Where to go and stay - December (New Years)

Hi all. My brother, sister and I are taking a week long trip to Costa Rica in December and we want to go somewhere that has a good vibe AND nice beache. We don't want anywhere too tranquil. Is Tamarindo horribly touristy or can you still find that natural feeling there? Please throw out suggestions for me on where to go. Also, suggestions of where to stay in those places, we're hoping to find a bungalow/villa type place that isn't too hotel-like directly on or across the beach. Thanks in advance!!

The Caribbean coast!

Cuahuita, Puerto Viejo down to Manzanillo.

You can rent a house, cabin, or hotel/hostel. Very cheap. Festive and fun. Rustic and natural. Not too touristy (not a Pizza Hut or Starbucks in sight...)

You won't get much choice unless you book fast!. Tamarindo has both vibe and beach but will be mobbed over the hols as Ticos head to the beach in droves. The same will be true of all the resorts. You need to Google for rentals as this is an expanded market although prime beach places will no doubt be booked or astronomically expensive. Look at Protrero (Surfside), Brasalito, Flamingo, Coco, Hermosa.
There are also a lot of new builds within a few miles of Tamarindo (Villareal, Huacas) which are coming onto the rental market. No beach views but possibly available/affordable.

Caribe coast for sure, the Pacific side is swamped from Dec 15 to Jan 15....

Dominical !

Caribbean coast or Dominical!

The Caribbean coast is the best, white sand beaches, jungle and party.

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There is no white sand beaches in most of CR, and on the caribe coast, zippo....light sand yes, but nothing like the Caribe Islands, Mexico or Thailand...

been to c.r. about 10 times and so far my favorite spot for beaches,babes, and live music, is quepos/manuel antonio,(4x) Was there at xmass last year on a spur of moment trip and like every place , booked solid, ended up staying at the bullfrog in quepos, but like mentioned before on t.t. other places as econmical, but xmass week is golden week and everthing is double, there is the usual price i think 35$ plus 10 for ac. private bath. i like having a pool, close to stores ,theres some live music, in quepos and manual antonio latin and classic rock is big ,will be returning oct and be looking for more like bungalos and same sort of accomadations as you. can reply with more info. also man. ant. park is nice, reported by many of gay community
but did'nt see anything obivious
i find the north pacific (north of samara) very expensive and touristy,very good if you want resort type accomadations, i 've been to tamarindo but did'nt like it pizza hut etc. and all the way up to playa del coco. samara and south to montezumas very laid back . samara/playa carrillo my favorite for just totally chilling. have'nt yet been mal pais, st theresa , from what i here getting closer to natural.
i hate jaco, but stayed at beautiful place like your looking for, about 75$ pool ,kitchen, hammock area, iguana eating mangoes,
i would go back there just to stay at the place to chill. could look up the place if neede, " la estrella" or something.
i could'nt get out of dominical fast enough. dusty , and rocky beach, but wow!! big surf
did,nt care much for puerto veijo ,no real sandy beach in town but petty nice a ways out, very good dinning, quality places very economiclal.

I just got back from a great trip to the carib side of cr and loved Puetro Viejo. The town was nice, but we really loved the beach. We stayed about 1 mile out of town at Banana Azul, and it was paradise. there are several other beaches down the road that you can bike to as well.

Best weather will probably be found on the Pacific side of the country at the end of December and the beginning of January, but this is the time that most Ticos vacation at the beaches. So, you will be competing with them for everything between Christmas Day and at least the first week of January.

You will want to have reservations during this time. Many places will require at least three days minimum, and you will be paying a premium. I would avoid Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, and Jaco, which will all be "horribly touristy."

Consider working with a travel agent located in Costa Rica to help you locate that villa or bungalow for you. I use Ray Hagist at All Costa Rica Travel to help me with arrangements for visiting friends and relatives. Ray is a gringo, who has lived in CR for many years, and is married to a Tica doctor.

I like the area South of Dominical near Uvita or Ojochal for the holidays. Enjoy