I will be traveling back to Costa Rica next May with my 18-year old son. Since I did not visit the Guanacaste beaches on my last trip, I would like to do so when we return in May. We have a block of about 5 days in the middle of our trip and I am having difficulty deciding which beaches to visit. My son would like to learn to surf and I would like to relax on the beach and explore the area.<BR><BR>Is it realistic to spend a couple of days in or near Tamarindo and then drive to Nosara and/or Samara for 2-3 days? If so, any recommendations for budget ($50/night or less) accommodations?<BR><BR>Thanks for your advice!

I'd suggest you combine Tamarindo w/ Playa Samara. It's a pretty long drive, but do-able.<BR><BR>As far as accommodations, El Milagro in Tamarindo is affordable and nice. In Playa Samara Hotel Fenix (on the beach) and Giada are affordable and nice enough.<BR><BR>Adios,<BR><BR>Casey

Casey, thanks for your advice! How would you compare the Hotel Pasatiempo to the El Milagro? Also, how long would you expect the drive from Tamarindo to Samara to take?<BR>Terri

There are several surf schools in Tamarindo, Witch's Rock Surf Camp, Iguana Surf and Tamarindo Adventures, the waves are perfect for beginners. From Tamarindo to Samara is around 2 hours. It's nice drive. Pasatiempo is 2 blocks from the beach, Milagro Hotel one block. Pasatiempo has more atmosphere but they also have live music a few nights a week and it can be noisy.

Thanks Ilka! I really appreciate the info. One more question. When you say it's a 2-hour drive, is that going inland or taking the coastal route? I would really like to do the coastal route if that's feasible during May. (I love 4-wheeling, but don't care for deep river crossings.)<BR>

You can take the coastal road only in dry season. May can be either wet or dry, so I you'll have to wait until you get here to decide which road to take. Either way, the inland road is nice as well although maybe not quite as adventurous.

Hey, Ilka...great info! I think El Milagro is a better choice if you're looking to relax. It's also more conveniently located. The rooms are pretty comprable.<BR><BR>Regards,<BR><BR>Casey

While researching websites for other CR info, I happened upon a hotel that sounds interesting, the Hotel Las Tortugas, which is along Playa Grande. Casey, familiar with this place? http://www.cool.co.cr/usr/turtles/<BR><BR>I have mixed emotions about a hotel there. I was on the Playa Grande beach in November to see the leatherback turtles laying eggs. What is the impact of a hotel in that area? Their website says they're eco-friendly; does that mean it's lights out after dark during turtle season?<BR><BR>I'm about to make my second trip to CR --- leaving tomorrow !!! Although I did enjoy Tamarindo during my Nov. visit (my hotel was El Diria, not in the budget price range) I won't be getting back up there. Rather will be spending time at Arenal and Manuel Antonio. <BR>Terri: As you'll be in CR during green season, you may be able to find good rates checking with hotels directly online. For my last night in CR on this trip, I'm staying at the Hotel Martino (in Alajuela, outside San Jose, close to airport) --- September is a slower time and I was able to get a $79 rate at a place that's usually costs almost twice that amount.<BR><BR>I'm looking forward to a "casada" (or is it 'casado'?) for a late lunch tomorrrow. Can't wait to get my galla pinto fix !!! Adios,<BR><BR>

RK: Let us know how you like the Hotel Martino. Like you, this next trip will be my second to Costa Rica. It's funny should be mention contacting hotels online as I've been communicating by e-mail with Hotel Las Tortugas about possibly staying there insteado of Tamarindo. (According to my guidebooks, the owners of the hotel are responsible for the creation of the National Park which protects the turtles.)<BR>I'm curious about why you don't feel the need to return to that area. I feel the same way about Montezuma. It's an incredibly beautiful area, but I really have no desire to return.

A lot of people involved in the tourist industry lobbied for the national park, it was not the doing of one particular hotel. If things were only that easy in Costa Rica!!

Terri,<BR><BR>Back from CR. The reason that I didn't return to Tamarindo area on this trip was two-fold; (1) I hadn't yet been to Quepos/Manuel Antonio and was eager to see that section of country; (2) my traveling companion was renting a car and so, I defered to his choices of where to go. NOW, if you asked me which I liked better, ... hmmm, I'd be hard-pressed to make that choice. Each is unique; totally different topography. Plus when I was in Tamarindo, it was during nesting season for leatherback turtles and our tour group took us to Playa Grande and we were able to witness a mother turtle laying her eggs. Way cool !<BR>On the other hand, Manuel Antonio is CR's smallest national park and offers you both the forest experience (birds, monkeys, etc) and a great beach.<BR><BR>I know that others have enjoyed staying in city of San Jose proper. Yeah, it was okay for the first time; and I visited the Natl Theatre, Gold Museum, Jade Museum; it's convenient if you want to do your day trip to coffee plantations or Poas Volcano. However I have to say that overall the city of San Jose is eminently forgettable --- architecturally, it's pretty bland. After being there once, I prefer to stay first/last nights outside the city. When I began this trip, I did my first night in the Hampton Inn --- your basic American non-descript hotel for $80 and it's easy access to the Pan American Hwy (next morning, we drove to Arenal). For final night in CR, I stayed at the Hotel Martino in La Garita, Alajuela. Traveling during low season can be advantageous; the Martino had an on-line special price of $79 (single) or $99 (two people). Normally this is a much higher priced hotel. And for the money, it was fabulous! It's owned & operated by Italians --- room was lovely & well appointed --- monogramed towels & sheets --- Italian right down to the bathroom fixtures (complete with a bidet). The only thing I didn't like about bathroom was the shower. It too was like ones that I've seen in Italy --- one of those compact "telephone" booth sized showers. Matching bedspreads & draperies; altho I think it was time to change the drapes in my room (215); starting to get a tad shabby. And another one of my bugaboos (I know I'm being incredibly picky here) was that the drapes didn't completely close or I guess overlap is what I'm saying --- fortunately I travel with safety pins so that I can pin the curtains shut. For anyone's who's never been to CR, when the sun comes up in the morning it is really bright and so if you want to avoid that 7am rise & shine, you need good drapes/curtins.<BR><BR>Swimming pool is huge --- didn't get in to pool as by the time I'd walked thru the Zoo (across the street) and had lunch at Muriel's Soda (up the street a bit) the rain clouds were appearing and I hustled back to my room. I liked being up on second floor (only 2 stories) as there's alot of bird life whizzing by. They have those leather rocking chairs you can buy in Sarchi on their balconies --- very comfortable to sit & relax. Ate dinner at their restaurant. A glass of Merlot, a house salad, ravioli stuffed with spinach, and a capuccino cost $19. Food was good, however I'm just as happy eating traditional CR fare (arroz con pollo or a casado) rather than these more upscale places that cater to the American palate. I enjoyed my brief time at Martino; on my next CR trip (whenever that may be) I'd consider staying here again (depending on price) or possibly try one of the other hotels in Alajuela area.<BR><BR>Taxi from Martino to airport took 20 minutes and cost $7.<BR>

RK: Thanks so much for the feedback. The Hotel Martino sounds really lovely! I may have to check it out when I go next May. I agree with you about staying on the outskirts of San Jose rather than inside the city. We stayed at Vista del Valle and Xandari last June and really loved both places. We also stayed one night at the Hampton. What it lacked in charm it made up for in convenience (we were rafting the Sarapiqui with Aventuras Naturales and they pick up there.)<BR><BR>Thanks also for your response regarding Tamarindo. Although we won't be there during turtle nesting season, it would be nice to see a different part of the country and be able to stay on or near the beach. Since I've been to Manuel Antonio, I think we'll go ahead and try one of the Guanacaste beaches. I'm leaning toward Tamarindo because it seems like there may be more to do there than say Nosara or Samara. Would you agree?

Terri,<BR><BR>I haven't investigated Nosara or Samara and so don't know anything about these locals versus Tamarindo. When I was in Tamarindo in November, it was a brief visit; yet I got the sense there's more action there. It is a bit more built-up than Manuel Antonio area --- all things being relative, both places are much more low-key than most beach towns you'll find in the US. Tamarindo is very different in its' topography than what you see around Manuel Antonio --- resembles the plains of an African savannah (or at least what I've seen from pictures in Natl Geo). Also, because Guanacaste is drier than other parts of CR, it should be more reliable as a place to go with "good beach weather". As lush and lovely as I found Manuel Antonio, I really, really enjoyed being able to stay at a hotel ON the beach in Tamarindo. Nothing quite like standing on your balcony and listening to the ocean waves in the evening. I stayed at El Diria. I loved being able to get up and go walk on the beach early in the morning (7 am) --- peace, quiet, a few other folks, me and the sandpipers. Another hotel that's down the beach is Capitan Suizo. I've read good comments on it.<BR><BR>