The Toucan Oasis on lake Arenal is pretty cool. 2 little cabins in a Botanical garden and comes with a killer breakfast.Flowers, butterflies and monkeys everywhere.
I think it was $50

Posted By Sarah Mulder on November 7, 2009, 3:52 AM

Take a good look at the Hotel Gildede Iguana in Nosara near Playa Guiones. Two bars, pool, super restaurant, kayaking, surf school, and live music. And it's only a five minute walk to the most dependable surf in NW Costa Rica. Rooms start at $45 and go to $90. Located at the "cross roads" of the area this place has been the meeting place for tourists, expats and Ticos for years.

Posted By Joe Davis on November 7, 2009, 6:30 AM

Take a good look at the Hotel Gildede Iguana in Nosara near Playa Guiones. Two bars, pool, super restaurant, kayaking, surf school, and live music. And it's only a five minute walk to the most dependable surf in NW Costa Rica. Rooms start at $45 and go to $90. Located at the "cross roads" of the area this place has been the meeting place for tourists, expats and Ticos for years.

Posted By Joe Davis on November 7, 2009, 6:31 AM

I cannot recommend the restaurant Kapi Kapi in Manuel Antonio enough. Our meal was excellent, the service was great and the setting was just wonderful. It was our best meal in Costa Rica.

Posted By Chris on November 7, 2009, 10:18 AM

I stayed here when I went to the town of Quepos. Did not know about it before, we just showed up at the place. It was downtown and close to most things and the people were super friendly.

Posted By steve on November 7, 2009, 10:22 AM

The southern part of Costa Rica is about to explode. The government is finishing the Pacific Coastal Highway between Quepos and Dominical. This will be your last chance to see Costa Rica in the south before it turns into Jaco. I highly recommend Shelter-from-the-storm.net. All points south of Dominical are spectacular and just starting to boom. Hurry!

Posted By Amelia on November 7, 2009, 12:18 PM

We stayed at Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio. We did travel during early December ( the off season) but the hotel was affordable, about $100 a night. It was a quick walk down to the beach, and was set up high on a hill that overlooked the water, and provided great opportunities to see the beautiful sunsets each night. The best part about this place was that we saw monkeys every night! The hotel slogan is " More monkeys than people".

Posted By Stef and Jon on November 8, 2009, 2:11 PM

In Playa Grande just across the river from Tamarindo, is a place called Hotel Bula Bula. While not on the beach, this hotel is comfortable and close to one of the best beaches in Costa Rica. Take a boat taxi to or from Tamarindo. The restaurant is my favorite in all of Costa Rica - complete with Burt the Parrot, great food and amazing drinks.

Posted By Craig on November 9, 2009, 9:17 AM

One of our favorite spots in Korea was the Tortuguero Lodge on the northeastern coast. The staff was great, the food terrific, and relaxing on the balcony in front of our room watching the toucans and the trogons in the trees was amazing.

Posted By Kara Bay on November 9, 2009, 9:58 AM

We highly recommend Posada El Quijote Country Inn in San Jose (Escazu area). It is small and meticulously run, the grounds are beautifully manicured, the breakfasts are wonderful, and the management is the best. In Quepos we recommend L'Angolo's Italian restaurant - delicious! Also recommend the beach at Balu between Quepos and Manuel Antonio. Can park on the beach for a small amount (for someone to watch your car), have an umbrella and lounge chairs, and enjoy food from the restaurant on the beach.

Posted By Glenda Schill on November 9, 2009, 12:08 PM

We had an excellent stay at a small hotel called La Marejada in the Guanacaste region. The hotel has about 10 rooms which are scrupulously clean, and all of them have working air conditioners. There is an excellent bar/restaurant on the premises. Rooms were reasonably priced and breakfast was included. The owners were very friendly and accomodating. The hotel is right across the street from Playa Grande, which is one of the most amazing beaches I've ever seen. You can easily arrange surf lessons or massages in your room, and Tamarindo is not too far away.

Posted By Barb on November 9, 2009, 12:11 PM

We spent a month in Costa Rica - I don't remember prices, but we had a great time. Best places we stayed:

Quepos - Mono Azul (Blue Monkey)
Viejo de Talamanca - Banana Azul
Monteverde - Montana Monteverde (with a fabulous Italian restaurant down the road a bit)
San Jose - Casa 69 Bed & Breakfast
Tamarindo - La Laguna del Cocodrilo (with a French bakery downstairs for bkfst!)
Orosi - Orosi Lodge

I'd recommend to anyone to rent a car and drive - just really listen to people when they tell you to leave NOTHING in the vehicle, even for 1 minute - it will disappear. Other than that issue, we had a fabulous time.

Posted By Phebe on November 9, 2009, 1:22 PM

Book a visit to the Doubletree Hotel Puntarenas, Costa Rica. The hotel in Puntarenas is perfectly situated alongside a beach of the Central Pacific region outside the port city of Puntarenas. Perfect for all travelers, Doubletree All Inclusive Hotel. There's nothing in Puntarenas itself. The food is great.

http://doubletree1.hilton.com/en_US/dt/hotel/JAPCRDT-Doubletree-Resort-by-Hilton-Costa-Rica-Puntarenas/index.do;jsessionid=CB03A0232E94AD31E052DFB43BB1D639.etc64?brand_id=DT&brand_directory=/en/dt/&xch=499266850,LF4EUR3PEFC0ICSGBJBMVCQ

Posted By Scott on November 9, 2009, 1:59 PM

Lost Iguana Resort & Spa in Arenal was amazing. Every room had a view of the volcano and if it erupted at night, you could have the front desk give you a wake up call to let you know, so as not to miss the action. The spa at the hotel was divine, and the food was excellent - the heart of palm soup was to die for.

I concur with someone above said about Kapi Kapi in Quepos. Fantastic - and not expensive as we were told it would be.

Posted By lauren on November 9, 2009, 2:05 PM

Our best recommendation is El Mono Azul (the Blue Monkey) near Quepos in Manuel Antonio. The people were lovely and profits from the locally made crafts in the little gift shop supported efforts to preserve the monkey habitat.

Posted By Laralyn on November 9, 2009, 2:38 PM

Tabacon in Arenal is fantastic.

Posted By Ryan Murphy on November 9, 2009, 3:00 PM

I recommend Jinetes De Osa in Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. It's an adventure to get there but worth the trip. The staff was wonderful, the food was delicious, and the hotel had a great communal vibe. It's also a great place from which to explore Corcovado National Park and Cano Island.

I recommend springing for a superior room. It has nice views of the bay.

http://www.drakebayhotel.com/

Posted By Chris on November 9, 2009, 3:27 PM

We stayed near the Arenal Volcano at Hotel Linda Vista del Norte. Beautiful accommodations, wonderful restaurant on site, reasonable price.

On one of our trips into La Fortuna, we asked the guide from our trail ride where we could get some good Tico food, and were directed to the Soda La Tipica. I had a wonderful Tampico Jalapena - sirloin steak with a jalapeno cream sauce - and my son had Tilapia with vegetables and baked potato. He ate every bit on the plate except for the foil and the citrus rinds. Delicious food at a bargain price.

Posted By CliffK on November 9, 2009, 3:27 PM

The Arenal Observatory Lodge is located inside the National Park and our rooms were literally a stones throw away from the volcano. It used to be a scientific lodge and was later transformed into a hotel. The rooms are simple but the views were incredible (get the Smithsonian or Jr. Suite Rooms). Throughout the day you could hear the rumble from the boulders going down the volcano.
http://www.arenalobservatorylodge.com/EN/

Posted By Fred on November 9, 2009, 4:10 PM

In a city full of tourist traps, the best deal in San Jose is Hotel Aranjuez. The "ecologic" hotel was made from several 1930's houses that were joined together by winding hallways and courtyards. The rooms are only $25-55 for two people and includes an omelette breakfast in the main courtyards. The hotel is a 5-10 minute walk from the main tourist zone, but the neighborhood is safe, quiet and very charming--an especially great find for San Jose.

http://www.hotelaranjuez.com/

Posted By Andy on November 9, 2009, 4:56 PM

Hey, Budget Travel, please don't forget the Caribbean coast!It has some of the most spectacular rainforest and beaches in the country.
It also has wonderful places to stay and great restaurants.

I am co-owner of Geckoes Lodge in Cocles Puerto Viejo -- yes, I know you probably think I'm biased but our guests love it (check their reviews!) and we offer Barefoot Luxury in gorgeous houses with private plunge pools surrounded by rainforest. More style and personality is hard to imagine!
Our Special offer runs all year: book 7 nights and pay for only 5.
http://www.geckoeslodge.com

Also readers may like info on the following places on this coast -- all individually owned offering a great lodging experience at reasonable prices:
El Arbol, Manzanillo.
Finca Chica, Cocles, Puerto Viejo.
Banana Azul, Puerto Viejo.

Some of my favourite restaurants in and around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca:
El Refugio, Punta Uva: tiny, romantic and friendly service with perfect food.
La Pecora Nera, Cocles: brilliant service, innovative Italian food, lovely setting.
Chile Rojo, Puerto Viejo: Asian and Middle Eastern food and consistently good.
Oishis, Puerto Viejo: new, small and wonderfully Caribbean.
Cafe Viejo, Puerto Viejo: great cocktails, good quality food and buzzy atmosphere.
Bread & Chocolate, Puerto Viejo: Home-made chocolate goodies and breads and delicious lunches.
Maxi's, Manzanillo: Wonderfully atmospheric and good Caribbean food.
Ali Baba's, Puerto Viejo: new Lebanese cafe with high quality Lebanese mezze.

There's so much here for visitors -- this is just the tip of the iceberg!

Posted By Zoe on November 9, 2009, 6:09 PM

We enjoyed our stay at La Paloma Lodge. It was well priced for the location and amenities. The rooms/huts were a bit big for just two people, but it's a great spot for groups and families. It's all inclusive and the food and drinks were very good. The day trips were perfect -- spent a lot of time in the national park and snorkeling. The night bug hike is particularly good.
Very well trained and professional staff. Good amenities including bar, massages, etc. Great for those who want to really get away from civilization for a while.
Very quiet and relaxing.
Only complaint is that the surf at the beach was a bit too rough for my taste.

Posted By steph on November 9, 2009, 6:20 PM

We stayed only one night at this lovely vegetarian resort in the heart of the rainforest. We didn't realize it was vegetarian until we got there, but the food was so good my carnivore hubby hardly noticed. (OK, he said more than a couple days there would be difficult, but I loved it).
Beautiful trails on the resort land, lovely waterfall, orchids, hills, trees, etc. etc. etc.
Excellent service. Worth the drive.
We stayed there on the way to Arenal. Got lost twice trying to find the turn, but I hear they've since improved the signs.

Posted By steph on November 9, 2009, 6:27 PM

I also stayed at Las Orquideas on my trip to CR. one night on my way into the rainforest, and one night on my way out. Very convenient to the airport and they'll hold your extra luggage in their secured storage room if you're heading off to more remote resorts for a couple days.

Posted By tiff on November 9, 2009, 6:30 PM

Has anyone combined their trip with dental work? If so, how did that work?

Posted By Nancy on November 9, 2009, 9:12 PM

We stayed last year at La Posada Jungle Bungalows owned by an American ex-pat. This place was amazing. He has some apartment style with kitchenettes and some thatch roofed bungalows surrounding a pool. A full breakfast buffet is served and included in the price. It is only a short walk down a path to the beach and Manual Antonio park. We went in low season and stayed in a large studio with bathroom and kitchenette for $50 a night. The people who work there are so friendly and the owner was extremely helpful.

Posted By Sandra Mendel on November 10, 2009, 7:19 AM

Manuel Antonio was Costa Rica's first major ecotourist destination and is a short propeller plane flight past San Jose. Quepos and Manuel Antonio is very laid back but still has an energetic feeling brought about by youthful tourists.

The area isn't full of upscale resorts, but has a few gems (http://www.gaiahr.com/ where I stayed is eco friendly and socially responsible) and plenty of great/fun bars and restaurants.

Best thing to do is look at Frommers.com for ideas for activities like eye-opening park & mangrove tours, exciting fishing trips, adventurous canopy tours and a few other trips that will keep you outdoors enjoying the fresh air and beautiful natural surroundings.

Pura Vida.
Good stuff.

Posted By Devon George on November 10, 2009, 9:49 AM

Hotel Bougainvilla in san jose. good restaurant. quiet,away from the tourist trail, beautiful grounds and pool.rooms are very confortable and not too far from the airport. stayed there 3 times, will do so again. prices upper budget.

Posted By sherry on November 10, 2009, 1:16 PM

Si como no is the name of a great hotel in Manuel Antonio. Also, La Mansion Inn.

San Jose the Marriott.

Tabacon Hotel & Spa in Arenal. (Very overpriced)

Posted By bob on November 10, 2009, 5:59 PM

Luna Llena in Montezuma - very cool and quirky and loads of howlers.

Wildlife Refunge in Curu - very private, great little beach, can paddle rental kayaks to Tortuga Islands for snorkling, meals included, lots of bird-watching, capuchin and howler monkeys, and hiking.

Posted By Linda on November 12, 2009, 8:27 PM

East of San Carlos (Ciudad Quesada) about 10 miles (17 km) is Thermales del Bosque. They have a very nice hot springs down in the forest. Many pools of different temperatures with a natural steam room and a restaurant for drinks and snacks there along a river. Last time I stayed at that hotel I paid $88 for 2 persons for a large room with dinner and breakfast included. The food was good. There is a spa there also.

Posted By Steve on November 12, 2009, 8:36 PM

If you don't mind a long drive and some dirt roads, there's nothing like the Flying Scorpion at Playa San Miguel on the south end of the Nicoya Peninsula. The food is phenomenal, the beach is serene, untouched, and almost deserted, the rooms are simple but refined, and the people there are fun to be around. If want something more luxurious(but much more expensive) the Punta Islita up the coast from San Miguel looks nice and gets rave reviews, but if you want to relax in a fun atmosphere in one of Costa Rica's more out-of-the-way places, Flying Scorpion is the way to go.

Posted By Iotepa on November 12, 2009, 9:59 PM

I am partial to the Marriott Los Suenos. Great golf and close to San Jose. If you are into golf check out the site: www.teetimescostarica.com for course, resort and maps.

Posted By Fabio on November 12, 2009, 10:33 PM

Truly, the best food is at many small local cafe's. Certainly, there is as noted excellent food at restaurants but true Costa Rican food is very good at many small family run places. Stop at a local farmer's market and have excellent Tico food. Stop at a small town Church festival and have great tamales. Find the restaurant which sells mainly beef in the suburbs of San Jose and you'll go back there again and again.
Find the pizza and pasta restaurant in Perez Zeledon and you will never want for Chicago or New York pizza again! Find my friends who live in St. Miguel and Perez Zeledon and you will have the best Tico home cooked food, the best food you will ever have, anywhere in the world! Pura Vida!

Posted By Charles on November 13, 2009, 6:44 AM

My wife and I happened upon a marvelous introduction to Costa Rica, it's typical quisine and rain forests. It's the Orquidias Hotel (they have a website) located on the outskirts of Alajuela. If you don't have a car, the hotel will shuttle you from San Jose Airport to its verrrryyyy reasonably priced lodgings, excellent restaurant and lounge faciliities, and, it has its own mini-rain-forest to stroll about. You can arrange a car rental right there at the hotel. The rooms are clean, nicely apppoiinted,and the management and staff are really kind/helpful folks. We treasured being able to spend our first and last nights at the Orquidias. Enjoy!

Posted By Jim Riedle on November 13, 2009, 11:10 AM

Went to Manuel Antonio last year and stayed at Buena Vista Village Resort - 2-story, 2-bedroom condo with their own private beach. It was absolutely stunning and with the grocery nearby, we were able to cook our own lunch (save some $$$) and discover the most amazing native hot sauce. I can't wait to go back.

Posted By d-cubed mom on November 13, 2009, 5:12 PM

Stay at the Grano de Oro Hotel and , for sure, eat there. 32 rooms that are all different. It is in a marginal neighborhood but there is nothing marginal about the Hotel

Posted By Tom Lang on November 16, 2009, 4:05 PM

I loved the Grano del Oro Hotel in San Jose- sorry to hear that the neighborhood is now marginal- it wasn't when I was there! A wonderful place with friendly, warm people!

Also, Drake Bay Wilderness Camp in the Osa Peninsula. A former family homestead As said above, an adventure to get there, but well worth it. Wildlife
( toucans,parrots, squirrel monkeys climbing on your shoulder, howler monkeys, and much, much more) natural whirlpools, guides to explore the rain forest, Cano Island, snorkle in the pacific on the way.

Posted By Debbie on November 19, 2009, 1:02 PM

We stayed in two amazing places, very much untouched, one by the cloud forest the other on the pacific coast. The cloud forest location was not easy to get to, but completely worth the ride (plus it's very scenic). The lodgings are simple cabins, with nicely appointed rest room and an entire wall of glass overlooking the valley. The lodge is eco-friendly, so hot water is in short supply, but easy to get used to. It's the best location to see the treasured quetzal -an amazing bird with astounding plumage and the staff are family. Although they only serve breakfast on the premises, and make good sandwiches for lunch the mother of the two main inn keepers lives up the road and will serve you the freshest trout baked in a wood stove you'll ever eat. She doesn't have much variety, but we could've eaten the same meal for weeks and never tired of it. www.dantica.com

The other location on the ocean is la cusinga - not inexpensive unless you go during the off season. The entire property is a nature preserve so you wake up to the sound of howler monkeys in the morning (which is a bit off-putting the first time, but you get used to it). And a short 10 minute trail through the preserve brings you to a secluded beach that during high-season had only 2 people on it. All the food served on the premises is sustainably grown, but relatively expensive and often average. We had dorado one night that was fantastic, though.

Posted By michelle on November 27, 2009, 1:00 PM

The El Sano Banano in Montezuma has nice cabanas off the beaten path and killer banana pancakes.

Posted By Nicolette on November 28, 2009, 6:09 PM

We just spent six wonderful days at a beach house just outside Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. We ate Caribbean food at Elena Brown's Restaurant. Two entrees (filet of marlin with rice and beans; and Pollo la Elena..chicken in curry sauce with fresh peppercorns and chiles, four Imperials,and a lemonade for 16,200 colones. We had another dinner at the Mare Nostrum with ceviche, shrimp cocktail, grilled tuna filets and sea bass in mustard sauce, two ceasars salads and three beers for 21,230 colones. Our final dinner out was at Loco Natural, a fusion restaurant where we took the caretaker and her husband for dinner. The food there was excellent. Three appetizers (marinated plantains, chicken satay, and brushetta) four entrees (camarones in curry sauce, red curry beef tenderloin, and two pollo in curry sauce), cocktails, wine, beer, and coffee. The entrees were served with rice, fried potato, star fruit, pickeled daikon, and sauce. The entire dinner for four was $82 U.S. We also hit some of the ceviche stands and pizza restaurants, and never had a bad meal in Puerto Viejo, or anywhere else in Costa Rica.

Posted By Tom B. on November 29, 2009, 1:50 AM

I saw many of these places mentioned above, but they're worth repeating.

In Arenal, we stayed at Royal Corin. New hotel, great staff, walking distance to the lovely (and very cheap!) Baldi Hot Springs. It's a third of the price of the better-known Tabacon but still really great. We went at night and it was quiet and romantic.

Near Manuel Antonio, we stayed at Si Como No. It's a lovely and eco-friendly hotel but the staff was NOT great. They charged us incorrectly for an excursion and the service at one of the restaurants was incredibly BAD. Also, this is not wheelchair/handicapped friendly so if you have walking difficulties, stay elsewhere.

Finally, I like the person above, cannot praise Restaurant Kapi Kapi in Manuel Antonio enough. Incredible service, delicious food, probably the best meal we had in Costa Rica.

Pura vida!

Posted By Rebecca M. on December 3, 2009, 6:32 PM

I think they need a little help with booking guests. Got there and we apparently displaced a couple on their last day... and on our last day we were kicked out of our room because a party of twenty were coming and Rossi hadn't suitable rooms left and thus we were out on our asses. Luckily, we found even better lodging just down the road at a place called Arca de Noie. Wished we'd stayed there the entire visit to beautiful San Miguel.

We feel that though Rossi claims to not be in the guest house buisness for money (really?) he does make sure that the Flying Scorpion brings in lots of revenue... to a fault.

Be careful when booking here, the place seems to have no down time and no guarantee that you keep the room you've had reserved.

The food was good, though not worth the hassle of dealing with the faulty management you may experience.

There are plenty of options and cost can be negotiated at many of the guests houses during the low season.

San Miguel was gorgeous.

Posted By Dorian on December 4, 2009, 12:24 PM

We stayed at the Clarion Amon Plaza Hotel in northern San Jose on two occasions, and it has improved significantly over the last year. It is easy to get to the hotel from the airport and easy to leave town via Highway 32 which is much faster than the circuitous rout taking Highway 10 to the east and getting lost in Cartago and trying to find the road to Limon in Turialba. The hotel has well guarded basement parking so you can rest easy about your vehicle.

We were just at the Amon Plaza in November 09 and had an outstanding dinner at the Cafetal de la Luz restaurant in the hotel. They have completely redone their menu and it is much better than it was a year ago. The breakfast buffet is still the same and is quite good. The dinner was fantastic and only set us back 37,000 colones which wasn't bad since it included martinis, appetizers, entrees, and desserts.

I have read several old reviews of the hotel that were pretty critical but we had a very nice room, free WIFI, and there is a cool little casino on the main floor. If you stay on a weekend night you might want to get a room that doesn't face the front as there is a nightclub across the street that is pretty loud into the wee hours of the morning. We think of it as Latin ambience , but others might think it is just plain noisy.

Some people have commented that you shouldn't walk out at night. What a bunch of hooie! Last year we walked to a couple of very fine restaurants within 4 blocks of the hotel. There is one sleazy looking bar in the neighborhood with street walkers out front, but they didn't bother us and we didn't bother them.

If you want to sight see in San Jose, don't use your rental car unless you don't mind a lot of congestion and a lack of parking spaces. There are thousands of cabs to take you anywhere to want to go. Pick one out without too many dents as the condition of the cab usually reflects the competence of the cabbie.

Posted By Tom B. on December 4, 2009, 5:18 PM

El Mono Azul (the Blue Monkey) near Quepos in Manuel Antonio provides excellent service, outstanding food and safe quarters. The hotel is on the bus line and about 5 minutes from Manuel Antonio National Park. The rate for El Mono Azul was $50US per night.

Posted By Celia on December 7, 2009, 1:50 AM

Villa Malibu near Playa Flamingo/Playa Potrero in Guanacaste. They have two beachfront studio suites that are only $120/night for the smaller one. This includes the taxes and they have a full kitchen and a gorgeous infinity lap pool with a large rancho. Very romantic and serene for honeymooners and singles!

Posted By Laura on December 7, 2009, 2:07 PM

Villa Malibu near Playa Flamingo/Playa Potrero in Guanacaste. They have two beachfront studio suites that are only $120/night for the smaller one. This includes the taxes and they have a full kitchen and a gorgeous infinity lap pool with a large rancho. Very romantic and serene for honeymooners and singles!

Posted By Laura on December 7, 2009, 2:08 PM

All of the reviews have been very informative. Does anyone know how long (in hours) it takes to go from the airport in San Jose to Arenal? How far from Arenal to Monteverde? From Monteverde to Sarchi? Sarchi to M. Antonio? How many days should we stay at each destination?

Posted By Melinda on May 2, 2010, 12:06 AM

rincon de la vieja is a great place to visit, with options of hotels to stay, like hacienda guachipelin and aroma de campo, with great tours and a great national park to visit, and you can fly directly in Liberia's airport Daniel Oduber. Costa Rica has 2 airports one in San Jose and one in Guanacaste.

Posted By jose batalla on July 5, 2010, 12:24 PM