Punta Islita
 

Leaving end-January for PI. Questions since hotel is not returning our e-mails (which is very disappointing after all we have read RE; 5*): Is Tree Tops open yet? Dress code for evenings? Do we need advance reservations for spa and other activities such as Tree Tops? What about $$? Should we bring CR $$ or are American $$ okay? Is humidity as bad as I am reading for this time of year? We are flying into Liberia and renting a 4x4; any suggestions on route to take this time of year would be greatly appreciated.

Dress code= none, but slacks in the evening would be tastful. Dinner is slighty elegant.
No need for reservations for daily activities. They will meet with you when you arrive and should know your name when you walk in the door
Money= your choice
Tree tops I assume is their "canopy tour". Save your money, do this elsewhere, go riding on the beach.
You do not need a rental car while staying at this hotel-consider a private transfer and pick up your rental elsewhere if you are continuing on. If coming from the north be sure to check water levels before crossing. There is only one route. CR is a humid place but this time of year that area is known to be dry. Southern California dry.
Post when you return to let us know if this place continues to be as nice as I remember. Enjoy.

Don't bring colones. American dollars work very well and you will receive colones in change. You can always pick some up at an ATM if desired.

I agree that, if Punta Islita is your only destination, you might prefer to get there on a domestic airline rather than in a 4X4. Although you should have absolutely no trouble this time of year.

I could be mistaken (and hope someone corrects me in that case!), but the route looks fairly easy on the map. Coming in from San Jose (?), you would follow the Highway 21 all the way to Jicaral, where you then make your way west across the Nicoya Peninsula toward Punta Islita. At Nicoya, you COULD turn toward the coast and Playa Samara, taking the Pacific coastal road from Samara on down. This route, while pretty much impassible during the rainy season because of high rivers, is do-able during the dry season, but still rough. I haven't been there and greenfieldhunter has, but I THINK you can take an easier and quicker route on down to Jicaral and across. Anyone?

greenfieldhunter compares the climate in the dry season to Southern California. While it is dry this time of year, it is still forested in that area and there will be some humidity. But not enough to give you any grief!

Sorry, I meant to say "coming from Liberia"!

Two years ago we tried to visit Punta Islita from Samara. The roadbed, rocks and packed soil, got more and more narrow as we drove. We ended up at a stream. Given we were in a sedan, we decided not to try and ford the stream and turned back.
I have read elsewhere that the road has been improved but I have no means for verifying that. You can fly directly to PI.
Carol L

You are right, Carol. The Pacific Coast road is very rough and definitely requires a 4X4. And that's during the dry season. Some like doing it for the adventure. I think the road in from the east (Jicaral) is much easier to navigate. While it is true that you can fly, can you do it from Liberia? I'm thinking the flights to Punta Islita are only out of San Jose.. . .

Thanks all. Very helpful info since hotel has not been forthcoming. You can fly from Liberia to PI but we thought we'd be adventurous. We may learn our lesson. Why riding versus canopy tour?

Heard from hotel and they have advised us roads are good, that we will be able to cross rivers at low tide. Luckily for us this coincides with our estimated times. They also sent more detailed maps than we were able to find to date. The adventurers are off!

Bien viaje y buena suerte!