ShellD

Hi everyone! I hoping to get some advice on a potential trip for this summer. I'm in the very early planning stages, and not even sure if we'll be going to Costa Rica yet or not. So, if we do go, this would be the third trip for the kids and our fourth trip and I'd like to visit a different area. For this trip, my husband would like to pick one destination and stay put. He's fine with some excursions, but with the exception of maybe the first and last night - he doesn't want to move around the country as we've done on our past trips. And this time we'd like a beach destination. I'd be extremely happy with settling at Bosque del Cabo, but that doesn't quite fit the bill for the beach destination. The kids will be 11 and 13 so they will be looking for a bit of adventure and will also be comparing this trip to the past ones we've taken, which have been amazing. In the past we've already been to: Tortuguero, Arenal (3x), Manuel Antonio, Bosque del Cabo (2x), Peace Lodge, and various hotels in between.

I'm not sure if the Caribbean is what we're looking for? Or if it's the Pacific beaches? Or would Dominical be the right area? It seems that Arenal, Osa, Manuel Antonio are the most popular areas. It seems that there are so many beach areas closer to the Liberia airport, but they aren't often discussed here, so I don't know much about them. We probably would go for 7-10 days.

Plan B - back to Riviera Maya! That's always easy and a hit with the kids and husband!

sylvia3

If you are looking for something different, many Guanacaste beaches are very nice. Playas Conchal, Hermosa, Flamingo are in close proximity and near towns, and fairly close to the Liberia airport. There are several national parks in the area, and Rincon de Vieja volcano.
Tamarindo is popular, but the water quality has been questionable and it might be more of a young adult place.
The water is warmer down by Dominical and Uvita, for sure, and there's a lot to do down there, lots of beaches and day trips available.

mlgb

My vote if you want to stay in one place just go back to Mexico.

ShellD

Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay on the beach in either location? Either the Guanacaste beaches or Dominical or Uvita? One thing I'm looking for is a swimmable beach. I've done a bit of research and it seems that some hotels have beaches, but that you can't really swim there - either the water is too rough or the beaches are too rocky. And so many of the hotels in Tamarindo look nice, but if the water quality is poor, I don't think we'd want to take the chance to go there.

For those who have been to Ylang Ylang, how is the beach there? Would you recommend it for a family for a week long stay?

janenicole

The beach in front of Ylang Ylang is not swimmable, but you can walk just a little ways to a cove that is fine for swimming. You can also walk about 15 minutes to Playa Grande. We didn't swim in there because of red tide, but I think it would be okay for swimming - strong surf, though.

It's a beachy location, but if you want to spend hours in the ocean, it wouldn't be my top pick. There are plenty of things to do in the area to keep a family busy, but it wouldn't be a "hang-out" on the beach vacation. Riviera Maya is hard to beat for that purpose!

ShellD

Changing gears a bit - since it's the early planning stages, how about Panama? In looking for a beach location, somehow Panama popped onto the radar today. Seems I could find a great combo of beach, jungle, snorkeling, relaxation etc...all in one place there. Any recommendations? I may have to start a new thread on this one.

sparklegem

I would love to learn what you find out about Panama! I was going to suggest Tulum, MX. I lived down there in the 80's and have been back quite a few times. We were just there in November and had a fantastic trip! Perfect white sand beaches, great water, jungle and adventure, if you want them. We always travel with our daughter and she loves Tulum. It was her second trip there.

Travelessence

The best swimming beach, especially for kids, is Samara-protected like some of PdC and Tulum beaches - by long lines of coral reefs that stop the big waves.

There is a paved road all the way there from San Jose....must be a politician w/a beach house there (haha). The town is small w/no ATM - that I remember...but you can always drive over to the town of Nocoya and use the bank, shop, etc. Due to a few Italian expats, you can also find some awesome pizza and Italian food...weirdly enough (like PdC). The town is about as small as Montezuma...but w/fewwer blue-haired surfers on dirt bikes

It is a small town w/an awesome beach...The water is shallow in the mornings, you can walk out 1/2 mile and still be up to an adults thighs...and then late afternoon the tides change and come in and big enough waves for beginner surfers to try out the waves. There is a surf school right on the beach.

I don't know what your luxury level is, but a nice beachfront hotel w/2 pools and some cute guest cottages is Las Brisas del Pacifico. My 8 yr old son loved it there, but after 3-4 days you might want to move on.

http://www.hotelbrisasplayasamaracostarica.com/

http://samarabeach.com/about.htm

Travelessence

P.S. I would not recommend Montezuma for kids - it is remarkably beautiful, but no police, no hospital, doctor? im not sure...if something happened you'd be stranded at least 2 hrs from anywhere on poor roads and besides, the beach/water is rocky there. Further up, Malpais is where all of the hip/celeb surfers are, and more eating options, but you're talking hell-like undertow and not safe for kids beach.

I don't know if you are aware of the little "dry period" in the middle of the "wet season". I've been 2x during this time and Guanacaste area is gorgeous, lush green and dry. It is for approx. a 2 week period very end of July into begin of August...almost like clockwork. Enjoy.