honeymooncr

Hello -

My fiance and I are seriously considering a honeymoon next October to Costa Rica. Our wants - he wants to be able to surf at a beach we can walk to. I want to not worry about being covered in bugs each night when I go to sleep. We're both pretty outdoorsy and are not afraid of adventure by any means - but this is still our honeymoon and I'd like to live it up a little with some luxury! Any advice on hotels, itineraries? I guess we're thinking Tamarindo and that area, b/c of the surf, but are up for other areas. I hear that's also the driest area - is that true? We're expecting rain each day but are hoping it won't rain all day, every day. Any and all advice/info is welcome!

dncee11

Check out some places at Playa Hermosa, just south of Jaco. There are several spots with this name, so make sure you have the right one. Jaco is a major town on the Pacific coast and is one of the closest beaches to San Jose so lots of Ticos go there too. PH is a few KMs south on the main Hwy and has a great surf break. The hotels are not what I would call luxury but they are not all camps either. Tam is a good choice as well with several very nice hotels and some surf very near. Don't worry about the rain; shouldn't interfere with your plans too much. Good luck and have fun!

faithie

Malpais St. Theresa .....

sandyc

How about FlorBlanca in St. Teresa? It's beautiful, luxurious, yet still in a funky surfer area. The beach is right there, and there aren't many bugs. Sounds like it's just what you're ordering!

Sandy

dfarmer

Luxury and surf conjures up first thoughts of Santa Teresa/MalPais area. Florablanca, Milarepa, Casa Chameleon.

Here is a site that provides some helpful info on the area.
http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/

cruisinred

Another vote for Santa Theresa. The beach and surf there is just gorgeous! The surf is at your doorstep at either Florblance or Milarepa. We just stayed at Milarepa last week and loved it. Very stylish and romantic with awesome food. Florblanca is bigger and a little nicer, but I'm not sure it would be worth 3x the price of Milarepa...but then again it is your honeymoon.

As for bugs, we did not have a problem at all really, but there is romantic mosquito netting on the bed.

greenfieldhunter

for a luxury honeymoon spot- Hotel Punta Islita

I cannot comment on the quality of the surf but it's there and all the beaches in the area very private

honeymooncr

Thanks for the feedback! What is everyone's thoughts on AC - in October, will nights be cool enough to do without it? I read about these ocean breezes but am skeptical ...

cruisinred

I was very pleasently surprised at how comfortable we were in Santa Theresa/Mal Pais without AC. We were on the beach and had all the windows open for the breeze, plus there was a ceiling fan. I really though my husband, who is always hot at home in New England, would be freaking out without AC, but he was fine. BTW, it is cooler in the rainy season in CR than it is during their summer/our winter, when it is dry and hot on that part of the Nicoya peninsula.

kpd6305

I stayed at Florblanca on my honeymoon in June. It was the nicest resort there and definately the most expensive, if not overpriced. The villas are cool and very open to the outside. The bedroom is air conditioned and I believe that Milarepa does not have air, but they do have a very good restaurant and is right next door to Florblanca. You can't surf at the beach at Florblanca because of the rocks. The area is very isolated and not like Tamarindo, its also a great place to explore. We're actually going back this November. You can rent an ATV and drive it around like a car. With the ATV you can easily get around to all of the different beaches where you can surf.

siempretrvls

Not sure about the rain in October, I hear it is the rainiest month in Costa Rica. For Mal Pais, I will say that Casa Chameleon is one of the nicest hotels in the area. It is ocean view, but there is a good left break just down the hill in front. They have A/C as well as many great amenities. Many celebs stay there as well as honeymooners because it is very private and has great personal service. The price is extremely reasonable as well. We just stayed there in July and were blown away. Very unique place. Site is www.hotelcasachameleon.com.

Ally

I would stear clear of the Jaco area. It's one of the least desirable beach areas in Costa Rica. Mal Pais and Flor Blanca are really lovely...but keep in mind the further north you go the less rain you should have. There is great surfing in Nosara and it's not as crowded as Tamarindo...of course in Oct. it will be almost empty, so if you desire a lot of company, Tamarindo is always hopping, even in the 'rainy' season.
In Tamarindo, Sueno Del Mar is a lovely little place, and Cala Luna is super nice, they have some rooms with private pools.
In Nosara, Casa Romantica....or...dare I say it here....I am opening a small boutique hotel in Dec. of this year so we will certainly be fully operational by next Oct. Which I could tell you the name and web address, but I've already crossed over the 'no advertising' line.

casa_de_ventanas

have any of you guys been down there in october? even up north it's the monsoon season (or can be). it's heaviest rain of the year. i am down south in ojochal, south of the surf break at dominical. all of the homes are "up the mountain" with a short drive to a few hundred feet of elevation. at sea level it's always a bit more humid. course where we are it's a bit more off the grid, but we still have amenities, good french restaurants and the like, i just wouldn't recommend october. jay at www.casadeventanas.com