emilya

My husband & I are planning to take a 3-4 week vacation with our daughter in September 2014 (she will be 2.5 yrs old). We've had a particularly stressful year and want to have a nice, relaxing time together as a family and live the 'pura vida' lifestyle.

We have been to Costa Rica twice before and loved it and would like to visit again. We went to Puerto Viejo & Arenal in 2005 and Santa Teresa in 2011 and loved both. We are looking for the same kind of laid back surf/beach town experience this time around. We considered revisiting Puerto Viejo but the recent reports of armed robberies is deterring us. I would go to Santa Teresa again but I've heard that the main road is often flooded in Sept/Oct and the town is basically inaccessible.

From what I've read online, it sounds like the Dominical/Uvita area isn't as hard hit by the rain in September. Does anyone have any experience with this? We don't mind the afternoon rains or even if there are a few rainy days in a row but are more concerned with safety and accessibility of the roads and if local shops and restaurants will be open.

Alternatively, any other suggestions of places to spend our restorative month? As I mentioned, we are looking for a laid back beach vacation - no resorts and not too touristy. We love the scenery and wildlife of CR and safety with a small child is a priority. Also prefer a somewhat direct trip, no farther than Caribbean or Central America.

Thanks for all input & advice!

sylvia3

Dominical is a nice surfer's town (dining, lodging, etc., but NOT the beach to chill on with a toddler).
The Uvita area is just down the highway, and there are beautiful long stretches of (much calmer) deserted beaches, plus the national park, and places like Ventanas (wonderful beach with sea caves)and many waterfalls. We were there one September, and it rained every day for awhile but did not curtail our activities (except for one day spent watching rain from a porch in the trees; it was a wonderful day). [We loved Shelter from the Storm: http://www.homeaway.co.uk/reviews/page:4/p88725vb] You are very close to Marino Ballena National Park, and the Uvita area is also within day-trip distance of Corcavado National Park.

If you just want beach time and drier weather, Guanacaste (Flamingo and Conchal are beautiful beaches) might be a better place for you.

emilya

Thanks for your response sylvia!

Guanacaste is a great suggestion for drier weather. From basic searching it looks like a much more developed and touristy area though. Can you recommend any towns/beaches that are a bit more "off the beaten path"?

Your description of the rain in Dominical/Uvita doesn't sound bad. I think my husband is a little nervous about being stuck inside with a toddler. We would probably try to stay closer to the calmer beaches around Uvita with the option to drive up to Dominical for surfing. Shelter from the Storm looks beautiful but seems to be more than what we are looking for (more budget, space, luxury) - I think we want something a little more rustic and are hoping to spend $1500-2000 for the month.

sylvia3

I doubt that your budget will extend to a Flamingo Beach rental, but maybe Basilito, the little town between Flamingo and Playa Conchal would be a good option (both beaches easy to access; you can even drive across the beach and over a little hill to Conchal). Brasilito is not touristy, in my opinion, and has restaurants, shops, groceries, and pretty good access to see lots of sights in the region. (If you could fly into Liberia instead of SJO, it would be even better.)
We stayed in this complex once, and you might be able to obtain one of the 2 bedroom condos in your budget if you ask the owners (La Carolina: for example, vrbo #255673 and #218238: one of them is listed as Flamingo, but you can track other units from there, or do a search.)

sylvia3

Ha! Looks like I gave the same suggestions to someone else on a different thread in March. And, given the weather, prices, and number of beaches (that aren't busy Tamarindo), I still think it's a decent option.
BTW, we did have rain in the Osa every day during the rainy season, but just for part of the day (except for one).

RAC

Be aware that a number of places in Uvita are adults only--good to make sure before you book.

volcanogirl

This is a good map if you want to get a general idea of rain patterns by month. Just mouse over the areas you're interested in.

http://costa-rica-guide.com/Weather/WeatherMap.html

emilya

Thanks everyone for the tips! Any advice or experience with Nosara in September?

RAC

Nosara in September--will rain most days, with most of that rain in the afternoon.

Be sure to time your visit to coincide with an arribada of turtles at Playa Ostional.

sylvia3

Thought of another, very non-touristy locale, the new Osa Mountain Village: vrbo #495977 ($1000/month is a steal; I think maybe the prices are because it's very new, and some investors aren't living in their houses yet. There are also 2 and 3 bedroom options, but you could research other listing sites.) It's mountainside, and a bit of a rough ride up, but very much "get away from it all". They also have lots of stuff on/near premises. From this listing:
"Zip-line through the jungle, experience the longest waterslide in Central America, hike through the rainforest, visit the animal sanctuary and hold a baby monkey, learn about sustainable living, enjoy a cold one at the swim-up bar, taste some amazing Costa Rican cooking from a local chef, or relax at a nearby beach. You can be as active as you would like. If your idea of a perfect vacation is a little less excitement, there are plenty of opportunities for relaxation. Lay in a hammock and read while listening to the sound of howler monkeys and lively toucans."

I've stayed there, and the location is great for quietude, except for the howler monkeys in the morning! The road is drivable, BUT I don't know about rainy season (maybe that's a question to ask). We were able to daytrip all over, but it was 1-20 minutes to the highway.

sylvia3

that should be 15 to 20 minutes.

mlgb

I would not go anywhere near the Osa/southeast coast in September, and particularly not on a gravel road.

Don't underestimate the rainy season.

JES28

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