thinking of going to Costa Rica for our Honeymoon in October (4th to the 14th). We have no idea where to start! I have heard that Punta Islita is good for honeymooners but really have no idea - Is the october timeframe too rainy? Any section of the country i should be looking at? I would like to spend around 3 grand - Given that, ideas on where i should stay - Half of the time we want to do nothing and the other half we want activities. The reason I was thinking about Costa Rica is the diverse envrionment (lush vegetation, beaches, volconoes, etc) I am pretty excited about doing one of those canopy tours! Sounds unbelievable! Any help would be appreciated. You can also email me at [email protected]. Thanks in advance for all the help!
May 11th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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September and October are the wettest months of the rainy season so you may be in for some rain. Keep in mind that it rarely rains all day - most of the time, the mornings are clear and you get a brief storm in the late afternoon/evening. We went to CR 3 times (all of the trips were in August which is in the rainy season) and had a wonderful time during each trip with plenty of sunshine.
Generally, the northwest part of CR gets the least rain and is the driest overall. So you should mostly stick to that area. Punta Islita would be good for a honeymoon but it is quite expensive - not sure if you can fit it in on your budget.
I think what you should do in your 10 days is spend a couple of days in the Central Valley (you will probably need to stay the first night there anyway, depending on your flight times) and maybe do a day trip to Poas volcano and La Paz gardens and waterfalls, then a couple of days at Arenal to see the active volcano and do a canopy tour and then the rest of the time on the Pacific coast.
Are you thinking about taking public transportation, driving or flying? Buses would be least expensive; there are tourist shuttles that link the major destinations which are about $25 per person, I think. One is called Interbus and the other Gray Line.
I am assuming that your budget of $3K does not include your flights. To fit in your budget, your hotels should be in $120 per night range (when you are checking the prices, do not forget that there is 17% tax that needs to be added). For that price you can get very nice rooms at small romantic hotels that abound in Costa Rica.
In the Central Valley, check out Xandari (www.xandari.com) and Vista del Valle (www.vistadelvalle.com) - both would be wonderful for a honeymoon although they are on an expensive side. Less expensive option would be Orquiedas Inn which is recommended by a lot of people on this board.
At Arenal, the two hotels with best views of the volcano are Arenal Paraiso and Montana de Fuego.
On the Pacific coast, definitely check Punta Islita (they do have specials sometimes). Also check Capitan Suizo and Sueno del Mar in Tamarindo which should not be very expensive in the rainy season.
Generally, the northwest part of CR gets the least rain and is the driest overall. So you should mostly stick to that area. Punta Islita would be good for a honeymoon but it is quite expensive - not sure if you can fit it in on your budget.
I think what you should do in your 10 days is spend a couple of days in the Central Valley (you will probably need to stay the first night there anyway, depending on your flight times) and maybe do a day trip to Poas volcano and La Paz gardens and waterfalls, then a couple of days at Arenal to see the active volcano and do a canopy tour and then the rest of the time on the Pacific coast.
Are you thinking about taking public transportation, driving or flying? Buses would be least expensive; there are tourist shuttles that link the major destinations which are about $25 per person, I think. One is called Interbus and the other Gray Line.
I am assuming that your budget of $3K does not include your flights. To fit in your budget, your hotels should be in $120 per night range (when you are checking the prices, do not forget that there is 17% tax that needs to be added). For that price you can get very nice rooms at small romantic hotels that abound in Costa Rica.
In the Central Valley, check out Xandari (www.xandari.com) and Vista del Valle (www.vistadelvalle.com) - both would be wonderful for a honeymoon although they are on an expensive side. Less expensive option would be Orquiedas Inn which is recommended by a lot of people on this board.
At Arenal, the two hotels with best views of the volcano are Arenal Paraiso and Montana de Fuego.
On the Pacific coast, definitely check Punta Islita (they do have specials sometimes). Also check Capitan Suizo and Sueno del Mar in Tamarindo which should not be very expensive in the rainy season.
May 11th, 2004, 08:44 AM
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Thank you for your reply and yes that 3K does not include airfare. That is for the duration - Is their a particular booking agency that i should use or just book directly with the resort? Which would be the better deal. When you say the central valley that includes San Jose? I guess i need to get more familiar with the geography of Costa Rica! In Punta Islita do you have an oppurtunity to do Canopy tours and things of that nature? Since it is the rainy season and Costa Rica's roads are underdeveloped and sometimes impassable in the rainy season should i do puddle jumpers or would that make it unreasonably priced? Thanks for your advice - i greatly appreciate it!
May 11th, 2004, 09:25 AM
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Where ever you decide to stay, I would book directly with the hotels to save you money. It's generally pretty easy. As for the better 'deals', you should look up the hotel sites that were suggested (all great recommendations for a honeymoon) and decide for yourself which is better for you. I will say that although Punta Islita is a lovely spot for a honeymoon, it is not easy to get to and is quite isolated. You should check their website to see what activities they have to offer. Capitan Suizo or Sueno Del Mar will have more activities, but will not be as luxurious as Punta Islita.
Yes, San Jose is in the central valley and the Xandari or Vista Del Valle would be nice, as well as Peace Lodge located at La Paz Gardens.
Also wanted to mention that I've been to CR three times in September, as that is our anniversary and the weather never stopped us. The worst we got was on one trip to the Osa Penisula where it rained BUCKETS one night from about 4:00pm until 4:00am. The rest of the time it only rained 2 or 3 hours late afternoon. We then moved on to Manuel Antonio, where it also rained every afternoon, but the mornings were all sunny. One, we were in Mal Pais, where it actually rained one morning from about 6:00am until 11:00am, but then was sunny after that. So, long story short, don't let the 'rainy' season scare you off.
As for taking puddle jumpers, that will depend on how much you spend on the hotels of your choice.
Yes, San Jose is in the central valley and the Xandari or Vista Del Valle would be nice, as well as Peace Lodge located at La Paz Gardens.
Also wanted to mention that I've been to CR three times in September, as that is our anniversary and the weather never stopped us. The worst we got was on one trip to the Osa Penisula where it rained BUCKETS one night from about 4:00pm until 4:00am. The rest of the time it only rained 2 or 3 hours late afternoon. We then moved on to Manuel Antonio, where it also rained every afternoon, but the mornings were all sunny. One, we were in Mal Pais, where it actually rained one morning from about 6:00am until 11:00am, but then was sunny after that. So, long story short, don't let the 'rainy' season scare you off.
As for taking puddle jumpers, that will depend on how much you spend on the hotels of your choice.
May 11th, 2004, 10:39 AM
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I have read alot in this board that i should not stay in San Jose and surrounding areas and I should just go to Arenal and then to the Pacific Coast. Do you suggest that? I will look at those hotels and see what i find. When you went in September did you find the roads bad to travel on going from area to area? I heard it was alomost impassable in the rainy season.
May 11th, 2004, 10:47 AM
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I don't care for the San Jose area either, as in staying IN San Jose, but none of the hotels mentioned are IN San Jose and all would be lovely. Some of the coastal roads can be impassible, as in the roads from Mal Pais to Samara...Nosara all the way to Tamarindo, but with the exception of Punta Islita, you should be fine. There are alternate routes more inland that will be fine.
Yes, there may be some rivers to cross, but the main routes will be passible, unless a brigde washes out. If that happens the Ticos find another way around, so ask and just follow them. But, this would be an absolute worse case senario and not likely one you'll find yourself in.
Yes, there may be some rivers to cross, but the main routes will be passible, unless a brigde washes out. If that happens the Ticos find another way around, so ask and just follow them. But, this would be an absolute worse case senario and not likely one you'll find yourself in.
May 11th, 2004, 10:50 AM
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The area surrounding San Jose is some of the most beautiful part of Costa Rica! All of the hotels mentioned previously in this area would be lovely choices. And canopy tours are all over the country! The roads are absolutely not impassable during the rainy season unless you travel to some very remote locations--you wouldn't even have trouble getting to Punta Islita even though it is fairly remote. Roads that would be considered impassable would be up and down the Pacific coast of the southern Nicoya Peninsula--roads that involve river crossings. That would be any coastal roads heading north or south of Punta Islita, but crossing the peninsula TO this hotel would be okay. Generally, with the exception of potholes, MOST of the roads to MOST of the areas on the country are paved and wouldn't be a problem. All of the suggestions you have received thus far would not be a problem as far as roads are concerned. But definitely, the entire area north, northwest, and northeast of San Jose--beautiful!
May 11th, 2004, 11:01 AM
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So my intenary should look as follows:
arrive in San jose in around the 4th of October and head up to the Peace lodge for one night and day.
then go up to arenal and go to one of the hotels there and spend 1 day there as well.
And then head to the Pacific Coast and stay in the Sueno del Mar for the duration and head back to San Jose and fly home in around the 14th of October.
Does that sound like the best inteneray for a Honeymoon and most affordable? Should i even consider renting a car to go in between places or is public transportation reliable enough?
We are american and In our late twenties and was wondering do the hotels recommended have the same sort clientle as we? Thanks again for all of your help.
arrive in San jose in around the 4th of October and head up to the Peace lodge for one night and day.
then go up to arenal and go to one of the hotels there and spend 1 day there as well.
And then head to the Pacific Coast and stay in the Sueno del Mar for the duration and head back to San Jose and fly home in around the 14th of October.
Does that sound like the best inteneray for a Honeymoon and most affordable? Should i even consider renting a car to go in between places or is public transportation reliable enough?
We are american and In our late twenties and was wondering do the hotels recommended have the same sort clientle as we? Thanks again for all of your help.
May 11th, 2004, 12:27 PM
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As always, great advice from Ally and Shillmac.
Your itinerary sounds good, although generally I would suggest you stay 2 nights at each of Peace Lodge and at Arenal then 5 nights at Sueno del Mar and last night somewhere near the airport (Xandari is spectacular and only about 15 minutes from the airport). Most people do not want to risk travelling back to San Jose on the day of the international departure so they come back the day before and stay somewhere near the airport enjoying a nice relaxing evening before they leave the country.
Consider renting a car but you will probably do fine without it as well (have your first hotel pick you up at the airport and then use Interbus). Car rental can be fairly expensive and the roads are not that great - it is certainly more relaxing to let someone else do the driving. You can also fly if the budget allows it (flights are in $50 range per person each way)
As to affordability, check the websites of the hotels you are interested in and you should be able to figure out the hotel budget. Most hotels in CR include breakfast in their rates so you only need to pay for lunch and dinner and those should not be very expensive ($60 per day per couple is generous). You will also need a bit for your planned activities as well. The mode of transportation will dictate the last piece of the cost puzzle.
Americans are the majority of the tourists visiting CR and honeymooners abound so you should feel good about any hotel choice you make. Don't forget that you will be going during the really slow season so a lot of hotels will be half empty (even in August, I remember staying at Vista del Valle where there was only one other couple in addition to us - it made the place very quiet which would be great for a honeymoon).
Your itinerary sounds good, although generally I would suggest you stay 2 nights at each of Peace Lodge and at Arenal then 5 nights at Sueno del Mar and last night somewhere near the airport (Xandari is spectacular and only about 15 minutes from the airport). Most people do not want to risk travelling back to San Jose on the day of the international departure so they come back the day before and stay somewhere near the airport enjoying a nice relaxing evening before they leave the country.
Consider renting a car but you will probably do fine without it as well (have your first hotel pick you up at the airport and then use Interbus). Car rental can be fairly expensive and the roads are not that great - it is certainly more relaxing to let someone else do the driving. You can also fly if the budget allows it (flights are in $50 range per person each way)
As to affordability, check the websites of the hotels you are interested in and you should be able to figure out the hotel budget. Most hotels in CR include breakfast in their rates so you only need to pay for lunch and dinner and those should not be very expensive ($60 per day per couple is generous). You will also need a bit for your planned activities as well. The mode of transportation will dictate the last piece of the cost puzzle.
Americans are the majority of the tourists visiting CR and honeymooners abound so you should feel good about any hotel choice you make. Don't forget that you will be going during the really slow season so a lot of hotels will be half empty (even in August, I remember staying at Vista del Valle where there was only one other couple in addition to us - it made the place very quiet which would be great for a honeymoon).
May 12th, 2004, 03:19 AM
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Sueno Del Mar is booked from Oct 9th to the 13th - They will be hosting a wedding during that time.....that is too bad - Does Capitan Suizo have the same feel as Sueno del mar? Any other choices? Since i am coming on the 4th - should i start out on the Pacific Coast and then go back through to arenal and then to La Paz? Then i can stay at Sueno Del Mar from the 4th to the 9th and then go to the other places for the rest of the time.
May 12th, 2004, 06:38 AM
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Given that this is the green season will i even be able to see the volcano in Arenal? Also i have heard from other people on this board that Hotel Paraiso is not close to anything. Does that mean the hotel has no activities? Or that their is not town close? All i am there for is the volcano, canopy rides and the scenery. Also Since i am going to the Pacific coast and more than likely stay at Capitan Suizo - What activties do you suggest for that region? Is their a particular tour operator i should go with? Or should Capitan Suizo have all this information - I just want to make sure that i see the things i need to see on the pacific coast. Thanks again for the advice!
May 12th, 2004, 10:08 AM
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My family & I went to CR three summers ago. It remains our all-time favorite vacation. Perfect combination of relaxation & adventure. Don't know about Punta Islita. We stayed at Si Como No in Manuel Antonio- excellent - it is built into the edge of the rain forest. Beautiful in a natural, low key way. Friendly staff, reasonable outdoor restaurant. Great pool, & view of beach. Beach is a 3 min van ride away - pretty - open market near beach. Ocean front resorts didn't look that nice. Day trips river rafting & horseback riding & canopy tour arranged through hotel were well planned & run. Manuel Antonio Park - got tour guide & saw many, many animals. Stayed at Tabacon Resort near Arenal -lovely- less personal than SI Como NO - very exotic with about 25 pools of varying temps - open into the evening. Once the sky cleared to get a view of the volcano. trip to base of Arenal - disappointing. Go into La Fortuna for hike to see the waterfalls - horseback riding up to see them was not good - too hot & sunny on a dusty trail going up - torturous. Horseback riding in Man. Ant area was great - cool in the rain forest in & around water. Saw & met many honeymooners. Best part of CR - the people - warm, friendly, helpful. We got into a small car accident in San Rafael on the way up to Tabacon - people were kind throughout the ordeal. It was our fault - my husband now knows that "ALTO" means stop. hope this helps
ps I think Oct will be a great time to go - we went in Aug & didn't mind the sporadic rain
P.S. If you have any advice on travel in Mexico - I would appreciate it.
ps I think Oct will be a great time to go - we went in Aug & didn't mind the sporadic rain
P.S. If you have any advice on travel in Mexico - I would appreciate it.
May 12th, 2004, 10:35 AM
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Did you do research into Taramindo? Would you suggest Manuel Antonio over Taramindo? Other people told me to stay up there because of the rain - that will give us the best chance of minimal rain. Thanks for the response!
May 12th, 2004, 10:39 AM
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to an earlier post - Did you feel cramped using Interbus? I have heard that it is almost like a herding cattle - you are right on top of each other on the bus - Or is that just for mass tours and interbus is not like that?
May 12th, 2004, 04:10 PM
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Blakeas,
Sure, you could do Tamarindo first. This is a neat area with several beaches to check out (Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo all nearby). By the way, Conchal and Flamingo are certainly 2 of the the 5 prettiest beaches in Costa Rica!
Definitely 2 nights at Arenal and 2 at Peace Lodge (because travel will consume some of your time).
And Arenal is not all about the volcano because it has so much to offer otherwise! This is a beautiful area! All around Arenal, La Fortuna, Peace Lodge, beautiful! You will find plenty to explore here to warrant 4 nights! Absolutely!
As for Arenal Paraiso, we loved it and you will hear that from many on this board. It is within a very short driving distance from Tabacon and the wonderful hot springs (don't miss this--very romantic--open all day and at night as well). The Paraiso bungalows have the best view in the area of the volcano and lava flow (should you get lucky), the food is good. The place is not luxury, but it is nice and clean (well respected by travelers) and right on the main highway. Easy to get from there to anywhere in the area. They will arrange tours for you, the works. No problemo!
As for Manuel Antonio, it is a definite consideration over Tamarindo. The jungle and wildlife in this area is really good! Nice beaches, good restaurants, lots of hotel choices. Arenal and Manuel Antonio are the 2 top spots to visit in CR! I wouldn't be overly concerned about the rain--even in October. Yes, there will be a little more (probably, not necessarily) in MA, but still the mornings and early afternoons should be fine, and the afternoon rains cool things down a bit and give you good naptime--honeymoon, right?
This is a FANTASTIC area. I really think you would probably enjoy it more than Tamarindo.
Sure, you could do Tamarindo first. This is a neat area with several beaches to check out (Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo all nearby). By the way, Conchal and Flamingo are certainly 2 of the the 5 prettiest beaches in Costa Rica!
Definitely 2 nights at Arenal and 2 at Peace Lodge (because travel will consume some of your time).
And Arenal is not all about the volcano because it has so much to offer otherwise! This is a beautiful area! All around Arenal, La Fortuna, Peace Lodge, beautiful! You will find plenty to explore here to warrant 4 nights! Absolutely!
As for Arenal Paraiso, we loved it and you will hear that from many on this board. It is within a very short driving distance from Tabacon and the wonderful hot springs (don't miss this--very romantic--open all day and at night as well). The Paraiso bungalows have the best view in the area of the volcano and lava flow (should you get lucky), the food is good. The place is not luxury, but it is nice and clean (well respected by travelers) and right on the main highway. Easy to get from there to anywhere in the area. They will arrange tours for you, the works. No problemo!
As for Manuel Antonio, it is a definite consideration over Tamarindo. The jungle and wildlife in this area is really good! Nice beaches, good restaurants, lots of hotel choices. Arenal and Manuel Antonio are the 2 top spots to visit in CR! I wouldn't be overly concerned about the rain--even in October. Yes, there will be a little more (probably, not necessarily) in MA, but still the mornings and early afternoons should be fine, and the afternoon rains cool things down a bit and give you good naptime--honeymoon, right?
This is a FANTASTIC area. I really think you would probably enjoy it more than Tamarindo.
May 13th, 2004, 07:42 AM
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ok - I have got my flights
I leave from Atlanta to San Jose on Oct4th and arrive at 12:25pm And I leave San Jose on the 14th at 2pm.
How should my intenerary look? I am pretty much set on Manuel Antonio, Arenal and La Paz.
Go to Arenal Directly when i get in on the 4th? I noticed interbus has a departure of 1pm on the 4th - I will probably not be able to make that because of customs and what not - Should i then just to go La paz? I was thinking Arenal from the 4th to the 6th - Then go to Manul Antonio on the 6th and stay until the morning of the 11th and then go to La Paz and the Peace lodge from the 11th to the 14th. Is this a good itenerary? I am worried about transportation - Should i just rent a SUV? I did not think that would be very cost effective and i need to keep costs down. Any help?
I leave from Atlanta to San Jose on Oct4th and arrive at 12:25pm And I leave San Jose on the 14th at 2pm.
How should my intenerary look? I am pretty much set on Manuel Antonio, Arenal and La Paz.
Go to Arenal Directly when i get in on the 4th? I noticed interbus has a departure of 1pm on the 4th - I will probably not be able to make that because of customs and what not - Should i then just to go La paz? I was thinking Arenal from the 4th to the 6th - Then go to Manul Antonio on the 6th and stay until the morning of the 11th and then go to La Paz and the Peace lodge from the 11th to the 14th. Is this a good itenerary? I am worried about transportation - Should i just rent a SUV? I did not think that would be very cost effective and i need to keep costs down. Any help?
May 13th, 2004, 08:34 AM
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Sorry one more thing - I am a little confused about Manuel Antonio - Since all the restaurants are in Quepos and all the activities are in Manuel Antonio - Where should i stay? I dont want to get stuck somewhere because I would have to go on a huge hike to get anywhere - I cant wait to do the activities but would like someplace to be a compromise between the two.
May 13th, 2004, 08:42 AM
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Manuel Antonio and Quepos are all in the same area. The hotels (most of them) are up and overlooking the ocean, but Quepos is the town at the bottom of the hill! There are buses that run from the hotels back and forth frequently. There really isn't any distance between the two--just a matter of up and down.
May 13th, 2004, 09:00 AM
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You don't have to have a 4x4 for Arenal, La Paz or Manuel Antonio, so if you want the freedom of your own wheels, just get a car instead of a 4x4 and you'll save a lot!
Since your flight does not get in until 12:25, you might be pushing it to get to Arenal or MA on that day. You should count on two hours to get through customs and get a car (should you decide to rent one). It does not ALWAYS take that long, but you should estimate that for safety. And, who knows, your flight may be delayed. It happens!
Also, after traveling all morning (I'll bet you have to get up pretty early to make it from Atlanta by 12:25), so it would be a better idea to go to Peace Logde and relax the rest of the day. If it's too wet or cloudy to walk around the gardens that day, you'd still have time to do that the next morning and then head to Arenal. Then, MA for the remained of the tip. But here's the tricky part. Your flight leaves at 2:00. You should be at the airport by Noon. It's a 3-1/2 to 4 hour drive from MA back to the airport, but you should count on 5 or 5-1/2 to be safe, in case there is a wreck on the Hyw. or something, so you would have to leave MA at 6:30 or 7:00am, so perhaps Interbus is a better idea. Of course, you could drive back the day before your flight and stay at a nice place closer to the airport such as Xandari or Vista de Valle.
Since your flight does not get in until 12:25, you might be pushing it to get to Arenal or MA on that day. You should count on two hours to get through customs and get a car (should you decide to rent one). It does not ALWAYS take that long, but you should estimate that for safety. And, who knows, your flight may be delayed. It happens!
Also, after traveling all morning (I'll bet you have to get up pretty early to make it from Atlanta by 12:25), so it would be a better idea to go to Peace Logde and relax the rest of the day. If it's too wet or cloudy to walk around the gardens that day, you'd still have time to do that the next morning and then head to Arenal. Then, MA for the remained of the tip. But here's the tricky part. Your flight leaves at 2:00. You should be at the airport by Noon. It's a 3-1/2 to 4 hour drive from MA back to the airport, but you should count on 5 or 5-1/2 to be safe, in case there is a wreck on the Hyw. or something, so you would have to leave MA at 6:30 or 7:00am, so perhaps Interbus is a better idea. Of course, you could drive back the day before your flight and stay at a nice place closer to the airport such as Xandari or Vista de Valle.
