We're planning a group trip, currently looking at Secrets Maroma and Atelier. One of the couples in the group has hard reservations about MX, so we're going to take a look at Costa Rica as well. Any comparable suggestions there? Or any suggestions for how to convince them MX is safe? My wife and I go 1-2x a year so we're fine with it. I guess there's been some recent activity making its way onto the resorts that has them on edge.

TIA.

That atelier is getting a lot of bad reviews lately. Even on here.

Sadly CR is starting to trend towards Mexico when it comes to cartel issues.

There is a Secrets in Costa Rica that I have quite a few clients go to. It is older so I always let people know that upfront. It's quite spread out. Beach and water isnt anything like you find in Mexico.

Secrets Maroma is one of my favorite resorts. Amazing beach if there isn't seaweed.

Went to Costa Rica last summer. For what it's worth, felt way safer than Mexico and most people spoke great English.
For part of my trip I did stay at the secrets and do not recommend it. Facilities are run down, food seamed below cruise ship quality, resort is cut in half from an access perspective so it's hard to access facilities for many rooms, service was extremely lacking…just getting bags to rooms was a problem for many guests.
I would still recommend taking a look somewhere in Costa Rica though

Been to both a few times. Cabo area was nice, but had a weird vibe about it even 5 years ago. We talked to one of the restaurant owners about the police/military driving around with armed guards standing up on the outside of the trucks. He said something like those are for you (tourists). He didn't seem to have much trust in them. Cancun and Cozumel both pretty and hotels/resorts great, but be very careful where you go.We have really wanted to visit the Sayulita area for awhile. Sadly, I wouldn't choose any area of Mexico right now. Costa Rica is absolutely beautiful in the interior and on the Pacific/Guanacaste side. Have never felt a weird vibe or unsafe. The locals, Ticos, are incredibly nice and alot speak really good english. Will be there again next month in the Avellanas/Tamarindo/Rio Celeste areas. Can't wait.

So anyone have CR hotel recommendations?

Can't recommend nayara springs enough…but it's not on beach

https://nayarasprings.com/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr82iBhCuARIsAO0EAZy6KKN8Wq5vP10zW4oKOpXAVF6HD55Y3sEGK-TjK5prLlQaBvIxytsaAmv1EALw_wcB

Edited to add link. Out of this world service and lodging. For how great it is, price is actually a steal.

stayed here last year......not too bad........multiple bungalos throughout the property....two pools with one attracting the younger crowd and the other attracting the older crowd....both have their own bar, but the younger crowd pool is where the excitement, restaurants, activities, and shops are.......

the food is okay at the buffet stop, but there are a few good restaurants where you pay.......

it's on the beach, but the beach isn't all that spectacular.......never seemed to be too many people on it....access to fishing and jet ski charters right from the shore..........

about a 45 minute ride from the Liberia airport.......

Secrets Papagayo

I know tons of people love going to Mexico, but I fail to see the draw. Been to both and Costa Rica has so much more to offer.

We've done the Westin Playa Conchal - it's fine if you want a big resort. Last place we went was Casa Chameleon in Las Catalinas - Smaller boutique hotel - loved it.

oldarmy76 said:

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Can't recommend nayara springs enough…but it's not on beach

https://nayarasprings.com/?gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr82iBhCuARIsAO0EAZy6KKN8Wq5vP10zW4oKOpXAVF6HD55Y3sEGK-TjK5prLlQaBvIxytsaAmv1EALw_wcB

Edited to add link. Out of this world service and lodging. For how great it is, price is actually a steal.

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Goodness, that place looks awesome. The bungalows with the little pool are very affordable. Thanks for the link!

Is this a real question? Mexico or Costa Rica? Take the longer flight and go to Costa Rica if you can afford it. Much safer overall, better food, nicer people, prettier scenery, more wildlife, better waves, and so on and so on…

Lots of options depending on what you want to do. Fish, surf, cloud forest, rainforest, jungles, wildlife, adventure, rafting, beaching, swimming, hiking….

Just got back from 5 days in Costa Rica. Arenas Del Mar and you won't be disappointed…

Agilaw said:

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Been to both a few times. Cabo area was nice, but had a weird vibe about it even 5 years ago. We talked to one of the restaurant owners about the police/military driving around with armed guards standing up on the outside of the trucks. He said something like those are for you (tourists). He didn't seem to have much trust in them. Cancun and Cozumel both pretty and hotels/resorts great, but be very careful where you go.We have really wanted to visit the Sayulita area for awhile. Sadly, I wouldn't choose any area of Mexico right now. Costa Rica is absolutely beautiful in the interior and on the Pacific/Guanacaste side. Have never felt a weird vibe or unsafe. The locals, Ticos, are incredibly nice and alot speak really good english. Will be there again next month in the Avellanas/Tamarindo/Rio Celeste areas. Can't wait.

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Cabo has a weird vibe? Personally, Cabo is the only place in mexico I'd visit, it is pretty much american style expensive in most restaurants however.

We just returned from our second trip to the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area in Costa Rica. I not only felt safe, but even noted how friendly the locals were. The beaches are nice, but not on the same level as Mexico (assuming you aren't going during Sargassum season which is a whole separate issue with Mexico at the moment). There are tons of outdoor things to do in Costa Rica. We particularly had a blast whitewater rafting and waterfall repelling/zip lining in a rain forest. Offshore fishing is also very good there. We shared a villa with three other couples so I can't add anything regarding resort accommodations.

It's been a few years since I last went, but have been to CR twice and it's an absolute dream! Mexico is utterly subpar in comparison (imo of course). Actually, I don't think there even is a comparison.

If you want to be stuck at a resort and get all-included drinks, go to Mexico.

If you want to travel the country, experience culture, are adventurous and thrill seeking, love to see tons of different flora and fauna, want to eat amazing food, be gobsmacked by beautiful scenery and breathtaking sunsets…CR is the clear winner.

We've gone hiking, zip lining, town touring, ATVing, pooling, beaching (beach all to ourselves actually), and white water rafting. We've been in the capital, a rainforest, the base of a volcano, and experienced the coast. We've seen sloths, poison dart frogs, coatis, monkeys, and iguanas.

One time we were there during a 7.6 magnitude earthquake…and then a volcano erupted. It was wild but we felt safe the whole time and they took excellent care of us. We even stayed in San Jose one night and though we were told to not go sight-seeing, we never felt unsafe.

We've stayed at the Westin Playa Conchales, Nayara, and Casa Chameleon. They were all extremely different from one another and all amazing (though our personal preference are the more boutique hotels, so Nayara and Chameleon win).

The thing we consistently say over and over when we go is how amazing the people are. So kind and lovely. They teach English in schools there so communication is not a problem.

We also prefer to go during the rainy season. Everything is lush and beautiful and the prices are cheaper. We've only experienced quick afternoon showers; no big deal.

Long story short, I'll never spend money on Mexico again and am dreaming of the day I can return to Costa.

Pura Vida!

(Be sure to take a copy of Jurassic Park to read)

Howdy, it is me! said:

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It's been a few years since I last went, but have been to CR twice and it's an absolute dream! Mexico is utterly subpar in comparison (imo of course). Actually, I don't think there even is a comparison.

If you want to be stuck at a resort and get all-included drinks, go to Mexico.

If you want to travel the country, experience culture, are adventurous and thrill seeking, love to see tons of different flora and fauna, want to eat amazing food, be gobsmacked by beautiful scenery and breathtaking sunsets…CR is the clear winner.

We've gone hiking, zip lining, town touring, ATVing, pooling, beaching (beach all to ourselves actually), and white water rafting. We've been in the capital, a rainforest, the base of a volcano, and experienced the coast. We've seen sloths, poison dart frogs, coatis, monkeys, and iguanas.

One time we were there during a 7.6 magnitude earthquake…and then a volcano erupted. It was wild but we felt safe the whole time and they took excellent care of us. We even stayed in San Jose one night and though we were told to not go sight-seeing, we never felt unsafe.

We've stayed at the Westin Playa Conchales, Nayara, and Casa Chameleon. They were all extremely different from one another and all amazing (though our personal preference are the more boutique hotels, so Nayara and Chameleon win).

The thing we consistently say over and over when we go is how amazing the people are. So kind and lovely. They teach English in schools there so communication is not a problem.

We also prefer to go during the rainy season. Everything is lush and beautiful and the prices are cheaper. We've only experienced quick afternoon showers; no big deal.

Long story short, I'll never spend money on Mexico again and am dreaming of the day I can return to Costa.

Pura Vida!

(Be sure to take a copy of Jurassic Park to read)

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Could not have said that any better. Pura Vida!!

I wanted to add - I just looked up Casa Chameleon on TripAdvisor and I swear I clicked on multiple pictures thinking it was my own because I took photos that look identical. Tells me the place is just a good now as it was when I went several years ago: breathtakingly beautiful and amazing.

My first recommendation would be to encourage each person to go to look at US travel advisory for each country and hone in on the parts you are traveling to. As a travel advisor I've personally have gone to Mexico 3 times this year and Atelier is on my end of June list to stay at after they open back up.
Now CR is one of my favorite countries but it is a country I would recommend not doing an all inclusive in CR as it is not the same experience as some of the other properties:
Also the beach experience between Secrets Maroma, Altelier and Costa Rica will be like night and day
If you need help planning my contact info is in my bio.

Which casa chameleon are you referring to? I've always been interested in the one in las Catalina's. Just the getting there and me worried about lack of things to do and eat in the area has scared me off

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If you want to be stuck at a resort and get all-included drinks, go to Mexico.

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That is 100% the agenda. :-)

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Also the beach experience between Secrets Maroma, Altelier and Costa Rica will be like night and day

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Curious to hear more details. We love the beach at Maroma. At Atelier we hardly ever go to the beach, not because it's bad but because we prefer the property (Inspira pool, rooftop, etc). How are CR beaches?

You can find some great beaches in Costa Rica. Conchal, Punta Uva, Matapalo and many others. But, most of the beaches in Costa Rica are underwhelming. There are so many other things that Costa Rica excels at. Beaches is not one of them.

AustinCountyAg said:

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Which casa chameleon are you referring to? I've always been interested in the one in las Catalina's. Just the getting there and me worried about lack of things to do and eat in the area has scared me off

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Las Catalinas!

We flew in and out of Liberia. Our first trip we had more adventure. When we went to Chameleon, we just did the ATV tour. We ate mostly at the hotel but did eat one meal on the beach. I really can't say enough about the beauty of the hotel. We stayed on the sunrise side and that's the side I would choose again.

Howdy, it is me! said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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Which casa chameleon are you referring to? I've always been interested in the one in las Catalina's. Just the getting there and me worried about lack of things to do and eat in the area has scared me off

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Las Catalinas!

We flew in and out of Liberia. Our first trip we had more adventure. When we went to Chameleon, we just did the ATV tour. We ate mostly at the hotel but did eat one meal on the beach. I really can't say enough about the beauty of the hotel. We stayed on the sunrise side and that's the side I would choose again.

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did yall rent a car and drive there? How many days to you suggest staying there? Is there hiking on site or anything to do? How is Las Catalinas, as far as hanging out in, and exploring?

No, we hired transportation, I believe it was organized through the hotel. We had him stop at a little market on the way there and we bought snacks and drinks. We took a cooler with us so we could have cold drinks on the beach. There's not really anything to do in the town. You can get a golf cart ride to two different beaches. One beach you can do a mini hike there and/or back if you want. We had the beaches all to ourselves; got lucky I guess? We did organize an ATV tour through the hotel but that trip we were more interested in just relaxing. We stayed four nights.

Been to Costa Rica almost ten times and never have set foot in a resort. And never will. I agree that there is. I cultural experience there. Been to Mexico one time and wouldn't feel comfortable anywhere but a resort.

Costa Rica you will not find the white sand beaches like you would see at Maroma. It's more brown and the water is definitely a darker color. The clear water of Maroma that looks like glass won't be in CR.
Also with this season of sargassum the beach of the Playa Mujeres area look much different than if you go south towards Maroma .
First pic is Dreams Las Mareas CR second Atelier

CanyonLakeAgbu said:

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Been to Costa Rica almost ten times and never have set foot in a resort. And never will. I agree that there is. I cultural experience there. Been to Mexico one time and wouldn't feel comfortable anywhere but a resort.

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I think that Mexico and Costa Rica have such different vibes. Especially if you're talking about Los Cabos vs. Arenal/La Fortuna or Guanacaste area.

Mexico areas will have white sand beaches and sometimes sargassum. Costa Rica will not.
You can visit more 'inland' near the volcano in Costa Rica and have an amazing experience that doesn't involve a beach.

So, I really think it depends on what you want out of the vacation. If you're wanting a beach and all-inclusive resort I would lean towards Mexico.

I have been to both destinations and have felt safe every time I have visited.
I was in Mexico 3 times last year and I am going to Costa Rica in June.

Favorite properties in Costa Rica:
Amor Arenal
Tabacon
Nayara Springs
Secrets Papagayo
Westin Reserva Conchal

Mexico has so many that are great... Secrets Maroma is at the top as is Le Blanc, La Casa de la Playa and Excellence Playa Mujeres. There are even some amazing non-all inclusive like Nizuc, Belmond Maroma, and the Mayakoba area.

Wife and I went to Playa once a year for about 12 years. Never stayed AI, always on the beach at a boutique hotel. We don't like being confined to a resort. We fell in love with Playa the first time we went in 2002, when it was still fairly quiet and local town. It changed gradually over the years and the last time we went it was basically Cancun lite, which we definitely hated. All of our long-time favorite local restaurants and bars were taken over by clubs and BS.

So we switched to Costa Rica, which is more like our Mexico from 20 years ago. We'll keep going back there so long as it stays more "local". Without a Cancun nearby, I think we have some time before it gets too Americanized.

This year we are stepping back further and going to Belize for a week.