Central America - costa rica holiday

anyone have suggestions for restaurants, activity providers. We will be in CR in mid May, Xandari (Alajuela) and La Mansion Hotels (Manuel Antonio). Thanks.

hi,
In MA, definitely try Marluna for seafood.
For casual afternoon lunch, Mar y Sombra down on the main beach is cheap and tasty. Tico Chicken and Rice is yum! At night it becomes a club.
There is also an awesome bakery in Quepos. Be sure to try it. Near your hotel is Cafe Milagro which is a nice coffee shop but so so food. It's just up the hill from your hotel. Good for an afternoon smoothie or a morning jolt. You'll also get a good little workout climbing that hill :)

For activities, just taxi over to Quepos... explore the outfitters downtown. If you book through your hotel, you'll pay a premium. Even if you ask the locals, most are so networked, they get a referral fee that adds a premium to your adventure. Best advice is to book directly with the outfitters.
These are definitely worthwhile: canopy tour, kayaking the mangroves, early morning hike through Manuel Antonio National Forest (just go on your own... paying a guide is not a waste but not the greatest value IMO), deep sea fishing, surfing!, and one of my favorites was horseback riding to a spectacular waterfall. I've been there a few times. You'll have so many options and not enough time.

Last time I was there, all the Int'l ATMs were in Quepos, so plan accordingly. I haven't been in 3 years, though, so maybe that's changed now. If not, Quepos is all of 5 minutes.

Spend as much time at the beach as possible. I usually fly Sansa from Alajuela to Quepos, but beware of the 25lb / 12kg limit. Your hotel in Alajuela will likely store your luggage if you want while you go to the beach. Or you can go by taxi which is a nice drive.

Enjoy your trip. You'll have loads of fun.

zzyster

I do think paying a guide on your hike is worthwhile. You don't see much without a guide. So I'd go with that. I just got back and I loved it. We also visited the Monte Verde Cloud Forest and enjoyed it all a great deal.

Thanks for other FlyerTalkers who were so kind and generous with suggestions and comments. I can't wait to go back.

We also visited the Monte Verde Cloud Forest and enjoyed it all a great deal.


did you do the canopy tour in Monte Verde? I've done it at both Manuel Antonio and Monte Verde. MV was much more exhilarating because of the height, but both are great! CR is a real treat and still relatively unspoiled since 20% of the land is protected, especially amazing for a country its size. ncflyer59 is in for a real treat no matter what his party winds up doing! CR is in my top 5 places in the world.

i should add for ncflyer59 that in MA on the main beach, surf lessons can be had for a nominal price. you can rent boards cheaply enough, but if you've never surfed before, it's best to have some help.... you'll be standing up in no time with a little instruction....

pura vida!

zzyster

did you do the canopy tour in Monte Verde? I've done it at both Manuel Antonio and Monte Verde. MV was much more exhilarating because of the height, but both are great! CR is a real treat and still relatively unspoiled since 20% of the land is protected, especially amazing for a country its size. ncflyer59 is in for a real treat no matter what his party winds up doing! CR is in my top 5 places in the world.

i should add for ncflyer59 that in MA on the main beach, surf lessons can be had for a nominal price. you can rent boards cheaply enough, but if you've never surfed before, it's best to have some help.... you'll be standing up in no time with a little instruction....

pura vida!

zzyster

Exactly! I did the canopy tour in Monteverde and really enjoyed it.