Who has been to Costa Rica?

[snipsnsnails]

celeste, super helpful! Thanks! And everyone, thanks!

celeste, will you ever live there again? You sound as if you love it so much! You definitely make me want to visit!

[underwaterrhymes]

FWIW, snips, we've gone in August twice and still had a blast despite the rain.

And it's at its most beautiful then because it's so green.

[wanderlustmom]

We went in rainy season and it was too cloudy to see Arenal and we had heavy daily rains in Manuel Antonio. But they were over quickly and everything was so lush. We went to Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio and loved them all. Really an incredible trip. We loved white water rafting, zip lining and horseback riding

[snipsnsnails]

Jul 2, 2016 9:30:12 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

FWIW, snips, we've gone in August twice and still had a blast despite the rain.

And it's at its most beautiful then because it's so green.

They don't call it the rain forest for nothing, I guess!

I didn't know DH had family there!

[underwaterrhymes]

Jul 2, 2016 12:29:13 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

Jul 2, 2016 9:30:12 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

FWIW, snips, we've gone in August twice and still had a blast despite the rain.

And it's at its most beautiful then because it's so green.

They don't call it the rain forest for nothing, I guess!

I didn't know DH had family there!

His dad moved there back in the early 80s. StepMIL and step-sisters-in-law are Costa Rican. Makes for nice vacations!

[CloudBee]

It was one of our stops back in March. I would return again, but next time would like to experience the beach vs. the rainforest. DS was with us. (Loved the rainforest, but never got to do the beach!)

Here were our highlights:
- train through rainforest to view sloths
- guided tour on small boat down a river to view monkeys up in the trees
- alligator sightings in river
- banana plantation visit

We REALLY enjoyed Cartagena, Colombia, and you should be guaranteed lots of sunshine if you go there. A great place to relax while still getting in some adventure in the city. Loved that place.

The rainforest was fairly buggy, but only one of us got bitten. (DS...) We wore mosquito bands, kept bands strapped to our backpacks, and spritzed our clothes, socks, shoes, and backpacks with bug spray fairly regularly. I think we still have one or two unopened bands, and they last for about 5 days once opened. If I dig them up I'll give them to you. Same with the mini bug spray bottles we had.

[celeste]

Jul 2, 2016 9:24:50 GMT -5 snipsnsnails said:

celeste, super helpful! Thanks! And everyone, thanks!

celeste, will you ever live there again? You sound as if you love it so much! You definitely make me want to visit!

I do love it, but it's doubtful I'll live there again. Life has moved on from my long-term field research days, unfortunately. I hope to keep visiting, though

[compassrose]

I lived there on a Fulbright doing research in the cloud forest in Monteverde. @celeste, where were you doing research?

While I was there, I vacationed to Manuel Antonio (absolutely gorgeous national park, amazing fruit and ceviche on the beach, stay up on the hill where it's cool), Montezuma (fun, artsy, night life, cliff jumping), Santa Teresa/Playa Guiones (beautiful beach, good for surfing, more secluded, fewer people), etc.

September/October/November is the rainest time. I didn't find July too bad. It depends on where the climate equator (the intertropical convergence zone) is. When it's north of CR in Mexico, it's still rainy, but not as bad as when it's right over it. mcconnellogueweatherblog.weebly.com/blog

snipsnsnails, I am happy to answer any questions, too.

[celeste]

Jul 4, 2016 9:51:44 GMT -5 compassrose said:

I lived there on a Fulbright doing research in the cloud forest in Monteverde. @celeste, where were you doing research?

compassrose I was near Lake Arenal, so just down the hill (aka continental divide) from you!