Hi everyone-

We are getting married in October 2012 and planning our honeymoon for next April/May 2013. We are having trouble deciding on St Lucia vs Costa Rica. St Lucia is beautiful, but we are worried about having to travel far to do activities (we are looking at the Jalousie Plantation) and we definitely want to do things like zip lining, hiking, snorkeling, etc. We are worried St Lucia might be too much relaxing and not enough activity. Costa Rica has activity, but we are wondering if it would be more crowded. We are looking at the Four Seasons in Costa Rica. We are interested in the zip lining, river tours, coffee tastings, etc in Costa Rica. Ultimately we want a combination of relaxing by the beach/pool and activity like zip lining, hiking. I would love to hear opinions on both places, the activities people have done, overall experience. I know we can't really go wrong because they're both great places, but any advice and information is appreciated. Thank you!!

I think you've summed it up in your post. St. Lucia is gorgeous and its beaches are far better than anything you'll find in Costa Rica. It's more of a place to go and kick back and relax on the beach, though. There are more organized activities than there used to be in St. Lucia, but Costa Rica has it beat hands down in terms of non-beachy things to do.

As long as you go well after Easter, which I see is very early in 2013 (on March 31), Costa Rica won't be as crowded. If you have a choice between April or May, I'd choose May. I think April is beastly hot in both places. The temps drop a bit by May and I find May to be a more pleasant month. Even though the rainy season begins in May in both places, it will be just brief afternoon showers that you can easily work around.

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.

weather2travel.com Climate Guides CR May begins rain season
Both chock a block around Easter
Got you on Carib but CR wins for adventure
St Lucia wins for beach romance for me
www.jademountain.com www.hotelvillacaletas.com
similar romantic feel in CR 1 hour from Airport

You are right you cannot go wrong...unless you mind rain

Thanks to you both for your help! It is much appreciated. We have a lot to think about!

There is lots to do in Costa Rica, but we just returned from a trip there, and it seems that you have to do alot of traveling over very windy roads to get to do any of these things. Not sure about St.Lucia, but believe the distances would be much closer.

I don't know if you've considered it, but Belize is very nice as well. It has some of the best snorkeling we've ever done - we saw huge sea turtles, beautiful colored fish, big rays, etc. Lots of adventure activities too like caving, canoeing, hiking, ruins and more. We did a combo of jungle time and beach time and loved it. Victoria House is wonderful, and we paired it with Chaa Creek.

We also love Costa Rica, but if you go there, I'd recommend going to at least two areas, like Arenal for wonderful adventure activities and then going to your beach location. The beaches in CR are fine, but I don't think they can compare to Carib. beaches. We've been to the Carib. several times and enjoy CR more than we ever did those trips just because the wildlife and adventure activities in CR have really wowed us. Nayara and the Lost Iguana are two nice spots in the Arenal area that would pair well with going somewhere else for beach time.

We have heard Belize is a great destination as well and based on your post, I definitely think we will consider that as well. Thank you for the advice!! I also like the idea of staying at two places in CR. It would give us a little of jungle and beach. Definitely a lot to consider!

We have been to CR five times. Each time we have considered Mexico and various islands in the Caribbean (inc. St. Lucia) but have always opted for CR. Several reasons

- Cost: CR is much less expensive; even the 4 Seasons is far less expensive than comparable properties in the Caribbean

- Ease of access: We can fly direct from Atlanta to Liberia or SJ in 4 hours

- People: You will not find friendlier, warmer people anywhere in the world

- Adventure: We've done it all: rafting, ziplines, waterfall rapeling, canyoneering

- Wildlife: Spectacular, interesting, and everywhere you look

- Food: We simply love CR food; nothing fancy but its all so good

If you want to lay out on the beach, be pampered, and eat fancy hotel food (not that there's anything wrong with that), then the Caribbean is the way to go. Otherwise, you might want to give Costa Rica a try.