dcsam

We are seriously considering a June or July trip to Costa Rica. VERY concerned about the weather and am hoping to find others who've been there during those months. Could you tell me a bit about the weather you experienced?
Also, in looking at an itinerary, all the tours they have for us leave around 6:30 in the morning. What's the reason for this?
The areas they have us going to are Tortuguero (Laguna Rainforest Lodge), Arenal (Hotel Los Lagos), Monteverde (Hotel Fonda Vela - looks nice) and Manuel Antonio (Hotel Costa Verde). I'm concerned that many of the hotels will have lots of kids (I'm a teacher, and need to get away from the lil' munchkins. Any other recommendations you would make for a more intimate setting?
Thank you
Caroline

tully

I've been in tha MA area in June. Other than thunderstorms at night, had no problems with rain. You may have rain, you may not, but most activities in the area can be done in the rain, it's kind of nice actually.

On the tours, not sure what you mean. Is this a packaged tour? I'm assuming the early morning is due to a) the time to travel from place to place so night driving is not needed and b) so there won't be longer delays due to the rain that may, or not, fall.

dfarmer

Like Tully, I would question if you are looking at a package deal?

As for leaving around 6:30, is this for transfers to your next location or for actual tours?

If transfers, then it is simply to get you to your next destination at a decent hour.

If tours, I would suspect the early departures are to offer you the best opportunity for bird and wildlife sightings.

We travel in Feb, so can't provide you any June/July weather info. However, there are several trip reports over the past few months from people who have traveled during these months. Most that I have read, have never complained about the rain.

As I understand, Hotel Costa Verde does have an adults only building. Again no personal experience but Mango Moon gets good reviews for adults.

We have been to all your locations, however have not stayed at your lodging choices.

dariow

The tours leave early since it takes awhile to drive to various destinations and they like having you back to the hotel around 3:00 PM since the rains usually start around that time. You should expect rain each afternoon and evening.

I stayed at Fonda Vela and absolutely LOVED IT!!

dncee11

As noted, they leave early because they have a lot of running around to do to collect everyone from the different hotels; in addition, its cooler in the AM. By the time the tours end, its going to be warm and muggy; you will be glad you left early. Go for a siesta before dinner!

ekellyga

My take on the early start is that it,
...lets them pick up all the guests and transport them to the tour.
....hits the most likely time of the day to NOT have rain (that is usually mid-afternoon).
....remember, you are very near the equator, and there are equal hours of light and dark all year. It is pretty dark by 7pm. Might as well get up and enjoy the daylight.

We did CR in early June of '05. First trip. Was great, and would (will) go back in a heartbeat. I would not be too concerned about the weather.
EK

dcsam

You are all so helpful!!! I cannot thank you enough for the information you provided for us Costa Rica newbies.
Thanks again!
Caroline

Melissa5

dcsam, we had a wonderful first family trip to Costa Rica in June 2005 with young adult son and daughters.

I thought the weather was fine. It rained every afternoon...but it's a rainforest and that's why it's green. We booked everything on our own, didn't do a packaged tour. Mornings are best in Costa Rica in the rainy season. Arenal and Monteverde were warm and tropical but comfortable for hiking weather. Manuel Antonio was uncomfortably hot for us in June, we felt very hot hiking in Manuel Antonio, but the ocean felt great.

Loved the Lost Iguana resort in Arenal...we had a luxury suite with a lava rock shower on the first floor, and we saw lava flow from our room all 3 nights (no guarantees of this but at least all the rooms at the Lost Iguana have volcano views). You need a car at the Lost Iguana as you are about a 15 minute drive into town, too far to walk. YOu can walk to the Hanging bridges, although we drove, which was a 5-minute drive.

Loved Monteverde. In Monteverde early early morning is the best time to arrive at the Monteverde cloud forest reserve for an early morning hike, try to beat the tour buses, that's what we did, it was beautiful. Get there as soon as the park opens, or even before the park opens. We stopped at Stella's bakery for a quick early morning breakfast, they make eggs too and have coffee, baked goods, etc.

Lots of good trip reports here on fodors!

Have a great time.

shillmac

I wouldn't be concerned about the weather either. We've never traveled there early in June, but have spent a lot of time between June 20 and August 3 for several years, anywhere from a week to 5 weeks. We've been to most parts of the country, but particularly Guanacaste area. There have been way more dry days than wet ones. On the days it did rain, never did it interfere with anything we've ever planned. We were down there the entire month of July this year and would have LOVED to see more rain!

RufusTFirefly

The Fonda Vela is wonderful. Children are welcome, but it is not particularly child oriented. Unless there is something unusual going on, you shouldn't be overwhelmed with children at the Fonda Vela.