Christmas Week Trip to CR

Hi all!

I am looking to put together a one week trip for my family (Mom 52, bro/wife who are both 33, and me 28). We want to do half the time at a beach (heard Tamarindo is great) and half the time at a place where my bro/I can do adventure stuff (zip line, hikes, cloud walking, etc...) and my mom/sister-in-law can go to a spa (mud-bath) or just relax.

My major concerns are:
- Getting to and from the two destinations. My Mom is a bit picky when it comes to transportation and I hear it is not comfortable going too far in a car in CR)
- Getting reservations. We want to go at Christmas.

Any and all recommendations/thoughts for a trip like this are very welcome. Sample itineraries for this type of trip would be great.

Thanks!

Yash

Well if you want to go at Christmas have a heavy wallet and reserve NOW.

Tamarindo is ex-pats, surfers, good party spot, nice beach, good base for the area, pretty young crowd, nice restaurant and bar scene, pricey.

With one week I would stick to one spot, especially if that includes your in and out days.

I think Tamarindo would work pretty well for all you want to do, you can do some day trips for the adventure and hiking.

The road in and out of town is absolute murder, prepare your travellers.

Fly in and out of Liberia airport, not SJO.

If you decide on Tamarindo, try to make flight plans to land in Liberia. As above, I would stick to one place. There are many options for long day trips out of Tamarindo, when mom and sis have less aggressive plans.
I'm taking my family to the Osa over xmas and have already booked. I would get on it soon to avoid disapointment especially for the better accomadations.
I haven't been to Tamarindo for some time, but others on this thread are sure to give you the best suggestions for places to book.

agree with above, but the priority, book now...its PEAK PEAK x 10

Yash
Check this place out. My wife and I stayed there last January and it's quite nice. The owner and his wife are nice people as well. They have some kitchen units but I imagine they go fast. They do however have a comunal kichen as well, it's not much but it works for coffee (free) and toast. The pool area is great, right in the middle of the complex.

http://www.villasmacondo.com/<BR><BR>Enjoy.<BR>Roger.

Shuttles will provide more comfort in terms of transportation. Check these sites.

www.graylinecostarica.com<BR>www.interbusonline.com<BR>www.costaricashuttle.com

yes Villas Macondo is very nice, friendly staff, but pretty basic by alot of ppls standards, good location, horrible ammounts of construction going on around it.

stayed in tamarindo in jan wouldn,t recomend it .pricey,lots of costrution windy just didn,t get into it!!! worse roads in costa rica . macondo was o.k (constrution right behind it.)close to everything though.we also were in samara which was great. nice little town.fly into san jose then take the interbus(reserve) 4-5 hour drive. enjoy

if your going to Tamarindo or Samara youre travel time will be MUCH shorter if you fly in and out of Liberia.

yes transportation from liberia is closer. no interbus .regular bus(very good) from liberia to nicoya 1and half hours(cheap), then taxi($25.00)about 35-45 minutes or bus little more than 1 hour to samara.

Playa Tamarindo-

The nicest boutique hotel on the entire coast in Capitan Suizo, south end of beach.

Manual Antonio-

I like the lodge feel, Costa Verde, two great pools, and lovely gardens and views, some are separate cabinas with private terraces and patios.

On Christmas Day, the Ticos flood out of the San Jose area and head for the beaches. You will need to make reservations!!! I like Tim's choices. Most of the adventure activities you mentioned above can be accessed from Tamarindo by heading to Rincon de la Vieja for a day to two. Enjoy

I wouldn't call Tamarindo 'great'.
If you fly into Liberia Airport then its a 30 mins drive to the beach at Hermosa or Ocotal.
Your mum can do the mud baths at Rincon de la Vieja