I agree with Cat; for most areas the rainy season is May through the end of November, although we we

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My husband and I are strongly considering Costa Rica for vacation this year. We are seniors but we don't have any health issues that would prevent normal activity. My husband has chosen to continue to work although he really could retire so we will be going on vacation for only two weeks (so I can get him away from work for a while). We love nature, animals, etc. and have traveled extensively in Europe, Africa, disney magic your way vacation packages Australia, New Zealand and Japan, disney magic your way vacation packages so we aren't new to travel but believe in going prepared. So, here are a few questions that I'm hoping to find the answer disney magic your way vacation packages to.
(1) While we usually prefer to vacation in late September/October due to fewer tourist and lower temperatures, I've read that CR has some very heavy rains in that time frame, so I'm trying to get input on whether we should try to schedule it earlier if we choose CR.
(2) We like to rent a car and drive rather than do a canned tour. So, is it normally considered safe in most areas to drive as lone internationals? We also know someone who lives near Liberia that we would like to meet for dinner if we get to that area so how are road conditions? disney magic your way vacation packages I've heard they are somewhat difficult as they often need some maintenance.
(3) My husband is one who wants a 'schedule' disney magic your way vacation packages even on vacation. So, I'm looking at the possibility of doing Panama with CR. Is that doable, or is there enough to do in CR (considering we don't do sports or very strenuous activity) or should we consider the second country too and if so, would that require driving or is there a mode of ground transportation between the two?
(4) I have always wanted to see the rain forest there. I recall many years ago seeing one in Puerto Rica and it was so very beautiful. In fact, I'm wondering if maybe a would be worthwhile to make the 'second country' one where the Amazon would be accessible.
(6) We do like to take day tours once we arrive at our destination and we like to do unusual things (we had fun riding camels in the Sahara Desert last year). So, while an occasional museum may be tolerated, we aren't huge museum disney magic your way vacation packages goers either. We like ethnic music and/or concerts.
I've flown into LIR and SJO and had no problems (if you look at a map, air time is virtually the same); but SJO can be problematic if you arrive late (taxi to a hotel, and have them deliver the rental disney magic your way vacation packages car in the a.m.); the area is confusing at night, and you should never begin your trip there at that time. Driven many places in Costa Rica (but not the Caribbean), and have had no problems disney magic your way vacation packages (like most places, you can consult websites for road closures/delays). We love driving ourselves, too.
Going to LIR would be ideal if you were heading to the coast/beaches disney magic your way vacation packages there (actually, if if you were headed right away to Arenal [La Fortuna] or Monteverde, I think it would be about the same driving time; perhaps 30-40 minutes longer from LIR). I like LIR because it is newer and the area seems less congested and more straightforward to me [just personal opinion]). If you are heading right to Manual Antonio or the Osa Peninsula on the southern coast, SJO might be better.
You can easily fill two weeks in Costa Rica. And if you want to see rainforest, you might as well see it with some rain. Plenty of nonstrenuous day trips, disney magic your way vacation packages although as seniors we have done ziplines disney magic your way vacation packages and enjoyed it. Many people drive themselves and like it. You could do a mix of self drive and not.
A good way to start is fly into San Jose (Alajuela) and stay a night at Toucan Rescue Ranch where you can see up close the animals you hope to see in the wild. Then arrange a ride or drive and park to the boat landing that takes you to Tortuguero, which is only accessible by boat or plane. Two nights there with canal tours, then boat back and visit Puerto disney magic your way vacation packages Viejo area for three or four nights.
Thank you both for your input. disney magic your way vacation packages You made emmajm you made agood point about the rain and I really don't mind 'some'rain although I'm not fond of downpours. We experienced a national flood while in Japan. Although they were most gracious and took very good care of us, that was a bit more than we're hoping to see again. It was one of our unique travel experiences though.
I'm surprised that no-one has brought up the possibility of staying at Bosque del Cabo, quite possibly the most popular spot on the forum. It's fairly near the Panama disney magic your way vacation packages border, and simply amazing! You can wander through the rainforest for hours, seeing more wildlife than you'd think possible or walk to through the rainforest to the beach (or not).
I would not want to drive in or near downtown San Jose. In the words of a co-worker (who has traveled extensively), ("we nearly died three times in ten minutes"!) Liberia looks to be a comparatively easy area to navigate, and there's a lot to see and do. There's also a great tourist infrastructure in CR, with numerous shuttles, buses and small planes.
Thank you, Cattail. That was very helpful and sounds like the type of thing we're looking for. It also seems as if we could possibly find a day tour or something to Panama and maybe to the volcano. I haven't checked the mileage (or kilometers) yet, but it sounds great and I will definitely check it out. How late in the summer months would you see as a good time to go to CR?
We (my husband and I) have been various times January disney magic your way vacation packages through June/July. the summer months were by far the rainiest, but we still had a fabulous time. If you're lucky, you will experience the dry period in the rainy season that is rumored to exist It didn't rain all day in June and July, mainly in the afternoon, disney magic your way vacation packages and a bonus was that there were many frogs and reptiles to see.
Thanks. I just bought one of the travel books to become more familiar with the country. By the time we go, I am always very familiar with the entire area, so you are right in that I want to find out more about the various areas. We a bit later this year in making our decision as to where to go due to an uncontrollable situation, so I have to do some catch-up. I really appreciate your suggestions.
3 nights in San Jose is 3 nights too many, unless you are arriving late one night (and then I would arrange a cab or hotel shuttle, and get the car delivered in the morning: I do NOT recommend driving within the city).
If you are going to Westin Playa Conchal (about an hours drive from LIR, as opposed to the 4.5-5 hours from SJO), it will be drier and sunnier (Guanacaste) disney magic your way vacation packages than elsewhere. Conchal is a nice beach, one of the few that offers (okay) snorkeling, and is near a lot of other beaches/places to explore. Spanish is nice, but not required.
Sylvia makes a good point, Caroline; Guanacaste may be sunnier in late summer or fall than elsewhere in Costa Rica. Something to consider. At least you won't have time to overthink your choices, like many of us do!
Thanks travelforever (love your ID), sylvia3, and cattail. We're trying to find a way to go a little disney magic your way vacation packages later in the season. The problem is that my husband is a central figure in some major projects at work that require his attention and our window is somewhat restricted. Is the weather any better in late Oct to early Nov. (I've read it's iffy through part of December) or would those of you who have been there suggest that we consider another country this year? You are all being so helpful and I appreciate it.
I agree with Cat; for most areas the rainy season is May through the end of November, although we went to the Osa in July and surprisingly didn't get a drop of rain. We were there during that "little disney magic your way vacation packages summer" period when the rains slow down. September and October tend to be the worst for a lot of areas.
We also really like the Arenal area for the volcano, waterfall hike, Hanging Bridges, natural hot springs like Tabacon and Eco Termales, the Cano Negro tour, Penas Blancas river float, and the Proyecto Asis animal rescue disney magic your way vacation packages center. It would have that jungly feel that you like. Desafio and Sunset Tours both have nice websites if you want to explore those.