Hello friends! We are planning a multi-generation spring break in Costa Rica in March 2016. Problem is, we know very little about Costa Rica. We would like to be in/near the mountains to be able to hike to waterfalls and such but also close enough to be beach so it would be easy for the young adults to get there to try their hand at surfing and whatnot.
We’d like to be a relatively easy drive from the San Jose or Liberia airport. Our budget is fairly tight but need a place that can sleep eight adults (three couples and two singles) A single home with a pool is the dream. Any ideas? Names of towns or areas that might fit the bill? Must see places/things to do?
Oh you’ve come to the right place! i completely love Costa Rica and will write more later…but, for houses, it doesn’t get much better than this (we’ve stayed here twice): http://www.vrbo.com/330531 (it looks like it only sleeps 6 people but there’s a separate carriage house in the back that sleeps another 2)
Oh, that looks perfect but it only sleeps six and we’re a party of eight adults. I found the perfect place, took a day to think of it and returned to find it had been rented. I’m just kicking myself!
I don’t know what you consider an easy drive. We visited last year and stayed in Manual Antonio at the La Mansion Inn, a boutique hotel. It was fabulous. The rooms are spacious and the view to die for. Lots of wildlife and cute monkeys that come and visit. We went early December so it was off season and got a really good deal on the hotel, about 40% off. I know you prefer a house but sometimes hotel deals are pretty great. We took a bus which was about 3 hours long but the ride was easy and I enjoyed the scenery. Most people i talked to aim for the coast and the rain forests are always pretty close by for hiking and observing wildlife. We were warned not to bother with San Jose as it wasn’t the safest place to visit. I would definitely go back.
VRBO is a great idea. We stayed near Playa Flamingo. We could walk to the beach from our villa. The housekeeper could be hired out to make meals. She and her daughter made us an outstanding local meal and really taught us a great deal about the locals. The last day/night a troupe of monkeys came to visit nearby. Driving is an adventure to say the least. San Jose was fine, but it is a big city and does not have the charm and beauty of the areas around Aranal or the beaches of the West Coast. There are a multitude of things to do and the people are awesome. We flew in the day they won their first World Cup match and flew out the night they won their 2nd! The entire country was agog.
They are serious about needing cash for each of you for your exit tax. Make sure you keep enough on hand.