<p>We are considering an impromptu trip to Costa Rica. Is it better to fly in/out of San Jose or Liberia? Suggestions for places to stay, things to do?
Thanks in advance</p>
<p>There have been threads on this before so you’ll get lots of good info/suggestions. We haven’t been in several years but did do family vacations there three summers in a row. Always flew into San Jose and rented a car. Driving in CR is part of the adventure. There are several American chain hotels near the airport–we’d always spend the first night there and head out fresh in the morning.</p>
<p>First trip was longer so we went to several places–Santa Elena, Arenal, Monteverde, . . . , but also did a week in Nosara. The second two trips we went straight to Nosara and stayed until it was time to go home. The objective was to learn to surf (Playa Guiones has some of the most consistently surfable waves in the hemisphere), but that’s really hard! </p>
<p>CR is just really easy–many places take US$, the people know tourism is a mainstay and are wonderfully friendly to Americans. There are many ex-pats living there. We always stayed at a place called Harbor Reef Lodge, which is owned by an American. The second two trips we had our own house, about five-minute walk to the beach. Food was wonderful–very fresh, simple, chicken/fish/rice/veggies. </p>
<p>There are more touristy places farther north on the Nicoya peninsula (like Tamarindo). Nosara was a little harder to get to (well, not hard, just unpaved roads), but I think more genuinely Costa Rican. I’d go back in a heartbeat.</p>
<p>Thanks, ingerp. I couldn’t find a previous thread here when I searched.</p>
<p>Just fyi…from a prior discussion I think there are some innoculations required.</p>
<p>OOOh, thanks for the heads up on the shots. Well… our second choice is Greece. Maybe we’ll look into travel there as well.</p>
<p>No problem! I was very surprised too.</p>
<p>We went to CR in March, no shots needed. </p>
<p>I used the forums over at trip adviser.com to plan my entire trip. They were comprehensive and wonderful.</p>
<p>Jym- go to Italy. Tuscany coast is very pretty too. It is easy to rent a house.</p>
<p>I haven’t been to CR, would like to go this coming year.</p>
<p>Airfares to Europe seem to be high right now. Now considering a few days in Sonoma…</p>
<p>jym, I have a friend who just got back from Sedona. When I saw you mention Sonoma, I confused Sonoma with Sedona, but never mind ;). I am just getting too old. My mind is failing me more every day.</p>
<p>Actually, NEmom, Sedona was another consideration!! We are exploring several options, and that is a great one too!! Did you get a report from your friend on Sedona?</p>
<p>LOL. They had a great time. I just sent a PM to you. I saw some pics and it looked like lots of hiking, outdoor type of fun with nice scenery.</p>
<p>Thanks!!! Got it!</p>