Initial Costa Rica Trip Ideas (for November)
Jan 4th, 2012, 11:48 AM
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Initial Costa Rica Trip Ideas (for November)
Hi all,
I'm in the very early stages of planning a family trip to Costa Rica for next November. We're a family of 5 (ages 55-21) and will have approx. 7 days (perhaps a few more) and are looking for some basic ideas to get started: should we try to visit the Caribbean and Pacific coasts? Stick to the Pacific coast and maybe do North and South?
A bit about our travel style: we're more nature/beach-people than city-folk, really interested in wildlife spotting, birdwatching, surfing, and scenic spots. We like to visit national parks, but still like to be near a town for restaurants/bars at night. Not looking for over the top luxury, but moderate to upscale lodgings would be nice: we generally rent an apartment or condo rather than dealing with hotels, but maybe eco lodges are the way to go in CR for the experience? And we tend to rent a car and go out on our own, the only organized tours we usually participate in are boat tours or others that access places you can't visit on your own.
Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Jess
I'm in the very early stages of planning a family trip to Costa Rica for next November. We're a family of 5 (ages 55-21) and will have approx. 7 days (perhaps a few more) and are looking for some basic ideas to get started: should we try to visit the Caribbean and Pacific coasts? Stick to the Pacific coast and maybe do North and South?
A bit about our travel style: we're more nature/beach-people than city-folk, really interested in wildlife spotting, birdwatching, surfing, and scenic spots. We like to visit national parks, but still like to be near a town for restaurants/bars at night. Not looking for over the top luxury, but moderate to upscale lodgings would be nice: we generally rent an apartment or condo rather than dealing with hotels, but maybe eco lodges are the way to go in CR for the experience? And we tend to rent a car and go out on our own, the only organized tours we usually participate in are boat tours or others that access places you can't visit on your own.
Any advice or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Jess
Jan 4th, 2012, 12:49 PM
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Arenal and Manuel Antonio is the most popular trip for first timers. Check out those areas and see if they appeal to you. We like the Lost Iguana and Nayara in the Arenal area; Silencio del Campo is popular too. Maybe Tulemar Bungalows in Manuel Antonio? The Osa peninsula is pretty amazing if you want to get away from it all. Bosque del Cabo is popular there.
Jan 4th, 2012, 01:16 PM
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This might interest you:
http://frontiercostarica.com/FrontierCostaRica
It seems to fit most of your needs. It is very difficult to get to, though.
http://frontiercostarica.com/FrontierCostaRica
It seems to fit most of your needs. It is very difficult to get to, though.
Jan 4th, 2012, 01:31 PM
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weather2travel.com Climate Guide CR
floats away in Nov I not go then preferring
konaweb.com stayhawaii.com in fall.
In winter I do hotelvillacaletas.com tabacon.com
costaverde.com or bosuedelcabo.com if budget
is good.
spirit.com jetblue.com cheap flights into SJO
usually rent with servicecarrental.com mapache.com
Happy Planning!
floats away in Nov I not go then preferring
konaweb.com stayhawaii.com in fall.
In winter I do hotelvillacaletas.com tabacon.com
costaverde.com or bosuedelcabo.com if budget
is good.
spirit.com jetblue.com cheap flights into SJO
usually rent with servicecarrental.com mapache.com
Happy Planning!
Jan 5th, 2012, 09:50 AM
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If weather makes a difference, historical weather data for November shows relatively lower rainfall in Guanacaste, the Nicoya Penninsula, the Central Valley (Cartago, San José and west) and the southern Caribbean coast. Not that it won´t rain; there´s just a lower probability. There are ways to enjoy Arenal and Manuel Antonio in November, but it's a wet month in both places.
There are some wonderful ecolodges all over the country, but they are, by nature, not so close to town or city centers. Most of them do give unique access to what's special about Costa Rica.
I suggest you check out the Turrialba area. It's a little off the beaten path, but is near to several national parks, a couple of volcanoes, the Caribbean coastal plain and the Talamanca mountains. You won't get a lot of city nightlife, but for a few days you will see and adventure in one of Costa Rica's most beautiful, un-touristed areas. There are great places to stay. A rented 4-wheel drive will be just the ticket for day excursions. Then you could hop over to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca or Manzanillo for a little beach time at the end. There you WILL find people and night life Caribbean-style.
There are some wonderful ecolodges all over the country, but they are, by nature, not so close to town or city centers. Most of them do give unique access to what's special about Costa Rica.
I suggest you check out the Turrialba area. It's a little off the beaten path, but is near to several national parks, a couple of volcanoes, the Caribbean coastal plain and the Talamanca mountains. You won't get a lot of city nightlife, but for a few days you will see and adventure in one of Costa Rica's most beautiful, un-touristed areas. There are great places to stay. A rented 4-wheel drive will be just the ticket for day excursions. Then you could hop over to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca or Manzanillo for a little beach time at the end. There you WILL find people and night life Caribbean-style.
Jan 5th, 2012, 10:08 AM
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I recommend the South Carribean. We spent a laid back week in mid Oct. There are 2 Nat'l parks to enjoy for wildlife. All the lodging is low key. We enjoyed our time at Caribe Town Resort. It is within meters of the beach at Playa Cochles. We ended up in Caiuita There are plenty of little restaurants (sodas) scattered all over that area.
Jan 5th, 2012, 01:51 PM
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Manuel Antonio seems to fit everything on your checklist with beach, national parks, activites, rentals and some nightlife. However, like someone else said, November can be tricky with the rain. Some Novembers can be light on the rain, and others can be non-stop.
If you want to take a gamble and not mind some rain, the Osa Peninsula has some of the best wildlife spotting in the country (again, it might not rain, only Mother Nature knows). The Osa is remote so there is no nightlife or even roads!
If wanting to dodge most of the rain, Nosara up on the Nicoya Peninsula is a fun place. It is lighter on the wildlife and tourists but the surf and pura vida attitude is amazing!
If you want to take a gamble and not mind some rain, the Osa Peninsula has some of the best wildlife spotting in the country (again, it might not rain, only Mother Nature knows). The Osa is remote so there is no nightlife or even roads!
If wanting to dodge most of the rain, Nosara up on the Nicoya Peninsula is a fun place. It is lighter on the wildlife and tourists but the surf and pura vida attitude is amazing!
