Wanted: Beaches and Waterfalls
 

My wife and I are planning a trip for early July '07. We're not sure where we want to go yet, but it absolutely has to have nice beaches and access to forrest like scenery - waterfalls, chirping birds, howling monkeys =) etc. Our list of potentials:
1) Belize
2) Mexican Riveria
3) Dominica
What do you guys think? I've been to Dominica once (via Windjammer cruise) and absolutely loved it. But it's a pain - though not impossible - to get back to again. And given we're both poor grad students, we're definitely on a budget. Any help/advice would be much appreciated!

Oh - forgot to include - this will be a 6night trip

Why isn't Costa Rica on your list?
That's my suggestion.

I've been to all 3 places you've listed -in the winter, not sure how the weather is in July -(and LOVED Belize and Dominica), plus Costa Rica. If you want jungle, waterfalls, wildlife and beaches, CR is the only one that fits the bill. And there are plenty of inexpensive but decent places to stay and eat there too.

Here is the link to my Costa Rica albums with some great beaches, forests, monkeys, and birds waiting for you to discover. There are some awesome waterfalls in CR also. I've seen a few but the best were before I went digital.

http://rvincent3.photosite.com

rickandpat, I know it's the wrong board, but what did you think of Dominica? We've thought about going there in combination with a visit to our daughter in Puerto Rico.

Thanks so much for the responses! What do you guys think of the mayan riviera? I'm sure the beaches will be nice. How are the various eco parks located nearby? (xcaret, tres rios, etc). Any comparison at all to CR? When we're not relaxing on the beach/eating good food, we're interested in water/wildlife activities. Travelling to mexico as opposed to CR will be very inexpensive for us (due to miles, 45,000pts for mexico, 75,000 needed for central america) so I want to make sure CR is worth the extra $$.

The Mex. caribe forest is mellower and I don't remember many animals except sea birds and of course great snorkling. I spent a month camping near Tulum back in the 70"s. The topography is flatter than CR. Nice place if you've never been. Chiapas? near Palenque has some nice rainforest, howler monkeys, and Misola falls near there where I almost died. DON'T swim under waterfalls. They tend to hold you under the water!

I consider the Mayan Riviera a beach vacation and Costa Rica an adventure vacation. Not that there aren't beaches in Costa Rica or adventure in Mexico. If you're looking for stunning scenery head to Costa Rica.

Or compromise and head to Belize. Fly to Cancun and take the bus to the border. The scenery isn't as good as Costa Rica, but there are waterfalls, monkeys and ruins. The beaches aren't as nice as in Mexico, but the sand is white and the snorkeling is wonderful.

Shillmac,
We have also been to Dominica. Seems like in another life as it was so long ago. There was a nice accomodtion called Pappilon near an awesome waterfall, Trafalgar, that had some hotsprings in the upper parts that I could climb to. The beaches didn't impress me. Emerald Falls was nice. Hiked to the boiling lake and it was ok. The tours we so expensive then for us. I was more impressed with our time in Saint Lucia staying in what is now called Ladera? then Dasheen between the Pitons. The beach down below was not great except the Piton view but when the local boys came to visit and we shared some of our treats and then they went and picked a breadfruit and cooked it on the beach for us it made our day. I think the company has trucked in beach sand and built up that area now.

medstudent: I started dating my husband while he was in med. school (married right after), and he went through 8 long years of training (he's a cardiologist)before he started making any money to speak of - while we were paying back medical school loans . . . So I know about budgets! If Mexico is less expensive, maybe that's the best choice for this trip. But if you can swing the extra points, I would seriously consider doing so. I admit I have not gone far off the coast south of Playa del Carmen, though I've read about the eco-parks like Xcaret. They sound crowded and built for tourists with even some enclosed spaces for wildlife. The MR is pretty built up from what I saw between Cancun and the Playa del Carmen area, I never ran across any monkeys or toucans or other pretty birds. CR wildlife is everywhere,along the road as you drive even. The parks are large with trails through the jungle and along the coast, and natural. Waterfalls are found in mountainous terrain like CR, while the Mexican coast is flat. However, on the MR the water color is Caribbean blue, verses the not-quite-as gorgeous Pacific coast of CR (though the beaches are great and we love swimming there).

I guess it comes down to how much you want wildlife, amazing jungle, and waterfalls. Good luck making a decision! Pat

Shillmac: I really loved Dominica, and will go back since 4 nights was not enough for me. It is very mountainous and green, the roads were good but windy. Not many tourists since it's hard to get to, don't recall great meals (though that is never a priority for me), and poverty is pretty obvious. But the hiking and waterfalls! The snorkeling at Scotts Head and Champagne Reef (the latter not for the sea creatures, but the warm bubbles)! We went in early Feb., I'd probably try for a time when it would be a bit drier, especially if we were doing Boiling Lake again (a tough,tough slog). Though with all those sprinkles we saw a ton of rainbows. Pat

Thanks so much everyone for their time. If I can gather the cash together, I think CR is the way to go...We shall see. Thanks again!

earthtraveler and pat--thanks so much! St. Lucia, I agree, sounds like a good destination as well. Met a couple in CR last year who travel to Dominica every year and love it there. I hadn't even heard of it until last year when I read a review on the correct pronunciation, DominEEca! :)

Hidden Valley Inn in Belize has at least 7 private watefalls on its 7200 acre property, some of which you can rent for your own private use for about $125.00 per day with lunch and sprakling wine. Cool, huh?

We recently returned from the Riviera Maya. I was not impressed with excaret. Way too crowded, touristy, reminded me of a theme park. We are booked for CR in March and we are so excited. As far as which place, I have always said as long as I get to travel I try to adjust my expectations depending on destination and budget. Have fun where ever you go.

Correction- The lodge near Trafalgar Falls on Dominica is called Papillote. Googling Dominica brought back memories and I see it looks like a mini Costa Rica and a fine desination with grand vistas and beautiful rainforest.

my suggestion would be Costa Rica.
it has been one of our favorite places to vist.

I just read about a waterfall in Peru that turns out to be the third tallest in the world. The Gocta falls, 2500 feet.

It was known to the locals but just recently "discovered" and measured. A great article from the Washington Post, both the full citation and the same as tiny URL. There are also some great ruins to see. I'm envious of the people who will see this beauty before the commercialization.

http://tinyurl.com/uxy8p
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...101300473.html

Earthtraveler: Could you answer some questions about Costa Rica?
1. How are the beaches compared to the Caribbean?
2. Is the water the same color as in the Caribbean?
3. Good snorkeling (clear waters?)
4. How are the hotels and the food?
5. Any suggestions on how to plan (where to go for our 10 days?)an iterary? We are planning to go for 10 days on our vacation.
6. Where are the best places to stay and restaurants?
7. Would you book this CR vacation through a travel agency/tour company or do it yourself?
8. What kind of shopping is available, if any?
Many thanks for your help!

1.Beaches vary from white ,golden, dark gray to black sands, with most I've seen in the golden colors.
2. The water color is not a stunning as the Caribe beacause the sand is less white, usually, but still beautiful.
3. Very little good snorkeling but I haven't been to CR's best sights I've only read about them. Clarity depends on the weather, etc.
4.Hotels and food vary in price and quality range. Some hotels, lodges, rentals, are stunning.There are many good hotels ,restaurants and the local sodas can often dish up a decent meal at a very good price. Some places can be disappointing.
5.Use the search here on Fodors with Itenerary in the box and read the CR posts. Google what interests you.
Get a Moon Guide Book and read about areas that might interest you.
Take a look at my Costa Rica Albums of a few places we've been through the years http://rvincent3.photosite.com
6. Too many to post and I would'nt know
many or your tastes. When you get your itenerary of areas you want post specific quetions asking for hotel and restaurant recommendations from the crew here.
7. I book my self using the internet but some get good results using tour companies.
8. I don't do much shopping. The Guatil pottery has come home with me as well as a wood platter, a painted wood piece of a Quetzal near a waterfall. Music CDs.
The leather foldable rockers are a good buy and very comfortable.
Coffee is a good purchase if so inclined. Various other crafts and art works are available.

Gwenivere,
Did you ever take your 2nd honeymoon to the Caribbean?

I would not go to CR in 6 days. The roads are too rough. We spent 1o days and it was not enough on the Nicoya West side. It was nice and exciting driving through rivers and such but the water was nothing like places such as Hawaii, or the Carribean. What was amazing however was arenal and the sounds of the insects and the monkeys. The place hums.

I went to the Riveria Maya "Cancun" area for my honeymoon. It was the best trip ever and the most beautiful beaches I had ever seen. We went swimming in an underground river, kayaking, snorkeling...it was a blast! We just bought a new private travel membership (Email me if interested [email protected]) and I can't wait to go to all of these places you guys are talking about. Happy travels!

Sounds like Montezuma in Costa Rica would be a perfect fit for you. They have one of the largest waterfalls in the country - a drop dead beautiful park (where they filmed Jurasik (sp) Park). Not too expensive - little artsy kind of town and beautiful beaches near by.

kdlcosta- which waterfall in Montezuma are you referring to as being one of the largest in CR? Curious to know which state park they filmed Jurasic Park in? Thanks.

Did not think much of Montezuma...or the waterfall hike. It was Ok but I would not go back.

Costa Rica is wonderful. We went a few years ago with a group from O.A.T. More recently, our nephew, who is a resident, went with his fiance with Green Frog Adventures and was very satisfied with the operation and pleased with the price.

I suggest a trip to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. It is not a touristy area and has remote beaches and lovely waterfalls. I stayed at a place called Casa Bambu on 2 occasions. It is an entire house on the beach, backing up to the jungle, for $150 per night for 2 people. In the front yard you can see monkeys, scarlet macaws, and other critters. The American owners are delightful and help arrange your entire trip(except air). http://www.casabambu-beach-house-rentals.com/
I am a single mom with an infant and felt completely safe there.
Travel arrangements:It involves a flight from your airport to SJO (san jose, CR) The next day you'll take a hopper plane($150RT/person) for 25 minutes to Puerto Jimenez, be met by open air taxi, buy groceries and a block of ICE, and be driven 30 minutes to the house. I SO promise you would not be disapointed.
Mary Flynn, Houston TX

We visited the Riveria Maya in May 06 and found the white sand beaches and clear water to be beautiful and so relaxing. Our stay was in Playa Del Carmen at one of the resorts. We visited XCARET, which is a must see if you go there; (night show). I would highly recommend a trip to the Mexican Riveria.