[OGRipper]

Any monkies been to Costa Rica for a vacation? Tips on places to stay? Hoping for something fairly secluded, cabana style, on the beach - not a big hotel "a short drive away." I know there is some good riding there but I'm looking for more of a beach-snorkel kind of thing, this is not a riding vacation.

And no, this is not my sole source of information, just trying to use all my resources. Thanks.

 

[syadasti]

Check out Dominical on the West/Pacific Coast of CR - great area of CR. My sister has lived in CR for years and moved there about a year ago from Monteverde (cloud rainforest, another great area). I've been to Dominical 3 times now, its an awesome place to relax.

Good surfing, decent snorkeling, and you can get a boat ride to Drake's Bay (national marine reserves).

Are you going during the wet season, dry season (best for snorkeling - water isn't cloudy near the shoreline), or inbetween? I suggest getting a commuter plane flight to wherever you choose - the roads suck and a flight only cost about $60-70 if you book online (also the state airline actually better than Nature Air)

 

[davep]

Summer before last the girlfriend and I spent two weeks mostly out on the nicoya peninsula. We had a small house in malpais for ~10 days. Very relaxing and very out of the way. Maybe a little far off the beaten track.. but if you wanted you could catch a flight out of San Jose to tambor and then taxi to wherever on the peninsula.

check http://www.nicoyapeninsula.com/general/map.html for lots of info about the area. I will try to post some pics later of the house/scenery/etc.

 

[Slugman]

Check my post here:
http://www.ridemonkey.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130439&highlight=costa+rica

 

[jimmydean]

I have yet to go there, but my mother-in-law lives there and I want to go. Does that count?

 

[DRB]

Bastid....

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/central-america/costa-rica

We've had good luck finding places thru VRBO (vacation rentals by owner) and there looks to be a ton of them in Costa Rica.

Also, this is the place my assistant used for her vacation to Costa Rica
http://www.vacationscostarica.com/ last winter.

She's out this week but I'll ask her next week where exactly they went. I know they saw an active volcano and the were at the beach quite a bit.

 

[OGRipper]

Good stuff ya'll, thanks and keep it coming.

 

[BurlyShirley]

You know mexico is closer and the same thng.

 

[OGRipper]

You know mexico is closer and the same thng.

You know what, you're right. And actually I could probably get the same experience in Vegas right?

Thanks a heap.

 

[syadasti]

Yeah just like the South is like the North in the US

BS, Disney World is for you

 

[Fredzilla]

I have to second Mal Pais on the Nicoya Peninsula. I've gone down to CR on 2 different occasions.. the first time was on a kayaking trip for 4 weeks where we travelled from coast to coast and this was my absolute favorite place - bar none.

As previously posted, it is kind of a pain to get to, but that's what makes it such a nice place. If you take the time to get there, you won't be disappointed.

I've been diving and surfing in the area, but I haven't been snorkelling. I'm not sure how good it would be on this (the Pacific) side as compared to the Carribean side of CR. I've heard that the snorkelling is better on the other side.

I've stayed at 2 places down there:
The Tropico Latino Lodge
Sunset Reef Hotel

Both are small, and nice, but I'd recommend The Tropico Latino for several reasons: nice cabanas, direct beach access, surrounded by jungle (it was actually difficult at times to take a siesta because of the conga monkies barking in the trees right outside the window :biggrin: ).