Pacific Beaches

Pros: Stylin' across the Gulf of Nicoya on a sleek modern catamaran
Cons: No toilets on the island

If you want to visit one of Costa Rica's most pleasant little Pacific island beaches, but you want to do it the first-class way, you ought to take Calypso Tours' cruise out to Tortuga Island! You'll travel comfortably, eat well, and enjoy the warm sun...

Pros: Many great beaches, mud baths, rainforest, unique and interesting culture.
Cons: Some beaches (Tamarindo) have problems with theft.

On June 12 my son and I flew from Dallas, Texas, to San Jose in Costa Rica with his Spanish Teachers, a number of kids, and a few other parents. The purpose of the trip was to combine language immersion with a vacation (lasting two and a half weeks). We ...

Pros: Beautiful scenery, loads to do, wildlife up the ying yang.
Cons: Expensive by C.American standards.

Getting to the Manuel Antonio national park area couldn't be easier from San Jose. We flew with Sansa on the way out to Quepos and Air Naturales on the way back. They depart from different airports, and if you fly Sanza then it does not depart from the ...

Pros: Scenery, wildlife, climate, and the remoteness.
Cons: Difficult to get to. High humidity.

Located on the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica, Drake Bay and the adjoining Corcovado National Park can only be described as paradise for the nature lover. Imagine spectacular palm-studded beaches along a rugged volcanic coastline, fringed by ...

Pros: Beautiful scenery- tropical beaches and rainforest. Travel in relative comfort.
Cons: Heavy tourism. Short trails.

The central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the country's most popular tourist areas. The main attractions are beaches and rainforest, which can be seen with relative comfort and convenience. You see virgin rainforest full of wildlife and ...

Pros: Beautiful setting, perfect mid-March weather, super comfy bed, great Royal Service pool-side vibe
Cons: Very mediocre food and service, not really a "Beach resort", Non-Royal Service stuff quite average

Had a great mid-March week in Costa Rica. It was our first time in Central America and as usual a few things to share. We spent the first few days at the Paradisus Playa Conchal resort (the subject of this review) - and then finished up in the ...

Pros: amazing natural environment, cheap, diverse, an adventure
Cons: not for the lazy tourist

My mother planned a trip for us to Costa Rica and the only itinerary we started with was a return ticket home two months
after we got there. Flying into San Jose at night was my fist inclination that Costa Rica had some very developed areas, and...

Pros: Not too crowded; gorgeous and warm
Cons: A long drive; more expensive than most of Costa Rica

If you're planning a trip to Costa Rica, and especially if you're headed to Monteverde, take Tamarindo Beach into very serious consideration.

On a gently inset bay at the top of the Pacific side of the Nicoya peninsula, this roughly...

Pros: Everything! You won't want to leave and the beaches are more swim-able than most in Costa Rica.
Cons: In the dry season it's becoming a little too popular

Tamarindo not only has a great beach, boating, numerous hotels, good food and crafts but you get there from San Jose without a car. Both domestic air carriers will fly you to Liberia where you can catch a cab for $20-30 to take you to Tamarindo. If...

Pros: variety of beaches, good bus service, great surf
Cons: can get crowded, some places are dirty, everywhere is hot

Costa Rica's great...not just for the sights and cheap eats, but for the beautiful waves. We've been there twice, both times traveling up and down the Pacific coast. We always avoid the Caribbean side like the plague, as we found (from one harrowing...

Pros: beautiful scenery, great beaches, cheap
Cons: can be crowded during dry season, transportation can be a bit difficult

If you have time to visit only one place in Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is a must-see. The National Park offers beautiful tropical scenery complete with monkeys, sloths, iguanas and fascinating insects. The beaches are some of the best in Costa Rica,...

Pros: Easy to reach, pretty, good starting point for Costa Rica trip
Cons: Crowded, commercialized, not as unspoiled

I went to Jaco and to Quepos (Manuel Antonio National Park) in July as part of a 2 1/2 week trip. Both spots are very easy to reach, either by driving or public transport, from San Jose, and although very touristed are good places to get acquainted to...

Pros: Gourmet food and comfortable accommodations at a reasonable price.
Cons: Difficult to travel there unless flying from San Jose, roads mostly unpaved.

We spent a week at this wonderful resort and could have stayed longer. Travel there is best done by flying NatureAir from San Jose. The lodge owners arrange everything, from transport from airport to lodge, accommodations in San Jose if needed, and day ...

Pros: The Ticos of Drake's Bay, Jinetes de Osa, Corcovado, and Cano Island
Cons: I wish I had more time off from work to enjoy this interesting place

I had planned to spend eight days on the Osa Peninsula, with my girlfriend, exploring the rainforests of Corcovado National Park and the volcanic underwater reefs of Cano Island. We were hoping to catch a glimse of the land and sea creatures that...

Pros: Interesting views of the Catalina Islands, long beach for walking or shelling
Cons: Isolated location, musty rooms, unsanitary pool, bad food and worse service.

Following a fantastic week at Lapa Rios Resort on the Osa Peninsula, we were really looking forward to a week of swimming and sunbathing on the beaches of Guanacaste. Not known for it's beaches but for its rainforests and wildlife, the Lapa Rios beach...