fezzer

My girlfriend and i have booked flights to san jose for a 2 week holiday from the 6th feb and would appreciate any help with any must do's or general advice as our itinary doesn't exist yet.We are both young, adventurous and looking for a relaxing time as well as a bit of travelling. We both enjoy beaches(especially one that has a nice right hand beach break),would love to see the forests,wildlife and go whitewater rafting. Thoughts so far are to rent a 4*4 for the 1st week and get an internal flight to somewhere else to relax for the 2nd. Have booked nothing in the way of accomodation yet, will this be a problem? Peace lodge looks amazing, potential first night to get over the jet lag? Is it far from the airport? Seen volcanoes before, is this one worth the trip? Many people comment the weathers often crummy. Our spanish is good and wondering if its better to book a jeep on the net or wait to chat to the locals before commiting. Are the roads really that bad? Is it possible to see the carribean coastline as well as the pacific? whats your favorite? Sorry so many questions. Please help if you can. Many thanks fez..

shillmac

fez,
Your plan to rent a vehicle for one week is good. Here is what you might do during that week:

Peace Lodge, 1 nt, 45 min-airport

Arenal, 2 nights--yes, area worth it

Drive to Caribbean--3 nights there
(the drive will take better part of a
day--through Puerto Viejo de
Sarapiqui--take your time. January
flood damage to roads, do some
checking) POSSIBLY SURFING NEAR
PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA, SOUTHERN
CARIBBEAN

Return to SJO and return 4X4, overnight

Fly to Osa Peninsula, 4-5 nights
SURFING AT CABO MATAPOLO

(or Manuel Antonio--easy to get by
without vehicle at either, no
surfing except south at Dominical
--about 2 hours drive)

OTHER SURFING OPTIONS, TRY
TAMARINDO AND NEARBY BEACHES. . . .

Return to SJO, 2 nights (1 day rafting)

SO, weather will be fine--may rain some in the afternoons especially on Caribbean side. Roads aren't that bad--some potholes, narrow, no shoulders, etc. Favorites are difficult to name--love it all! And yes, as you can see in above sugg. itinerary, 2 weeks does allow both coasts--or not, depending on how the road work is coming along.

Problem: It is very likely that you will have a difficult time finding reservations at this late date. This is high season and tourism is going strong--increased from recent years. Good luck!

fezzer

Thanks shillmac for such a speedy responce. Can any one help with best methods for car hire? Prebook or just turn up? Will peace lodge have any rooms avilable at this late date, sent them an email but haven't heard anything back yet. Any suggestions for a equally relaxing experience near the airport to start our holiday if they are full? Will up market accomodation be just as full as hostals? Really fancy sleeping in a nice shack on the beach if you can help with that. Never tried rafting before, can you suggest a good company to go with or are they all more or less the same value? And the most beautiful beach in costa rica to sit with a bottle of wine and watch the sunset IS? Many thanks if anyone can help. got somewhere to start looking in the lonely planet guide now.

dineroguru

Fezzer: We are going to CR next week. I decided to rent a car through the hotel that we are staying at the hotel Bougainvillea. We are staying there the first night and last night so i will get and return the car at the hotel which should work out better than the counter at the airport. I would avise the same, as long as you are reasonably comfortable with your choice for the hotel. I would check with hotel bougainvillea http://www.bougainvillea.co.cr/and also los Orchades (sp?.) They were both recommended in Fodors.

shillmac

Las Orquideas a good choice and I am sure Hotel Boug is as well. We use either Tricolor or Dollar (Tricolor has consistently given best prices).

www.tricolorrental.com
www.dollarcostarica.com

They will meet you at the airport, take you to their off-airport office, and you'll be on your way. Prebook!

Most beautiful beach for sunset watching: There are several. Two of my favorites: Flamingo and MalPais

Understand the bar at La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio is one of the best places for this as well. But definitely Flamingo. Long, good for walking, as close to white sand as you'll find in CR, and not many people. Love it here.

Haven't rafted (at least in CR), but you'll have best luck with Rio Tropicales or Aventuras Naturales as outfitters. Both have excellent reputations and offer one day trips and overnight trips. You can check their websites. Easy to find. . .

For assistance in securing lodging, there is someone in Costa Rica who will gladly help you--free gratis. She owns a hotel and can hook you up (if anyone can) with rooms AND discounts. Easy for her to make the contacts for you since she is there and you are here. Neta Talmor. . .

[email protected]

Good luck!

dfarmer

"Ditto" on getting your reservations quickly. This is the high season for travel to CR. Many of the more sought after lodgings will have been full for months.

At this date, I would advsie against waiting on email answers. It sometimes takes several days to get replies. The phone may be a better choice at this late date.

I have never used Neta, however it seems she has been able to work miracles for some. This may very well be your best bet.

If for instance, you are really wanting to stay at one property in particular (such as Peace Lodge) you may need to see if they have any space and then work the balance of your trip around that reservation. Peace Lodge is highly recommended and is small, unfortunately they may also be full.

Peace Lodge was I believe about an hour and half from the airport.

Vista del Valle was a great spot for beginning or ending a trip. We are staying at Orquideas Inn this year.

Lots of volcanoes in CR, but I assume you are asking about Arenal. There is much to do in Arenal, other than just seeing the volcano, so yes it is worth it.

As for the roads, well don't expect interstate highways. As long as you pay attention and take it slow, the roads will be fine.

ardie514

We surfed at Playa Grande and Nosara in September and both areas are beautiful, relaxing and offer great surf. There is definitely surfing in the Manuel Antonio area, though we haven't yet been. MA is pretty close to San Jose and you can fly into Quepos. We have a friend living in Quepos and he surfs regularly. I believe Playa Espadilla, but I will double check. We got a great deal on a 4 x 4 through www.centralamerica.com They also book excursions and may be able to help with your rafting trip also. Have fun!

ernien

hi, we just returned from a two week excursion. rented from tricolor a diahtsu terios $560/14 days. personally i thought the roads were much better than anticipated, lots of fresh tar in former potholes thank god. drove from sj to playa grande (decent surf) to santa teresa (decent surf) took ferry across nicoya gulf, drove to MA then on to Osa. HIGHLY recommend extended time on the osa. the drive is not bad at all, some potholes but once you hit gravel its gravy all the way to Puerto Jimenez. Golfo dulce is awesome. on to Matapalo (surfing as well)and deeper into the wild. the road starts to deteriorate a bit as you get closer but still no problem. i wouldn't discourage a flight here though, the extra day or two is, in retrospect, probably worth it. we stayed at el remanso which we loved thought the beach is a ten minute fairly steep hike(enjoyable). once your on the beach though it's all yours. could be different during the holiday. anyway, just some thoughts. have fun

fezzer

Thank you to everyone who has replyed to my message. It really has helped. Booked a few hotels now and arranged car hire through tricolor. Neta, what a star. Nothing to do now but catch the flight and enjoy the 2 weeks break. Thanks again, i know where to start my next holiday plans.

Canadian_Traveler

If it's not too late for adivce...
To kill two birds with one stone...TAMARINDO. Surfing and the most amazing sunsets. We enjoyed both at the same time.

If you do go to Tamarindo I highly recommend the restaurant at the Hotel Laguna del Cocdrilo. The food is fabulous and the setting is incredibly romantic after sunset (and a quick walk to the beach).

Have fun!