:) COSTA RICA
We often get asked what to do in Costa Rica?. Our Global Ambassador and GSST member Keri M. has drafted the following pointers:
If you are more interested in a beach vacation fly into Liberia. It saves a lot of time. If you are more interested in the rainforest and Arenal volcano - then fly into San Jose. Although the country is not that large, the roads are pretty bad and generally only one lane…so the potholes/dirt roads and large, slow trucks make getting around pretty slow and tiresome. For me I would stick to the beach since it's so relaxing. Therefore, this is my recommendation. Skip the Caribbean Coast and head to the Guanacaste peninsula. Fly into Liberia and make your first stop Tamarindo. I would not bother to rent a car at the airport but pay a shuttle bus to take you. It's like $15 and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. Tamarindo basically has one main street facing the beach. I went back a second time last year and it's more populated and built up than when I first went. Many more stores and restaurants there now. Nice little town. I have only been on day trips since we were staying nearby in Flamingo so I'm not familiar with the hotels. A friend stayed at the Diria Hotel here and liked it...but you can definitely find cheaper options. Just check a travel site. 
You can spend the whole week in Tamarindo but it is very small. Maybe stay here about 3-4 nights and check out another area. You can rent a car right in Tamarindo. If you do rent a car - a four wheel drive is definitely recommended!! Last year my mom & I had a little Nissan (there were no more four wheel drives available) and we wondered if we would make it! Thankfully, we did. My mom also took public buses down there and she said they were very good, although crowded so you may have to stand...and again MUCH SLOWER. Depending on how far you want to venture, I would recommend either Nosara or Montezuma/Santa Teresa.  Nosara Beach is further south on the Nicoya peninsula. I really liked this area. A
nice place to stay is Casa Romantica (NOT Casita Romantica - my mom & I had a fight
with that dude, so we went next door to Casa).
www.casa-romantica.net
We had a few great lunches at Cafe de Paris in town. The beach here is a surfing beach so there are pretty large waves - but still okay to swim though. Samara is a popular town, but not as nice as Nosara. It can be skipped. Montezuma is where we went this past time - it's farther afield. Tiny little hippy town. Cool vibes and there is a waterfall to hike. I would recommend Amor de Mar to stay. www.amordemar.com I could have lived on these hammocks. However, you guys might prefer to stay in Santa Teresa - the beach is much more expansive and beautiful and then take a little day trip to Montezuma. Two different vibes - hard to decide. I think there is more nightlife in Santa Teresa, too. I was with my mom and in bed by 9pm each night so can't comment. 
Other option - day trips from Tamarindo. You can take a day trip to Playa
Flamingo (30 minutes away) where my family has stayed several times (house and
condo). There is a bar called the Mariner Inn up top overlooking the marina with
great food and laid back vibes. The beach in Playa Flamingo is super nice and
always gets a nice sunset. However - there is really NOTHING in Playa Flamingo
except the beach. There is a place on the way to Flamingo called Playamar (or
something like that). Great food right on the beach. Gecko's in Brasalito is
also recommended. I can sketch all of this out for Juliya when you come to
Beantown.I would stay away from Playa del Coco and Ocotol beach closer to Liberia airport. The beaches are black sand beaches and these towns are a bit more "junky" than others. Another great adventure in Costa Rica - the canopy tour! I'm sure there is one close to Tamarindo. |
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