New Years Eve 2008

If you want to party: Tamarindo, Playas del Coco, Jaco (not so nice but you can party too).

Its not exactly a rock your socks place on a local level, but partying with other tourist, will be the usual hoopla, the main siorre will be had in Jaco, as above say, if your a male, great, female may be a tad raunchy (hookers and drunk old men)

Tamarindo will be the next nuttiest group of revelers, mainly tourist of all sorts, surfers, backpackers and locals, and will be crowded for a small beach town in the discos and clubs, bonfires on beach etc.

Manual Antonio is the next best venue with a little of everything, though its more spread out, and more understated, and refined in dining options, around midnight, the best scene will be the lounges and clubs, the best fun we found 2 years ago was the gay venues, and also down on the beach were a few bonfires and some music.

After that, they will be low key and more celebration at whatever bar your at, in Nosora, Samara, Montezuma, Mal Pais, and Quepos. Dominical would be my pick, mainly surfers and a tourist, but not too nutty...

The best to me, would be the Caribe side, and Pt Viejo, where a great music, food, and discos, east to score drugs, and a fun beach culture...though there are elements of crackheads and crime, so be leary late night on beach and roads...

TAMARINDO or MONTEZUMA BEACH

You'll have a party no matter where you are in Costa Rica...

If it were me, I'd head to the Caribbean Coast, like TicoTim says. PV/Cahuita/Punta Uva, etc... But that's my style - flip flops and a beach cruiser bike and a bottle of rum.

Cheers,
Kay

Kay-

You should not drink and drive...:)

Tim is right, here you can't drink and drive but on the Caribbean they do smoke and fly.

Nate-

One thing you should be aware of is the fact at New Years, its normally a 2-3 day minimum stay at most places.

So, if you want to avoid the crush so to speak, and have a memorable time with your travel buddies, sometimes not being in a bar, can be the best time, like, a bonfire on a beach, under the lava flow at Arenal Volcano, a nice waterfall and cabinas, or even a small town or village, and a table at the local cafe, with the locals, playing pool or dancing to latin music.

The rum portion is a great way to enjoy a great local liquor, and get buzzed on the cheap, as champagne in CR is like Caviar, not much good stuff unless you pay top colones...

The best place to be is Puerto Viejo, beutyfull beaches, lots of day time activities and great night life.

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If anyone hears where it's shakin for new years around Dominical, please post. I'm sure I'll find a party in town, but sometimes they have big bashes in Cortes. I'll post if around a computer a few days before if I hear of a party.