Costa Rica vs. Puerto Vallarta

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » May 9, 2007 11:25 am

I think I've narrowed my summer vacation plans down to either Costa Rica or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I'm wondering if anybody has been to both and good provide me with a brief compare & contrast of the two. Recommendations for beaches to stay at in Costa Rica, in case I go there, or hotels for either would be appreciated as well.

I can feel the sun already!

buffettbride · Post by **buffettbride** » May 9, 2007 11:29 am

Why would you go to the west coast of Mexico when the east coast on the Carib. side is sooooooooo much nicer.

That said, given the choice, I'd go to Costa Rica.

OystersandBeer · Post by **OystersandBeer** » May 9, 2007 6:30 pm

This hard to reply to. You are asking us to compare one city to a whole country.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » May 10, 2007 10:39 am

Well, in answer to the 1st question, I don't know. Most of the places I look at on the Caribbean side make me feel like I'm going on spring break instead of summer vacation, not that Puerto Vallarta gives me much less of that feeling. I've been to Aruba before, so the thought of going Pacific instead of Caribbean is in part a pitiful attempt at branching out.

As for the 2nd question, I don't know anywhere specific yet for Costa Rica that I'd be going, so I guess I'm soliciting advice. Definately looking to stay at a beach. Comparing the two is hard. I've been comparing almost all of the Caribbean and Central America trying to find a destination and somehow have narrowed it to these based on airfare, some videos, some books, some magazines, etc. It's so hard because everybody knows somewhere better and I don't know one from another.

I guess what I really want is to stay in a hotel at a great beach and be able to easily head inland for rainforests or volcanos or ruins of civilizations past or something comparable.

surfpirate · Post by **surfpirate** » May 10, 2007 11:12 am

Popo's Tree Houses in Playa Samara, Costa Rica. Definitely cool and unique. I stayed here ..... http://www.vrbo.com/48060 ..... for 3 nights during a 10 day surf trip to Costa Rica a couple of years ago. The tree houses are operated by a wonderful Costa Rican family who live right on the premises. They were terrific. The father runs a kayak rental operation and they went out of their way to give me local advice. There's a great place that gives surf lessons for beginners to advanced at Samara Beach nearby .... Jesse's Samara Beach Surf School & Jesse's Gym ..... http://samarabeach.com/jesses/index.html. Jesse is an ex-patrioted American who went to Costa Rica 20 years ago on a surf trip and ended up staying. He runs a gym and surf shop right on the beach under the palm trees. If you want to take surf lessons, ask for Jesse's daughter named "Sunrise". She is a great surf instructor and also a licensed masseuse. Sunrise is in her early 20's now and is drop dead gorgeous.

Remember, she lives with her father who runs a gym and looks to be strong as an ox. The waves on the beach in Playa Samara are perfect for beginners. The big waves are not too far away either.

Also visit the rain forests. Google "canopy tours" for an adventure you will never forget.

Here's a link to an even more upscale "tree house" ..... http://www.costaricatreehouse.com/house_treeHouse.html .....Think outside the box and try something other than a typical hotel.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » May 10, 2007 12:40 pm

Thanks Surf! I peeked at it but I'll take a better look tonight. Looks pretty cool!

ColdWaterConch · Post by **ColdWaterConch** » May 10, 2007 2:46 pm

I've never been to Mexico, but went to CR last yr.

Stayed at Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Penn.

www.bosquedelcabo.com

It was incredible. Right in the rainforest, but with access to a beach on the gulf as well as the Pacific. Went "swimming" with dolphins. Now I'm from KW and have swum with the dolphins at the DRC in Grassy Key many times, but this was way cooler. You get pulled on a planeboard behind a boat and can dive down and are literally swimming with the dolphins. And there were hundreds and hundreds of them.

We loved CR, and plan to return. People were all nice, the beer was way cheap, and the country was cool.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » May 14, 2007 3:01 pm

I'm pretty certain on Costa Rica now. Thanks to both of you for these links! These places look pretty cool. I'm going to keep these in mind when I'm booking the trip.

comtnfish · Post by **comtnfish** » May 14, 2007 3:23 pm

I would also vote for CR. I went this past January. For the rainforest & volcano, stayed at: http://www.chachaguarainforesthotel.com/ Went to Tamarindo on the beach, although I have heard there are better places to go - it's a pretty touristy town, but it was fun. If you do go there, visit Jaime Peligro's book/cd store. Interbus is a good way to get from town to town: http://www.interbusonline.com/ I flew in and out of Liberia instead of San Jose - just depends on where you're going. Also flew NatureAir between Tamarindo and San Jose. http://natureair.com/ When I go back, I want to go to the east coast (Puerto Viejo and that area), which is supposed to be less built up (Tamarindo and a lot of the west coast is being totally developed right now - it's almost too late for investing purposes too, which I was unaware of before going - lots of Canadians, Europeans & Americans buying up land & building condos).

Be warned - I came back with real cravings for avocados and fruit with milk (called fruitas (fresas, pina, guanabana, etc) con leche).

People are really nice, we were two women traveling, and didn't have any issues anywhere we were (San Jose (although like any big city be careful of what areas you're in and after dark), Tamarindo, around the Arenal Volcano & Liberia. If you don't know Spanish, or even if you know a little, I would suggest a phrase book at a minimum. My spanish from high school so many years ago did actually come back to me somewhat, but really most things looked familiar but I had no idea what they meant.

Bought a phrasebook from Jaime mentioned earlier.

People were really nice about talking slowly and trying to understand, but english is not really widespread.

ok - probably way too much info, but basically they have wi-fi everywhere, so who knows....maybe one day I'll be working & posting from there full time. I loved it.

FunkHouse9 · Post by **FunkHouse9** » May 17, 2007 9:47 am

It's looking like our primary stops are going to be the Arenal volcano and the nearby cloud forest and then to Tamarindo. Does anyone have any opinions on airport selection? I'm guessing I'll fly out of Daniel Oduber Quiros in/near Liberia since I'll be ending my trip in Tamarindo. I guess I'm wondering which of the 2 major airports is going to be easier for getting to Arenal.

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for a place to stay in the Arenal volcano or cloud forest area? Everyone I know that has gone to that area has stayed at Tabacon which is pricier than I am hoping for.

comtnfish · Post by **comtnfish** » May 23, 2007 9:07 pm

FunkHouse9 wrote:It's looking like our primary stops are going to be the Arenal volcano and the nearby cloud forest and then to Tamarindo. Does anyone have any opinions on airport selection? I'm guessing I'll fly out of Daniel Oduber Quiros in/near Liberia since I'll be ending my trip in Tamarindo. I guess I'm wondering which of the 2 major airports is going to be easier for getting to Arenal.

Also, does anyone have any good recommendations for a place to stay in the Arenal volcano or cloud forest area? Everyone I know that has gone to that area has stayed at Tabacon which is pricier than I am hoping for.

For the rainforest & volcano, stayed at: http://www.chachaguarainforesthotel.com/

Tabacon is expensive, although I did a tour that included some time at their hot springs - definitely worth it!!

Liberia is an easy airport to get in and out of, and if you're not going near San Jose, then no reason to fly there, unless it's much less expensive. It was about the same for me from Providence, RI.

And, as I mentioned, Interbus was pretty good for getting from town to town.

karat · Post by **karat** » May 23, 2007 9:41 pm

I would by pass both and head to Barbados.

It all depends on the money that you want to spend. Look to see if there are any Medicial things you need ie: shots or like anti-malaria...

Need passport for sure - be sure that it has at least 7 months validity on it after your return.

If you want detailed information on both, I would be happy to help you out. I work for a travel agency...my co-workers would say CR....

cheers

Parit5.0 · Post by **Parit5.0** » June 2, 2007 1:15 pm

Went to Costa Rica in February.......Loved it! Went to Puntarenas, Jaco, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. Manual Antonio was the best beach. We stayed at the Arenal Lodge, magnificant view. We drove everywhere, not as scary as I was told. You can get everywhere within a couple of hours. Not too bad!