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My wife and I will make our first visit to Costa Rica in late November for about 10 days. The trip was originally planned to scuba dive, as well as to get our first flavor for living in CR. Because of the diving focus, we set up to fly into LIR and spend most of our time visiting the Nicoya coast. Unfortunately, due to a surgery, my wife probably should not dive, but we will spend more beach and exploration time as a result.
We plan to go to the Lake Arenal region for two days and then migrate to the coast for further R&R and research.
From the books we have read, we are targeting coastal destinations groups such as:
1.) Playa Hermosa, Play Coco, Playa Ocotol
2.) Playa Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Tamarindo
3.) Playa Junquillal
4.) Nosara, Sumara, and Playa Carrillo
Arrival, departure, and Lake Arenal will probably consume 4 nights, so that leaves us with 6 nights which I would probably split among three “base camps” with extensive drives around and between these points as we migrate.What I think we’re looking for? We like views of water whether it be lake or ocean. We find ocean front most desirable, but I’m not sure we can handle several months of 95/95 temperature/humidity in a row as well as the much higher cost. Also many people speak about the set back regulations preventing a view. Plan B would be to explore higher altitude communities within reasonable drive to the ocean that offer view and a little less temp and humidity (mid 80’s temp?).
Although we’re not looking for heavy touristic areas to relocate, we will include some that in the plan for the vacation side of things as well as to see what “highly developed” looks and feels like in CR.
Looking for your advice on this proposed itinerary, and recommendations for good value accommodations. We really don’t want to stay 5 star as we will be off the property exploring most of the time and won’t use most of the facilities, save a good restaurant. B&B’s are possible, as well as picturesque mid range hotels.
Your help with the above would be greatly appreciated. Please feel free to correction the “initial read” I have and set us on the straight path to success in CR.
Thanks in advance to all!
The Gold Coast and Lake Arenal plus the Nicoya Peninsula are plenty for 10 days. Sounds like you will be driving a lot. Which books have you read? There is a new book about traveling living and owning in Costa Rica. It’s called Costa Rica Now. It lists a lot of towns and recommends a couple places to stay in each of them. The section on buying and owning property is really good. The part about the culture was interesting too. I found this place through the book and it was great. http://www.hotellunaazul.com It’s in Ostional north of Nosara. Hope that helps.
Your trip should easily be doable in 10 days… we did that and more last year. One thing you should be aware of is that the real estate in these areas, especially Hermosa, Tamarindo, Ocotal, Flamingo areas is very expensive, expecially for Ocean view property. Mind you it all depends on what type of property you are looking for. Becky Clower, a real estate agent for this area, and recommended on this site [ https://www.welovecostarica.com/public/1512.cfm ]has a website showing some properties and their pricing within many of the towns you mentioned. It will give you an idea at what you may be looking at cost wise to live in those towns. Google her name… it will give you the website.
Another thing to understand, is that this area is known as “Dry” forest and it will be hot, from November to early April temperatures will be in the 90’s, however , there is a prevailing wind (strong breeze really) that cools the effect a little. Humidity is not really an issue during this period. April, the winds die down and it can be extremely hot… then it becomes more humid as you go through May, June, July August with the wetter weather coming in September through mid November.
Last year we arrived on the 22nd November and had 2 days of rain… 85+ and humid, however after that it was beautiful… A shower at 8am will make it humid for an hour… by 9 it is dry and hot again…
Night-time temps do drop… but not like the Central valley… mid to upper 70’s at night is not unusual.Hope this helps
Brian
Suggestion for location to see. Drive up to Monteverde Cloud forest. On the way up there, you will see the water from high up in the mountains and have nice temps. Locations like this on the ridge are a good ways from the water…more than an hour drive. However, they have a water view with cool air. Just a suggestion on location not sure where to stay.
In the Arenal area the best place we have found is called Linda Vista.
Google this, Linda Vista del Norte – Arenal Costa Rica
Ask for the Honeymoon Suite. It is a seperate cottage or cabina and has the best view of Volcan Arenal and the lake other than from the restaurant.
If you are not going to spend the night it is well worth having a meal on the porch and watching the volcano. It is a long drive on gravel and volcanic ash covered roads but worth it.
Hola John, I am very surprised you have not contacted me. If you read the “recommendations” page of my website, you will see how the very most practical way to accomplish your goal is to take my tour. http://www.costaricaretireonss.com
Hola Scott, is this against the rules?In Arenal we stayed at the Lost Iguana. Beautiful grounds good restaurant nice but simple rooms with direct views of Arenal. http://www.lostiguanaresort.com/navegadores/eng/home.php
Nosara is beautiful, though we rented a house a short walk to Playa Guiones. We stayed in Ocotal at this place, views were great and if just one of you wanted to dive it’s nearby. My wife went on a dive and was disappointed,very limited visibility..
http://www.ocotalresort.com/It is against the Forum rules George am I am [i]shocked[/i] 😀 that you would insert such a flagrantly commercial posting which will have to be deleted.
Just because you’re a likeable, No BS kind of a guy and offer the best value, most down-to-earth and informative retirement tour in Costa Rica (which I recommend repeatedly on this site) doesn’t mean you are allowed to post these kinds of things here. 😆
So you are hereby warned that at the end of the year (I’m not saying which year) your blatant commercial post will be deleted…
You know, the one that promotes your website which is: [size=400][b]www.CostaRicaRetireOnSS.com[/b] [/size]
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comjohnklein56,
Be prepared for a trip to paradise. I first visited Costa Rica ten years ago, during that first visit, I immediately knew this is where I wanted to retire. Having traveled all over Costa Rica in the coming years, each location has its plus and minus. Last month, during a two week vacation, my wife and I decided to purchase a beach front home in Playa Hermosa, Guancate; which is in a gated community. We had not planned on buying a home at that time, however, the home and the price was too good to pass on. We purchased this three year old, custom home at approximately $60,000 less than the listing price. The American owners were in a divorce situation, and sold it to us as a “fire sale.” There are some very good property deals available, the secret is to be prepared to make a offer, have a quality Costa Rican attorney on retainer, have a quality broker or realestate agent and know exactly what you want. My expat friends, both whom are businessmen in Costa Rica, strongly advised me to buy now, if I really wanted the home, because property prices will increase within the next six to eight months. Enjoy your trip!
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