We're in the very early planning stages of a trip to Costa Rica. No date set yet. We're looking for beach front lodging in the form of hotel room or bungelow in a quiet location. We like to snorkel , kayak and just lay on the beach. We plan on renting a car for checking out the local sites. Looking for something $200 or less. We've never been to Costa Rica or Centeral America for that matter, so we're open to suggestions.

Thanks

ylangylangresort.com

hotelcasachameleon.com

Go in winter for less rain

weather2travel.com climate guides

http://www.coconutgrovecr.com/

Paradise!! Very quiet and secluded, but close to many natural attractions like waterfalls and marine parks. Dominical is the closest town with good bars and restaurants.

I would vote for Tropico Latino, http://www.hoteltropicolatino.com/, I´ve been there several times, and I love it. And it matchs the description above, also Mal País/Santa Teresa are small towns with a nice vibe, not crowded or touristy.
Hope this helps.

If you are interested in researching water quality (which is an issue with some beaches), this link is very helpful. Costa Rica awards a Blue Flag rating to beaches that meet certain criteria. Click the "map" tab:

http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/pa...s/areasurf.asp

Tulemar Bungalows and Buena Vista Villas in Manuel Antonio is also popular.

Costa Rica is not known for great snorkeling, so if that's a biggie you might want to think Belize. The beaches around Puerto Viejo area are supposed to be the best for snorkeling in CR.

We snorkeled at some offshore islands off Flamingo Beach in Guanacaste and it was fun, but nothing like the Caribbean or Great Barrier Reef.

Totally agree with colibri; Belize has amazing snorkeling, the best we've done. We love Costa Rica, but our snorkeling there was kind of a dud due to poor visibility.

Thanks everyone, appreciate the feedback. Perhaps because of colibri's and volcangirl's responses, I should post the same question with a Belize tag, which I'm about to do.

Our favorit beach spot in Costa Rica is the Uvita area, only marine national in central america and I haven't been but told snorkling of the coast in Cano Island is great. We satyed in TikiVillas a new boutique hotel near Uvita (www.tikivillas.com) Its in front of Hermosa beach.