Expert: Stefano - 8/28/2011

Question
Hi,
We want to trade our timeshare and travel on American Airlines to Costa Rica. Don't know where to go but we do want to be on the beach. Can you give us any ideas where we might stay? Also should we rent a car? Should we be concerned about safety?
Thank you.

Answer
Hi,

You have two options: Pacific coast and Caribbean Cost. The Pacific coast is more developed and offer more services, if you consider Guanacaste (North Pacific) and Central Pacific, while the South (pennisula de Osa) is a wild area. The weather is more humid on the Carribean Coast, where it rains more often even if in Summer (December-April) you shouldn't worry about the Weather, that will be fine.

Pacific Coast is a bit safer and people are nicer, my opinion based on personal experience, even if the Carribean has a charming athmosphere.

Said that, Costa Rica is a small country and is worthwhile to travel around to see both the coasts, Volcanos, rain forests, Tortuguero, parks, etc. Therefore I would probably prefer to stay in the Pacific Central Coast, rent a car and not worry about safety (please check, Tamarindo, Nicoya, Esterillos, jaco). Then I would travel a lot around not spending my time on a beach.

Kind regards
Steve