lisat, evelyntorres and tarakinspa!!!

I read all of your comments about costa rica a little while back!!!

I am concerned about the cost of meals in the country in addition to the hotel's breakfasts, as it seems that few offer the all inclusive option.

How much would you say you spent for lunches and breakfasts? Is there a range that you guys can provide me with?

We are thinking of going to Tabacon for a few days, and then to the NW beach (don't know where).

If we're stuck in San Jose, then we'll try to stay in the Xandria hotel.

Tarakinspa, did you end up deciding whether or not you're going to Costa Rica?

Evelyntorres does not frequent the boards as much but I will relay your message to her and see if she has any feedback

If I may interrupt , I went to Costa Rica a few years back and we did not spend much AT ALL on food. Granted, it wasn't our honeymoon, but I found that to be one of the most economical trips I've ever been on...and one of the most beautiful!Please let me know if you have any specific questions I can help you with.

jennyg, of course you may interrupt If you do a search for costa rica you'll see why the question was directed to the three people.

I was wondering if you can at all remember what the $ prices were for meals (lunch and dinner) both at hotels and outside of hotels. Even if its a bulk range, it would really help!!!

Saying something like a burger was between x and y or a salad was z would be really helpful

I have seen a huge range of meal prices and am worried as far as how much $$$ it will all come out.

Thank you

Hi Alina!

Tarakinspa did NOT choose Costa Rica, too bad she doesn't realize what she's missing but I'm sure she'll love Hawaii! Now....Costa Rica....all I can say is that we loved it & can't wait to go back. Two of my co-workers went this past year & they also can't say enough good things about it. Tabacon is really pretty & relaxing. If you are going for your HOneymoon may I suggest staying at Punta Islita, this hotel is BEYOND beautiful, it's pricy but not as pricy as what you would pay to stay in Bora Bora.

Check out:http://www.hotelpuntaislita.com/

We staying in their Jacuzzi cabana, we had an AWESOME ocean view, our own private jacuzzi & our own private Japanese garden/bathtub. Every day they would leave fresh flowers on our bed & all over our room, the food was out of this world & the swim-up bar was a lot of fun. It was never crowded, we pretty much had the whole beach to ourselves. We stayed there then went to Hotel Si Como No in Manuel Antonio, that's a fun place, I highly recommend you stay there, they have a lot of beautiful hotels there too.

I do not recommend staying in San Jose other than maybe your first night there & your last night before going home. San Jose isn't the prettiest, it's safe, but not pretty at all, the country has so many other beautiful places to visit, don't waste your time there in the capital. Food prices aren't bad at all, it depends on where you eat. We ate at a few 'local' restaurants where you get the most for your buck, hotel food prices are higher but usually quite good. Expect to pay about $10 (US) for Breakfast for two, about $20-30 (depending on where you eat) for lunch & what you have, & anywhere form $30-60 for dinner for two with drinks & dessert. One night in San Jose we ate at their McDonalds, that was an experience since they have rice & beans on their menu, not to mention beer, and they bring the food to your table! It was interesting, but it's all about the experience! Let me know what else I can help you with.

Trust me Evelyn I do realize but that just means we will have to take another trip after we are married

Tara,

Good Girl!!! You guys should should go!!! Since you don't like small planes you can always try Belize too, both countries are BEAUTIFUL & should not be missed!!!

Evelyn, the prices you quoted are for two people, not per person, correct? They do look reasonable at the low end, and a little high on the high end of the quotes.

We'll look into puntaislita, but for now it looks like it may be out of our price range. Our travel agent was also suggesting allegro papagayo, have you heard anything about this resort?
I was thinking of splurging a little when in tabacon, and then staying in xandria in san jose, and use a less fancy hotel for the beach things...

We're trying to stay within $3000-$3500 for 10 days including airfair (which we got quoted at about $500/pp) and all other things. Would you say its doable or tough? We are also looking into Mexican Riviera Maya.

Yeah it's for two. It can be pricy if you eat dinner at the hotels. My husband & I love to eat at the local, hole in the wall, family owned restaurants, we find they always have the tastiest food & the freindliest service. Then again we enjoy getting dressed up & going out to a fancy place just as much so it depends on the mood we're in I guess, but they have everything there. San Jose is modern in that they have McDonalds, KFC, Burger King, they even have a section known as 'China Town.' I never heard of the hotel you mentioned, where is it?

Did you ever consider Belize? Although it depends on what time of the year you'll be going. When do you plan on taking your Honeymoon?

Allegro Papagayo a link to the resort I am referring to in my first post. Its in Guanacaste

We have looked into Belize, FH insists on having 'ocean' vs. Fresh water beach, and according to a few pictures of belize resorts, the beaches seem not as nice (I am not interested in having a battle about it with him ). So we've eliminated belize. Mexico is still in the running.

We're thinking of going in the middle of july, from 7th to 18th or so. I know its 'rainy' season, but I have heard that all it is is a half hr to an hr downpour, and then sun shines again... If that is true, then I don't mind it.

I also saw one resort offering green season specials (don't have a name with me), but a lot fo special things were only applicable during may, june, september and october => which lead me to believe that people still stay and go there in July, which to me means is not that bad rainwise.

I'll keep on checking the places out. Is FM or Email easier for you since you don't visit LIW often?

Curly, big thanks for relaying the questions!!!

Not quite sure what 'fresh water beach' is. San Pedro is on Ambergris Caye (an island) where they have the worlds second largest Barrier Reef, I do have to agree, if you're looking for beaches like in Aruba or Hawaii, you won't find beaches like that on either Belize or Costa Rica, although Costa Rica has nicer beaches, Belize has it's own unique beauty, & the beaches (for what they are) are still pretty, the ocean water is as blue & clear as the sky. Mexico has a lot of beautiful places but I've only been to Cancun.

Curly is a doll!!! I'm lucky to have her as my friend, she's always there to help others.


Yeah, you can e-mail me at:
[email protected]

I check that everyday (almost). I used to be on LIWeddings all the time but I've gotten busy so I haven't been around for a while but 'Curly' & I talk everyday pretty much. So let me know what else I can help you out with if anything!

LOL!!!!

No problem Alina. I am very lucky to have her as a friend as well. She has been AMAZING in helping me with my honeymoon and wedding plans.

sounds like you've had your questions taken care of - we didn't spend a lot on food at all...it was very inexpensive.

We did have an all inclusive place on the Osa Pennisula - I think they all are down there. Food prices at Xandari were average (its a pricey but wonderful hotel) - I think everywhere else, food was cheap.