RP from 08 ~ Anyone been to Costa Rica?

Has anyone been to or planning to go to Costa Rica? If so, could please recommend hotels?

TIA!

I've been looking into Costa Rica a lot lately for our honeymoon. I haven't been there yet so I don't have personal experience

We are thinking of flying into San Jose, renting a car and driving to The Peace Lodge for 2 nights. Then driving from there to the Arenal Volcano area and staying at the Lost Iguana Resort for 3 nights and the driving back to San Jose. Turn in the rental and taking a Nature Air flight to Quepos (Manuel Antonio). We plan to stay here for 3 nights as well. I'm not sure on exact hotel but we've been looking at La Mansion Inn , Hotel Parador , Tulemar , or Villa Nicolas .

For All Inclusives
Paradisus Playa Conchal

Other Nice Hotels
Punta Islita
Cala Luna Hotel & Villas
Villa Caletas
Si Como No (some say too many kids)
Issimo Suites
Gaia
Tabacon Grand Spa (some say completely overated)

Definately go onto Tripadvisor.com . For hotel reviews and the message boards.

I went a few weeks ago.

San Jose: Stayed at the Clarion. The rooms where nice & it was a 5 minute walk to the city center. The area around it got a bit sketchy though.

Tortuguero: Stayed at Tortuguero lodge. It was a bit rustic, but comes with a boat tour that was great. You need to take a boat for 1 hour to get there (since there are no roads)...and it's about 4 hour drive from San Jose to the boat dock.

Arenal: Tabacon was amazing...pricey...but amazing. Great spa & hot springs. We did zip lining here it was AMAZING Check out their website.

Manuel Antonio: We stayed at Hotel Parador. I thought it was so beautiful. 3 pools. NOT on the beach, but has a shuttle to it. A bit of advice: they have a spectacular national park: pay for the guided tour with the park guides with telescopes...you'll see monkeys. sloths, all kinds of birds. Things you just couldn't see on your own. Also, they have a GORGEOUS beach in the national park.

Kinda hard to drive around in Costa Rica. Look into finding bus shuttles...they are reliable....and easier than driving yourself.