I need suggestions for a Costa Rica vacation?

Question

My girlfriend and I are thinking about going to Costa Rica in late july early august and are wanting some information such as where to stay and things to do. We are hoping to stay somewhere on the atlantic side of the water, but would also maybe like to do some outdoorsy activities in addition to water activities such as fishing or snorkeling. Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Answer 1

I've heard about the guided water rafting overthere, people say its a must.

Answer 2

If your renting a car, try to make it to La Fortuna, San Carlos.  There is an awesome river there for white river rafting.  There is a huge waterfall that you can climb down to and go swimming.  At night there is a great place opened that is hot springs fed from the volcano.  the water is so relaxing, and between the hot springs and the town is a restaurant that has the most excellent steak and fish you will ever taste.

If you find a tour agency in La Fortuna, ask for Parul, and tell him Laura and Memo sent you.

Answer 3

Well if you hit San Jose and visit their World famous "Jade Museum" as well as the Gold Museum, then fly to Quepos on the Pacific side of CR to visit Manuel Antonio Nature Park and its "World Famous" Beach along with all of the other tourist attractions that are only minutes away  you would have seen the best that Costa Rica has to offer in the way of tourist entertainment!

You can fly from San Jose to Quepos in only 29 minutes for $98.00 round trip on Sansa Air out of the San Jose air port.

Hotel Kamuk - a Great Western Hotel in Quepos is a First Class Hotel by any stretch of the imagination with very inexpensive rates of like $50.00 per night and Quepos is known though out the world for their Huge fish that they catch in the blue waters of the Pacific right off Quepos! - This is where they have all of those Marlin and Sailfish Tournaments!

This is what I am going to do the last week of this month!

Have a good trip!

VIVA LA PURA VIDA!

Answer 4

If you missed the 60s, try Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, but bring some good bug juice.

Look for a hotel on the south side of town, near the water and the good surfing breaks. We stayed inland on the north side of town, and it was okay, but the owner was a bit high-strung.

For food, there's a small place (okay, they're all small) called Cafe Rico which has the best iced mochas and a granola/fruit breakfast that is incomparable. Plus you can watch all the oddball characters traipse through. I swear there is a 50 year old version of Zonker Harris from Doonsbury in town selling colloidal silver (and some of the green leafy stuff).

El Loco Natural has good food and live music for dinner.

There's a guy (Marco?) that has an organic cacao plantation south of town. He gives a great tour and the hot chocolate that he'll serve you can't be beat. He'll show you how chocolate is made. You can find his chocolate in town, rolled like cigars.

The beaches south of town are great -- very few people.

But do bring the bug juice as well as various creams and ointments just in case the bugs find you tasty. We had to cut our stay short (went back to San Jose) due to some nasty bites on my wife's legs.

Oh, not to scare you off or anything, but when we inquired about dengue fever, one of the locals said "Oh, everybody gets that, but that's not the worse that can happen to you." Despite that, I'd go again, just for the shear atmosphere of the place.

You'll also find a lot of young couples hanging out in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (not to be confused with the other Puerto Viejo farther north).

Try looking on virtualtourist.com for more ideas, photos, etc.

Answer 5

White water rafting is great. I don't know if there are any on the Atlantic side, but I know there are a few canopy tours scattered throughout the country. Basically zip-lines through the tree canopies. ATV tours are pretty popular as well.