Timetable for Costa Rica Reservations
 

With the growing popularity of tourism in Costa Rica, when should I be making hotel reservations? We are thinking about going April 2005. Has anyone had issues of making reservations, especially for the Tabacon Resort?

I think it depends mostly on when Holy Week and Easter fall next year. That week will be packed no matter where in the country you plan to travel. After Easter, there should be more space and better prices.

Hi...I've planned a trip to CR and Tabacon for May. Made reservations Tabacon in Dec. 2003 for this May 2004 and got a suite at Tabacon no problem. But if April is holiday time then it could be different, Good Luck!

I recently tried to get a reservation at Tabacon for THIS April with no luck. OF course, this is only 2 months in advance.

Easter will be over by the middle of the month. After that, you should be able to get reservations ALMOST anywhere--even now.

We're going on in two weeks (March 5) and I just made a reservation at Hotel La Colina in Manuel Antonio. We couldn't get an upgraded suite, but a regular hotel room is just fine. At Villas Rio Mar in Dominical, however, we reserved almost 7 weeks in advance and we got one of the last bungalows. I heard they have something in the neighborhood of 40 bungalows.

We were also going to rent a sufboard. Chuck's website says to reserve at least two weeks in advance for a decent board, but when we called down there, they said that it's not spring break, so it wouldn't be a problem. They said it's April we wouldn't have to worry about.

So, it sounds like you should probably reserve well in advance for any time in April due to religious holidays and spring break.

Hope this helps.

I apologize for my too-quick response! You are thinking of April, 2005, and I have no idea when Easter is next year! I responded thinking you were looking at THIS April. You WILL want to check on this, though. Things are too tight during Easter week. It would much more relaxing and enjoyable to avoid that week. I'm speaking of crowds at the beach and traffic. Traffic can be difficult when it ISN'T a crowded holiday!!!

Dear Faye,
It looks like Easter next year is actually at the end of March (but let me get back to you on that!). In that case, you shouldn't have any major problems making reservations for April a few months in advance, just to be on the safe side. Tabacon is known to be booked months in advance, but it is also known to have somewhat of a bad reputation (bad smell in rooms, level of service so-so), so you may want to consider another hotel in the area. Arenal Paraiso is always recommended by fodorites, and I also personally recommend it, and it probably has the best views of the volcano.
Feel free to write me directly with any more questions, and I promise to get back to you with the exact dates of Easter.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

For Christmas/New Year's in Costa Rica you should begin planning at least 6 months in advance for a prayer of staying at the most popular hotels. Tabacon Resort is booked year-round, but quality and service have taken a terrible slide. I'd recommend elsewhere. The peak season is busy (Nov-May) but 3-4 months prior is usually plenty. House rentals for peak season can be booked 9 months to a year ahead. Costa Rica is incredibly popular and all the new flights have flooded most of the boutique hotels, which don't have the 500 rooms that a typical Hawaii resort has. Plan well ahead and you'll be happier!

In the low season (Jun-Oct)you can usually make last-minute plans.

Casey