Dear fellow Thorn Tree travelers,
1) Does anyone know if Costa Rican tour operators, car rentals, public transportation, public parks... etc. will be open on Christmas Eve, Christmas day, New Years Eve and New Years Day?
2) Based on the current lava flow, what's a great place to stay at to see the Arenal Volcan lava/eruptions at night?
3) What to expect at Playa Samara, Nicoya Peninsula?
Peace,
Lisa
ldii
1
healthyjim
1) Ask: First Name: Luis
Last Name: Cartin
Username: roadadvisor
Country: Costa Rica
Website: http://<BR>
Email address: roadadvisor@hotmail.com
2) The Humming Bird Nest Ask Ellen, she lives there...
3) Same as 1) above....
2
boomer1
1) Xmas is a big holiday in CR but its also peak tourist season so whilst most public services will be closed or reduced Tourist services will be working flat out. i.e car rentals, tours, excursions, parks etc no problem. Banks, buses, some stores etc- reduced.
2). Arenal is a lucky lottery. Even if the lava is flowing cloud can completely obscure views. Then suddenly the cloud clears for a few moments and you can't believe it!. Some people go several times and never even see the cone. Others get great views the minute they arrive. The north side is the side for lava flows. Be ready to move around.
3). Samara is a popular beach resort with good access by paved road and a choice of places to stay and eat etc. It still "low rise" even laid back but development is well underway. The beach is great but not truly West facing for classic sunsets. A good base for exploring the peninsular.
3
samkirk9
Hi Lisa
I guess from your questions you are visiting at Christmas / New Year, which is when we're planning a visit. Would it be possible to share your answers once you've contacted the people mentioned by healthyjim.
Many thanks
Sam
4
sean94110
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>What to expect at Playa Samara, Nicoya Peninsula?<hr></blockquote>
Samara is a pretty small town. It's only about 3x3 blocks in size. It's ok for a night or two but any longer and you will get bored. Personally, I like Nosara, about 45 minutes north of Samara.
5
ldii
Hello all,
For your benefit, below is the reply I got from healthyjim's reference, Luis Cartin:
Hi...thank you for your mail today...rent a cars...hotels...some restaurants...yes they wiil be open...rent a carsx some times they closed for the afternoon..new years day...almost every thing closed...sorryy!!
If you planning to take public transportation during that time of the year...good luck...almost every body in San Jose...well in general in Costa Rica...will be travelling...bueses full...and no reservations...sorry again!!
To Manzanillo in new years eve,,,,not good idea...it is possible of course...but it will be hard...very hard...
Luis
6
wildrider
sean 420,
What nicer is / less boring in Nosara than in Samara??
Advantage of Samara: It has a small town-center right at the beach, with couples of nice restaurants, shops etc.
The town of Nosara is some 3 miles away from the beach.......
LDII
For both places try to make reservation BEFORE, as you go over Christmas.
7
sean94110
<blockquote>Quote
<hr>What nicer is / less boring in Nosara than in Samara??
...The town of Nosara is some 3 miles away from the beach.......<hr></blockquote>
I prefer Nosara over Samara because Nosara is not as developed and you can still see monkeys and other wildlife in town. Also, the beaches are much nicer. I guess you haven't been there or else you would know that all the hotels are near the beach in Nosara. I stayed at Gilded Iguana and it had a direct path to the beach from the hotel.
Pro tip
Lonely Planet
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