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Help w/ Planning a Multi Location Costa Rican Honeymoon

katiereiderkatiereider member
Second Anniversary First Comment
in Honeymoon Discussions

Ok, so I think I'm almost sold on a honeymoon to Costa Rica. I think it's the perfect "meet in the middle" for my fiancé (who is not a big beach person), and me (I could lay on the beach all day long).

 

My next step is figuring out where to stay. From reading the boards, it sounds like most people split their trips up between Arenal/La Fortuna, Guanacaste, Manual Antonio, etc.

My budget is $2,500 for hotel, flight, and food. Flights from Baltimore will cost $1200 total round trip. I would like to spend around $800 for 3 nights in a rainforest lodge, most likely somewhere in Arenal/La Fortuna. The next three nights, I would like to stay near a beach, and plan to pay for this part of the stay with points I have through my company. That would leave me with $500 for food, and excursions will come from a separate budget. I want the rainforest part of our stay to be as rainforest-y as possible. I want lush foliage, lots of trees, monkeys, the works.

Excursions I'm interested in:

-Repelling: I'm a little hesitant, but I've read good reviews, and I loved the last episode of The Bachelor. It looks like waterfall repelling is the most popular in CR. Has anyone done this? What was your experience? What tour group did you use and what was the cost?

-Hiking the volcano: my fiancé is all about this, but almost every review says it is NOT a must do. What are your thoughts? Is a view of the volcano and maybe a nature hike enough?

-ATV tours: I love 4 wheeling - looking for tour recommendations, best locations to 4 wheel, and cost expectations.

-Zip Line: I can't zipline and repel, so which is better? I'm leaning towards repelling bc you can zipline just about anywhere.

-Snorkeling: Looking for best tour, best region, etc.

-Horseback Riding: Has to be on the beach... it's just a vision I've had since I was a little girl so I HAVE to do it. Where is the best place to do this and what should I expect cost wise?

Thanks in advance for all of the advice you can give. I feel really good about this option and am very excited about the possibilities. I may or may not have been up until 2AM last night researching everything lol

 

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Re: Help w/ Planning a Multi Location Costa Rican Honeymoon

  • Jells2dot0Jells2dot0 mod
    Moderator Ninth Anniversary 5000 Comments 500 Love Its
    With what I consider to be a tigther budget, I recommend working with a travel agent who is familiar with Costa Rica. They can usually build packages around accommodations booked with points, find air/land combos that will save money, be able to point you to resorts/hotels that are a good value, but clean and offer good service, and include all of your land transfers. There are a few girls on here who have been or are going to CR, so they may be able to help you with agent recommendations.

     







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  • KatWAGKatWAG member
    2500 Comments Fifth Anniversary 500 Love Its 5 Answers

    I agree with Jells. If you are set on a rainforest experience. I would go to Monteverde and explore the cloud forest. This was some of the most beautiful junlges I have eer seen. It was great hiking and ziplining. I hiked the volcano outside of San Jose. It was cool but wasnt a highlight.

    Also, pretty much any beach hotel can set you up with ATVs, Snorkeling and horseback riding.

    Unfornunately, CR has gotten trendy and more expensive. Gautamala and Hondrus are still a bit newer to the tourism world and there are still real bargains there.

    BabyFruit Ticker
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  • majesty318majesty318 member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Love Its 100 Comments First Answer
    For the rainforest part, I recommend La Anita Rainforest Ranch (http://www.laanitarainforestranch.com/) near Rincon de la Vieja. This is a national park although from what I understand it is less popular/ large than Arenal. However, it is much closer to Guanacaste which makes it easier to split your time at the beach.

    Accommodations, food, & excursions for 3 nights should be WAY under $800 unless their prices have skyrocketed. I stayed there last year on a girls' trip but I really think it would be great for a HM. You would get your own cabin (rustic chic style - not the epitome of luxury but NOT camping). We did a package which included your meals (which are mostly made from crops on the farm) as well as excursions. They have excursions to the volcano and a ton of other stuff (all the things you mentioned are options, I am pretty sure). We did hot springs & waterfalls.

    We split the trip with beach time in Playas del Coco. My friend wanted to go there for the scuba. We hated it though so I wouldn't recommend it. I have heard good things about Tamarindo.
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  • Molly&AndyMolly&Andy member
    Knottie Warrior 100 Comments Combo Breaker
    We went in December 2012 and LOVED it.  We split our week between Arenal and Guanacaste area.  Depending on where you go and which airline, this will probably decide which airport you use.  We went into San Jose, but out of Liberia on Jet Blue.  (If you have time to keep an eye on flights, you might be able to get a better deal.)

    In Arenal, we stayed at Nayara Hotel.  We did the adventure package with them, but changed one excursion. The package included breakfast (normally included in rate) and dinners. We did the waterfall repelling, zip lining, and volcano hike/hot springs through the hotel.  Repelling - awesome. A little scary at first, but I wish it was longer. Zip Lining at Sky Trek - awesome and a little bit scary at the same time. Volcano hike/hot springs - ok. The hike is mostly a walk and you don't get too close to the volcano.  There is a nice view of the volcano and the lake. Hot springs - we were packaged at a smaller one, which ended up being nice because there were fewer people and cheaper drinks.

    In Guanacaste, we stayed at the JW Marriott because I had hotel points to use.  Nice hotel, but out of the way.  The pool was nice to sit around for most of the day.  There are big umbrellas so you don't have to be in the sun all day.

    I would recommend getting private transfer between locations instead of renting a car/4x4, unless you want the freedom to drive wherever/whenever.  (I think it's about the same cost.) 

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