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Volcan Arenal | Tagged Posts
2016
9
October
Best beaches and cool towns in Costa Rica for a January trip?
9
October
Question:
Humans say...
Margaret
Puerto Viejo. Has a big caribbean vibe. Hotel Azania was wonderful -class in amongst nature. Do white water rafting, the overnight trip down the Paquare River. Class 4 rapids. Weee!
Patsy
Thanks
Katherin
And just down the road from Puerto Viejo is a little town called Manzanillo. It is the last town on that road as it borders a national park.
Sherman Skeeling is a tour guide there and he is great. Can take you dolphin watching, snorkelling and tour you around. Right on the coast. You can always stay in PV and do day trips to Manzanillo. Beautiful beach and less tourists.
Kristen
Playa Conchal was absolutely beautiful. You can drive to it from Tamarindo (also cool). I wish we actually spent a few days there rather than just a day. The water is insanely clear, the beach is beautiful white sand. Playa Coco is great if you want to scuba dive. I went through rocket frog divers and it was awesome. Pretty affordable as well. Volcan Arenal, Monteverde (Cloud Forest) are really cool too if you want something to do inland. If there's more than one of you I'd probably recommend getting a car. It would be cheaper than shuttling around, and faster than taking public transit. We went to Montezuma and found that was way too far out of the way for what it was, since you're from Vancouver I imagine you'd find the waterfalls there anti-climactic.
Patsy
Thanks Kristen.
Margaret
We rented a 4 wheeler back in 2006. Some roads were not drivable by car, at least where we went, and we travelled coast to coast, and north to Mt Arenal then South to Quepos. Never did the tourist strip on the Northwest coast though.
Paul
I loved Samara, cool laid back beach town
Susie
Playa Jaco was really nice when I visited there in May. If you are staying in the city it is easy to get there by bus (but don't expect AC)
If you are staying in San Jose I do not recommend renting a car, the driving there was ten times scarier than Vancouver.
They do have über which was awesome and I wish we used it more. If you can use uber and not cabs, cabs will rip you off!
Tonya
Ditto on Samara. Loads of restaurants.
Chris
Good reasonable hotel right in centre of main street next to car rental. Very clean, breakfast, pool and quiet. Good upstairs bar across the street
Cindy
Did you see the deal the site just posted !!!
Patsy
No
Cindy
Nov-Jan Costa Rica $389 tax in
I think it is
On delta airlines
Groupon had great deals on land your and hotels
Patsy
Cindy Jenkins Dulko thanks Cindy. Looked it up and the flight times are awful. We actually changed our plans and booked a vrbo in playa. But thx.
Cindy
sounds just as nice enjoy !
Brad
We stayed 4 days near Tamarindo but not in town. We stayed at hotel Bulaa bula. Great beach within walking distance and although u can take long cab ride into Tamarindo we took water taxi which takes like 5 minutes. Absolutely paradise and on a budget.
Malcolm
right now those flights are cheap. go to tripadvisor for your accomidation and reviews
Colette
Santa Teresa/Mal Pais... exactly what you're describing. Try to hit montezuma as well for a few nights if you can. I also second the inland arenal area (and monteverde). Shame to go all that way and no see it.
A.I. says...
Planning Your Costa Rica Adventure: From Beaches to Cool Towns and Delicious Food
You're in for a treat! Costa Rica is an incredible destination with something to offer everyone. From stunning beaches to charming towns and delicious food, you're sure to have an unforgettable experience.
Where to Stay
If you're looking for a beach town with plenty to offer, consider staying in:
- Tamarindo: A popular surf spot with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of restaurants and bars.
- Puerto Viejo: A vibrant town with a mix of Caribbean and Costa Rican culture. It's a great place to enjoy the beach, go snorkeling, or visit the nearby Cahuita National Park.
- Manuel Antonio: Home to one of Costa Rica's most famous national parks, Manuel Antonio is a great place to go hiking, wildlife watching, and enjoy the beach.
If you're looking for a more laid-back experience, consider staying in a smaller town such as:
- Nosara: A peaceful beach town known for its yoga retreats and surfing.
- Santa Teresa: A small surf town with a bohemian vibe and plenty of restaurants and bars.
- Uvita: A quiet town located near the Marino Ballena National Park, which is known for its whale watching.
What to Visit
In addition to the beautiful beaches, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Costa Rica. Here are a few suggestions:
- Visit the Arenal Volcano: One of Costa Rica's most active volcanoes, Arenal is a must-see for nature lovers. You can hike to the top of the volcano, go zip-lining through the rainforest, or relax in one of the many hot springs.
- Take a white-water rafting trip: Costa Rica has some of the best white-water rafting in the world. There are several different rivers to choose from, so you can find a trip that's perfect for your skill level.
- Go snorkeling or diving: Costa Rica's Pacific coast is home to some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world. You can see a variety of marine life, including fish, turtles, and sharks.
- Visit the Monteverde Cloud Forest: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to a diverse array of plants and animals. You can hike through the forest, go zip-lining, or visit the butterfly garden.
Where to Eat
Costa Rica is known for its delicious food. Here are a few suggestions for restaurants to try:
- Soda Liz: A popular local restaurant in Tamarindo, Soda Liz serves up traditional Costa Rican dishes at affordable prices.
- Cafe Rico: Located in Puerto Viejo, Cafe Rico is a great place to enjoy Caribbean-inspired cuisine.
- El Avion: This unique restaurant in Manuel Antonio is built inside an old airplane. It's a great place to enjoy a meal with a view.
Booking Your Flight
You're thinking of booking your flight separately? That's a good idea. You'll have more flexibility and may be able to find a better deal.
Here are a few tips for booking your flight:
- Compare prices: Use a flight search engine to compare prices from different airlines.
- Be flexible with your travel dates: If you can travel on off-peak days or during the shoulder season, you're likely to find cheaper flights.
- Consider flying into a smaller airport: If you're flying into San Jose (SJO), you may be able to find cheaper flights by flying into a smaller airport such as Liberia (LIR) or Quepos (XQP).
Once you've booked your flight, you're all set for your Costa Rican adventure! I hope you have an amazing time.
Sites
Patsy
Hi going to Costa Rica Jan 21 returning Jan 29. Any suggestions? We like beach cool towns. And good food. Where to stay, visit etc. And we were going to book flight separate. Is this a good idea?