Brides Helping Brides ™ - Honeymooning in Costa Rica

tarakinspa Posted: Jun 22, 2002 08:45 PM

Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I was talking with a friend today who went last year and although they had known someone who owned a house on the beach from who they rented from she said it was beautiful and very affordable. She said someone else she knew went there and got one of those little bungalows that have the glass floor with the fish underneath like they have in tahiti which I know i wont be able to afford,

Any feedback?

Teri Posted: Jun 22, 2002 09:02 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Hey Tara!

Someone I know when there last year for her honeymoon and she had a great time, but I think it's a little different than the typical honeymoon destination. She really wanted to avoid the typical 'American' Honeymoon desination - i.e, Hawaii, etc., so Costa Rica really appealed to them. I guess it all depends on what you're looking for - if you want a taste of another culture and to really experience it, then this sounds like the place.

LisaT Posted: Jun 22, 2002 09:59 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I agree with Teri - its a little different than the 'typical' honeymoon but we had a great time.

We visited Monteverde, Arenal and Drake's Bay. We had a bungalow in Drake's Bay - overlooking the water but not overhanging it.

We did all sorts of activities - canopy tour, rain forest walks, volcano, hot springs, river rafting, kayacking, horseback riding and just relaxing in the pool / ocean.

Let me know if I can provide you with any info.

If you go, don't miss Xandari - its just outside the San Jose international airport and its an amazing hotel.

tarakinspa Posted: Jun 24, 2002 12:03 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I love the idea of the bungalow but i dont want to be like Im camping with bugs and what not,

I'm not sure if i want traditional or not because Im not really sure what the difference is?

I want a more secluded type of atmosphere but i still want civilization and a nice clean place to stay.
I dont care about a million night clubs because i dought we'd do much of that anyway but horse back riding on the beack is a must no matter where i go.

Do you think its cheaper than aruba or Barbados?

LisaT Posted: Jun 24, 2002 12:57 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Some places are buggier than others. You can have a romantic bugless trip - just don't stay in bungalows that don't have screens

Also the northwest is much drier and less buggy.

We were there for two weeks and spent about $5000 - it can be done for more or for less - we stayed in fairly upscale places.

I'm not that familiar with prices in barbados and aruba.

tarakinspa Posted: Jun 24, 2002 10:18 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

lisa we must have alot in common you used flower michelle too right. Anyway I guess I'll just have to do a search online about costa rica and see what I think, any sites you suggest?

LisaT Posted: Jun 24, 2002 01:13 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

yup - Flower Michele is awesome. I don't have any sites - I just did random searches and picked up some books.

evelynrtorres Posted: Jul 01, 2002 11:49 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

My FH and I went to Costa Rica last year and we LOVED it!!! We went a little overboard though, we wanted to stay at the best hotels so we spent a LOT of money. We stayed in San Jose for a couple of nights, then we went to a secluded hotel called Punta Islita (http://www.hotelpuntaislita.com/), this is the PERFECT honeymoon place!! Trust me, it was worth every penny we spent, it was very romantic. Then we stayed at Si Como No (http://www.sicomono.com/) in Manuel Antonio for five days, then we went to Tabacon Resort & Spa in Arenal Volcano area (http://www.tabacon.com/) for four days. Costa Rica is such a beautiful country, I cannot wait to go back!! There's so much to do from four wheeling through the rain forest, canopy tours, to just vegging on the beach (on Punta Islita, we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves). Let me know how it goes or if you have any questions!! Everyone there is sooo nice too!

tarakinspa Posted: Jul 03, 2002 04:48 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

evelyn, what exactly is overboard? hee hee Give me ballpark of what I'd be spending.

evelynrtorres Posted: Jul 10, 2002 09:22 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Hi Tara!

Sorry it took me so long to respond, I haven't been around to check the boards! Anyway, we spent about $4500 for the two weeks we were there, which I guess isn't bad for two weeks and staying in five star hotels, plus it's a lot cheaper than Tahiti! We were thinking of going to Tahiti too but 1) I hate to fly and 2) it was about what we spent in Costa Rica for only one person!!! We loved Central America so much that we are going to Belize this time for our Honeymoon. If you decide to go to Costa Rica make sure you go during their 'Dry Season' I think it's December through May. If you need any help with anything or any other questions you can e-mail directly at: [email protected]!

tarakinspa Posted: Jul 11, 2002 07:14 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

well i'd like to stay within 5k for honeymoon so that sounds great especially since you had the best!! I definetly want more info, like where to stay and whether or not the plane ride was scary. The safety of the surrounding area and what you did for fun. Do you know any places with bungalows like i was describing? I will email you too but just in case anyone else knows about costa rica at least i am bumping us up...oh btw i am getting married may 18th does that fit into the 'dry season'?

evelynrtorres Posted: Jul 15, 2002 02:49 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Tara,
hmm...let me see, yeah I think it's still a good time to go but i would double check with the hotels, the people there are really nice, tourism is very big there so they go beyond being nice to everyone. Check out eh websites I mentioned, I can e-mail you lots more, too many to mention here so just drop me an e-mail & I'll be happy to send over lets of info. Manuel Antonio is the 'happening' hot-spot, we did a lot of tours through our hotels, we walked through the rainforest there (guided tour), saw lizards, sloths and monkeys (some come right up to you) in their own habitat, then we went swimming in a private beach, the hotels are beautiful there. We also went on a catamaran & stopped at Isla Tortuga, had a BBQ there & spent the day on the beach. We did the canopy tours (LOTS of fun!) In Punta Islita we did the 4-wheeling tour for half a day, we got to take the 4-wheelers throught the rainforest & on the beach, that was awesome!! Lots of things to do in Costa Rica!! You would love it if you love being outdoors & if you love wildlife.

tarakinspa Posted: Jul 16, 2002 12:05 AM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Those sites look great! Just wondering though why you didnt just stay in one place.

LisaT Posted: Jul 16, 2002 12:27 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

The regions of costa rica are very different. You move around so you can see lots of things - like the volcano, the rain forest, the ocean, river rafting, etc.

The big resorts and drier areas are up north, rain forests are further south. The Caribbean side and the Pacific side are very different and each has its own things to see.

Do you have an idea of what you'd like to do there? We could help direct you.

Of course, you can just stay in one place...

Kristen Posted: Jul 16, 2002 12:51 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

When was your honeymoon....what was the weather like in Costa Rica when you went!

Thanks

LisaT Posted: Jul 16, 2002 12:55 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I went in early May - the weather changed dramatically depending on where we were. On the southwest coast (Osa pennisula), it was very hot. It rained some nights, but never during the day.

Up north (Monteverde) was hot and dry. In the mountains by Arenal, it rained almost every day.

In San Jose, it was warm with a cool breeze.

Kristen Posted: Jul 16, 2002 01:01 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I am getting married 4/26/2003 and was thinking off some place different but i love the beach and would not want to go anywhere with all rain...i was thinking of Costa Rica but perhaps two different stops rather then try and do too many things...any ideas would be appreciated thanks.

LisaT Posted: Jul 16, 2002 01:11 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

We didn't have any rain during the day at the beach. The rain at night was great to help cool it down.

I would recommend Manual Antonio (Villa Caletas is an amazing hotel nearby, Si Como No is also great)- there are beautiful beaches and rain forest there.

Osa Pennisula is also beautiful - a bit more secluded and 'off the beaten path'. A lot of animals in the rain forest you wouldn't see elsewhere. Good for diving.

If you have to stay in San Jose (which you often do the night of your arrival in San Jose or the night before departure to US), don't miss Xandari. Its was one of our favorite hotels.

Another popular spot is Arenal - to see the active volcano. Its often not visible (due to cloud cover) but we did get a clear day and it was beautiful. While there, you have to go to the Tabacon Hot Springs (its a nice hotel too, if you want to stay there, a little commericalized). Montana del Fuego is also a great hotel with little bungalows - all with views of the volcano. It did rain while we were there, but it doesn't rain all the time. It was actually quite a great experience to be in the hot springs while it was raining on you.

I did a lot of research before going, so I'm happy to answer any questions. You can email me at [email protected]

-we got married 4/27

evelynrtorres Posted: Jul 16, 2002 01:53 PM

Re: Honeymooning in Costa Rica

Tara,
Like Lisa said, there's a LOT to see & different things to do depending on the area you are in, although I hear the Caribbean side is also beautiful, I hear it's not the safest side to be on so I would stick to the Pacific side and inland. We also stayed in Arenal, it rained the three days we were there & it was Costa Rica's Dry Season, but when we were in Manuel Antonio, it was really hot & dry. We stayed at Si Como No, really nice hotel, as is Tulemar Bungalows, they are circular bunglaows with 360 degree views of the ocean, really nice, the Mariposa Hotel is supposed to be really nice there too, all have websites you can check out. I HIGHLY recommend Punta Islita, it's perfect for honeymooning, especially the suites with jacuzzi's. www.puntaislita.com.