Last Minute Costa Rica Questions for First-Timer
 

Hi all, I'm leaving for Costa Rica next Wednesday and I have a couple of last minute questions:

1. We are staying at the Lake Coter EcoLodge and then at the Arenal Paraiso Hotel, and then the Allegro Papagayo in Guancaste. When I made my reservation, I was told the ecolodge was in the mountains and clouds and to bring warm clothes for the evening but when I check the weather it looks like it's in the high 90's. Does it really get cold enough to bring long pants and a long sleeve shirt? Any recommendations on what to pack clothingwise would be appreciated.
2. How bad is the mosquito situation? I see lots of messages about getting Deet bug repellant. Do you have to sleep with it on?

Thanks!

We didn't get into the warmer sections of the country, but in Monteverde and the Arenal areas, there was no need for any insect repellant in January. Don't know about this time of the year.

Oh, and temperatures in the upper 90s would be unusual for that area. Are you sure it was a weather report for the Arenal area?

We just returned last week from CR. Arenal is cool at night. Bring a lite sweater or sweatshirt and long pants. Longs pants are important when hiking to avoid ticks. We never saw a mosquito but there are other bugs. And the gekos are pesky.

From the looks of the pictures, I would say that it is going to be cooler up there rather than warmer. It could still warm up during the day (70's-low 80's) but I doubt that it would be in the 90's. Strange weather systems happen and cold fronts come through as well as warm ones but for the most part a general rule of thumb that I use is, the higher you go the cooler it will be. If a warm front is going through, it could be over with by the time you get there. I was told by my teacher in Monteverde that April can be the warmest and driest month up there. Basically, what we are all telling you is, be prepared for anything when heading up the mountains.
Even in Monteverde which is probably higher than Lake Coter you can wear shorts during the day sometimes and sometimes you will need to layer because it is cold.
I would have the Deet handy. You most likely won't need it up in the mountains but when you get to Guanacaste there is a good chance you will need it.

lago de Cote is at about 650 meters elevation. Highs in the 80's and lows in the 60's, relatively humid and windy are typical conditions for this time of year. As you climb the slopes of the volcano it can cool significantly.

The places you are staying have adequate screens and/or AC, and even if the bugs are out, you won't need to sleep in repellant.

Thanks all for the advice! The travel agent said it was about an hour from the Liberia airport and I guess I was mistakenly looking at the weather reports for Liberia, without taking in consideration we would be up on the mountain.

When we were in Monteverde in January, I wore shorts every day with no problem--we were active during the day, so even though it was cool, shorts were fine. I did have a water resistent jacket with me all of the time. 2 of the 3 evenings I wore long pants.

Just returned from Costa Rica visited Arenal,Monteverde,Playa Hermosa Guanacaste,Esterillos Oeste and Manuel Antonio. Did lots of hiking and didn't see one mosquito. Had the deet, but didn't use it. If you have a pair of zip pants bring them they're great, when you get hot you can zip them off at the knee, or zip them on for a hike or canopy tour. We used our hoodies and light rain jackets once, in Monteverde.

We stayed at Allegro a few years back, and they do have those pesky "no see ums"--very similar to chiggers if you know what those are. They are tiny, burrow into your skin, and itch like crazy for days. Do spray liberally below the knees and around your feet and ankles. I have never had trouble with these, but they really did a number on our daughters! Enough of those little guys can really put a damper on a good time!

By the way, if you see Zeydi at Allegro (she would be working with the kids and doing the early show for them at night) tell her hello from Jim and Jill in Oklahoma! She is a sweetheart, and we have known her for 3 years.