 |
Over 150 articles about Costa Rica, 1000 links |
 |
|
|
 |
 |
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
 The Costa Rica Forum
 Travel to Costa Rica
 FIRST TIMER! :)
|
| next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: FIRST TIMER! :) |
|
Allie402 Recent Member Posts: 4 |
posted 10-03-2008 09:15 AM
  
I have been reading all your threads and comments for the last year. My husband and I are leaving for CR 10/17 for two weeks! We have round trip tickets - that's it! Our plan is to leave SJ to arenal to Monte Verde to Nicoya Peninsula and ending in Manuel Antoinio. Any advice on lodging, packing, driving, eating would be greatly appreciated. |
|
steeltown23 Recent Member Posts: 9 |
posted 10-03-2008 04:04 PM
Allie402, you are going to absolutely love Costa Rica, however you chose one of the rainiest times of the year to choose to go. October is the height of the rainy season for most of Costa Rica (the Caribbean is very sunny in October). I am a frequenter of Manuel Antonio and know that there are restaurants that close for October and Guides that go do other things for September/October because business is not good enough. The rain has been picking up lately and in fact there have been problems with flooding and mudslides. Check out some of the local newspapers like AM Costa Rica, Tico Times and La Nacion (it is in Spanish but pictures are worth a thousand words). You should not have a problem finding a hotel and if you can provide details on what range you are looking for I can give you some recommendations in Manuel Antonio. As for restaurants some of the good ones like Agua Azul are closed, and I am not sure about others but for mid to high end check out Barba Roja, El Avion, Gato Negro. For more local food check out KuKuLa (it is actually on the other side of the bridge in Quepos. Ask any taxista and they will know where it is), Quepoa, which is in the center of quepos. As for driving, BE VERY CAREFUL because of the rain. Depending on how much rain, many roads including main highways could be washed out. Make sure you rent and SUV you will need it. Also the Ticos (What the Costa Ricans call themselves) are crazy drives. Never drive at night and if you look at a map and think someplace is only an hour away chances are it is 4x that long. You will probably average about 25 – 30MPH. Let me know if there are any questions, particularly about MA. Since you have no hotel as of yet I would recommend the Caribbean side around the Puerto Viejo area. You should have good weather |
|
Allie402 Recent Member Posts: 4 |
posted 10-06-2008 08:47 AM
Thank you so much! That was very helpful. I read no less than a dozen books on CR and have been going back and reading previous posts and your response was more helpful than all that!  Yes I would still love to go to MA. Any reccomendations would be greatly appreciated. Also, would it be more efficent if I did domestic flights rather than rent a car? I see TACA or SANSA have flights all over the country. |
|
steeltown23 Recent Member Posts: 9 |
posted 10-06-2008 02:42 PM
No problem, glad I could help. Two hotels I would recommend are either La Mariposa or Si Como No. They are in relative proximity to one another and both are about midway between Quepos and the national park (actually a little closer to the park, but to get to the park you go up a huge hill and then come down the other side. La Mariposa is right on top of the hill and Si Como No is about 100 yards down from where the down slope begins. Both are in walking distance to some of the restaurants I mentioned. La Mariposa is closer to Barba Roja and Agua Azul, although I am fairly certain Agua Azul is closed the last three weeks of October, and Si Como No is closer to El Avion and Gato Negro. The Hotel/Casino Byblos is also in walking distance. These two hotels are slightly on the higher end. Both have websites and I would definitely check them out. If you are looking for something a little less expensive I would try Mimos. It is a Bed and Breakfast that is pretty good. As for activities I would definitely arrange a tour of MA national park. I would recommend the guide Juan Brenes. If you are familiar with the site Tripadvisor he goes by the name natureguide. His email is aguilatour@hotmail.com. He just moved so it might take a few days before he responds to his email. I would also check out the Butterfly garden (Mariposario) across from Si Como No hotel. It is not marked very well, but it is very cool. It has a very nice butterfly garden and reptile park. You can also go at night and check out the frogs. I would definitely sample some of the local cuisine. There are a few places in Quepos that are good. KuKuLa is very good, Soda Sanchez is good and Quepoa is good. There are also a bunch of sodas (the name for the local eateries) behind the bus station in Quepos. I also recommend doing a zipline tour. Those are a ton of fun. With regards to your question about flying, that is up to you. You absolutely do not need a car. When you are in the towns such as Quepos you can use the taxis. They are very reasonable. The only reason I would recommend against flying is the weather. Being the rainy season, I am not sure what the cancellations are like. The domestic planes are small 8 seaters and shake quite a bit. I have used the domestic flights before, but never during the height of the rainy season. Plus many of the flights originate in San Jose which means you might have to fly back to San Jose to get to your next destination which may become costly. I personally would drive or hire a driver and give myself plenty of time, although I am a fairly adventurous person. Please let me know if you have any more questions and I will try to help if I can. I hope you enjoy Costa Rica as much as I do when I visit. It is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. |
|
Allie402 Recent Member Posts: 4 |
posted 10-08-2008 06:37 AM
Once again, great advice. I will bring your email with us for reference. I will email Juan too before I leave. We are thinking now of starting Arenal to MA then end at the carribean side if the weather is unbareable. We are from Seattle, used to rain but would like some sun! Thank you Thank you Thank you! |
|
Allie402 Recent Member Posts: 4 |
posted 10-08-2008 08:58 AM
One more question if I may, are there any decent and afforable hotels very close to San Jose Airport? |
|
Tucana Full Member Posts: 236 |
posted 10-08-2008 09:45 AM
there is the Hotel Mango, very close to the airport...I have stayed there and it was quite clean and nice..even have a nice restaurant. There is also the Airport Hotel, which is a bed and breakfast slightly north of the airport ( I believe they offer pickup service), I have heard good things about this place. Also, the Pura Vida bed and breakfast in Alajuela...a few minutes from the airport and I believe they will pick you up as well. I have also stayed there and it was charming...I can't give you prices, because it has been a while, but I would consider these places to be "affordable"..good luck, Tucana |
|
char1 Recent Member Posts: 2 |
posted 10-08-2008 10:29 AM
Just got back from CR a little over a week ago. My husband I stayed at Melrost B&B tele (506)8377-4134. They did have airport service. Rate was only $65.00 for the night. They recommended a restaurant, that actually picked you and took you back to the B&B at no charge. Great meal and was very reasonable. |
|
char1 Recent Member Posts: 2 |
posted 10-08-2008 10:29 AM
Just got back from CR a little over a week ago. My husband I stayed at Melrost B&B tele (506)8377-4134. They did have airport service. Rate was only $65.00 for the night. They recommended a restaurant, that actually picked you and took you back to the B&B at no charge. Great meal and was very reasonable. |
|
Tucana Full Member Posts: 236 |
posted 10-08-2008 10:30 AM
To clarify my post above, google Hotel Aeropuerto Costa Rica for that hotel. It is probably the most affordable of the three hotels I mentioned. These are reliable spots that I would not hesitate to use again. Of course there is the Hampton and the Garden Court, both of which I consider too expensive and not as Charming. |
All times are CT | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Info Costa Rica S.A. Copyright 2000-2007
Powered by Infopop www.infopop.com © 2000
Ultimate Bulletin Board 5.45a
Partners: Costa Rica Tours | To Enjoy Nature | Costa Rica Travel Web | Adventure Costa Rica | Jungle Lodge Costa Rica
