I've just started planning a trip to CR for the hubs and I next year. We want to go off-peak without getting too much rain. Is early to mid-November a good time for that? Also, we're planning 12 days and figuring on spending day 1 in San Jose followed by a few days in each Arenal and Manuel Antonio (maybe a day or two extra here for plenty of beach time). Any other recommendations for the last few days? Not sure yet if we're driving or flying, so suggestions to help with that decision are appreciated as well!

If you want an indulgent spot with beautiful waterfalls, the Peace Lodge is great for a couple of days. If you have a few more days and want to see amazing wildlife, I'd check out the Osa Peninsula - Bosque del Cabo is great.

Here's a good website for checking the weather patterns for specific months and areas www.costa-rica-guide.com. Mouse over the weather map to get an idea of rainfall amounts.

We went in 2007, early Nov. for 2 weeks. We got an "unusual cold front". It poured, poured, poured. All night and all day for our stays at the Peace Lodge and Arenal. In fact, we cut a day out of Arenal and headed to MA. It was still overcaste, but warmer and got just the afternoon showers.

Upside was lower prices, no crowds. But it is the weather so one never knows how it will be. You may have great weather.

We really liked the Peace Lodge. Over the top and we felt pampered. Spend 2 full nights at the end or beginning of your trip.

Here is our report:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35097261


MY

Latter part of November in Nicoya
generally works best weather wise
still lots of rain elswhere in early
November...Official dry season not till December.Carib side got totally
gutted by floods in Nov 2008 still
digging out numerous washouts road
closures incliding landslides multiple
on the Pan Am Hgwy going to the southern pacific.

Nicoya had the least problems....

www.hotelpuntaislita.com

www.moanalodge.com

nice choices...

We've been to Costa Rica three times, all in late November or early December. San Jose was typically nice, in Arenal and MA we had heavy rain off and on, at Peace Lodge it never stopped pouring and in Tamarindo it was beautiful.