Wedding Blog
My apologies to the hive! We booked our honeymoon in May, and I totally forgot to tell ya’ll about it! We’re going to COSTA RICA for TWELVE DAYS, baby!!! We are so pumped about it, mostly because because we’re pretty outdoorsy and adventurous. We’ve heard the coolest things about Costa Rica!
The first week we’ll be staying at a timeshare in Guanacaste, which is in the northern part of Costa Rica. My best friend’s mother was gracious enough to give us her timeshare for a week! It has volcanoes, surfing and lots of hiking! For the next three nights we’ll be staying in a romantic bungalow at The Harmony Hotel.
Here’s a few pictures from their website:
I can’t wait to take a relaxing yoga class on my honeymoon. I bet I can get Mr. Coconut to join in!
Our third hotel is Hotel Grano de Oro, located in San Jose, which is where the international airport is located, so we’ll be nearby. Such a decadent room, right?!?!?
I know many of you have planned to go to Costa Rica or have already been! Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
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How amazing!! I actually spent three weeks in a yacht off the coast of costa rica for my previous job (I know - crazy, huh? I was an event coordinator and the trip was a series of incentives for some car dealers).
Anyway, the food there is AMAZING, for one thing. Secondly, there are tons of things to do - we were traveling up the western coast and I tried zip lining - VERY fun and even horseback riding on the beach.
It was one of my favorite trips ever - it definitely didn’t feel like work!
Becky
I loved Costa Rica! San Jose is interesting, especially if you can get one of the tours. A lot of history! I went to a couple of the big parks. There is a ton to do. You will not be bored! You will loooove it!
Ooh, that place sounds like a possible contender for my honeymoon. I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica for a yoga retreat, and the hotel looks just lovely!
My FH and I will be going to Costa Rica in December for christmas. My grandfather lives there and is hosting the family for christmas! I’m so excited, he is in Manuel Antonio, i’ve heard great things!
costa rica was one of our best trips ever. we actually spent the entire time in manuel antonio — i have an entire series about it on wb. the perfect combo of relaxation and adventure!
I used to intern for Quiksilver and we sponsored a surf camp in Costa Rica. If you’re interested in surfing while you’re down there- check out http://www.wavescr.com/ The owner Andrea is great, and it could be a fun activity for the two of you
LOVED Costa Rica for our honeymoon. We spent the whole time (8 days) around Tamarindo. You are doing two things that are on our ‘would do differently list’: Stay longer and Explore more of the country. So you’re on the right track!
I actually just wrote a long review of the activities we did and tips - If you PM me your email I’ll send you a copy too.
We really really want to go back - but there’s so many other places we want to travel to also - maybe it’ll be our 10 year wedding anniversary trip
Oh yeah! I’m even more excited now!
@jillian: I’m not sure how to PM you, because I’ve never done that except on a classified ad, but let me know how, b/c I’d love to get a copy!
hhmmm. me neither. Check the NWR part of the boards. Left ya a message
Are you going to the beach? Same as Mrs.Bee, I really like Manuel Antonio, and can make some other suggestions. I have been there 2x & CR 3x.
When I went to CR, the outings I remember most are Volcan Arenal (an active volcano with a lake nearby), Isla Tortuga (though I think I mostly just remember the boat ride out to it)–both of which I think are fairly near Guanacaste. Also, zip lining through the forest and shopping (!) around San Jose. I’m a sucker for artesania/crafts in latin american countries…
I’m actually from Costa Rica originally and lived there for 18 years, got married there as well. We almost had our rehearsal dinner at the Grano de Oro’s restaurant - please be sure to have a meal there and a banana smoothie for me while you’re staying at the hotel!! It’s a gorgeous old home preserved to the grand ways of the wealthy families of Costa Rica during the age of Coffee - beautiful stuff. Check out the National Theater when you’re in SJO.
You’ll have SO much fun - it’s a great place for honeymoons!! I’m jealous! If you’d like to learn more about CR at all - you can check out our wedding website, it has a lot of info about where to stay, how to get around, etc. it’s www dot fendell crawford dot com - with no spaces. Have fun!
We spent 2 weeks in CR for our hm too! it was so amazing. We didn’t get up to Guanacaste, CR is so huge and there are a zillion places to go, so I look forward to seeingg how you liked it! If you get to the Arenal region, try the zip line, I think its called Sky Ride or something. It has the 2nd longest line in the world. I was terrified right before we did it, but once you do the first line it is awesome! And Tabacon hot springs, though it gets crowded, is the best place ever, go after 5-6 pm. Heading back to the airport stop at Peace Lodge - there is an easy waterfall walk to 4 beautiful waterfalls (they say 5, but one is really small and you can’t get up to it). Tortuga is beautiful too, but hot, so be prepared. You REALLY need sunscreen on that trip. There is also an amazingly beautiful and romantic private restaurant up on the edge of a cliff, its called Adventure Dining. I don’t know how far it is for you, but if you get down towards Jaco, try to make reservations!
CR is an amazing place - you are going to have a blast!
I haven’t been to Costa Rica yet but FI are going there is just a few weeks for our post-bar exam trip (if I make it through the bar exam). We’re staying at the Paradisus in Playa Conchal which is also in Guancaste. We went for the all-inclusive hotel even though its not our normal travel style so that we don’t have to think for the 5 days that we’re there. We’re planning on taking a day trip to Arenal and the hot springs so I’ll let you know more after we get back.
@jilian: i am going on my honeymoon to costa rica next may and we plan on staying near tamarindo and would love any advice you can give! thanks!!!
@laurabee: You can PM me your email from my post in the NWR section of the boards and I’ll fill you in on Tamarindo.
We have also booked our honey moon in Costa Rica! Like you, we are making several stops, but I just have to share with you my favorite….Pacuare Lodge. We will white water raft into the resort! We have booked the honeymoon suite for 2 nights….I can’t wait!!!
We have also booked our honey moon in Costa Rica! Like you, we are making several stops, but I just have to share with you my favorite….Pacuare Lodge. We will white water raft into the resort! We have booked the honeymoon suite for 2 nights….I can’t wait!!!
I lived in Costa Rica in 2006 and loved it! We loved Montezuma, and stayed at Ylang Ylang. We went several other places (Tamarindo, Manuel Antonio, San Jose, Puerto Viejo), but this was the best! Enjoy a mango daquiri for me!
We went to Guanacaste region for our honeymoon in mid-June. We stayed in Playas del Coco at Rancho Armadillo Estate (a small luxury B&B run by a ex-pat chef named Rick). We recommend the B&B highly (well-located, clean, nice swimming pool). Rick helped us navigate Costa Rica and find hidden treasures.
Our innkeeper Rick helped us find a great private farm on which we went horseback riding near Santa Cruz and Guatil (which has nice native pottery). We got a private 3 hour tour with the very welcoming William, the farm’s owner, over 247 acres of virgin rain forest (which can be yours for only $2.8 million). The tour included trip up the mountain for great vistas, a private waterfall, and howler monkeys.
We also went scuba diving 2 days (near Isla Tortuga) with Rich Coast Diving. The first day of diving was great, but we got a divemaster with a horrible attitude on the second day so I can’t recommend them in good faith.
We tried a “canopy” tour (aka zip line tour), but I wussed out (afraid of heights). I spent an hour playing with the tour’s monkeys instead. They opened up the cage for me to play with them.
Restaurants were hit or miss around Playas del Coco. Try the “casado” or working’s man special for good cheap eats at most native/Tico restaurants. The Italian restaurants were among the best (try Sol y Luna) and the Tortilla Factory (a local women’s cooperative) in Santa Cruz was really good.
@MissRuffles:
Costa Rica is beautiful! My family lives there (San Pedro, Limon, and Monteverde). We’re getting married in Costa Rica next May. We were trying to decide whether to stay in CR for the honeymoon (and possibly have my family expect us to spend our HM bonding with them! LOL) or fly elsewhere. We are looking at staying at the Rancho Armadillo estate for a few days after the ceremony, so I’m happy to read your review of it, Miss Ruffles! The wedding will also be in Playas del Coco, at a beach house. I’m sooooo looking forward to it! We’ll likely fly down there on a Sunday, hang with my familia, and then start the wedding weekend on Thursday. We’re looking at white water rafting for our group activity on Friday. If not, then the canopy tour (ziplining). Saturday - the ceremony. Sunday - brunch. Then the 5-ish day honeymoon starting Sunday! What I love about CR is all of the adventure-romance packages they have. I do think you should check out Limon - the Caribbean side of the country. There, you’ll have the best (i.e., flavorful) food!
I just got back from my 2 week honeymoon in Costa Rica today, and let me tell you, what a perfect place for a HM! Our trip:
- San Jose - 1 day - Hotel Presidente - we had the most awesome suite with the largest jacuzzi tub. We also considered the Hotel Grano de Oro
- Manuel Antonio - 4 days - La Mansion Inn - Manuel Antonio is amazing, and we had so much fun hiking in the national park and chilling on the beach with the monkeys and 3-toed sloths =)
- Montezuma - 3 days - Ylang Ylang - this was the least favorite hotel of the trip, and we didn’t like the beach as well, but we took a road trip to nearby Santa Teresa and loved the beach there
- Arenal - 3 days - Tabacon Resort - I loved the Tabacon Hot Springs and couldn’t get enough. We really enjoyed Arenal and ziplining
I can’t wait to go back - there are so many different places that we’d like to try next time. Have a great time!!
Question for you all: How’d you travel between cities? What’s the best and cost efficient method? Thanks.
We rented a car, but we met some people who had hired private drivers (may be better for a group). We read that the bus system was also an option, but we didn’t want to be beholden to it.
Hello!
Costa Rica is a beautiful place for a honeymoon and/or a wedding! I am from the U.S. but now call Costa Rica home and plan destination weddings and events here. Please feel free to contact me!
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Mrs. Coconut, Tallahassee
Age and Occupation: 27, Lawyer
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, phD Computer Science
Engagement Date: March 2007
Wedding Date: November 2008
Blogging Since: May 20, 2008
Venue: 1930s Historic Building in Lakeland, FL
About Me: I never thought about weddings until I got engaged. Now, I can't stop thinking about them! Planning the wedding has really opened the floodgates to my DIY side. If there's anything I can do to avoid hiring someone else, I will do it! Mr. Coconut is my financial advisor, he tries to keep me budget-conscious! We've tried to make wedding planning a team effort!
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