Costa Rica Recommendations
 

Hi there,

I'm planning a trip to Costa Rica this winter and am looking for advice on what part(s) of the country is best to stay in? I've heard the Pacific side is less developed, but that could make it harder to travel around. I also need wifi, which I assume won't be a problem since I telecommute. I don't want to stay in a big city - would prefer a cool beach side community.

Thanks!

There's wifi available in Manuel Antonio; there's a very pretty beach inside the park, lots of wildlife (although it's kind of tame), as well as lots of hotel and restaurant choices. It might be more developed than what you're looking for though.

For less developed you would want to avoid MA or Jaco.

www.manuelantoniopark.com

www.villasnicolas.com or www.issimosuites.com

nice though fairly touristy still very pretty

#1 visited national park in CR

For something less touristed

www.playamontezuma.net

www.ylangylangresrt.com

www.lunallenahotel.com based on budget

Have fun,

Carib side is least developed but sort of a rasta dodgy vibe

www.bananaazul.com www.pachamamaexplorers.com nice there

www.pachamamacaribe.com oops typo above

Maybe Dominical area if you have a car look into Shelter From the Storm he has wifi in the units.

http://www.shelterfromthestormvillas...las.html#rates

Villa Las Roca Abajo lower has a fantastic view better than in the photos (think they might have lost a tree that blocked some of the view) great for one or two.

MobileRob
Two things.
1) If you are planning for this winter, you had better speed things up a bit. The sooner you reserve, the more likely you are to get what you want.
2) Your inquiry indicates that you would benefit from a good guide book. Fodor publishes one. Alternatively, you could read tons of posts from this forum. When you have acquired a general knowledge, then you will know which specific questions will get you useful answers.

I have had Wifi all over Pacific side from Playa Giones to Junquillal. One of my favorite places is Luna Azul... beautiful place great little cabinas.

I think you are mistaken, the pacific side of Costa Rica is the most developed side. It's the atlantic side which is less developed, but it is also more dangerous. Do not head into the peninsula, you will only find garbage on the beach and in the water. If you want good hotels, you need to go to the Guanacaste area, which is in the north of the country.
If you head south, you will reach puntarenas, which is all contaminated by ships, its also dangerous because of criminals, this includes Jaco. Further south, you will get to manuel antonio which is full of tourists. The further south you head, you will see less people and more nature.

You've been given some good advice here. Dominical/Uvita is a great area because pretty low key but you can take a day trip to Manuel Antonio, Hacienda Baru, and other places to hike. Shelter from the Storm is a great place but you'll want a 4 x 4. Montezuma is another good area if you want a fun little town and some nice beach area. On the Caribbean side Banana Azul at Playa Negra is my favorite so far but Punta Uva is the best beach in that area. The Osa Peninsula is best for wildife IMO and not built up at all.