Alajuela: Need A/C in July?
 

Help! Was hoping to stay at Orquideas or Vista del Valle on our first night in CR, but some in party are concerned over lack of A/C. Will be in ealy July. Hate to fly all day only to stay in a Hampton Inn! Does this area cool down in evening? Can you open window, or do bugs invade? I know many have stayed at these places, please if you were there in July let me know!

We stayed at VdV last July; it did cool down in the evenings, and we didn't feel like we needed AC. The only place I've ever really felt like we needed it was in Manuel Antonio.

All the rooms I've stayed in at Orquideas have had a/c, though I mostly kept it off as it was not that hot.

We were grateful for a/c in late july/august last year. (We are heat wimps)

The bugs may invade even if you don't have the doors and windows open. When we laid down in bed at VdV, there were two huge spiders on the wall right over the bed, but they did have a mosquito net, so we just used that and hid under it!

As Tully mentioned, Orquideas does have A/C.

When we stayed there in early December, the nights were pleasant and we only needed to use the ceiling fan in the room for air circulation. I think the Central Valley has fairly uniform temps for much of the year and stays in the high 70s/low 80s during the day (Farenheit). It does cool down in the evenings.

Orquideas is a great option for your introduction to CR (VdV sounds nice as well!).

Alajuela and surrounding area tends to be upper 70's/low 80s daytime. Nights get down to the lower 60's, sometimes upper 50's. We've always gotten along very well without air when staying in this area.

Thanks so much for the great input! I think I'll try Orquideas now that a couple of you say it has a/c, that way everyone is happy. Can't wait to get all the other details ironed out & just look forward to the trip...