Meredith
Columbus (Mississippi)
We are wanting to book a trip to Costa Rica and rent an AirBNB that is on the beach but backs up to jungle. We don't want to go somewhere super touristy like Tamarindo, but we would like to go somewhere where we can have at least a small selection of restaurants/bars/shops to sample. We like to be immersed in the culture. I'm not opposed to traveling far if the transportation situation is simple, but we are thinking of flying in to Liberia since it is closer proximity to the coast than other airports. Any advice or suggestions are welcome!
Manuel Antonio National Park near Quepos. Has what you are looking for. The BEST sunsets in all of Costa Rica. Been here 5 times. Slothes in the trees, monkeys swinging, Jesus Lizards, nice beaches, great coffee, plenty of restaurants and convenient to Adrenal, the volcano & hot springs-go at night to see the volcanic rocks & lava if it's active, Fortuna, horseback riding and a cool waterfall. Bird watching guided jungle tours!
Hello Meredith. Not too far from Daniel Oduber International Airport airport, I would probably recommend Santa Teresa and Malpais. In Santa Teresa I always stay at Villas Hermosas, highly recommended.
Both beaches are very peaceful (even though Santa Tere is a bit developed, Malpais retains its laid-back, small village atmosphere with large patches of unspoiled nature). Santa Tere is very famous for surfing, has hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. The coast of Malpais is rocky in some parts, with some bizarre volcanic formations creating fascinating scenery. Malpais directly borders
Hope this helps! Pura vida!!
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If you do any digging you will find you do not want quepos or Manuel! After 7 trips to C.R. There is almost no place left that you are looking for.... Except the Osa! Fly into puerto jimenez, rent a car and head west to a vacation rental. It's the last real place in C.R.! But there are cheaper countries just north and south of C.R. that won't remind you of Florida lol
Thats a tough request,a non touristy beach town with a selection of restaurants. After 12 years living here I can say it hardly happens that any development near a beach is non touristy but some neighborhoods along the coast always have ample homes and rooms for rent on beaches used mostly by locals an example would be Bajamar beach and Playa Guacalillo just north of the Tarcoles River. It is an area full of wildlife but known almost exclusively by locals.
I would also recommend Puntarenas as well due to its tourist development but also a non touristy side. Much Luck
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Meredith
Julia
Ross