Costa rica

[motheroftwoboys]

Anyone been to Secrets in Costa Rica. Looking for an adult only half. Board or all inclusive resort for our 30th wedding anniversary next December. Must be in the sun!

Went to Costa Rica for 2 weeks this summer. Didn't stay at Secrets as went with the children but went passed it and it looked pretty amazing. Lovely place for a holiday, saw monkeys, raccoons, coati, held a sloth in the wild, lots of beautiful birds, rainforest etc, ziplining, hot springs etc.

Lily 2007 - what was the weather like? I'm keen to go in summer but the fact it's the rainy season is putting me off.

Lily2007, I would be interested in any recommendations for who you flew with and where you stayed. I have been looking at Costa Rica and it looks beautiful.

We went in August last year to CR (not to Secrets so I'm no help on that!). The weather pattern was really warm mornings in the late 20's/very early 30's (except in San Jose which was colder ..and pretty ugly!) then a huge proper banging thunderstorm either in the afternoon or evening. We didn't mind it all - just make sure you've always got a brolly or waterproof - except when driving back one night over the mountains when it was just plain scary with zero visibility except for the lightening flashes! We stayed in San Jose, Arenal and Manuel Antonio. Tulemar in Manuel Antonio is a spectacular place to stay if you're looking at other options! Have fun & take lots of deet!

Sorry only just seen this. We went with Thomson and stay at RIU Guanacaste in August this year, its AI. Weather was fine - about 30C everyday, did rain a bit, normally mornings no rain, afternoons some rain but only short bursts so not really an issue. Trips tend to go early which as they are behind in timezone is fine and meant we never had any weather problems. A few spectacular thunderstorms but not long and fun to watch the rainforest in. Weather was much better than our summer.

Thomson flights were good as flights go and go into Liberia. RIU Guanacaste food was good for AI, right by beach included kayaks to go in the ocean with. Pool was taken over by entertainment and some drunk people there so preferred the ocean but that's right there so fine. A bit noisy at night and a few too many party drunk people for my liking with some drinking games in the day by pool but mostly fine and very good value.

We ate at the steakhouse there a lot and they would give you the most massive steak which covered your whole plate 16oz or so including for the children in the AI. A family of raccoons used to visit there and we fed them on several nights, they are supposed to be vegetarian but seemed to prefer steak. Also saw a coati at the hotel, geckos and from the hotel beach booked a tour through the guys on the beach in which we all go to cuddle a baby sloth and go through rainforest which was amazing and just us on trip in a beautiful vehicle, wished had booked all tours via them. Diamante is next door with lots of animals and an amazing 1 mile 60mph zipline. Also did Thomson BuenaVista trip - ziplined through jungle, hot springs, horseback riding and waterslide through jungle and saw monkeys there, a toucan and active volcano. Did blue river trip through Nexus - swimming n waterfall and beautiful tropical gardens. Did Arenal volcano trip through Thomson which also had hot springs. Trips were £400 roughly for 4 of us. 2 weeks AI in August incl flights was £6300 for all 4 of us. One of our best holidays and would recommend. RIU is good value and does allow the cuddling sloth trip via the beach guys though not suitable if you are after a quiet holiday. Accommodation was of a high standard and large rooms. Thomson trips were fine but had better experience with other tour operators as smaller numbers, guys on the beach best trip.