cindyjo

hi - still planning our CR trip in March. am having a hard time deciding between manuel antonio or puerto viejo. the carribe flavor of the atlantic appeals and know it will be a more rustic experience than manuel antonio. will it be raining there much in march? please let me know any input you may have between these two places. we only have 10days on land and we do w ant to spend 2-3 days at montverde so i don't think we can get to both beaches. thanks.

TracyinMex

Hi, I am also planning a trip and seriously looking at the Puerto Viejo area. I really like the idea of the carribe flavor too.

I just can't seem to get any responses from people who have been there.

What hotels were you looking at?

MrGreen

I have not been there either, however I am planning a CR trip for next year. (See my message "How's my Itinerary." I am looking at a nice place called Shawandha Lodge in the Puerto Viejo area. (Shawandhalodge.com)

cindyjo

hopefully we will get some response to these questions from experienced costa rica folks.
we are looking at staying in puerto viejo as we are travelling with our 19 year old son and believe it will be more interesting for him to be in town . if anyone has any ideas of places to stay that would be comfortable for him and us,i'd appreciate it.
so we are looking at casa verde. not very expensive compared to manuel antonio, and looks very comfortable and clean. there is supposed to be a reggae festival in march which would also be fun. i have read several postings here and elsewhere about increasing crime (the violent kind) there but living in seattle, "breaking news" showcases at least one murder a day, so can't imiagine it is any worse. hoping to hear back from atlantic coastaphiles.

niskyboss

check out Almonds and Corals, which is a tent resort about 1/2 hour south of Puerto Viejo. Very cool. It's in Fodors (the esteemed sponsor of this Chat Room).

jgjohnieg

My wife and I are going to Puerto Viejo for a week in Dec. this year. This will be our 2nd trip to CR as we didnt make it to the carribean side our 1st trip. We will be staying at Escape Caribeno in PV. We'll report back how everthing went when we get back.
By the way, our last trip we also was in Manual Antonio and syayed at La Colina and enjoyed it. The staff was very friendly and helpful also. Another fun & beautiful spot that might work for you and your 19 yr old is Montezuma where we spent 9 great days at Amor de Mar. A wonder ful spot - we are going back after PV and a Arenal Xmas for 8 more days and a wonderful New Years celebration. Have a great time!

JJDave

There are 2 Puerto Viejo....one on the Atlantic coast south of Limon and another north of San Jose (Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui). I have stayed at PV south of Limon. I believe the place was called Villas des caribe. It was a wonderful place with two storey accommodations. Downstairs was a living area and kitchenette. There was a patio with a BBQ. Upstairs you had another sitting area and a king size bed. Across the width was a lovely balconey with two hammocks. PV is a nice little 'reggae enclave' with a good variety to restaurants. It rained each morning for 10 to 15 minutes.