Costa Rica help.

[ihatethecold]

My Thailand holiday for April has just been cancelled.
I want to go to CR instead but I dont know where to start.
I would go with TUI but they only fly on a Wednesday and that doesn't fit in with college easter hols.
My DD18 is in her final year so cant take any extra days off.

We love wildlife and being on the beach.

I dont think any other airline flies to Liberia apart from TUI. so we'd have to fo to the capital and then transfer.

I have no idea if this takes ages or not. after an 11 hour flight we will be tired.

everyone is an adult thats coming. 3 adult kids. 18, 21, 21 and me and their dad

any good companies to approach

I need to get something booked soon for my sanity

Thanks

Do you want to go with a travel agent or are you comfortable booking everything separately? Are you looking for one location or interested in travelling around?

Costa Rica is incredibly varied with lots of small independent hotels/eco lodges in the most interesting areas. Personally I think it’s far more rewarding for independent travel but I can see that not everyone wants that esp with the complexities of covid and potential changes

I had a costa rica holiday all planned for Summer 2020 that obviously we never went on.
Could you fly to San Jose instead that way you'd be reasonably close to Manuel Antonio and/or Arenal? I'd planned a bit of a trip round to 3-4 bases finishing up in Manuel Antonio for beach time and sloth watching.

I need the security of a travel company at the moment.
Twice our trip to Thailand has been cancelled and Travelbag have refunded me instantly. No drama at all.
I will speak to the consultant tomorrow but I really like to do some research myself.

Happy to travel around but not too much.

How far would I need to travel from the capital to get into the beach or wildlife areas?

Completely understand wanting the security of a company atm. I don't know Travelbag, do they just do the big international hotels that TUI do or would you be looking at wider options? Asking as you mentioned TUI in your OP and they only have a very limited type and location for CR.

How far would I need to travel from the capital to get into the beach or wildlife areas?

The wonderful thing about CR is that there are so many diverse areas that are excellent for wildlife that you are never too far from somewhere interesting. Do you know what kind of wildlife you are interested in? E.g. cloud forest etc?

We've been to CR a few times and we've always stayed nearish the airport on for a night or two straight away, but we've been travelling with youngish children and wanted to take it slowly at first. There are standard airport hotels right by the airport if you are getting in late/leaving early but much nicer options a very short drive away. The airport is slightly north of the city in Alajuela and there are much nicer options there. E.g. when we last went we stayed here www.hotelbuenavistacr.com. They pick you up from the airport, it's a short drive and then you're in a much nicer environment than the Holiday Inn type options right by the airport. There are also posher options like this www.xandari.com/costarica-xandari-overview.php which are probably more likely to be available through a travel agent.

From that area you can quickly visit nice places such as Poas Volcano national park. A bit further on are masses of places where you can do rainforest walks and white water rafting etc. E.g. the area around Tirimbina (we like the walks in this reserve as a nice starting point www.tirimbina.org/tours-sarapiqui-costarica/ )

The area around Manuel Antonio is great but very touristy. We went on several trips to Sierpe with a guide and it was wonderful, much more authentic and ‘real’ nature.

Then from the airport there are loads of directions you can travel in for a base in good wildlife area. E.g. Arenal and Manuel Antonia are popular places and are both within a couple of hours drive.

@LaBellina

The area around Manuel Antonio is great but very touristy. We went on several trips to Sierpe with a guide and it was wonderful, much more authentic and ‘real’ nature.

Completely agree with this but it depends what you want. We've spent most time in the far south around Corcovado and that is wonderful but not what everyone is looking for.

Yes true! We stayed around Manuel Antonio but drove to Sierpe. We loved Marina Ballena national park and it’s beaches too. Amazing.

Thanks for all this info. It’s so useful. I’m going to have a look at everything you’ve suggested a bit later.
I really appreciate the advice.

@Mia85

Completely understand wanting the security of a company atm. I don't know Travelbag, do they just do the big international hotels that TUI do or would you be looking at wider options? Asking as you mentioned TUI in your OP and they only have a very limited type and location for CR.

How far would I need to travel from the capital to get into the beach or wildlife areas?

The wonderful thing about CR is that there are so many diverse areas that are excellent for wildlife that you are never too far from somewhere interesting. Do you know what kind of wildlife you are interested in? E.g. cloud forest etc?

We've been to CR a few times and we've always stayed nearish the airport on for a night or two straight away, but we've been travelling with youngish children and wanted to take it slowly at first. There are standard airport hotels right by the airport if you are getting in late/leaving early but much nicer options a very short drive away. The airport is slightly north of the city in Alajuela and there are much nicer options there. E.g. when we last went we stayed here www.hotelbuenavistacr.com. They pick you up from the airport, it's a short drive and then you're in a much nicer environment than the Holiday Inn type options right by the airport. There are also posher options like this www.xandari.com/costarica-xandari-overview.php which are probably more likely to be available through a travel agent.

From that area you can quickly visit nice places such as Poas Volcano national park. A bit further on are masses of places where you can do rainforest walks and white water rafting etc. E.g. the area around Tirimbina (we like the walks in this reserve as a nice starting point www.tirimbina.org/tours-sarapiqui-costarica/ )

Those hotels. Especially the 2nd one look incredible.

Did you book these independently?

I think flights to the capital will be much fewer than before Covid.

I’m quite shocked at how little choice I have when looking at skyscanner for flights.

Yes we booked everything independently and drove round. Do your (adult) kids want a very active holiday? There are lots of things like rafting and zip lining if they are into that.

My absolute favourite place we've stayed in CR is this

Sorry this is their actual website (though the photos there don't do it justice) www.bosquedelcabo.com

And if I were going anywhere near Manuel Antonio again I'd stay here rafikisafari.com/wp/ (not in Manuel Antonio itself but the Sierpe region a PP mentioned)

NB I wasn't suggesting staying for a long time in the hotels near Alajuela in the earlier post, just that they are nice places to stay for a night or two after the flight.

What kind of place are you looking for?

Another vote for rafiki. We did their super lekke safari. Years later we still talk about it as the best holiday we've ever had.

Ive looked at all the links you've posted.
Its helpful to consider staying near the airport for a night or 2.

im on hold with Travel bag at the mo to see what they can offer.

When we've been to mexico we have pretty much flied and flopped and done the odd trip to snorkel and see wildlife.

one thing we did realise is we enjoyed the wildlife and birds so much. I have read many times that CR is incredible when it comes to the wildlife.

British Airways flies direct to San Jose from Gatwick. My return flight next month cost 446.23. We will then taxi to a hotel where we join a guided and escorted tour (small groups) with Intrepid Travel. They are a wonderful company, and this will be the third trip Ive taken with them.

Ooh thanks.
I’ll check again with Ba.

when I search BA it says there are no direct flights at all.

For BA you need to input Costa Rica Beaches. We are booked with them later this year.

If you want to book with an agent then Journey Latin America have a pretty good selection of lodges on their webiste here including Rafiki. I've not used them but my parents have and have always had a good experience.

The whole country is not that big, so flying within it doesn't take ages, or you can get around by coach as necessary. It was a while ago that I was there, but I loved Puerto Jimenez and Corcovado in the south, though it's more wild and remote. Manuel Antonio is amazing for wildlife and brilliant to visit. I found Puntarenas and Montezuma too touristy, but Montezuma is beautiful. Would also recommend visiting Arenal and/or Poas volcanoes.

Re beaches, one thing I learned is that just because somewhere has a beautiful beach that looks fabulous in a brochure, doesn't mean you'll be able to swim there. Corcovado beaches are stunning but often dangerous with big waves and rip tides. So you need to check that a beach is actually a safe swimming beach if you want to do that.

I’ve just done a search on google flights and BA has 3 direct services to San José per week. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. They should be showing on the website, have you selected the ‘+/- 3 days’ or similar option?

ah thank you. I did try sat 2nd April but it said no direct flights. Ill try again

thanks for the info about rip tides and beaches, very helpful.

Here are flight details. Hope this helps