Travel Answers

Hi there. My husband and I will be at the Riu Palace in Guanacaste July 15th through the 20th for our honeymoon. Any recommendations on "must-see" excursions? We don't want to do more than one or two days off of the resort, and would love feedback from anyone who's visited this part of the country. Thanks so much!

Hello!
I'm going from Sweden to Costa Rica this fall. I checked on line and found that the local travel agencies offer "package" with hotels, excursions, local guide, some meals and travel in a minibus in the country. A week costs about $ 500 and 14 days approx $ 1800 depending on which hotel you choose. The condition is that I must pay in advance via internet. Has anyone been there with experience if it is ok or should I wait and book when I get there and travel around for myself and choose according to the conditions in each place I visit?
I'm not afraid of a little trouble and have fun for the money I can save. Thanks in advance.
Farstache.

We need a car when we arrive. What car rental company is the best place to rent a car?
Also, We will be in Manuel Antonio for three full days, what do you highly recommend we do while there? I have four young adult children.

Hello,
Im a single 43 yr old women flying into El Salvador for 2 days.Then I plan on taking a bus to Costa Rica for a 5 day stay. Where would you suggest I go if I want to Hike, bike, lay out a bit on a beautiful beach, check out a town w a vibrant nightlife do some yoga? Im kinda overwhelmed with all the amazing beaches and need to narrow things done.
Thank you for any help you can offer!

Sincerely,

overwhelmed

When we booked our trip, we did not realize that May was the beginning of the rainy season. Should we cancel our trip? We will be there May 20-26, 2013. We would like a couple of days at the beach. A little rain would be fine, but not the whole time. As of now, the forecast is cloudy and showers. We are spending 3 days in Manuel Antonio and two in Arenal. What do you think?

I'm planning a trip to Costa Rica and wondering if there are good places to trade into. I'm a member in Interval and also in 3rdHome, both of which have places down there. Just wondering if anybody has suggestions on the best destinations to visit. I'd also like to do some eco-touring and explore the rainforest. Any input is welcome.

We are planning our honeymoon for Sept...spending a few days in Arenal then want to stay at a resort on the beach in Guanacaste. Looking for recommendations please

My husband & I are planning a long awaited get away to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in Oct. We have always wanted to go to Costa Rica but do not know where to begin. We love the outdoors, kayaking, hiking, snorkling and are not attracted by large fancy resorts with swim up bars. I do not want to wear resort clothes all the time. Give me my flip flops, and and no makeup!
Any suggestions for a romantic getaway with out the glitz?

Mi amigo y yo estamos viajando a Costa ricka a principios de noviembre. ¿Hay alguna posibilidad de que podamos ver la escotilla tortugas y arrastramos hasta el mar. Si es así. dónde estaremos.

Me and my friend are traveling to Costa ricka in early November. Is there any chance for us to see the turtles hatch and crawl to the sea. If so. where will we be.

I am wondering what time the first bus leaves from the border to get to liberia and what time the border opens. In the morning? I also want to know if anyone has experience with how busy it is crossing in the early morning. Thanks!

Hi, my girlfriend and I are visiting Costa Rica from Scotland at the end of August this year. We are really excited and have been researching all the things to do while we are there.

One issue that is causing a bit of frustration though is hiring a car. We are staying at a treehouse hotel about 30 mins from La Fortuna so we're looking to hire a car for the week in order to get about and see as much as we can.

The main issue is, who can we trust? Every company we review seems to have someone saying they have been scammed, such as crazy deposits, hidden charges, insurance issues etc.

Could someone please give a solid recommendation where we can hire a 4x4/mini SUV type vehicle. Would love to get this sorted and get on with looking forward to the holiday.

We are 2 families traveling in early august with kids aged 12 / 17
I hear its the "green" season and should spend our time between
Guanacaste and arenal areas is this true?- enough to do?
how far apart are they and how should we split the week?
thank you
D

My flight arrives in San Jose at 11:30pm. I need to meet friends in Tamarindo the next morning. What is the safest way to travel during the night? Also my Spanish is limited.

Is the Nicoya Peninsula is effected by sewage problems?

I've heard reports of sewage problems in the manuel antonia/quepos area, jaco, playa panama,  and especially tamarindo and the papagayo area. I'm wondering, is this sewage problem quite common on the beaches of costa rica, or is it more a situation of a few isolated incidents?

Can anyone recommend a resource that lists beaches in costa rica which are free of sewage issues?

My fiance and I are considering coming to Guanacaste for our honeymoon in early September (probably Sept. 2 - 11). However, we are nervous after hearing it will be the peak of the rainy season! Can anyone describe what the weather is really like there in September? Does it rain every day? Does it rain at the same time every day? Does it rain all day long, or just for a few hours? Obviously, we don't want it to be overcast and gloomy all day long on our honeymoon. We appreciate any detail that can be provided!

We'll be renting a place in Cahuita for eight days in mid April. We're active and adventurous. Would be interested in suggestions for trips and other not to miss activities. Thanks

He there, can anyone tell me if there is a decent place to party in Brasilito or is it necessary to drive to Tamarindo to dance a little?

Kind greetings, G:

Arrgh..No flights from Liberia on a saturday AM and our returning flight to the states is 1pm out of SJO..Any suggestions? How much is a shuttle? Any reputable companies out there?

Planning an 11 day trip to Costa Rica at end of April - flying in and out of San Jose. Arriving 6AM in San Jose - going straight to Arenal - 3 nights there. Then to Flamingo Beach Resort in Guanacaste for 4 nights. We are renting a car. Question is - should we drive to Manuel Antonio and spend 3 nights there before heading back or any other suggestion after beach stay in Guanacaste?

A group of us are looking to rent a house next Feb. however, none of us have been to Costa Rica before & don't know where to stay. We'd like to be near the beach (if not on) but also within driving distance to excursions and very short driving distance to local bars/restaurants/nightlife. Any suggestions on what part of Costa Rica to stay? We can fly into San Jose or Liberia. I'm looking @ Jaco in Puntaareans, Puerto Viego in Limon and Tamarindo in Guanacaste. Would these locations be good for what we're looking for?

Hola,

I am a Canadian undergraduate student and will be going to study abroad in Costa Rica over the summer at the Universidad Veritas in San José.

My boyfriend will be joining me for a month so we are looking to rent a house for the month of May. This doesn't seem to be a problem and we've found several options.

HOWEVER... as our preference seems to be swaying towards properties outside the city with poor public transportation options...

Is it completely unrealistic to entertain the idea of purchasing a car to use over the summer?!

I've done some research and it seems that in the classified ads a cheap car would go for about $2000.... then we would need to get an RMV inspection, get car insurance....

I've found some basic information but I can't seem to get a complete picture of the process and costs...

Does anyone have any insight?

Has anyone been to Tabacon recently? Have they done further construction or additions.

Any alternatives to Tabacon that don't have the cheesy restaurant and swim up bar?

I've rented vehicles in Europe and Mexico and been able to manage with minimal frustration. Any thoughts on Costa Rica for a fly drive vacation? How would you compare the driving experience with Spain or Mexico?

I am planning to do a trip for the purpose of bird-watching in 2014. But, I can not go during what traditionally is the dry season, January-March/April as its too soon following my European trip this year. So, what would be the next best time?

I am looking for information on traveling by road from Samara to Tamarindo, in Costa Rica. Is driving recomended, of should I fly ? Is it best to drive the coastal route, or go inland to the hwy 21 ?

My wife and I will be traveling throughout Costa Rica. We arrive in San José and from there go to Arenal. From there we go to Guanacaste, and then return to San José. We have the option to rent a car or to take shuttles from each place. We were wondering how good the road system is in Costa Rica. Would it be worth it to rent a car, or would it be safer to go with a shuttle service? Also, does anyone know how long it takes to travel from each San José to Arenal, Arenal to Guanacaste, and Guanacaste to San José? Lots of questions I know, if anyone could help that'd be great. Thanks!

Hi all. My hubby and I will be arriving in SanJose March 7th but leaving the next morning. Any advice on what we can do there with so much to see and so little time? What is MUST SEE? (We will then be spending time in Arenal and Guanacaste -- this is just a question for San Jose).

Also - do you have a favorite restaurant to recommend????

Thanks in advance.

Ella

From what I gather the drive from San Jose airport to Aernal is 3-4 hours by car. I am considering changing my travel plans. 1. How long of a drive would it be from Liberia? 2. Is it possible to drive down the coast from Hermosa to Santa Teresa, and if so, how long would it take? Thank you so much!

Hi! I am planning a quick getaway with my husband. I was looking at Caribbean destination and then discovered Costa Rica is only an additional hour flight from Newark on a non-stop. We like adventure and have been wanting to go there ..... so, where can we go in Costa Rica for a short stint of adventure and short stint of relaxation not far from each other. Our budget is fairly open. We just don't have a lot of time. Thanks for any insights. I really appreciate it!