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HRG offers luxury vacation rental condos that range in sizes, from quaint one bedroom condos to 3,500 square foot 3 bed 3.5 bath penthouses with semi private swimming pools. - Book Online
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HRG has some of the finest villa / home rentals in the resort, with sizes up to six bedrooms this is an ideal way for groups and families to enjoy a private vacation experience. - Book Online|
This guide will cover from what to bring to Costa Rican Beaches, Highlands, Rain Forests and Mountains to visiting the Central Valley and San José.
Apart from the obvious, sunscreen, bug repellent, and the camera. You will want to make sure to bring clothes for all the things you think you will plan to do. For the Beaches Costa Rica is only ten degrees North of the equator, thus the beaches of Costa Rica are hot and humid. You will need a bathing suit(s), cover ups and sandals or flip-flops. You will definitely need sun screen, the sun is EXTREMELY strong. There are many outdoor adventures such as: horseback rides, canopy tours, fishing, hiking, surfing, and so on. You will need to bring clothes for all the things you think you will plan to do. If you plan to shop at the numerous beach stores and markets, or just walk around, you will need very light clothing as it is hot and humid during the day and most shops are not air-conditioned. It is a good idea to bring a hat to cover your head during the day. The nights are warm and humid as well, with temps that seldom drop below 73 degrees F but may seem cool after a long day in the sun. Many tourist areas have night spots, but mostly you see informal dress. Seldom do people dress up for the evening at the beaches, but just in case we recommend travelers to bring at least one pair of nice clothes in the tropical casual style. In many places, there is dancing! So bring whatever footwear you need. Bands are live and loud! The Central Valley and San José These areas are 3,000 to 5,000 feet above sea level and thus are much more moderate in temperature. Days are generally sunny and bright, with temps in the low to mid 80s. Do NOT forget the sunscreen! Just because it is cooler does not mean you cannot fry like an egg. There are also many more high-end restaurants, cultural spots (theatre, dance, or symphony), and other locations where you may want to look your best. There are a ton of night spots for the nightowl. Daytime temps seldom go far above 82 degrees F and the nights tend to be moderate in the mid 60’s. If coming in late November or December, expect it to be windy! Yes, there IS a wind chill factor even is it is 72F. If you are coming during the ‘green season’ (late May to November), remember it rains almost every day from maybe noon to early evening. Bring or buy an umbrella or poncho so you can move around. Bring comfortable shoes for walking and shopping. Malls here are large and are not very different than those in the USA. It is easy to spend a day supporting our local economy. Walking San José is a blast, but the streets are not always in good repair. For the evenings, you can be as formal or informal as you like, but a lot of folks do dress for the ‘better’ restaurants or for cultural events. Many places are air conditioned, and to me it is always set too low. In many places, there is dancing! So bring whatever footwear you need. Bands are live and loud! The Highlands By the highlands, I am referring to the areas around Lake Arenal, parts of Monte Verde, and the Arenal volcano and so on. These areas are higher in elevation, but are generally humid, and the temps can be a bit varied. Temps range from mid 60s (night) to 80, but the humidity may make them seem higher. In the highlands you will find many activities such as tours, horseback rides, canopy tours, fishing, hiking, and so on. You will need to bring clothes for all the things you think you will be doing. It rains a lot up there, so be sure and bring an umbrella. The Rain Forests These are hot, damp and humid places. You would think light clothing would be good here, but as due to the numerous insects and itchy plants pants, boots, and a hat, are recommended especially if you plan to leave the paths. Mosquito repellent is a must. Do NOT use perfume or after shave, and as for the deodorant, it is better to use a non-scented variety for the rain forest. Some type of rain slicker might be a good idea as well. While perhaps a bit uncomfortable because of the heat and humidity, touring the rain forest is part of the wonder of Costa Rica’s ecological system, and we highly recommend it! The Mountains Many nice B&Bs, and hotels are located in the mountains. Depending on the elevation, you may find yourself very chilly, especially at night! Here people have fireplaces and it is not uncommon to have everyone wearing a blanket around their legs while sitting in the living room! No, there are NO furnaces in Costa Rica, so what you wear determines your comfort. So how do you dress? Check with your hotel for information, as the further up you go, the more critical the dress, especially at night. Clearly though, you will probably be heading elsewhere during the day, so you need to dress not only for where you are staying, but for where you are going! The mountains here are incredible, with spectacular views in all directions, but are often windy and at higher elevation so be prepared for clouds fog, and rain. |
