Honeymoon… Check!
May 1st, 2008 @ 5:25 pm by Mrs. Sundae
As I am sure a lot of you know, trying to find a place to honeymoon in September isn’t the easiest task. When we sat down to discuss where we might go, we kicked around several ideas - Greece, but we really want to go there with Mr. Sundae’s best friend who still has family there. There’s nothing like traveling with someone who knows the area so well, but it might be strange to invite someone else along on our honeymoon. 
I’ve always wanted to go to Italy, but I have also promised my Aunt (and dear friend) that we will make that trip together. Again, extra person on honeymoon not the best idea.
I was extremely interested in Tahiti, but Mr. Sundae despises long flights more than anyone I’ve ever met. Besides a few islands that are less likely to get hit by hurricanes, the Caribbean is pretty much out during that time of the year. Our friends who got married last September went to Jamaica and had beautiful weather, but I just wasn’t willing to chance it. Murphy’s law is always in full effect in my life. Seriously, always.
Then someone suggested Costa Rica. September/October is technically their rainy season, but that means that it rains for about an hour a day, which I can handle. My boss has a house there and some other friends went there on their honeymoon last October and loved it. We went to dinner with them and they outlined their trip, which we essentially decided to steal! (They’re cool with it, I swear). Mr. Sundae really wants some adventure and I am mostly interested in recreational laziness and sunning myself like a cat. So we made the first of many marital compromises and decided to stay at two different hotels. After much research and deliberation, I give you, our honeymoon…
We’ll arrive in Costa Rica and go straight from the airport to The Peace Lodge (all Peace Lodge images from here):
The Peace Lodge clearly being the Mr. Sundae portion of the trip, comes with the promise of frogs, monkeys, a butterfly observatory, and five of these:
I am choosing to ignore the sections of their website that deal with poisonous frogs and deadly snakes, and instead focus on the thought of outdoor jacuzzi tubs and other such amenities:
I’ve also been lured by the fact that there are active volcanoes nearby, which have hot springs at the bottom of them. The hot springs have swim-up bars and are surrounded by spas that offer mud baths and massages. See, a little something for everyone! We’re staying at the Peace Lodge for three nights, and are then transferring to the Paradisus Playa Conchal (all Paradisus images from here):
This being the Miss Sundae portion of the trip, the hotel is all inclusive and has a spa, golf course, casino, and offers tons of activities. There is a killer pool (and, obviously, the ocean):
Several restaurants:
And some lovely suites:
I was skeptical about staying in two different places at first, but I think that its turned out to be the perfect compromise for us. I am actually excited about the Peace Lodge too - the poisonous frog jokes just amuse me. Our friends said that it’s just very quiet and relaxing there, the perfect place to wind down from all the wedding excitement. During our transfer between the hotels we’ll be given a brief tour of some of the smaller towns and stop at some local restaurants to eat along the way. The more I think about it, the more excited I get!
Are any of you going to Costa Rica? Are you hoping to include a little adventure and some relaxation in your honeymoon?
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29 Responses to “Honeymoon… Check!”
I spent a semester abroad touring Costa Rica and you are going to LOVE it. You should really consider visiting Volcan Poas while you are there, maybe even try staying close one night or taking a tour out there when it is dark. You can see the lava glowing red in the distance at night! It is super cool. Also, don’t be put off by the bugs and snakes. Costa Rica is world renowned for its amazing wildlife and you would really be missing the “true” Costa Rica if you didn’t try to get out and see some of the many types of forests and ecosystems that they have!
The peace lodge is AMAZING! I didn’t stay there, but when I was studying abroad is Costa Rica my amazing host family brought me there. It is seriously impressive, and there is so much more than you even mentioned in your post. I hiked a lot of the volcanoes and such nearby too. Its neat that as a small country you get to see so much of it. I also spent a weekend at an all inclusive in Playa Papagayo that my host father constructed… it was an awesome experience. I would be more than happy to answer any questions or share any info, though it looks like you have quite a bit of insider tips!
we went to costa rica in september for our honeymoon and it was awesome. we stayed in 2 places - manuel antonio and arenal volcano. we got caught in the rain during a kayak tour and spent some time in a jacuzzi in some drizzle, but i think that just added to the fun and adventure. zip lines are one of the most fun things we did. if you want a cheap easy way to travel between cities, try interbus.
We are going to Belize in either September or October for, pretty much, the exact reasons you listed. I really wanted beach and relaxation and my fiance wants some adventure so it looks like a good compromise. Haven’t booked yet though - need to get on that.
OMG thank you for your ideas! I too been having trouble compromising with my fiance on a place to honeymoon its been an argument this past weeks. I really want to see Costa Rica too since I’ve heard so many good things from friends & others about it. It has a lot of Eco-lodges which I like the most! So the Peach Lodge sounds like it could be one. I think I’m sold on Costa Rica, I was told Tahiti is like Hawaii and I been to Hawaii so I wanted something different. Thanks Miss Sundae for sharing! I will look at these places. I think July is rainy season too, does anyone know?
Courtney- I spent the best vacation of my life at two amazing hotels in Belize. I’ve written lengthy reviews on trip advisor about them. You can email me for more info if you want… I’m more than happy to share… Just click on my name it *should* be my email
Loved your post! Mr Tiramisu and I went to Costa Rica 2 years ago and absolutely loved it (it was his 3rd trip there but my 1st). There’s so much to see and do, and most places aren’t overrun by tourists. Ooooh and the hot springs are THE BEST! There is nothing in the world like sitting in a natural heated pool, drinking a mojito and watching a volcano in the distance. Now I want to go back!
I stayed at the Paradisus Playa Conchal in November of 2007. It was our first all inclusive that we ever stayed at. We loved the pool, but weren’t that keen on swimming in the ocean. Good food, we were obsessed with the omelets at the breakfast buffet. I’d stay away from the dinner buffet, it was nothing special. Also to book your dinner at a restaurant just go for breakfast at the booking time, it worked well for us! I can’t really compare it to another all inclusive since I’ve never been to any others, but the people were really nice.
I went to Costa Rica in September and I went to the Peace Lodge! It only really rained (think massive down pour) the day we went to the Rain Forest (ironically enough), and that made for some great stories and pictures. As for the Peace Lodge- the entire time I was there I thought of how romantic it was, but at the same time you don’t want to miss the beaches in Costa Rica! So overall GREAT choices!! Have a blast!!
OMG..looks beautiful. is it going ot break the bank? yikes!
We’re also going to Belize, pretty much for the same reasons Miss Sundae chose for Costa Rica - splitting it up between some adventure in the jungle and some sun at the sea.
Courtney and alexinwonderland - I would love to swap info… milonguera at gmail.com
I’ve been in Costa Rica and Belize during the rainy season and it really rains, which starts in July! ALOT!!!! Luckily, it’s worse at night and can be sunny one day and downpour the next! Unless of course a hurricane hits, which is real possibility in September. I spent a week in a hut during a not so bad hurricane. Then had a trip canceled last year due to a really bad hurricane!!!
One year for Fourth of July in Belize, it rained 3 out of 8 days and almost every single night. Massive downpour rain for hours and hours! The other days were hot and humid….
i’ve been putting in bids for costa rica! i just sent my FI a link to the peace lodge…horseback riding and zip lines are my top priorities!
YAY COSTA RICA!!!! I was born there and it just warms my heart to see all the lovely fabulous comments from everyone - my country thanks you!!
PS Miss Sundae - if you want any more info about Costa Rica or just want to talk about it with a local - let me know by asking Mrs. Bee for my email - Mrs. Bee you can give it to her!
Isn’t Costa Rica gorgeous??? My FI and I are thinking about going there on our honeymoon (May ‘09) too! I can’t wait. We found this awesome hotel with only 2 suites! It’s called Casa Chameleon and looks amazing! We might stay two places too. Let us know if you go any place that just can’t be missed!!!
I was so excited to see that you’re going to Costa Rica. I’m going to Costa Rica on my honeymoon, too! (In October, so we faced the same hurricane issues as you). We also decided to break up our stay between the interior / volcano region and the coast. I’ll be looking forward to your post about your honeymoon and congratulations.
Does it really rain that much in July?? uh-oh.. what to do? Miss Thistleorchid can you shed some light on the weather during July in Costa Rica??
We were in Costa Rica in December and are going on a slightly belated honeymoon there this December (our wedding’s in August). You will absolutely LOVE it!! I can’t recommend it enough! We are doing the same thing as you, one week in a rainforest hotel and one week on the beach. We haven’t booked it yet, but I am definately going to check out the Peace Lodge.
Your honeymoon plans sound amazing! However if I may, I’d like to recommend Aruba as well. I went there for my honeymoon and it was amazing. It’s outside the hurricane belt so there are no worries there, the weather is great, the beaches amazing and there are lots of fun things to do. We had a blast!
We are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon in July too!! We are going to Grand Tabacon for the first three nights (http://www.tabacon.com/) and then to Paradisus for the rest of the trip. I have heard great things about Paradisus and am soo soo excited to go!! We are taking one of those little planes to paradisus though, I am a little frightened over that…
I love the idea of staying in two different places. You’re going to have a fab time!
We are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon in July as well. Also doing the volcano and coast thing. Aren’t we all just so smart? We’re staying at Sueno del Mar which is an amazing B&B on the coast. I can’t wait!!
Hooray for the Costa Rica love! Thank you all SO much for sharing your useful tips. I am excited that so many of you have liked it there.
Leesuh - its not breaking the bank, Costa Rica was one of the more affordable options we looked into. You should check it out if you’re interested!
The Peace Lodge was the BEST vacation get-away we have taken so far. We went there in May last year for 4 days - do the zip line through the canopies (its a must!) The staff is so friendly and helpful. The rooms are amazing- with the rainfall shower and jacuzzi on the balcony and in the bathroom. You just made me want to book another trip there.
We are going to Costa Rica for our honeymoon in early August. We were also seeking a balance of adventure and relaxing… with a relative short travel time. It will be the rainy season but maybe that will just add to the adventure!?
We went on a vacation there last summer and LOVED IT! You will have to check out the Arenal Volcano and the nearby Tabacon Hot Springs. I am pretty well traveled and I have never seen a more beautiful tropical place! Also, if you are up for some serious adventure, a zip line tour can be fun.
how funny. my hubby and i were there Nov 2007 for our honeymoon and those were the two exact places that we stayed at (we actually stayed in other places too while we were in costa rica…we went from east coast to west coast).
Peace Lodge is FANTASTIC!! It is definitely a great place for honeymooners and the rooms are VERY nice. We only stayed one night there before moving on to Paradisus. The weather was kinda bad..they have an eternity swimming pool..but it was so misty and ugly the day we arrived we couldn’t take advantage of it.
Paradisus is very nice. There are several restaurants there so you won’t get bored. We opted for always ordering room service for breakfast.. it’s free and convenient! This was the first all inclusive we experienced and it was great!
Just watch out for mosquitoes.. I attract them. Someone advised me to bring along Avon’s Skin So Soft. I forgot about that advice and was a bite magnet.
HAVE FUN!!
This is great! I am getting married and will HM in Costa Rica in Nov 08. Planning a DW is tricky but we found an awesome planner. We are getting married in Playa Ocotal Beach Resort. And will HM at Tabacon at Arenal, head to the Osa Pennisula for 4 days then back to San Jose, visit friends in Jaco and fly out of San Jose. We are really excited and are hoping that the weather will agree with of us.
Your honeymoon plans sound amazing. I know you will have a great time.
Mrs. Sundae, Chicago/Lake Geneva, WI
Age and Occupation: 28, Knowledge Manager
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 29, Investment Advisor
Engagement Date: July 20, 2007
Wedding Date: September 2008
Blogging Since: February 5, 2008
Venue: The Abbey Resort
About Me: It’s hard to believe that by the time Mr. Sundae and I get married we will have been together for almost ten years. When we first met in college we split dollar pitchers and now we share the mortgage payments. Despite our love for the city we are looking forward to tying the knot in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Oh boy, it looks like you have a fantastic honeymoon ahead of you!