We are hoping to plan a trip to CR in January and are interested in staying in Manuel Antonio. We'd looked into Si Como No, El Parador and Makanda, narrowing it down to SCN and EP because of price, but I need to shave maybe $700 - 1000 off the total price of my trip without staying in a hostel or a run-down motel. Our airfare is good ($900 total from the Northeast), but because we're going for "only" 5 nights, my agent and his tour company suggested I take a transfer from San Jose to Quepos which will cost around $200 for my husband and I. The hotel is coming to around $1700 for 5 nights. This is not for the cheapest rooms at SCN or EP, but I don't think that would make a big enough difference.

Can you suggest where to stay in either MA, or perhaps another part of CR? Is it possible for us to go for $2000 or less (for everything, including airfare)? I need some insider expertise. If we can't make it work, you'll see me on the Caribbean or Mexico boards looking into all-inclusives.

There are actually lots of nice hotels in Manuel Antonio for less that are not run-down etc. You really need to get cracking on booking ...... ( for the transfer it sounds like you are doing a private transfer ? ) You can do it for 25.00 p/p. on Interbus or Grayline. Some nice hotels to check out are Costa Verde 1 in an efficiency room ( D-Unit is sweet ) . About 85.00 per night in Jan. Look into Mono Azul , Verde Mar , Vela Bar , Didis Charming B&B ( 45.00 p.night with breakfast and VERY sweet ) Casa Buena Vista B&B( 55.00 per night with breakfast) , Try searching on maqbeach.com where they have a large list of hotels in the different price ranges , and also a map section where you can see each spot . If you can get in at Costa Verde it would be great , but Mono Azul is really sweet . La Colina is not bad either ..... Didis is very sweet and the owners are SUPER nice !

If you are realy stuck on places like SiComo No and Parador though , you might not like the places I suggested . The others you mentioned ( besides Makanda ) are more like resorts than hotels ..... The places I mentioned are smaller and quainter , while the other places are a bit more " grand " . Oh !! Villas Nicolas is VERY sweet , as is Mango Moon .

Thank you so much! I would love a quaint little place, but my husband will have to be convinced. He's not very adventurous when it comes to small B&B type places.

Oh, and the transfer is actually a domestic flight from San Jose to Quepos.

Well , really only 2 of them are in the B&B sense , Casa Buena V ista and Didi's . Costa Verde 1 and Costa Verde 2 are amazing . Villas Nicolas is great . Look at Issimo Suites , La Mansion Inn , these are higher end boutique hotels also Tulemar Bungalows . But , to save a little cash the others I mentioned are NOT slumming it by any means .... After all , you spend so little time in the rooms . Do take a peek at www.maqbeach.com .

Oh ! Do not do Naturesbeachfront .

Is it wise to have immunizations before going to Costa Rica?

I only think Hep.A ( I believe this is recommended for anywhere in thetropics).... Others you would alleady have as a child .

You can take Sansa Air from san jose to quepos, it's about $80 round trip pp. The flight is about 20 mins and is totally worth it. Then you'll need a ride to hotel which about equals the cost of your transfer. They have early morning flights so you don't waste any time travelling.

I believe they are allready taking Sansa or Nature Air ....

Hep A is recommended for CR, and it is a good one to have anyway. If you get the booster a few months later, it provides lifetime immunity.

Thank you for all your assistance! We have decided to stay in the US for this trip, but I definitely plan to visit Costa Rica for our next vacation, when hopefully we have more time to take. Thanks again! I am storing all this info for future reference.

fllady, I don't know if you've finalized your decision yet, but I have a suggestion for you. We travelled independently to costa Rica, and one of the places we stayed at was La Finca Que ama. I met Neta there and she is now offering a great package deal...normally I don't like package deals but I think this is a good one. The web-site is www.costaricapackage.com Price for 2 people from April through November would be $1869 for example...a little more for other months. The hotels look good. Anyway we loved La Fina Que Ama, Neta's place, and the web-site is www.costaricafinca.com

We had a wonderful family trip to Costa Rica and want to return someday. Oh, another good money-saving place is Hotel Bougainvillea in Heredia, a 20-minute drive from the airport for $80 a night, nice place with a wonderful garden and a free shuttle into downtown san jose for shopping and dancing. They have a nice pool too. Great staff. Good price. We were very impressed.

So if you re-consider Costa Rica today or any day, hope this helps. The photo on the website for Hotel bougainvillea doesn't do it justice by the way. Wonderful gardens growing round it, I have to wonder if the photo they are showing is from when the hotel was new and the gardens hadn't grown up yet. It is far lovelier than it appears in the photo. I have some photos taken in their garden if you want to see.

Have fun wherever you go!

Hey Melissa , I would love to See !! Thanx , Faith .

Faithie, okay, tomorrow I will see if hubby has loaded our photos onto my computer from our digital camera. He doesn't lable them well so I might have to fiddle with the lables, which I just learned how! I want to get my own web-site with photos but I don't know how yet and hubby and son are always saying, right, we'll show you...next week! I think I still have your e-mail. I will try to e-mail you a few photos of the Hotel Bougainvillea garden. I really am looking forward to when I know how to do a trip report with photos on a web-site, so I can share easier!

Hi guys! Faithie, Melissa. . . .como estan?!

I was going to say to fllady that $2000 seems very steep for 5 nights. By all means, there are some very good places to stay for $100 or less per night.

Neta's package is right on as far as price is concerned. It is absolutely a very good deal (costaricapackage.com); however I believe it is a 10 day deal, doesn't include airfare. Correct me if I am wrong!

fllady, it may be wise for you to stay in the US this time with only 5 days available. But first chance you get with at least a week, you get yourself right down there--you'll never want to come back! And your husband will fall in love with some of those little places--Costa Rican B&B's aren't the typical B&B you are familiar with here in the states. Have fun whatever you decide!

Hi Shillmac , miss you !

How's it goin' up there?

Listen to shillmac, she gave me great advice for my trip, and so did Faithie!