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1. My partner and I are planning an 8-day/7-night trip to Costa Rica to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Our plan is volcano + rain forest + beach. Any suggestions on specific places and must sees or must dos? 2. Any recommendations on the best travel agencies to work with to arrange the Costa Rica portions of our trip? 3. I've already heard from 4 companies and they've responded with essentially the same package - 3 nights at Arenal, 3 nights at Manuel Antonio, 1 extra night in either of those places or in San Jose. The prices are in the $3800-$4000 range except for one company which comes in way below the others at $2715 - am I potentially getting scammed if I go with this company?
posted by tmharris65 around Costa Rica at 2:40 AM - 9 answers

Feedback on itinerary for short stay in San Jose, Costa Rica? I'm very unfamiliar with the area... [more inside]
posted by 99percentfake around Costa Rica at 6:11 PM - 7 answers

Arriving noon on thursday in San Jose, departing 11am from San Jose. Would you say this is worth it and if so, where would you recommend going? [more inside]
posted by czytm around Costa Rica at 1:30 PM - 10 answers

We're looking for a 5-7 day surf school to give my sister as a graduation (from grad school) gift. She's fluent in Spanish, and doesn't need anything super luxury, just good instruction, good break, good vibes. Any ideas? [more inside]
posted by copacetic around Costa Rica at 9:14 AM - 2 answers

I'm travelling to Costa Rica for two weeks. I want to buy a prepaid sim card for my unlocked Samsung Google Nexus. The phone will be primarily used for navigation via Google Maps. Voice would only be used in case of emergency. I understand I can buy a sim card at the Liberia airport, but the providers website is exclusively in Spanish. Can anyone look and see what my options are for a prepaid data service? Anyone else have any experience with cel service in Costa Rica? We are trying to decide which is more economical, buying the Costa Rica map-pack for a Garmin GPS or using Google Maps.
posted by Keith Talent around Costa Rica at 9:28 AM - 3 answers

I'm flying from the US into San Jose (Costa Rica) airport. My flight lands at 11:47am. How good are my chances of making a 12:48pm regional flight to Quepos? I will have only a carry on. [more inside]
posted by milestogo around Costa Rica at 7:34 AM - 4 answers

There's a deal that looks inexpensive for a trip to Costa Rica in May, to Arenal and Matapalo Beach in Guanacaste. Usually the deals have some kind of catch to them, such as off-season rainy weather, or hotels undergoing construction, or something. I can't find anything bad about this one. Is there a reason not to go in May? Or should I start getting excited about going to Costa Rica?! [more inside]
posted by never.was.and.never.will.be. around Costa Rica at 8:20 PM - 13 answers

In March we are going to be driving between Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio via 34 along the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Google Maps says it's a four hour drive. We would like to break up the drive by stopping for a night somewhere enroute. We are renting houses on the beach at either end so seashore is not a priority. Ideally we'd like some kind of jungle/bamboo/eco hotel. Lots of flora and fauna. [more inside]
posted by Keith Talent around Costa Rica at 2:37 PM - 0 answers

Less touristy Central American beach spot to plunk down for a month in March? Thinking Quepos, Costa Rica, got anything better? [more inside]
posted by yellowbinder around Costa Rica at 9:55 AM - 9 answers

We're going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon! We’re risk-averse and easily scared / frustrated while driving in the US. Should we drive ourselves or hire a driver / drivers in Costa Rica? [more inside]
posted by Tehhund around Costa Rica at 12:17 PM - 18 answers

Where is the ideal place for us to stay in Costa Rica in January? [more inside]
posted by EtTuHealy around Costa Rica at 1:43 PM - 7 answers

Is it safe for my wife who will be 12 weeks pregnant, to travel in Costa Rica to San Jose, La Fortuna, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio? Any other advice or recommendations on traveling while expecting are welcome, too! [more inside]
posted by pithy comment around Costa Rica at 10:51 AM - 12 answers

Does my Costa Rica trip itinerary make sense? [more inside]
posted by gursky around Costa Rica at 10:18 PM - 10 answers

Can you recommend any specific tour operators in Guanacaste, Costa Rica? [more inside]
posted by Mrs. Rattery around Costa Rica at 7:48 AM - 3 answers

Heading to Costa Rica with an open itinerary tomorrow. If you've visited, is there anywhere in particular I absolutely have to go? [more inside]
posted by roger ackroyd around Costa Rica at 12:18 PM - 15 answers

costa rica vacation advice? My fiance and I are leaving for costa rica in a week. Our plan is to rent a car and spend a week doing a loop around the Nicoya Peninsula: 3 nights in Tamarindo, 2 in Samara, 2 in Montezuma, 1 in Liberia, then fly back to the US. My question is: given this basic plan are either any "don't miss" items that you would suggest seeing/doing or anything that we should know or be prepared for. I'm hoping to hear from others who have done similar trips in this area and to learn from their experience. Thanks!
posted by metadave around Costa Rica at 1:32 PM - 8 answers

Costa Rica in September? I was planning to go to the Arenal Volcano and do jungle adventures on my honeymoon in September, but saw it was the rainy season. Anyone know how rainy it gets during that time? Any other areas to recommend that are less rainy but worth checking out for a romantic honeymoon? Thanks so much!
posted by tessalations999 around Costa Rica at 11:31 PM - 6 answers

Where in Costa Rica do we buy great coffee beans? [more inside]
posted by tula around Costa Rica at 9:15 AM - 7 answers

planning costa rica trip with 7 year old in cordillera de la talamaca and just north of there. any ideas? [more inside]
posted by alcahofa around San Jose, Costa Rica at 6:17 PM - 1 answer

What do we do in Sarapiqui, Costa Rica, and then on the way to Tamarindo? [more inside]
posted by motsque around Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, Costa Rica at 11:08 AM - 6 answers