Hotel
We'd love it if you'd book a room at Costa Verde, because it is where we are! It's a great chance to hang out and meet each other. It's a gorgeous and fun vibe; a couple pools, restaurants, and glorious ocean and rainforest views. The link on their website to view rooms is: https://costaverde.com/accommodations-2/ The room rates start at $107 for an efficiency and go up to the upper 200s for luxury suites (plus a 13% tax) but that's before your 10% discount! All rooms have at least 2 double beds in them so you can room together and save some $$$ if that appeals. There are a beautiful variety of rooms and bungalows and even an airplane converted into a special suite! Browse the website and then make sure you EMAIL reservations@costaverde.com DIRECTLY to get your discount (Mention wedding!) Other options: 1. BUDGET: verdemar.com --- Hotel Verde Mar (Looks like about $60/night for a room, 15 minute walk from us) 2. ULTRA LUXURIOUS: Hotel Makanda: makanda.com (5 min limo ride :)
Discount Code - EMAIL reservations@costaverde.com DIRECTLY for 10% off room!
Flight
The closest airport to us will be Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. It's about 2.5 hours away by shuttle or car (see shuttle and car sections) and 4 hours by bus (see public transport section) This is the capital, and the cheapest city to fly into from just about everywhere. We use kayak.com to buy most of our flights. I have seen amazing deals lately so book your flight early. Many people are flying in Thursday night Sept 3 just to get a head start on the festivities and be there in plenty of time for Friday night's welcome dinner! Remember Monday Sept 7th is Labor Day, so you might be able to squeeze in an extra day of vacation on that end as well.
Travel Note
There is a shuttle you can arrange that will take you directly from San Jose International airport right to Hotel Costa Verde. Certainly the most convenient option; you'll probably spend most of your time at the hotel and in walking distance for the whole weekend so renting a car isn't really necessary. If you decide on this option, email reservations@costaverde.com THE COST: Here is the quote from Isabel, our contact at the hotel for the prices: "Cost is $180 from 1-4 people plus luggage (one way). We also have mini vans for up to 12 passengers plus luggage for $180 up to 4 and $10 any additional person" Side note: When we get RSVPs of who is coming, we will create a private facebook group for those interested in ride sharing and/or room sharing!
Travel Note
Here's a link to a good blog post on the things to watch out for when renting a car in Costa Rica. There are a lot of advertised super low rates I'm finding on hotwire.com and kayak.com but it's important to research your rental car company to make sure you know the hidden costs, if it's a manual car, etc. That said, we will be renting a car and it is definitely useful to have total control over your transportation. So choose for yourself! Seems the roads are pretty good and general safety pretty good too. However it is the rainy season, etc. Just things to think about!
Travel Note
For those of you who are more die hard backpacker types and want to save a little cash and have a little more time on your hands to work it all out, you can in fact take public transport and it's SUPER CHEAP! Hotel Costa Verde is a ten minute car ride away from the city of Quepos. Itinerary: 1.Catch a bus to Alajuela-san jose from the airport and get out at: Hospital San Juan de Dios (40 min, 1 dollar!) 2.Transfer to a bus to Quepos (2.5 hours, 10 dollars!) 3. Take a local bus to Manuel Antonio (20 minutes, hourly, 60 cents) Or just get a taxi to Costa Verde, 10 min ride All together if you take public transport you are looking at about 12 dollars each way, but it will take extra time... probably like a 4 hour journey. Not for the faint of heart but could be really fun! You can use rome2rio.com for details on how to get public transport.