Honeymooning in Costa Rica

I'll try to get some books this week, I have off but might be going away, not as far as costa rica for now though lol I wonder if I could get a steal of a deal for last minute travel to florida or something?

Anyway back to good old Costa rica,
It is also hard to tell how far away from the city of Quepos these hotels all are, I know you said Si como no was just a cab ride away but what about Makanda? Makanda is also cheaper but i wonder why...

Ok and those calypso tours you took your last day, where is that in San Jose? I see that they offer the same tours in Punta Islita and Manuel antonio, very dificualt to decide where to do what, you decided when you were already there though right.

HAHA! I don't know jen, but I am S-O-L-D!!!
I haven't even thought about a honeymoon yet, but I showed the FH the pics...his exact words? 'Giddy-UP!!!!!!'....Evelyn, you should be in Sales!! LOL

Hey cynthia, glad you found this thread to be helpful because I sure have,

I contacted Villa Caletas also and the same thing goes, that specials arent available until March 2003, and I think that would be cutting it a little close for a May honeymoon, how annoying...argh

They also dont have pictures of the rooms at Villa Caletas, do you guys know anyone that has stayed there or at Makanda, Makanda has so many rooms to choose from I am not sure which would be best.

Makanda emailed me back saying that all the studios are air conditioned and only villa 5 and 10 are so that narrows it down a bit but I am still unsure. Also they emailed me a list or activities

AREA ACTIVITIES AND TOURS

WHITE WATER RAFTING:
Full and half day tours.
Savegre River offers a full day adventure with class III and class IV Rapids. One of the most scenic rivers in the country with a rapid-pool-rapid style rafting excursion. Full day only. $89
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Naranjo River offers both full and half day excursions on a very exciting river with class III and class IV rapids. An action packed trip with a steady water flow from start to finish. $65

SEA/ESTUARY/ RIVER KAYAKING
Tour the scenic coastline stopping at secluded beaches along the way. You can often spot dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life. Tours last approximately 4 hours. $65
Naranjo River and Playa El Rey Mangrove adventure combines a river kayak excursion with a paddle through the mangrove canals of Playa El Rey. Visitors can spot crocodiles, a host of bird species, monkeys, snakes and much more. (Times depend on tides.) $65
Isla Damas Mangrove Tour invites you to explore the famous mangroves of Isla Damas located just north of Quepos. Visitors can spot monkeys, snakes, crocodiles, and a wide variety of bird species. $60
(Times depend on tides.)

MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK TOURS
Tour Costa Rica’s most smallest and most beautiful national park with one of our experienced bilingual guides. As you hike through the park you will learn about the history as well as the amazing diversity in both plant and animal life in the area. 7:00 am – 12:30 pm $35

CANOPY TOUR
A true adventure. Travel into the inland mountains for a full day of canopy adventure. Harness up and swing between the 6 elevated platforms. Swim in the waterfalls after repelling down from the tree tops. Pure excitement!
6:45 am – 4:30 pm $65


HORSEBACK RIDING
Explore the mystic rainforest on horseback until arriving at spectacular waterfalls. Take a refreshing dip before heading back for a relaxing lunch in the countryside. If the full day tour is not for you take a 2 hour ride on the beach with one of our local guides. $45 half day / $55 full day

JET SKI SAFARIS AND SUNSET TOURS
Explore the open ocean on a wave runner. Be on the lookout for dolphins, whales, and sea turtles. Ride your wave runner into the sun as it dips into the Pacific. $99

WORLD CLASS SPORTFISHING
Reel in the big one! Several world records have been set in the waters off the coast of Quepos. Sailfish, blue and black marlin, yellow fin tuna, snook, red snapper and much more abound in the immediate area. Take a full day or half day excursion either targeting in shore or offshore fish.
Prices range from $400 to $1000 depending on the size of the boat.

SAILING TRIPS
Sunset sails and snorkeling cruises. Observe the marine life and sail, kayak, snorkel and feast on the great cuisine served on board. $ 60 or $69

DAMAS ISLAND ESTUARY TOUR
A perfect option for those who want to explore the wildlife of the mangroves without having to paddle their own kayak. The bilingual guides do a marvelous job of explaining the history of the area and the abundance of wildlife. (Times depend on the tides.) $65

There are several other activities and tours available so feel free to inquire at the reception desk if you are looking for some adventure not mentioned in the list. Please stop by or call reception at Extension 11 to make a reservation. All tours require a pre paid deposit which is applied to the total cost.

They also have horse back riding at Punta Islita
I am not sure the cost and there are more than one tour, I guess it would probably be better to do the horse back riding at Punta Islita because it seems that they offer alot of other tours in Manuel Antonio that they dont at Punta Islita.

What do you think


Punta Islita Beach & Surrounding
Duration: 2 hrs Min/Max 2-6 pers

Our guide will take you through the Hacienda Punta Islita where you will have the opportunity to spot trogons, woodpeckers, hummingbirds and howler monkeys. A short rest allows you to admire the magnificent view of the Pacific coast. Continue your journey to Islita Beach where you can gallop along the seaside.
Sunset Ride to Monkey Bar
Duration: 2 hrs Min/Max 2-6 pers

This ride starts from the property and continues to the beach where you will take a trail, that leads you to the Monkey Bar. In this unique location, you will witness a beautiful sunset and enjoy a refreshing drink!!.
Islita Town, Corozalito & Monkey Bar
Duration: 4 hrs Min/Max 2-6 pers

Enjoy a relaxing ride on the old road to visit the town of Corozalito and its secluded beach. Here, you will have time to relax and take in the sights.

They also have All terrain vehicles and a jeep safari tour, which one is better?

For the truly adventurous, the hotel offers ATV (All Terrain Vehicles) guided tours where you will be able to explore small towns, exciting places, trails into the mountains and much more! We suggest wearing tennis shoes and sunglasses.
Ora River Adventure
Duration: 2 hrs Min/Max 1-4 pers

Driving north from Punta Islita you will reach the Ora River. On your way back to the hotel we will stop at Camaronal Beach where you will experience the immensity of the ocean and enjoy breathtaking views.
Corozalito Adventure
Duration: 2 hrs Min/Max 1-4 pers

This ride will take you through the town of Corozalito, its beach and along small trails through cattle farms.

And here is the description of the Jeep tour

Explore the richness of the tropical dry forest of the Nicoya Peninsula and its colorful small towns. During the journey our guide will explain the diversity of flora and fauna that surrounds the area. Don¹t forget to bring your bathing suit, sunglasses, camera and binoculars.
Mangrove Jeep Safari
Duration: 5-6 hrs Min/Max 4-6 pers

This adventure explores the culture of the small towns of Islita; Corozalito, Pilas de Bejuco, Pueblo Nuevo, San Miguel, Javilla and Coyote. During the trip you will have time to swim and enjoy a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch.
Monkey search Jeep Safari
Duration: 3 hrs Min/Max 2-6 pers

Explore the nearby towns of Islita and Corozalito, getting to a secluded beach where you can walk around. On the way to have a look of the howling monkeys of the area

Which one?!

The only other tours at Punta Islita are the Canopy tour which we could also do in manuel antonio, fishing/boating, Hiking which i dont want to do and mountain biking which I also dont want to do.

Sigh........

Cynthia,
ha-ha!! I would recommend this place to everyone! It was the best vacation we ever had so I'm just trying to share the love! hee-hee!

OK, Tara, Phew! where do I start....Look on UW for the answer to your question regarding the hotel in Manuel Antonio. Any place you stay in Manuel Antonio will be pretty close to Quepos, it's the town right next to Quepos so everything is just a really quick cab ride away.

Now as far as the tours, Calypso Tours...do the one that goes to Isla Tortuga, it's an all day tour, they came to pick us up in San Jose but if they offer it from other locations, go for it!

The all terrain vechicles in Punta Islita ROCKS!!! That was one of the best tours we did, you get to go on the beach with them, through the rainforest, it was a lot of fun so I HIGHLY recommend this one! Also the horseback riding in Punta is probably better, I know they do several rides during the day, I think they have one that goes to watch the sunset on top of a mountain (we watched the sun set a a bar called the Monkey Bar, you gotta do this, really Pretty, good photo Opp.)! The canopy tour we did from Manuel Antonio, they seem to have a lot of outfitters that do them so you have a large selection. We had the canopy tour & the Calypso Tours all paid for BEFORE we got to Costa Rica, I think you need prior reservations for the Catamaran tour since they only accept a certain amount of people on board per day so....

I also HIGHLY recommend the guided tour of Manuel Antonio Nation Park, it's not much hiking, it's more of a walk through the rainforest, very informative and you get to see a LOT of wildlife, the monkeys are soooo cute!!! Just don't feed them, alot of tourists feed them food (especially bananas) which kills them. We did the nature tour there & in Punta Islita, the guides are excellent and we learned a lot.

I was thinking that i might as well do the horse back riding and all terrain at Punta Islita and I am second guessing Makand because it seems to be more secluded and since Punta Islita already is, I want a change, maybe Si Como No is the way to go after all.

I got some videos from the library today and I plan on meeting with a travel agent soon.

I contacted some online travel agents who are working on stuff for me too.

Ugh! i rented those videos and they were a total turn off to going, they are really very nature oriented rather than the resorts etc. so i am not so sure how I should take it but FH was turned off, also at the idea of the small planes, which I am not crazy about either, I also read something on the knot and a girl said that there were bugs in the room at the Tabacon and she had the suite, she said not to bother with the suite there, but does that mean to whole place is kind iffy, geeze I am going crazy now.

Eddie said to me 'hun why dont we just go to hawaii or something, I know you have your heart set on it but...'

But Hawaii is really expensive from what I hear and that long plane ride is proably just as bad as the short scary ones lol

Gonna go talk to a travel agent right now.

Wish me luck!

Not sure what videos you rented, I didn't know they had videos on Costa Rica, I would think that videos like that were meant for people who want to check out the Eco-Tourism, NOT Honeymoons in Costa Rica, keep that point in mind. Yes, Costa Rica is big into Eco-Tourism, however a resort is exactly that, a resort, and they do have those there. Once again, you don't HAVE to take the small airplanes, you can have someone drive you to the locations but it will take hours as opposed to 20 minutes and it's really not that bad (take it from someone who HATES flying). We did not have bugs in any of our rooms, but I did have a bug in my hotel room in the Poconos in PA, so bugs will find a way to come into your room NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE!!!

Tara, maybe your honey is right, I don't know what else to tell you. I have five co-workers who have all been to CR & loved it, as did I. Maybe a cruise or Aruba might be for you after all.

i love this post! and what perfect timing. i am trying to get my plans finalized for my cr HM in dec. we are going early dec for 2 weeks --

this is our tentative itinerary

1 night in san jose
2 nights tabacon
4 nights si como no
4 nights punta islita
1 night xandari

i also want to do a night in monteverde maybe after tabacon. what do you think.

evelynn- i emailed you!

here is itinerary #2:

upon landing, we transfer right to tabacon
3 nights tabacon
2 nights monteverde
4 nights punta islita
4 nights si como no
2 nights xandari

is that too much time at each of these places?

which place will be relaxing? we want to do a mixture of adventure and relaxation. thanks.