That's what people always ask me when it comes to tropical vacations. And lately, the question of Costa Rica has come up. I'm there in August, which is smack dab in the middle of Green Season. This means lots of sun in the morning and a smattering of the rain in the afternoon. Not to worry. The rain is actually a good thing since it leaves the whole place lush and green and the rain itself never lasts very long.
Normally, I would wait until after my trip to write. But I thought I would share a little "insider" tip that a little birdie shared with me. (Too late for me to take advantage of it myself. But why should we both suffer?) Because the Green Season is such a great time to visit, the costs can be a little out of hand. But some resorts are offering specials since the economy is still playing hardball with all of us.
The Costa Rica Marriott Collection for example is offering a "Green Season Package" that includes daily adventure tours (for those sunny mornings) and daily spa treatments (for those rainy afternoons) plus breakfast and accommodations, of course, starting at $276 per night. Pretty amazing travel deal actually.
The deal is available at Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort, Costa Rica Marriott, Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu, and Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu for travel now through October 31, 2010. (Make your reservations by October 29, 2010.) Details and restrictions online. Use promotional code EB7 when making a reservation.
Lots more upon my return. Until then "“ Hasta luego!
Jenny Block is the author of "Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage" (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called "Sex Talk with Jenny Block" (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.
Very cool Jenny! Have a very wonderful time there. I have never been but it’s definitely on my to do list! 🙂
This is good to know. I was there two Christmases ago and it was wonderful! Warm, (mostly) dry weather. Just the shot of sun I needed in winter. The locals told me it was too hot in summer, but it’s good to know from your perspective that it may not be depending on the area of the country you visit.
Thanks!
Useful article, thanks.
I think travelling there just before the wet season can be fantastic – less crowds, better deals – but occasional dramas caused by the weather.
Every year the rains are getting later, my wife and I learned. We cut it fine – particularly as we elected to drive to Bahia Drake. Rivers, engorged with rains, cut this place off for most vehicles.
We drove there easily, the river crossings were shallow. Then rainy season proper kicked in. And we were totally cut off. So we had no way back – temporarily.
When the swollen rivers eventually subsided, we knew that we had taken our one shot at getting the hire car out of there. The green season had arrived, the rivers would be in a near permanently high state.
It’s one of the most wonderful places we have ever visited. And our timing was perfect. We had so much of it ‘to ourselves’, although for sure we cut it fine.
Still, can think of worse places to be stranded for a few months.
I have had some fun times working with Costa Rica’s rain. In the morning hiking and passed a small stream that was about calf high. Two hours later the rain started. On the way back, the stream was now a river chest high. Then the car was stuck for two hours as the water subsided. There is a certain feel of being alive and small in Costa Rica. I have many great memories from my visit.
devin