Planning Your Trip
A new currency program, instituted in the past year has largely stabilized the exchange rate, which is set within a narrow "band" of several colones. As of August 2007, the official exchange rate was between 516 and 520 colones to the U.S. dollar.
There are even more flights to Costa Rica now than ever before. First Choice Airways (www.firstchoice.co.uk) now offers once weekly direct flights from London, to Costa Rica's Daniel Odubar International Airport in Liberia. In April 2007, Spirit Airlines (www.spiritair.com) began its regular service between Fort Lauderdale, Florida and San José's Juan Santamaria International Airport. For its part, American Airlines (www.aa.com) has announced that starting on December 13, 2007, it will offer a daily roundtrip flight from Fort Lauderdale and Juan Santamaria International Airport. Meanwhile, in February 2008, Delta Airlines (www.delta.com) will begin offering several direct flights from New York's JFK airport to both Liberia and San José, while Frontier Airlines (www.frontierairlines.com) is looking to offer four weekly flights from Denver to Costa Rica in the near future.
Work on the expansion and remodeling of Juan Santamaria International Airport continues to drag on. In December 2007, officials plan to open two new boarding areas, and one half of the new immigrations and customs facility, while maintaining the current temporary immigration desks in operation
San Jose
Hotel City One (tel. 248-1778; www.hotelcityone.com) is a new downtown hotel, located in a somewhat sketchy neighborhood, near the Children's Museum and Caribbean bus terminal. The décor here is minimalist contemporary chic. The hotel's Caribbean Loft restaurant specializes in cuisine from Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, with a modern fusion flare.
If you're looking for some pampering while in San José, check out the new branch of Serenity Spa (tel. 289-3722), in the western suburb of Escazu. Serenity runs a string of spas at major hotels around the country, predominantly along the Central Pacific coast.
You no longer have to head to the hills and forests to experience a zip-line canopy tour. Instead, if you're staying in San Jose, you can simply head to the Parque La Sabana (La Sabana Park). The tour features eight cables, and a couple of platforms. The longest cable crosses over a pretty lake, with a fountain at the center of the park. The tour costs $20/£10. For more information, call tel. 215-2544.
In April 2007, the Turrialba volcano began a period of increased activity, causing the closing of Turrialba National Park. The park was reopened in late July, but local officials are keeping a close eye on its activity.
Guanacaste & the Nicoya Peninsula
First Choice Airways (www.firstchoice.co.uk) now offers once weekly direct flights from London, to Costa Rica's Daniel Odubar International Airport in Liberia.
In downtown Liberia, El Punto Hotel (tel. 877-3949; www.elpuntohotel.com) is a cozy, new bed and breakfast.
Miraval Resorts (www.miravalresort.com) has begun construction on a luxury resort and spa in northern Guancaste. Miraval Resort Punta Cacique is slated to open in late 2008, with some 100 rooms and 40 villas.
New hotels popping up on the beaches of Guanacaste, include L'Acquaviva (www.lacquaviva.com) in Playa Guiones, near Nosara, and Latitude 10 (www.latitude10resort.com) in Santa Teresa, near Malpais.
Due to legal battles between competing service providers, and ferry malfunctions, the schedule of ferry crossings between Puntarenas and Paquera has been particularly erratic. If you plan on using the ferry to visit Tambor, Montezuma, Malpais or Santa Teresa, be sure to call in advance (tel. 661-2084 or 641-0118) to confirm the current schedule.
The Northern Zone
Built and run by the same folks who are behind Punta Islita, El Silencio Lodge (www.elsilenciolodge.com) is slated to open in November of 2007. With 16 individual villas and a full service spa, this promises to be a stunning and secluded boutique mountain getaway.
If you're driving to the northern zone via the quaint town of Zarcero, be sure to stop off for a coffee break at Fresh Mountain Café (tel. 463-3196), which is located on a corner, just off the town's main plaza, fronting its famous topiary gardens.
Central Pacific Coast
After a series of delays, the new Arenas del Mar (www.arenasdelmar.com) will be open and fully operational by December 2007.
For its part, the posh St. Regis Resort (www.starwoodhotels.com/stregis) on Playa Coyol, near Playa Herradura is slated to open in mid-2008, with 133 suites, and an additional 49 private residences.
Meanwhile, work has begun on a 270-slip modern marina in the port city of Quepos. Marina Pez Vela will also have a 100-room hotel and various condominium units.
The Caribbean Coast
Tortuguero has a new lodging option. Manatus Hotel (tel. 709-8197; www.manatushotel.com) is the most luxurious hotel in Tortuguero, and the only one with in-room air-conditioning and televisions, if that's important to you.
Head to our Costa Rica Message Boards to talk with fellow Frommer's Travelers.