A Word to the Wise For Anyone Visiting Costa Rica in the Rainy Season

This is an excerpt from a letter I wrote to a friend who asked me for information about visiting CR, as she’s traveling there herself this weekend. I figured I might as well put my two cents out on the interwebs as well, in case anyone is googling for advice. I know I was before our trip, and I had a hard time finding sources that weren’t advertisements. Keep in mind these suggestions are only relative to travels during the rainy or “green” season (May to October).

Her request:

Hi LiLu,

I wanted to touch base with you and ask for some advice about Costa Rica!

I am headed down on a totally last minute crazy trip this Saturday morning. It’s a really quick trip, but I am meeting up with people in San Jose and we want to go to the beach (obvi). Do you have any suggestions of beaches that are a few hours from San Jose – close and easy? We don’t need any surfing-specific areas… just pretty beaches with fun bars!

Any ideas???

Super Lovable and Darling Friend

And my response:

Dear Super Lovable and Darling Friend,

I would advise you to spend as little time as possible in San Jose- perhaps you’ll like it better as you’ll be with friends, but I found it to be an absolute hell hole of a city (and I LOVE cities). Unfortunately, the beaches closest to San Jose on the Pacific Coast won’t be worth your time. It’s the rainy season right now, and they’re basically submerged in water- there’s been hurricanes and landslides, and people are flooded out of their homes. You’ll be much better off driving (or, preferably, taking a bus- there are NO street signs anywhere in the country and navigation is quite difficult, and rental cars are expensive) the four hours to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, on the southeast (Caribbean) coast. I promise you will not be sorry that you did. The beaches there are gorgeous, and the also-lovely beaches of Cahuita (25 minute drive north) and Manzanillo (30 minute drive south) are breathtaking, sunny, and full of activities. Cahuita and Manzanillo have the best snorkeling of the whole country, and don’t miss Maxi’s restaurant (you can’t, as it’s the only one) in Manzanillo. Both towns are very small, though, so you’ll want to post up in Puerto Viejo. Lots of great bars and restaurants there- get the snapper, it’s local. We stayed at Cabinas Casa Verde for $48/night (if paid in cash, off-season price)- the hotel was clean, comfortable and absolutely gorgeous.

The brand-new rock formation pool didn’t hurt either, and the whole hotel is lanscaped so that you feel as if you are living in a jungle- you won’t find better accommodations for the price.

Also, you DEFINITELY want to buy a map before you head down. My Lonely Planet (which was also very helpful to have along on the trip) told me to do this, which I read as I was desperately trying to navigate us from city to city with the pitiful map we were given at the car rental place. When we tried to buy a better one, we were informed by the Tourist Info lady that it was one of the best available in the country. But you can order a much better one ahead of time, if you get it before you go.

Hope this helps!

LiLu

Mama said share.