austinguy

My family wants to celebrate the college graduations of our son and our niece. The celebration is something we do for our kids and we include my sister's family (hence the niece) so that there will be four parents in their fifties and four young persons in their twenties. Two will be college graduates and the other two will be a senior and a junior in college.

It is difficult to schedule time-off for all involved. We think the second or third week of May will work.

We think we may go and stay at the Four Seasons. Some of the group wants an active vacation; some are a little more interested in a nice place with good service.

So I have two questions:
1) Is the second or third week of May a bad time to go to Costa Rica - or that part of Costa Rica? and

2) Is the Four Seasons a good place to stay for our group?

Thanks for your advice and suggestions.

shillmac

It will be the beginning of the rainy season, but this part of the country doesn't get all that much rain anyway. Just coming out of 4 months dry, it will not be as pretty as it is in July or August in Guanacaste after the rains have had time to green things up a bit!

The way you have described your group (some wanting great hotel, some an active trip) makes me think that the Manuel Antonio area would be better for you. The Four Seasons is very nice, but somewhat isolated. It is definitely designed for those who wish to stay on the property, golf, etc. Not that you couldn't do some activities out of there, it would just be easier if you were staying someplace else.

There are some very nice luxury hotels in Manuel Antonio and there is a huge variety of outdoor things to do there. The central part of Costa Rica gets more rain year round, and it would be a prettier destination at this time of year. I think also you would see a great deal more wildlife which is a major goal for most folks visiting Costa Rica.

Just my opinion. It really IS hard to make a mistake when planning time in Costa Rica as far as locations go--it's all pretty wonderful!

toucan

I've had good luck with the weather in mid to late May. yes technically, the rainy season has begun but May has never been too much of a problem for me and i like going a couple of weeks before Memorial Day because there are no crowds and you won't need reservations anywhere.

glover

We also went to CR in May this year. The last 8 or 9 days. And we were in both mts. and southern Pacific coast. We got rain in both places -- but only intermittently -- and usually in the late afternoon or evening. We wouldn't hesitate to go again at that time of year. Prices were lower, fewer people.

allyeb

Hi,
My husband and I were at the Four Seasons the third week in May this year. We had a wonderful time and the resort was beautiful! BUT the weather was tough. It rained all but one day and even when it didn't rain it was overcast. We are in our twenties and active, so we really didn't mind because we did other stuff besides be by the pool/beach. I think you can have a great time in Costa Rica in May and the Four Seasons is a beautiful place with great service, but if you have persons in your group who are going to be upset or bored with bad weather then in all honesty I would think twice about May. You can get good weather and a lot of people do, but I just think you need to be prepared for and alright with rain if you go in May.
Good Luck!

Ally

I was in CR the first week of May this year, in Nosara (maybe 3 hours drive from the Four Seasons) and only had one afternoon shower in 8 days!
I agree with Shilmac though. Manuel Antonio will be much prettier at this time of year, there is much more to do that is very close by (nothing is close to the Four Seasons) and there are some very nice hotels there.