Cakes

Just curious as to how "empty" these areas really are during the green season. It will be our fourth trip during the green season but our first time in this area. Went to Tamarindo a few years ago and didn't really care for it too much so we'd prefer not to go back there.

Thanks in advance for any info!
Patty

shillmac

July of green season is the busiest month, so there will be more people at that time than say, for example, June. I think you will find more people at Playa Samara simply because it is a bit more easily accessed. That having been said, both of these beaches should be light in tourists during green season.

karenf

Cakes, We were in Nosara last July. It is not too far from Samara. The hotel we stayed at was about half full when we arrived and then became full. If you have your heart set on a certain place I would definitely recommend reservations. Nosara is very quiet, with a gorgeous beach, no shade but so peaceful.I, too, was in Tamarindo, and while it was fun to walk to the restaurants,etc. the beach itself was not pretty to me. In fact, we were there shortly after new years and the beach had so much garbage and horse poop on it it was pretty disgusting.Of course we did get to see the turtles nesting and go to Rincon la Vieja. I have not been to Samara but I think if the beach there is similar to Nosara you will love it. I would definitely go back to Nosara. Even if it is not sunny every day. It did rain nearly every day in late afternoon, and we had a power failure at the hotel one day.

Cakes

Thanks soo much for the replies! We were hoping that neither location would be packed but we also don't want to be the only people there.

Karen, Nosara is another beach I am still considering! And the reasons you stated for not liking Tamarindo are the same reasons I didn't really care for it. Plus I think we were there for too long, 5 days!

Thanks again,
Patty

karenf

Cakes, FYI, We stayed at casa rommantica in Nosara. You can walk on a path to the beach. There is a nice pool and the grounds are very pretty. We were in a small building that had suites. We had a small kitchenette that we never used and a little patio. There was a small pool next to this building and when we first arrived there wqas almost no one there so we felt like the pool was our own. The owners are Swiss and my husband used to do business in Switzerland so for us it was fun. There were monkeys right next door in the trees. The only thing about Nosara is that things are spread out and for some reason it is very hard to find your way around. We drove there from San Jose and we did have to cross some shallow rivers. You need a four wheel drive in the rainy season. The town of Nosara is not near the hotels or beach. In fact, we never did see the town. If you go there go to Mariposa for lunch. Excellent Italian restaurant that is called Robertos, I think. If you are looking for peace and quiet and a gorgeous beach this is the place. We are thinking oof going back there this summer. My only criticism of Casa Romantica is the lack of variety for breakfast. Every day it was eggs or omelettes, Fresh fruit, and bread.We also looked at Lagarta Lodge but it was completely deserted for some reason so we never did see the rooms.

Cakes

Thanks Karen for all the information on Casa Romantica! I have actually looked into that hotel so it's nice to hear some first-hand info. And you're right about the SUVs during the green season, they really do come in handy.

Thanks again!