Anyone have any 'must see/stay/try' recomendations for Costa Rica?

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Jaco beach, Playa Hermosa or Tamarindo on the Guanacaste peninsula are some of the best surfing spots in Costa Rica.

This hotel - http://www.hotelvillabelmar.com/ - on Hermosa beach is great and knows a lot about surfing and surf fitness holidays.

peacock

Cabo Blanco national park is amazing and not nearly as busy as many of the other national parks. From the main gate you can hike a 4k trail through the rainforest to a beautiful deserted sandy beach. As the park is not too busy you have a good chance of seeing lots of wildlife, including the huge blue morpho butterfly. One of the highlights is watching the white-faced capuchin monkeys trying to drink from the beach showers (although keep an eye on your packed lunch, the monkeys are notorious thieves).

Cabo Blanco is right on the tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. You can stay in basic accomodation at the nature reserve but you could also stay in a cool little seaside town called Montezuma which is about 9k away. There are lots of places to stay here as well as a few bars, and you can do other activities, including swimming in the nearby waterfalls.

I did voluntry conservation work in Costa Rica for a month a few years ago and it was a fantastic experience. The country is beautiful and the people are lovely. Make sure you eat some Gallo Pinto. It is a traditional Costa Rican breakfast made from rice and beans, usually served with fried plantain, avocado, sausage, or egg and topped with Lizano Salsa (a tasty Costa Rican sauce).

I just came back last week and did the sky/tram cable flying trip. Awesome. My 3 year old boy did it with us...Fantastic.

Go to see Arenal. The Paradaiso hotel is quite good with all the hot springs.
Last week it cost us about 80/night including breakfast. Be careful though, some rooms are much newer than others.

If you can rent a car, you can see the places better and at your own pace. Insurance is higher than the car rental itself. Generally we felt very safe driving and the roads were well paved to Arenal.

Change money at the bank and not at the airport. 494Colones vs. 517 Colones at the bank per dollar/same day.

Good luck!!

minerva

new book by Belinda Jones 'Cafe Tropicana' her books are brilliant alternative unofficial guides and have interesting stories. this one is about costa rica. on sale now at asda and tesco

jmp_omaha

There are jungle canopy tours that are great. You fly through the air attached to a zip line -- a cable tied between the trees up in the air. You zip from tree to tree while people on platforms help you hook and unhook at the way points. You get to see the flora and fauna in the jungles like you never would on foot. It is fun and adventurous.

crhc34

there's a great site I found about must see places around the world.

It also features Costa Rica.
check it out: http://www.seebeforeyoudie.net/central-america/costa-rica

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