Costa Rica, Dominical, Liberia?

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gregksinger

There are 2 airports. One in San Jose, the capitol kind of in the middle of Costa Rica. The other is in Liberia, near the west coast. Liberia is about 45 minutes from the west coast. San Jose is, if I can make an educated guess, 2 - 3 hours from the east coast.

The live volcano's name is Arenal. It is amazing.
I believe Turtle Beach may be on the east coast, but I have seen turtle tours on the west coach. There is surfing all over, I believe, east and west coast. The town of Tamarindo, on the west coast, is known for its surfing and hippie type culture.
Birdwatching is good in any National Park, of which there is a lot.
Poas, is a huge volcanic crater just outside of San Jose. I've also taken tours of a coffee plantation, natural spring waterfalls and some amazing scenery in and around San Jose. I've been to Arenal. Most people visit Trabacon, there is a hot springs heated by Arenal. I've stayed at Los Lagos by Arenal, it's great. La Fortuna, the small town by Arenal is also quaint and worth a walk around. I've stayed on the west coast on Playa Conchal in a great resort. I have not found anywhere there that I didn't like. There are a lot of smaller ranches/resorts where you can hike, ride horses and take tours from. 2 weeks is a long time there, and keep in mind, the prices for tours and most stuff are not inexpensive. Food can be found inexpensively and the food and water supply is safe.

I was planning on going in February, for the 3rd time, but have changed plans to prepare for kid number 1. I'll go again some time.

Have fun!

cfmontero

Dominical is at the Central Pacific Cost and Liberia is near the North Pacific Cost. From Intl Airport at Alajuela (lets say city center and main airport of the country) it will take you near 2 hours to get to Central Pacific and near 4 hours to get to North Pacific (or Liberia). Bus systeam is good, but please don't think is something like US. Its rural bus, where a lot if left to the lucky bus you get. I always recommend renting a car if you have budget for it. But well, after all, bus system is OK if you are up to it. Their is also other airport at Liberia (is international but only a few american airlines get there). Of course you will be 5 minutes from Liberia center and near 2 hour from Central Pacific Cost.
The Live Volcano is Arenal, that is North of the country, like 3,5 hours from San Jose. You can also get airflight to Arenal Airport (local) from other local airpot of San Jose (Pavas) for around $150 roundtrip. Also I believe there is a flight from Liberia to Arenal. This will be great if you have the budget and you have little time. The volcano is great (visual and sound) and you can get to great Hot Springs (Baldi, Tabacon).
Best beaches: depending on what you whant. Nice beaches: Manuel Antonio (its also National Park) at the Central Pacific, Dominical (Central Pacific also), Puerto Viejo (Caribbean Cost) for a more Jungle style, Playa Hermosa of Guanacaste at North Pacific (their is also a Playa Hemorsa at Central Pacific), and a lot other small and not so developed beaches. If your interest is surfing: Tamarindo (north pacific), Jaco (central pacific) for example.
Turtle beach is South Central Pacific, near Ballena Marine.
Birthwatching, I will recommend Monteverde. North of the country, near 3 1/2 hours from San Jose. That is a rainforest with quacker influence. Is a great place for birthwatching and the culture their is something to see.
Waterfalls... I will say 2. One is near 1 hour from San Jose, and is called "Cataratas de la Paz". Their are gardens, a lot of walking and the place is great. Also, in the Arenal area (near the volcano), you can find "Catarata La Fortuna", if you are ok with 450steps down.. and then up.....
Just a nice recommendation if you can rent a car: go from San JosÃ© to Arenal (volcano, hot springs, adventure sports, waterfalls), then go to Monteverde but through the road that take you around the Arenal Lake (its longer but nicer than the usual road). Stay at Monteverde 2 night and ask for the Continental Division (you don't want to miss that). At Monteverde you can do birthwatching, if you like Canopy do it their, you can visit the milk factory and don't forget to have a cup of Monteverde Coffee. After that you can take the Panamerican road and go to the North Pacific cost through Liberia. You can go all the way to Tamarindo, that I believe is one of the best access point to lots of beaches: Playa Grande, Conchal, Langosta, and you can go all the way to Playa Hermosa, El Coco, etc.
Hope you find our little country of your interest. For other information go to www.visitcostarica.com their you can find info about acommodations in all the places I have already talk you through.

andrewcito21

I think that Dominical is the best. Visit the Whales Tail, which is located South of Dominical. Dominical is a very small Town which is mainly for all of the surfers from around the globe. Watch out for the stingrays and the undertow. I was close to drowning when swimming in the Pacific. When you are at the airport tell the Taxi Driver to take you to the Coca Cola bus station. This is where the major bus station is and it will be fairly cheap to go by bus to the beach. Remember, you have so much planned for 2 weeks. I was there for 6 weeks only in the Capitol and was not enough time for all that I wanted to do. I recomend to pick one place and have a good time. If you are worried about where to go for birds and turtles you will miss out on the trip in whole. If you really want to enjoy a tropical paradise I suggest you take the bus to Arenal Volcano (Volcan Arenal) They have a few hotels (Tibacon Hotel) which have hot springs. You can chill out. They have many animals along side the roads. We fed something that looked like racoons which came right up to us. It was a good time. I liked Volcan Arenal better than the beach. But it is your choice.

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