U can go where ever u want, the whole country is amazing. My hot spot: Manzanillo National Park on the East Coast, loevley beach (but dangerous currents), nice accomodations and restaurants, very relaxed! Loved it!

Its fantastic place, the rain , doesnt matter, take the surfing board.

rainy season, mostly at the end of the day it start raining so get up eraly to avoid some rain, always take your rain-poncho with you. don't just go anywhere with a rental car, you would have to cross rivers, ask locals about it first!

Santa Teresa, Mal Pais on the Nicoya Peninsula. Stay at Tranquilo Backpackers. Great laid back atmosphere, free pancakes, and great surfing on a beautiful beach across the road! Also it tends to rain a lot less on the Pacific side

a guy showed me a calendar when is the best time to see turtles in Tortuguero. And he was right. We was there at the worst time and spent the money for waiting. Watch out for the calendar to pan your trip.

yeah, manzanillo in the carribbean is totally worth it, as well as puerto viejo! try monteverde, a stunning rain- and cloud-forest and close to that spot la fortuna where you can enjoy spas and relaxation in great termals with pool bars ;) manuel antonio in the pacific side is worth a trip! take care of your things in san jose and puerto limon, avoid sleeping in big dorms where the possibility of being robbed is higher. have a nice stay here!

Must see things: -Arenal Volcano - Best place to stay is Arenal Observatory (IMHO) -Telpher at Parque Braulio Carrillo. (rain forest) short trip, can take you half a day. -Tortuguero, Isla Tortuga. -Monteverde (rain forest) -Rafting with Rios Tropicales -Canopy with Turubari (www.turubari.com) one day thing Basically the national parks, Manuel Antonio, Corcovado, Junquillal, Peninsula de Osa, etc. Can't go wrong with any of 'em. I think you should do a balance between mountain and beach, not all of just one thing. Stay away from Jaco, overated, awful beach, I will never recommend going there.

Go to Jaco. Its pronounced Haco. Stay at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=809902625 its a Hostel and a great one. Book ahead they are almost always full. They are really great people and always inviting us along for activities. Its across form KFC. There is good surfing and body boarding there or just watching the sea rays jump out of the water is cool to. Have fun.

Tortuquero NP is a must see! Remind you that the rainy season's turns the country even more green and lushious! So wear a poncho and go out and about! If you go their by yourself and hire a guide in the park instead of booking a tour it even fits in a shoestring hol!

San Jose is a great city, also check out Manuel Antoinio National park and Jaco beach great place and you have a choice of where to stay book in advance. Lots of tours and day trips too.Great clubs too, if it's your thing check out 'Pouchos', in San Jose.