My husband and I are visiting Costa Rica in a couple of weeks. We don't have an itinerary planned. We are considering using vacation city to help us plan our trip. Of course, we love beautiful beaches, great food, adventure. Where do you recommend we stay? Or what towns, cities are must-sees?

Please help! Need lots of advice. thanks!

Please buy a guidebook such as Moon or Lonely Planet, do a little research, think about what appeals to you most. There is a tremendous amount of diversity in Costa Rica from the rain forest to the cloud forest to the dry forest to the beaches (Caribbean totally different from Pacific side).

Adventure is packed into every nook and cranny from horseback riding to bungee jumping to waterfall rappelling to ziplines to hanging bridges to some of the world's best white water, and then some.

Costa Rica is not known so much for its beaches, and if you're looking for turquoise water and white sand (as in the Caribbean), you'll be disappointed. That said, there are some beautiful beaches, just not what you might be expecting.

The rain forest is a big draw in Costa Rica and the wildlife within. There are several areas where you can experience great wildlife viewing, sometimes right next to the beach, such as at Manuel Antonio.

There are areas where you can watch green or leatherback turtles come ashore during the night to lay their eggs. Right now, that would be true at Playa Grande on the Pacific side, near Tamarindo. Amazing experience.

There's the fabulous and active Arenal Volcano with several hot thermal springs to visit. This area is a favorite for many because there is so much to do.

In the central parts of the country, closer to San Jose, you have Poas Volcano, La Paz Waterfall Gardens and its fabulous Peace Lodge, Irazu Volcano, the Orosi Valley, small interesting towns such as Grecia, Zarcero, Sarchi, Cartago--their churches are always something to see.

And then there's the Osa Peninsula, a world apart. Full of adventure, wildlife, rainforest, excellent lodging, this area is a short flight from San Jose.

A little research would be helpful to you--and then you'll get all kinds of great information on the places you think you'd most like to visit. You didn't say how much time you have to spend there. One week generally limits you to 2 locations. 10 days, 3 loctions, etc. Keep in mind that it is high season right now, Costa Rica has become extremely popular among people all over the world. Your choice of hotels may be limited and airfare may be pretty high.

I would defintely second getting a guidebook, CR may look small but with so much diversity it's hard to say what places you must go to as there so many! If no time to get a book, a good look thru this website http://www.visitcostarica.com would at least help narrow down areas and give you a better idea of things you'd like to see & do.

Thanks so much for your suggestions. Very helpful. Do you think it's worth getting a travel agency to help put an itineary together? Or should we wait until we arrive to book our day trips?

LunadeMiel:

Absolutely get a guide book.

I go to the library and check out all the guide books on the country I want to visit for the first time. When I find what appeals to me I go out and buy a current one or not so current depending on what I am looking for. The sights and features will not change and the hotel costs will not be up to date so that is not important to me in a guide book.

My wife and I will be going to Costa Rica on Tuesday 15th and after our research we contacted Swiss Travel in San Jose. They arranged our hotels, some tours and all transfers so that part will go smoothly and I hope to avoid problems and effort to have that time to enjoy the country. After checking out what we want, we could plan with Swiss Travel more effectively.

Not mentioned by others up to now is the Marimba music. Many years ago we spent a week at Tamarindo and four young boys played one evening at our hotel. They were great. One boy was so young that he had to stand on a box to play.

Also, we found the central market to be fascinating. But watch out for the usual pick pockets found in all countries at places like tourist spots.

The "Ticos' were friendly, helpful and very courteous. They are clean, educated and generally a happy people.

We have been looking forward to our return visit for many years.

Buy the book. It will be the least investment cost of your trip and allow you to get what YOU want out of the travel.

Have a great trip.

Woodie

This is a very busy time of year down there. If you are going in just a couple of weeks I would get a few reservations made. A guide book would be a help but it probably should have been looked at long before now. Most guide books lack some information. The new Moon book is still showing old info on some places and, like the Moon book, the new Fodors book as well as the Lonely Planet don't show complete information on all hotels and lodges that are available in some areas. You could think about a travel company if you find you are having trouble finding rooms in the places you are interested in. It can take time for some of the hotels to respond and you don't have much time.

Knowing your approximate budget would help us help you a lot better.

Hi Woodie! We're leaving for CR in 2 weeks (Jan. 27), we seem to always be following you!

Would love to plan another trip to AR w/Mercedes next year, the prices are going up, up, up though. Glad we went when we did!

Anyway, enjoy CR, maybe our paths will cross!