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Costa Rica Forum: planning our first trip to costa rica

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MnBelle
MN
posts: 8
reviews: 3
“ planning our first trip to costa rica ”
Jul 27, 2009, 10:03 PM

We are in the planning stages for our first trip to costa rica. we will be traveling with another couple and are looking for some advice. We are all pretty active and are looking for some fun things to do like hiking, surfing and snorkeling. We will also be looking for some much needed R&R on the beach. we aren't opposed to moving around a litle bit but maybe only 2 locations. We would rather stay in a sleepy, off the beaten path location that still had good accomodations and restaraunts. We are all rookies when it comes to CR and would welcome any suggestions. Which area or town has the best beaches on the carribean side? Somewhere with charm, culture and friendly locals. Thank you for your help.

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GeckoesLodge
Puerto...
posts: 817
reviews: 4
1. Re: planning our first trip to costa rica
Jul 27, 2009, 10:19 PM
Destination Expert   What's this?
for Puerto Viejo

In my opinion, you will on the Caribbean side, find the best beaches just south of Puerto Viejo. Hiking, surfing and snorkelling are great depending on when you are planning to go.

The Puerto Viejo area is a funny and very relaxed mix of backpackers and more luxury orientated tourists and has a lot of marvellous places to stay and good restaurants.

You may look into a combination of Arenal volcano and Tortuguero and Puerto Viejo.

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roadadvisor
San Jose...
posts: 28,428
reviews: 1
2. Re: planning our first trip to costa rica
Jul 27, 2009, 10:22 PM

Puerto Viejo...maybe Banana Azul...good friendly people...and relax location...from there you can go to Punat Uva...Cocles...Manzanillo...some great snorkeling around...sea kayaks very nice...hikes monkies...good food...friendly locals...reggae music...just common sense and everything is going to be ok!

And the a drive across the country and get to Manuel Antonio National Park...so nice there...good food...nice people...nice beaches...nice hikes...

You can rent a car..is so nice to drive in Costa Rica...

Just buckle up and enjoy the ride in PARADISE!

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3. Re: planning our first trip to costa rica
Jul 28, 2009, 7:10 PM

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MnBelle
MN
posts: 8
reviews: 3
4. Re: planning our first trip to costa rica
Aug 24, 2009, 1:28 PM

I was talking to our friends who we are traveling with yesterday and they have read and had some negative feedback regarding the carribean side of costa rica. they said the ocean had really bad riptides and snorkeling wasn't very good. any thoughts to add to that? We would prefer the carribean side.

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5. Re: planning our first trip to costa rica
Feb 21, 2010, 12:16 AM

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