Tomsd

BTW - you can also drive from Flamingo Beach/Guanacaste area down to Manuel Antonio in about 5? hours - maybe a little longer. It's also very beautiful.

Here is a page for more Costa Rica beaches: http://www.anywherecostarica.com/des.../habitat/beach

Tomsd

And here is a pic of Hermosa Beach:

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/des...osa-costa-rica

volcanogirl

http://www.buenavistaluxuryvillas.co...mar-bungalows/ is the Tulemar property I mentioned.

drsaloni

Thank you everyone, I do see more people recommend Maui to be easier with a toddler.Another question please.If we cannot do Hana & the crater national park then is it worth the 13 hour flight to go to Maui for beaches, pools, ocean center etc or for that go to a caribbean isalnd we havent been to. So far we havent gone to Grand Cayman,St.Kitts,St.Lucia ( heard about sand flies,poor reviews for Windjammer), St.Martin, Anguilla. We are also fans of turquoise water, white sand ( who isnt ) but we have been going regularly to the caribbean & this time it wasnt exciting me as much but am open to it.I would comapre it to Maui although at this time.I like what tracy2cents mentioned right now my son will be happy with sand & water & I have to entertain him less. Let me know without Hana & crater national park highlights, does Maui still hold its charm over other caribbean isalnds I havent been to. I have been to aruba, curacao,provo - twice,PR,barbados.Thank you all once again.

doug_stallings

I think either the Caribbean or Maui would be better for you than Costa Rica, but two weeks in any of these islands is going to be much much more expensive than Costa Rica, so if cost is a consideration, that might be the place. Though I'm not sure I'd want to spend 2 full weeks in Manuel Antonio, and it would be difficult to travel around with a 3 year-old.

This is hard. I'd find an island where you can rent an apartment-style unit for 2 weeks. St. Martin might be the place. You can easily hop over to Anguilla for the day.

Tomsd

There is so much more to do in Costa Rica than there is on some isle in the Carribean - or even on Maui for that matter.

No comparison.

mlgb

Maui, for a 3 year old and anyone else who wants beach time.

I think it is a misconception that Costa Rica is cheaper, BTW.

mlgb

And in November, aren't you still in hurricane season in CR and the Caribbean...

I was there in 2010 when Tomas closed virtually every major highway in the country.

http://www.crsurf.com/news/community/flooding-help.html

volcanogirl

I like Hawaii and CR much more than I've ever liked the Caribbean, just more to do. For the most part, I don't think the beaches in CR are as nice as in Hawaii or the Carib. though, although Manuel Antonio is very pretty. We go to CR for the wildlife and adventure activities more so than the beach. You could do a combo of Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Did you take a look at The Springs Resort since you said you like luxury?

http://www.thespringscostarica.com/

In the Arenal area, you could visit Proyecto Asis animal rescue center and feed monkeys, sloths, and macaws. You could hike the Hanging Bridges, and you could hike the waterfall and swim in the crystal clear river below. The Penas Blancas river float is neat if you think your 3-year old could sit in a raft.

ChiSue

We used to escape winter in the Caribbean when we were tied to our DS's school breaks. After 'discovering' Hawaii, we have seldom returned.

There's nothing to DO on these tiny islands. (Probably why there are so many bars -- LOL.) If you only want beachtime, they are perfect. If you want a wide choice of modern condos and restaurants, etc. Maui has that. Hawaii does not have 'sugar sand' or 'turquoise water'. It does have fine swimming and snorkeling beaches, and you can go almost anywhere you want on good roads, drink safe water, be safe -- even find adequate medical care.

We've stayed two to four weeks on the four major Hawaiian islands. Now we winter on Maui in a large, low-rise, low-density condo with ocean view that is 'home away from home'.

Tomsd

You can't go wrong with either one - so do one now - and perhaps the other later.

drsaloni

Thank you everyone. Caribbean is out but still researching costa rica as maui I do have a fair idea.
In November,if we go to Maui we are thinking of splitting the 2 weeks between Wailea & Kaanapali. Maybe one hotel & one luxury condo.Any views about this? We are flying out of nyc so it would be a long flight.
Considering Fairmont in Wailea & anyone know of a luxury condo on the beach - 1 BR preferred as we have a 3 year old.

Also any suggestions about splitting the time in 2 areas or should we just stick to Wailea area.Thank you so much.

sf7307

For a luxury condo in Kaanapali, look no further than Kaanapali AlI'i. It's between the Marriott and the Westin, excellent location. The units are individually decorated, but nicely. Also, the units are very large, a 2 bdr is upwards of 2000 square feet.

http://www.kaanapalialii.com/

volcanogirl

We've stayed in Wailea and loved it. It's a very nice upscale area - very nice beaches there.

ChiSue

Maui isn't that big. I'd find a condo in Wailea and stay put. You can drive up into West Maui to piney Kapalua and stop to wantder Lahaina's Front Street. I prefer low-rise, low-density on Maui. Look at Wailea Beach Villas, Wailea Ekahi and Elua, and Makena Surf. Polo Beach Club is 'tall', but is on a great beach -- and you could easily walk to the Fairmont from there.

Shops At Wailea is a nice open-air mall. The whole area is more upscale than Kaanapali. Beachtown Kihei is just north, with small restaurants and carry-out places. The three Kamaole Beach Parks in South Kihei have large play areas, lawns, shade, restrooms and lifeguards.

I like this site for South Maui condos because the manager won't accept an ad until she has vetted the condo: www.mauiownercondos.com

drsaloni

I have checked out maui condos but they dont mention an AC only ceiling fans.I am assuming they all have AC's? Was looking at Wailea Ekolu village. Have never booked a condo before so I am unsure.

sf7307

Do not assume they all have AC because they don't!

katemac

We've traveled to one of the Hawaiian islands every year for the last 7 years with our kids. (Now 7 and 2.) Here's what they love on Maui...

* Viewboarding with me @ the Sheraton at Blackrock.
* Night-time frog hunting at the Westin.
* Maui Ocean Center
* 'Iao Needle Hikes - very lush, lots of wildlife
* Watching the kite surfers from Mama's - then eating there.
* Hula & lei-making lessons at the hotel
* Swimming, swimming, swimming in the ocean
* Tidepooling at Ahihi Bay
* Whale watching
* Counting rainbows over Ka'anapali

I would argue against Hana and Haleakala at this age, simply because the reward doesn't come close to the cost. (We've done both with and without kids.)

We've stayed down in Wailea several times and keep coming back to Ka'anapali. We like the beaches and snorkeling better there.

With a three, I really recommend the pool and beach at the Sheraton @ Black Rock. The Westin's pool doesn't have a shallow end -- anywhere! (What were they thinking?!?) And, the Grand's pool can get a little crazy.

If you like the Sheraton, check out the Hale Moana Suites. They're apart from the main hotel towers and have a wonderful semi-private grassy area overlooking the ocean where my kids love to run around. Just past the grass and down the cliffs, you can watch the sea turtles hang out on the backside of Black Rock. And, when we go out on the grass at night, the light from the Sheraton is largely blocked, so the stars are out in force and we watch the night diver's glow sticks move around eerily under the waves.

Given your duration, have you thought about spending one week on Maui and the next on Kauai or Oahu? That might be just the ticket...

drsaloni

Katemac, thanks so much. I am sold on Maui. As of my research this weekend we have 2 options

1) Split b/w Oahu, we have been here years ago & love the Hilton Hawaiian village & I am a hilton honors member & then head to Maui for 8-10 days & stay at the Fairmont. My husband is keen on this.

2) I am keen on staying maybe 8 days at the Fairmont in Maui ( cant afford more ) & then staying at the Kanapali area but in something less then 200 a night to fit the budget.Cant find anything that is on the beach, with a separation from my son at night, has an AC & is under $ 200 but am still looking.
So far all the places that are lower priced in Lahania/kanapali dont have the best reviews especially the condos that are owned by an owner.So if the under $ 200 doesnt work out may have to do honolulu but I prefer doing just maui as from nyc I am not sure whether I will be visitng maui again.

All the stuff you mentioned is enticing & does draw me towards maui.Thank you.Any suggestions anyone?

ChiSue

Ekolu is nice, and AFAIK all units have A/C, but...it is not beachfront. If you don't have to have beachfront there are many other places in Wailea and South Kihei. Hale Pau Hana? Mana Kai Maui? The Palms? You might like our complex -- 3-star Maui Kamaole. (Look at the 1 BR plus Den units near the upper pool.)

Traveling with a child, I'd much prefer a condo for more *space*, washer/dryer, a full kitchen. I'd skip the expensive single suite at the Fairmont and pay more for a nicer 'home from home' where Mom and Dad have both privacy and a living room and lanai to enjoy after the child goes to bed. Any split stay appeals to me less with a child.