emmav429

My fiancé and I are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon in September. Our travel agent recommended the Riu Palace Costa Rica over the the Westin Playa Conchal. We will be staying for 5 days in whichever location we decide on. Has anyone stayed at either of these or can recommend which is the better choice? We want to be able to relax but also want to do tours. Thanks!

RAC

Your agent is the first person I have ever heard of that recommended the Riu over the Westin, which is widely considered the best AI in Costa Rica. Riu, on the other hand, committed a wide variety of illegal actions in getting their place built, including violating labor laws and killing a bunch of wildlife and destroying protected habitat. But, the Westin is probably more expensive.

That said, I would strongly recommend against choosing an all-inclusive while staying in Costa Rica. The best places aren't all-inclusives, and the best locations in Costa Rica aren't anywhere near(as in almost a full day's car ride away from) all-inclusive resorts.

And, quite frankly, the AI options in Costa Rica are nowhere near as good as they are in Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, either in terms of lodging/dining options nor in terms of the availability of quality day tours.

September is the rainy season in Costa Rica's Pacific coast--that time of year I would look at some of the very lovely places on the Caribbean coast--Le Cameleon, Geckoes Lodge, Tree House Lodge. Or, if you want a once-in-a-lifetime type place, the Pacuare Lodge.