Planning a Trip to Costa Rica with my girlfriend, any tips?

[tfs985]

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to Costa Rica with my girlfriend in early June. We are into a beach style trip with some hiking, snorkeling, adventurous type opportunities. I am not sure where to even start, as I know nothing about Costa Rica. I would appreciate any tips about what city to visit, what to do, best hotels, etc. Thanks in advance!

Tim

[CarolineC]

Hi Tim,

When I went to Costa Rica, I stayed near Manuel Antonio National Park. It's an excellent base if you're looking for both a beach vacation and a rain forest vacation, as the park is right on the coast. You can hike through the rain forest and swim in the ocean in the same day (and even in the same hour, really, as the rain forest grows right up to the beach). Costa Rica isn't known for its snorkeling, and the water can be somewhat cloudy, especially during green season. But the beaches at Manuel Antonio are really beautiful -- and it's not uncommon to have a whole beach to yourself (plus some monkeys and lizards, of course). We have a great trip report on our site about the same park. Read it here: Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica.

I hope that helps! Please post if you have any other questions.

Caroline

[tfs985]

Hi Tim,

When I went to Costa Rica, I stayed near Manuel Antonio National Park. It's an excellent base if you're looking for both a beach vacation and a rain forest vacation, as the park is right on the coast. You can hike through the rain forest and swim in the ocean in the same day (and even in the same hour, really, as the rain forest grows right up to the beach). Costa Rica isn't known for its snorkeling, and the water can be somewhat cloudy, especially during green season. But the beaches at Manuel Antonio are really beautiful -- and it's not uncommon to have a whole beach to yourself (plus some monkeys and lizards, of course). We have a great trip report on our site about the same park. Read it here: Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica.

I hope that helps! Please post if you have any other questions.

Caroline

Caroline

Thank you for your recommendation. I read the review and searched for a flight/hotel combo that included the hotel you mentioned, La Posada. I was unable to find any packages that listed that hotel, I was wondering how you booked your rooms? Could I do it by phone or email and just buy the tickets by themselves? Again, thanks so much for the help, it seemed like you had a wonderful time in Costa Rica!

Tim

[CarolineC]

Hi Tim,

La Posada Jungle Bungalows is a small, privately owned B&B, so it's not typically offered as a lodging option by big travel operators. It's an off-the-radar kind of place. You can book directly through the Web site, but then you'll have to get your own flights and transportation. Here's the link.

It's about a two- or three-hour drive from the San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio National Park. You can take a bus or rent a car. Interbus and Gray Line are two reputable bus/shuttle companies in Costa Rica.

One option is to rent a car (or take the bus) and pick a second destination in Costa Rica to stop in on your way to Manuel Antonio. Jaco, a coastal town slightly north of Manuel Antonio, is world famous for surfing. It all depends on what you want to do.

Caroline

[tfs985]

Hi Tim,

La Posada Jungle Bungalows is a small, privately owned B&B, so it's not typically offered as a lodging option by big travel operators. It's an off-the-radar kind of place. You can book directly through the Web site, but then you'll have to get your own flights and transportation. Here's the link.

It's about a two- or three-hour drive from the San Jose airport to Manuel Antonio National Park. You can take a bus or rent a car. Interbus and Gray Line are two reputable bus/shuttle companies in Costa Rica.

One option is to rent a car (or take the bus) and pick a second destination in Costa Rica to stop in on your way to Manuel Antonio. Jaco, a coastal town slightly north of Manuel Antonio, is world famous for surfing. It all depends on what you want to do.

Caroline

Caroline

I just booked tickets to San Jose from June 11 to June 18. I reserved a week at the La Posada as well. I was wondering if I can get some insight into that area of Costa Rica in the month of June. From what I've read, June is during the rainy season in Costa Rica, but most of the websites I've seen say that it shouldn't be that much of an inconvenience. Also, do you have any idea about the approximate price of renting a car (cheapest possible!) in Costa Rica for a week?

Once again, thank you so much for providing this information. My girlfriend and I greatly appreciate your help!

Tim

[CarolineC]

Hi,

I typed in your dates on the Hertz Web site and saw prices ranging from $132 to $396 per week before taxes, depending on the kind of car you choose, in San Jose. With taxes, the rentals start at $277.92. I would suggest entering your dates on several car rental Web sites to see which company offers the best price. Also, check out our car rental deals.

I traveled to Costa Rica in May, the start of the rainy season, and experienced beautiful weather with light rains now and then. But keep in mind that it can be difficult to drive in Costa Rica during the rainy season. Some roads can become muddy and nearly impossible to pass. According to Lonely Planet, buses are the best way to get around the country (read more here), and when traveling by bus, you won't have to worry about getting lost or stuck on a muddy road. However, a rental car is certainly a faster way to get around the country.

I hope that helps! Please ask if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Caroline

[tfs985]

Hi,

I typed in your dates on the Hertz Web site and saw prices ranging from $132 to $396 per week before taxes, depending on the kind of car you choose, in San Jose. With taxes, the rentals start at $277.92. I would suggest entering your dates on several car rental Web sites to see which company offers the best price. Also, check out our car rental deals.

I traveled to Costa Rica in May, the start of the rainy season, and experienced beautiful weather with light rains now and then. But keep in mind that it can be difficult to drive in Costa Rica during the rainy season. Some roads can become muddy and nearly impossible to pass. According to Lonely Planet, buses are the best way to get around the country (read more here), and when traveling by bus, you won't have to worry about getting lost or stuck on a muddy road. However, a rental car is certainly a faster way to get around the country.

I hope that helps! Please ask if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Caroline

Thanks again for your advice. I would prefer to rent a car for convenience reasons, but I have heard from my girlfriend's uncle that driving during the wet season is an adventure as well, so I'll probably decide upon arrival, since it will probably be contingent upon the weather conditions.

I will be building an itinerary in the upcoming months, and I will post it on here to get your approval!

Tim

[tfs985]

Hey just checking in here, I am leaving for Costa Rica in exactly one week and I have a couple of questions.

1) I have decided not to rent a car, so I will be taking the bus for transportation. Is there access to bus services at the airport?

and

2) I am staying at La Posada Jungle Bungalows, and this question is for Caroline, who has helped me immensely in the past in this thread. Should I pack food in the U.S. before I leave, or should I just pick up food when I land in San Jose? Also, is there a grocery/convenience store located near the hotel?

Any other tips would be appreciated as well, thanks a lot!