Costa Rica

Katlyn2011

Has anyone ever been to Costa Rica? My FI and I are thinking about going there for our honeymoon. Does anyone have any suggestions or thoughts on where to stay or just anything at all?

-I'm Lost

Sonita12

I'm actually from Costa Rica so I think I can help
Are you looking for an AI and just chillin on the beach, or are you looking more for an adventure vacation.

I can say that if you're looking for the best, most romantic beach in CR then I would choose Playa Conchal. The Paradisius there is pricey, I don't know what your budget is, but it's absolutely stunning!

Katlyn2011

We are looking for something that is all inclusive that has adventure  but yet relaxation some days as well!....Anything would help!

Sonita12

Ok, Costa Rica has a lot of all inclusives particularly on the west coast. For a honeymoon, like I said, I highly recommend that Paradisius Playa Conchal. Most resorts have excursions throughout that you can sign up for the day of so that's always good - if you don't feel like going anywhere that day, then you don't have to!

You can also break it up into two parts, you can do the beach for a few days and you can also stay at one of the luxury spas by Volcan Arenal for a few days. I've been to Tabacon in La Fortuna (the town that Volcan Arenal is, the most active volcano in the country) and it's beautiful. There are hot springs fed by the volcano that feel like hot tubs. The spa there is amazing. And of course, the view of lava spewing from an active volcano at night is like nothing I've ever seen before!
I would say that if you're going to Costa Rica, you really should check out one of the volcanos, because I feel as though that's what separates CR from any other beach destination. I have seen better beaches with bluer oceans elsewhere, but it's the adventure part of CR that sets it apart.

To be honest, most of the other all inclusives in CR, IMO, don't really cater to the honeymooners and are more for people just going on vacation. There is soooo much to see in Costa Rica, so I don't want to overwhelm you with too many options. Of course there are cloud forests to the south, like Manuel Antonio, but that's more adventure than relaxation.

Let me know if you have any more questions! I'd be glad to help!

KerriCornell

I was down there last November for a trip to Arenal and the beaches of Guancaste.  I have also planned several honeymoons in Costa Rica as well.  Its an amazing country and quite diverse.... you can go from relaxing at the beach one minute to ziplining in the raiinforest the next.  perfect destination for those who like to do more "activity instense" vacations with some relaxation mixed in!!!

bnwgator

Funny that this should show up today! 

My fiancé and I also want to go to Costa Rica, but we were thinking of the Dominical area. We want adventure and relaxation, which we think we can get in the villa we want to stay in. Are we totally nuts, Sonita, for wanting to go to the Southern area of the country on our trip instead of hitting the volcanoes? 

girlinchicago

We're going to book a summer trip to CR this week!  Since we don't repeat destinations often, we really want to see as many different places as we can on this trip.

We've decided to do a mix of adventure, wildlife, relaxation with a 12 night trip.  Our first three nights will be in the cloud forest at El Silencio Lodge, the next three visiting Arenal  Nayara(for the volcano, ziplining, hot springs,) three nights at Lapa Rios in the Osa Peninsula (the best area for more concentrated and varied wildlife) and the last three nights in a small surf town called Uvita to just relax and check out the beaches.  We're staying at a place called Oxygen Jungle Villas there. I've researched all of those hotels and they all come highly recommended online and by the agents I've spoken with.

Three of our hotels include breakfast, two include ALL meals (Lapa Rios and El Silencio Lodge.)  As pps mentioned, Paradisus Playa Conchal is all-inclusive.  Have you and FI thought about what type of accommodations you want beyond that?  There are huge resorty places and tiny boutique places.  I definitely recommend checking out a range of places and reading reviews to see if it fits the bill for what YOU want. 

We're using Costa Rica Experts in Chicago to help us book.  Their website has a LOT of great information on the different parts of the country and what each has to offer.

Good luck!