Manzanilla
 

Thinking of renting a cottage in the National Refuge for a week in January. Any thoughts? We are interesting in snorkeling and scuba diving, walking and beach bathing.

http://www.costaricabureau.com/natio...manzanillo.htm

nice quite remote rustic prefer Punta Uva

www.pachamamacaribe.com

It's a very low key area with a decent beach to walk along, a couple good sodas and restaurants...not a whole lot else. If you're looking mostly to get away though and dive it would be fine. They have some great deals on furnished rentals down there I know. I do like staying a little closer to Puerto Viejo where there's a bit more going on. Punta Uva is lovely.

Thanks! Which beach area (Uva or Viejo) would have the most accessible snorkeling? Some reading has suggested Viejo has rough waves.

Punta Uva is better. Puerto Viejo has more to do in town. If you're minimally active thoug you can ride bikes to and from either so it just depends if it's more convenient for you to be closer to Puerto Viejo and bike to beach, or closer to beach and bike to Puerto Viejo. There's a little house right at Punta Uva through Arricife and also Casa Viva house rentals. You can rent bikes or you can just buy one for $75 or so and donate when you leave.

great! I will research those options. Think we would prefer Punta Uva and biking to Puerto Viejo if desire. Mid-Jan. rain? What is there to do if we have a stretch of rainy days?