So my boyfriend and I just booked last minute tickets to CR for a long Memorial Day weekend....6 nights. This will be my third trip, first trip with brother to Mal Pais and Santa Theresa for surfinng, second to Playa Grande and Monteverde with the girls. Any suggestions on where to go this time...

I love the beaches but neither of us will be surfing this time. Will stay in San Jose for a few days to do base day trips (he's planning...wants to go rafting etc). Any good recs...how is Manuel Antonio? What about Dominical or Hermosa? Good laid back places? Not looking to go to Tamarindo this trip! Thanks! Can't wait to get back!

Manuel Antonio is a lot of fun. Lots of wildlife viewing (monkeys, sloths, etc...) and good tourist infrastructure with a variety of hotels and restaurants available. You'll also have easy access to beaches (the second beach inside the National Park is really pretty and good for swimming). MA is a popular place; one of the most visited parks in CR, but you are traveling after the peak tourist season has wound down. We visited MA at the beginning of December last year (before the main season got into full swing) and it felt quite laid back and uncrowded to us.

I haven't been to Dominical, but would like to visit Hacienda Baru there at some point. Dominical is popular with surfers which may be different than what you are looking for on this trip. I also understand that it can be challenging to get to during the green season; at least if traveling down from MA (bumpy roads and sometimes washed out bridges).

What about Arenal for a few days? Most people really love that area; we certainly did! You could also consider the caribean coast (Cahuita, P. Viejo etc...) which sounds like it would be very different than the beach locations you've visited previously).

Good luck with your plans. What a great idea for a last minute trip!

My suggestion would be:

Day 1: Arrive SJO, stay in town, recommend Hotel Don Carlos. . .
Day 2: Rafting Pacuare, overnight HDC
Day 3: Drive to Manuel Antonio, stay 3 nights, 2 full days.
Day 6: Return to SJO, stay near airport, departure next day? If you can arrange an afternoon departure flight, you could:

1--do an overnight on the Pacuare OR
2--stay an extra night at MA, driving back early on the morning of your flight. Need to plan to be at airport 2.5-3 hours ahead. 3 hour drive barring unexpected delays. . .allow cushion.

May would be a great time to visit MA--not fully into the rainy season yet (transition time), fewer people.

I also like Playa Hermosa (up north), but somehow for your trip I think the Pacuare and MA would seem a good combo. Just me. . .

Nice that there's so much to choose from, huh?!

Once again, Shillmac and I are on the same page . I agree that MA and the Pacuare would be a nice change from the Guanacaste beaches. You could even think about an overnight trip on the Pacuare.

If you are not rafting, you might consider staying outside of downtown San Jose if your flights arrive very late or leave early. It will save some commuting time

I agree with cmerril about Arenal too. The hot springs are a great place to relax.

No one has mentioned Tortuguero. Not really a great beach area, and it is not turtle season. But there is still lots of good nature here, and no crowds.

I hope this helps! Let me know if I can offer more advice.

Warm Regards,
Pat Hewitt
(Travel Professional)

Ok...haven't been here in awhile, sorry~ So I get into San Jose at 945 am on Thurs. Thinking of going rafting (that day if possible...) Are we better to do an overnight trip on the Pacuare somewhere or come back and stay in SJO (want to raft two days I believe) If on river...good options?

If we can't go rafting, what's something good to do Day 1 since I get in so early for the entire day/eve?

Still deciding where else to go, hate to be stuck in huge tourist traps, but want laid back. Monteverde was cool but a little too touristy for me. I fear MA and Arenal to be the same....

So after rafting, thinking still between PV/Cahuita Caribbean coast, Dominical area, or attempting Osa/Bocas del Toro for a few days. Or MA or Arenal still...

We are not planning to rent a car, want to fly or get transportation wherever so need something doable without our own car.

Oh, so my boyfriend wants me to find something "romantic" for us too, I fear if I leave it up to him I'll end up at the Del Rey!! So...any tips on good little semi reasonable romantic spots? We LOVE spa stuff, beaches, hot springs, mud baths, etc etc. Thanks!!!

If you make it to Arenal, Tabacon has natural hot springs and a variety of spa treatments.

On that first day, you could visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens or Poas Volcano - not sure if that would be too touristy for you though. That's what we're planning to do on our first day in San Jose.