Planning a Central America getaway in May-June. I'm 38 M and traveling on my own.

a. Is it a good time of year to visit Costa Rica, and are there specific areas of the country that agree with this time of year?
b. Is Hosteling-International a good way in Costa Rica to find places to stay that on the one hand can provide decent private rooms (not looking for a Sheraton, just a clean bed) and on the other hand allow me to meet fellow travelers?
c. I'm interested in getting a significant siesta from my hectic life, practicing my non-existent Spanish with locals, and getting the feel of the culture - much more than getting through a list of "must see"s and trekking myself mad. Can you recommend specific places that fit the bill ?
d. Any specific preparations when coming from the US (California) ? Vaccines? Visa?
e. Also planning on spending a ~week in Galapagos. Better in early May (before Costa Rica) or in mid June (after)?
f. Which Costa Rica guidebook have you been happy with?

Thanks in advance,
Zurkin

http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html is a good map to show you the weather patterns; just mouse over the area that interests you to see average rainfall by month. We travel during green/rainy season and like it; you can get some good deals and things are really lush and green. You don't need any specific vaccines or visas. I like the Fodor's Guide and Costa Rica for Dummies.

For budget accommodations, I would use both Lonely Planet Guide and Rough Guide, haven't stayed in any hostels, but I think there was just a trip report on one at MA.

What are you most interested in - beach trip, volcano, rainforest, cloud forest, wildlife viewing? If you can give us some idea of your interests, it's easier to then recommend certain places.

Many people travel in May/June noting there will usually be some afternoon showers, but nothing that prohibits you from doing morning activities or late afternoon.

Are you renting a car? If not, Interbus is a reasonably priced shuttle system between various destinations.

Hotel Villa Bonita is an inexpensive B & B convenient to airport for first and/or last night lodging.

I think Tortuguero is a very reasonably priced option - Riverboat Francesca tours www.tortuguerocanals.com We stayed at Laguna Lodge last year - 3 day/2 package for around $300pp, including all meals, r/t transportation San Jose, all touring via boat, excluding admission into the national park. All of your meals and touring are done in a group, so you definitely get to meet other people. There were 7 of us traveling together from U.S, Canada, Germany and Denmark so we had another couple from Holland with us, very int'l group!