Hello! I am planning to take my honeymoon in Costa Rica in January, this is the first time for both of us and we need help! First, has anyone delt with Costa Rica vacations? We have recieved alot of information from them, but are not sure how reliable they are.

We recieved an itenerary that plans out the 7 days we will be there... please bare with me:
We fly into San Jose go river rafting at Pacuare then head to Arenal for the waterfall gardens and Volcano tour we then transfer to our resort at Grand Papagayo on Guanacaste we also do a canopy tour at Buena Vista... Please help! Are we choosing the right places to see everyting?

I'm sorry this is so long, but we are new to this and need some advice We were also thinking of skipping the volcano for more time on the beach..is this soemthing we should see?

I'm going to respond to this, mostly to get it to the top again. Then hopefully some of the more experienced posters will respond.

I don't know about the waterfall gardens, but the Arenal area is well worth visiting. I love the Guanacaste area, but I don't know anything about the Grand Papagayo. I'd love to go rafting on the Pacuare, but one of us is too young yet. Costa Rica is so wonderful. You can't see everything in one trip. You are on the right course by picking a few different things and seeing what you like. I bet you will want to return.
Have fun and congrats on your wedding.

i honeymooned in CR
click on my screenname and scroll down as I have posted a few replies on your topic

The Pacuare Rafting trip is a wonderful trip, very scenic and fun.

Waterfall Gardens, I am confused here. I assume you are saying that you will transfer from SJ to Arenal with a stop over at La Paz Waterfall Gardens? La Paz is near the Poas Volcano, and about 2 hours before reaching Arenal. However La Paz Waterfall Gardens is a wonderful place, it would be great if you could spend a night or two at the Peace Lodge, which is the lodgings at La Paz.

As for Grand Papagayo (wasn't this once the Costa Smeralda?), we stayed there near the first of Feb one year. We were fine with our accomodations as we had the Presidential Suite, nothing to complain about. The food was only mediocre. However, there is a town about 20 mins away called Coco with a few restaurants and shops. There are many day excursions to keep you busy. The hotel is set up on a bluff, with a bit of a walk down to the beach. My opinion however is that for the dry season I would prefer a beach location further to the south in CR. Only because the Guanacaste Region is much more brown during this time. But of course you are going to see lots of green in the previous places during your trip.

Hi!!! I am planning my honeymoon in January as well- and I am very confused...I didn't know if i should plan out my own trip or do one of the packages- were you only looking at packages or were you going to try and plan it out- also, does anybody have recommendations on things that are a 'must-see'???

We are going the week of January 14th- I am very excited, still trying to decide what to do... it seems like Costa Rica has everything- the beach and activitiesgt hopefully we won't get a blizzard the day of our wedding!!!!

For Pacuare River preparation, search also for screen name TripleSecDelay. I used his/her information for our trip. Good stuff also on Arenal.

We just went on the Buena Vista combo tour from Tamarindo on May 27th. It was great. J and C Tours out of Coco or Tamarindo provides a great tour. You can find them on the visittamarindo.com website provided by the Tamarindo Chamber of Commerce. They provide Transportation from San Jose to other areas also.