Cat

I'm starting to plan my first vacation to Costa Rica and wanted to find out what is the best time of year to visit, when the weather and beaches are at their best. How is April?<BR><BR>From the posts that I've read, I'd like to spend time in both Tamarindo (Melia Playa Conchal Hotel) and Manuel Antonio (Tabacon), but do not know in which order to plan. <BR><BR>We love the beach, but also want to venture out and do a few tours (canopy, hiking, maybe even rafting). <BR><BR>Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dot

We just came back from Costa Rica on Saturday - we stayed at an all inclusive and it was nice - we were thinking about doing trips thru the hotel, but they were a bit expensive $80-$85 a person...what we did (and it turned out to be a good idea) was pay a taxi driver for the day $80 and we went anywhere we wanted to go. We were with another couple and it worked out great. We had one driver that spoke only Spanish and the other spoke English (which was nice)..take a book on Spanish words-I wish I did. We went to Manuel Antonio for the day and it was about 2 1/2 hours from the hotel - you'll find the roads very primitive and I was glad that we didn't rent a car...they drive fast and pass when they can - and sometimes the traffic is soooo slow that you wonder if you're ever going to get to your destination. We hiked in the park and went to the beach. We also went to the hot springs another day near the volcano but it was a rainy day in the mountains. We went horseback riding at Villa Golfa they have a harness set-up there - but again - when we left the hotel it was sunny and when we got to the mountains - it was rainy and foggy...you can never tell.. <BR>December is supposed to be the end of the rainy season- but we did experience two days - but we didn't let that stop us. If you want to know any more information - e-mail me. There is a lot to do - but things are not near each other, so prepare for some travel to and from.<BR>

Chris

I am not sure if I understand your destinations. The Melia is not really in Tamarindo. Tabacon is not even near Manuel Antonio. You may need to get a map.<BR><BR>I like Costa Rica in November. No crowds, everything is cheaper and the rain is not that bad. April is the end of the dry season.<BR><BR>Alot of people fly into San Jose drive to Arenal and Monteverde for a few days then drive to Tamarindo few days and then drive to Manuel Antonio. Some people choose to fly Sansa/Travelair.<BR><BR>I disagree with the previous poster about the rental car. I would not go to Costa Rica without a rental car.

Joan

I went to Costa Rica last March. I stayed at the Melia....it was a very beautiful resort, especially the pool, but very quiet. The beaches ARE NOT very nice. I was told all the beaches are all public beaches so no resorts or restaurants will bother to keep them clean except right in front. At the Melia the beach is all shells and it hurts your feet. No one but a few locals here and there are out on the beach. If you are thinking "nice beaches" Costa Rica is not that. If you do stay there, go out the back side to the beach and take a taxi down to the next "little" town. I can't remember the name. There is a nice restaurant right on the beach. The food was very good and the service too. At night you can see it all lite up with white xmas like lites. It's to your right about 5 minutes by taxi. We walked and it's a lot farther than it looks. Tamarindo is a place to visit not stay IMO. It's very dusty and it's a "surfer" haven. It was a very " hippie like" atmosphere. Here there is lot's to watch on the beach with the waves and the surfers. You should visit though during the day preferrably. A taxi from Melia is about $20. It all closes down very early at night. Don't expect night life in Costa Rica. As for tours, we did the hot springs but not Arenal. The roads are very bumpy and the trip was long, all day to and from, and no guarantee you would get to see the volcano due to the clouds. We did do the canopy tour. WOW!!! What a ride. NOT for the faint of heart. Do the one that is farther away from Melia. In fact I think the tour we took combined the Hot Springs and the canopy tour. Lunch was very good but I would pass on the horseback ride. It was very HOT and there wasn't much to see on the way that you didn't already see in the nice bus. DO take the water slide thing at the canopy tour. Again if you enjoy very cold water and a fast ride. Tell them to fill it up all the way before they "shoot" you down. It was very refreshing. If I had it all to do over again I would fly into San Juan, check out the city just one night, then drive to the to Arenal Area. Stay a few days, better chance to see the volcano. Take whatever tours you wanted from there. Then I would probably fly into the Manuel Antonio area and complete my stay there. I was told it is a VERY beautiful "wet" rain forest there. If you are looking for the "real feel" of Costa Rica I would stay way from the big resorts all together. Feel free to email if you want more info. Enjoy Costa Rica, I did.

David N Cook

Hi, I've been 3 times, twice with my family. April is a good month, just make sure you go AFTER Easter (very busy & crowded then). Tamarindo, Jaco and Man.Antonio are all great beach towns, MA a bit more pricey. Try not to miss Arenal area (volcano, hot springs, waterfall)and Monteverde Cloud Forest. Rental cars are nice, shop around for the best weekly rate. Drive carefully, roads are narrow, don't try to go to far in 1 day. Maybe book ahead for the first few days before you arrive, then it is possible to "wing it", and just stay wherever it suits you after that. Please carry your cash/PP/CC in a pouch around you neck, don't flash them around too much. ATMs do work there as well.<BR>Good luck, you'll have fun!

Parrot Mom

The restaurant on the beach is the Golden Shrimp.. if you go out to the beach and take a right you can walk there or as we did hire a cab for $5.00 and the owner pays for the ride back. We would go for lunch and just tell him to cook what was fresh. One day he brought his parrots out to have lunch with us..it was pitiful, but that is another story. If you don't do the tourist thing and order "lobster" you can eat quite reasonably. The owner is a French-Canadian. There is also a piazza shop in the area.

Robbie Felix

There are BEAUTIFUL beaches all over Costa Rica. But is not safe to assume anything. For example, the Marriot Los Suenos is very nice, the beach is ugly , that is why the pictures on the brochure are of the POOL. The areas with beautiful white sand, jungle-to-the-sea are in:<BR>1. Manuel Antonio<BR>2. Guanacaste area<BR>3. Montezuma, especially down toward Cabo Blanco<BR><BR>Jaco is not a beautiful "scenic beach" it is a surfer beach...Especially many of the "all inclusive " places like Playa Tambor, well, frankly, they are nice , but the beaches are really not anything to write home about.<BR>I live in Manuel Antonio, so I am biased, but I have also lived in Santa Cruz, california and Maui and I think the beaches in both places absolutley pale in comparison to the beaches inside Manuel Antonio Park.<BR>Best warm wishes from Manuel Antonio!<BR>Robbie<BR>

ursie

Robbie,<BR>We are planning first ever trip to Costat Rica. We are thinking of early feb.Any thought regarding weather,water spots temp of water on paciifc coast versus Carib? Want a really good hotel-do not want to rough it but want to see the sites.Advise!

Karla

Can't help, but I'd also love some advice...<BR><BR>I'm traveling end of January and want to see it all. How can I squash all the great things to do in six full days? Which to omit, which are "must see".<BR>Want to see.. Arenal area, Monteverde, white water raft, Tortuguero jungle, rainforests, beach/kayak. Help!!<BR>Rent a car... or use buses... or fly??<BR>

susie

Just back from Costa Rica. I think Tabacon is a "must" Best hot springs I have ever experienced. We stayed at Villa Calletas outside Jaco and Lapa Rios in the Osa Peninsula. Lapa Rios was truly incredible and worth every penny! However, I am realistic to understand that not everyone can stay there. I returned charmed by the Toucans and the scarlet Macaws. Definitely have a new appreciation for theis beautiful bird!!

pjr

Hi Karla:<BR><BR>I might be able to help you. What kind of budget are you on? We did a girls trip to Costa Rica in October and did almost everyting you had mentioned in six days. Please feel free to e-mail me.

jacqui hastings

My husband and I honeymooned in CR in April 2000 (and plan to go back again in 2002). It was terrific.... because it was the dry season, there was no rain (except in the rain forest), and the weather was wonderful....balmy, breezy. I'm sure the vegetation is prettier during the rainy season, but we thought it was very lovely when we were there.<BR><BR>I saw someone else's post saying the beaches were the pits, but we had a great beach experience.<BR><BR>We spent some of our time in Manuel Antonia (there is a national park there). The park was our favorite part of the trip because there were several *beautiful* beaches in the park that were virtually empty. warm, calm water and lovely sand. The park costs about $3, I think, to get into. (and the park is fun, too... you will see *lots* of animals running loose you don't normally see!).<BR><BR>We stayed at La Mariposa, which I recommend.... it isn't fancy, but clean, nicely priced, and has the most beautiful views... and the staff was terrific. All the villas have private balconies with breathtaking views. It isn't on the beach, however... about a 10 minute drive (if you have a car) down to the beach. It is walkable. I wasn't impressed by any of the hotels that were actually 'on' the beach.<BR><BR>I'm thinking of trying 'makanda by the sea this year' (a tad more expensive, but it looks a bit more welcoming for staying more than a couple of days (la mariposa did not have sofas or any place to just 'lay around' in our villa.<BR><BR>Hope this was helpful, and good luck. We just loved CR, and know you will, too.<BR><BR>j