Costa Rica Honeymoon and Costa Rica Vacation
This is were you will find Costa Rica travel information for a Costa Rica vacation or Costa Rica honeymoon. All the information for an adventurous Costa Rica honeymoon is included below. Be sure to check out my favorite romantic Costa Rica honeymoon locations and resorts. I can send you sample itineraries for your Costa Rica travel with as much adventure as you want. I can make your Costa Rica vacation on the beach or in the mountains or both! Ask about customized Costa Rica honeymoon travel. Don't speak Spanish? Ask me about English speaking guides for your Costa Rica travel.
BEFORE YOU GO:
For Costa Rica travel, your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival. A departure tax of $26/person is required for Costa Rica travel. You can only pay this tax at the airport. I suggest one traveler get in the departure tax line with all passports to pay this tax (credit card or cash) and the other get in line for the airline check-in. Both lines can be long so plan on arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure.
WEDDINGS IN COSTA RICA:
Getting married in Costa Rica is an unforgettable experience.Let us help you to find the perfect resort or beach property to exchange your vows. I have seen several hotels in the Jaco and Quepos area that are just wonderful! Check the list below for a Costa Rica wedding.
My Favorite hotels:
Click here to read A HONEYMOONERS REVIEW of their trip to Costa Rica.
About Costa Rica:
This was a great place to share the beauty and diversity of this great country. Although I spent most of my last visit looking for romantic resorts, I also had a chance to visit the Tabacon Hot Springs and do a little sky trekking. Romantic honeymoon travel is my specialty. I also book fun travel to Costa Rica.
There are very few places in the world that can offer such an incredible amount of scenery, climate, and vacation pleasures as Costa Rica does...especially when you realize that it is only 150 miles wide, from ocean to ocean, and 250 miles long from border to border. In what would be an area as small as the state of West Virginia, this land of wonders can offer, at any given time, the soothing effect of the sun rays at a white sand tropical beach, the excitement of watching volcanoes erupt, the thrill of deep sea scuba diving and canopy zip lining. The friendliness of the Costa Rican people, one of the highest-literacy nations in the world, make the foreign traveler feel very much at ease and comfortable. This is a romantic Costa Rica honeymoon location.
San Jose is the capital city of Costa Rica , and by far, the largest city in the country. This is where most airlines fly in from the US . An overnight here is usually required with an early morning departure to visit your next stop. I found two exceptionally romantic properties in the hills near San Jose . Closer to San Jose, the first property offers 19 spacious villas on a 40 acre coffee and fruit plantation overlooking Costa Rica's Central Valley give this property beautiful views of San Jose. Farther outside San Jose is the beautiful La Paz waterfalls. When you think about a Costa Rica vacatopm , you probably imagine lush tropical Rain Forests, flowing white rivers, spectacular waterfalls, birds, butterflies and flowers. At La Paz Waterfall Gardens, you will see all that and more. Close to the waterfalls is a resort where each and every room boasts a Jacuzzi tub and stone fireplace along with showers that transform into waterfalls with the turn of a knob. From the handcrafted canopy beds and love seats to the original stained glass and illustrated artwork you will understand the time and care put into the details of each accommodation. To insure your enjoyment of the cool mountain weather and view of the Poás Volcano, they built oversized balconies complete with rocking chairs, hammocks and custom Jacuzzi tubs. New additions are the pool and fishing pond.
Visiting the Arenal Volcano can be exciting if the weather permits its viewing. This volcano has been active since 1968, and erupts 3 to 4 times every 60 minutes. It assures the visitors a grandiose spectacle that cannot be matched by any other volcano in the world (when it is not raining). There are several resorts here offering comfortable rustic accommodations to a brand new, upscale retreat nestled gently in the jungle. One property offers rooms with large private balconies overlooking the Arenal Volcano and Arenal River Gorge. All rooms are spacious and well-appointed with first-class furnishings, artwork and full amenities (air-conditioning, telephone, cable TV, pillow-top mattresses with 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and more). Owned by an American from the mid-west, she has captured the essence of amenities American’s demand on their travels. Romantic Costa Rica honeymoons comes to life here.
Everyone should spend a relaxing evening at the famed Tabacon Hot Springs, snuggled against the active Arenal Volcano in the country’s Northern plains region. As you enter the property at the base of the volcano your gaze is immediately drawn to the steaming main pool and its pool bar, where people from all over the world cool off with caipirinhas, pina coladas and margaritas while immersed in the hot soothing water on submerged stools. I suggest exploring the area first. It gets dark early in Costa Rica (around 6:30pm). You will find a vast labyrinth of hidden thermo mineral pools, cascading waterfalls and rivers to lounge in, all varying in temperature and depth, and some varying in mineral count, all fed by Costa Rica’s most active volcano. This is just the ticket for a romantic honeymoon in Costa Rica. It is fun to go discover the hidden pools and then sit down to a wonderful buffet meal before spending the evening relaxing. The Hot Springs are open until 10:00 pm making this the perfect end of the day activity.
While the hot springs experience is relaxing, nothing can prepare you for the heart stopping Sky Tram canopy ride. Upon arrival there is a spacious deck and small cantina. You can go up to the observation deck that has chairs and you can spend as much time as you like observing the volcano, Lake Arenal, surrounding mountains and rainforests before coming down with 3 options.
You can ride down with the Sky Tram, walk downhill on the easy and spectacular trails, or choose the exciting Sky Trek option: a Canopy Tour with high quality cables running from mountain to mountain zigzagging back to the base. This is not for anyone with fear of heights. You ride through 8 different cables with lengths that reach 2310 feet and heights of 40 stories.
Roads in Costa Rica are manageable from San Jose to Arenal. From that point on, you are in for some of the worst road conditions I have ever seen. I strongly recommend that you take a transfer rather than rent a car just for this reason. Car insurance and a deposit are mandatory when renting in Costa Rica . The roads are not well marked and roadsigns are few and far between (even for your hotel). There are potholes, unpaved sections of road, no guard rails nor any street lights. The cost of a car is about the same as a transfer and I can arrange private transfers that could include an English speaking guide to help point out the animals and birds you will see along the way.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve, founded in 1972 and privately owned by the nonprofit Tropical Science Center , covers more than 10,500 hectares and is located 2 1/2 hours driving time from Arenal. You can take a boat across the Arenal Lake to save some time on this portion and have some wonderful views of the volcano. Monteverde offers guided hikes or maps for do-it-yourselfers with access to well-marked-trails, waterfalls, rivers, and an observation area. No one should leave Monteverde without having at least attempted to see a "Quetzal", one of the most beautiful birds in the world. Monteverde Cloud Forest has a special meaning to Americans, since it was founded by American Amish people who came to Costa Rica in the early 50's looking for a quiet and peaceful place. This cloud forest has become one of the most visited and highly praised for its maintenance in all of Costa Rica .
An alternative to the Arenal Sky Tram is the Sky Walk. It is a spectacular combination of suspension bridges with easy and well maintained walking trails build in the Monteverde Cloud Forest and above the tropical forest canopy. The Sky Walk tour includes 2.5 kilometers of trails and 6 suspended bridges across deep canyons at the level of the treetops. The longest bridge is about 243 meters (800 feet) in length. Anybody that can walk for 2 hours can live this experience. There is no strenuous climb or mud and the trails are very well maintained. It takes an average of 2 hours, much more if you pay attention to all the different plants, trees and wildlife along the way. The temperature can be cool in these mountains so wear pants, good walking shoes and bring a light jacket or sweater. Insect repellent is not necessary but suntan protection lotion is. Binoculars and poncho or umbrella are recommended.
This brings to mind some of the essential provisions you should take with you on your Costa Rica vacation. Because it is mostly a rain forest, you will need your rain gear including quick drying pants. An underwater camera to pull out during the rains is also handy. I also recommend purchasing a set of binoculars with the digital camera inside. This will allow you to take pictures of those far away and fast monkeys or tucans. Bug spray and sun tan lotion are also necessary for Costa Rica travel.
Heading over to the west coast of Costa Rica is the province of Guanacaste . It covers most of the northwestern part of Costa Rica and is famous for its dry climate, volcanoes and long stretches of white sand beaches. The region has a wide range of national parks and reserves with plenty of sightseeing and historical tours.
It is the ideal destination for those who want to practice water sports such as surfing, snorkeling, fishing or scuba diving. This area offers some of the best Deep Sea Diving and Deep Sea Fishing in the world. You will also have the opportunity to explore amazing savannas, ride horseback into the forest, observe the turtle's nesting or just relax on unspoiled white sand beaches.
Spilling down a lush mountainside to an isthmus of golden sand, Four Seasons introduces exemplary luxury and service to this pristine setting with two large beaches, a luxurious spa, championship golf and the magic of the tropical forest. The children’s center here is one of the best that I have seen at any resort. A warning though, this property is 4 miles from the road. Although it is paved, one staying at this hotel should not expect to be able to go out for meals without planning additional time. The Golf course is spectacular!
This part of the country is where you will find all-inclusive resorts. You may want to spend a few nights at the beginning of your Costa Rica vacation at an all inclusive to just relax and wind down from your wedding. Although there are several resorts offering all inclusive, I would only recommend two that are up to American (and mine) standards. I found an all inclusive for those wishing to be with the surfing crowd too!
Farther south along the Pan American highway, is the central and southwest region which offers some of the most attractive beaches and terrain in the country. The vegetation changes from transitional forest (Dry-to-Rainy) in its northern section to pure rain forest in its southern part. From Jaco, through Manuel Antonio, to Corcovado National Park , the Central and Southwest Pacific region boasts a variety of adventurous travel experiences. Jaco Beach is considered one of the best areas for surfing. Surfers from all over the world flock to Jaco Beach, known to have some of the best waves in the world.
A spectacular hotel is located within a tropical setting that receives constant, cooling breezes from the Pacific. The fantastic 360 degree panoramic view offers an unsurpassed vista of the Nicoya Peninsula , gulf islands, the crescent beaches of Jacó, Herradura and Punta Leona as well as the mountains. It offers 8 guest rooms and 20 secluded cabin suites. Although you have to catch a shuttle to the beach, the spectacular views are worth it. Insects and animals including the green tree frog are among the many creatures that visit this property. Hotel personal keep spider webs intact (outside of the rooms of course) so that you may enjoy the Costa Rica nature. Some suites offer private plunge pools right outside your bedroom door.
Manuel Antonio, farther to the south, has become a mecca for the Jet Set and for Hollywood Celebrities that come to enjoy the serenity of the place, combined with an active night life that includes restaurants, bars and discotheques. Manuel Antonio has received plenty of coverage in travel magazines, and has been listed as one of the 10 most beautiful destinations in the world for scenery. You will have the opportunity to experience White Water rafting, guided Rainforest Waterfall Walks, Horseback Riding, Snorkeling, and Sportfishing. I recommend a guide through Manual Antonio Park so that you will learn about the 23 different micro climates in Costa Rica compared to the 9 micro climates in the US ..
Manual Antonio is where you will find hotels that offer unbelievable views combined with that intimate, romantic feel. Best place for a romantic honeymoon in Costa Rica. Most are small boutique hotels with small bars and restaurants. one even has a Bat Cave where the bar is actually inside the cave inhabited by bats. This is a romantic honeymoon in Costa Rica even with the bats! Dinner at La Mariposa is a must. The food is delicious and the view from this property has gotten it into the famous book called “1000 Places to See Before You Die”.
Costa Rica has something appealing to every kind of person looking for an ideal vacation destination. City-oriented people will find in San Jose -the capital city- a perfect place for strolling, people-watching, dining out, gambling at south of France style casinos, or enjoying an opera or ballet performance at the opera house. At the other extreme, adventure-oriented travelers will find the opportunity to hike through one of the many National Parks and Reserves that literally cover the country from north to south and from east to west, surf some of the best waves in the world, or dive deep into the ocean to come across hammerhead sharks and manta rays. I can assure you that a Costa Rica vacation will become one of the most memorable and romantic times of your life!
Call me for your own personalized itinerary including some of the fantastic resorts mentioned above at 1-800-691-0243. Costa Rica travel is less expensive than Belize and more exciting than Mexico! I recommend it for those who are a little more adventurous, want something different and can handle walking up/down many hills. I have created a book of pictures of my Costa Rica vacation to share with you. Please use the following link to see them: Shutterfly Photo Book:
Want to create your own book? Click on the book below to link to Shutterfly.
Costa Rica honeymoon and vacations
The coolest experience in Costa Rica is the Volcano. To be able to see an active volcano and all its glory is truly amazing.I enjoyed sitting on the porch/balcony/patio of my hotel and just watching the lava in the dark. During the day it is so cool to see the smoke rise from the lava flow. I send clients on a hike of the volcano fields and then down to Tabacon Hot Springs. More about Tabacon later.
