I to go to Costa somewhat regularly for surf and dive. Both sides have their advantages, and and overall both everything, but it really comes down to do you want all "the best" of Costa but with more crowds and more touristy feel, or do you want an off the neaten path experience?
Pacific has essentially year round great surfing, spectacular diving with "big game" dolphins whale sharks giant mantas seasonal whales, etc. Pacific has all the most iconic national parks and bigger mountains for hiking and such to include volcanos. Pacific in most areas will have tons of tourists especially in season you'd expect, and they cater directly. Big resorts. International brands. Etc.
Carribbean has surfing, but seasonal swells (winter) and other than a couple key breaks much less impressive. It has diving and it's very good with very clear water and high vis, but think reef fish and less big game. It has hiking but the mountains are smaller and no volcanos (though there are some in the interior that cn be day tripped from Carribbean side). It is much less built up for tourists and you will get a more off the beaten path feel. Carribbean being less built out for tourism it is also somewhat cheaper if it makes a difference, and it's not like tourism is unheard of so you'll have no trouble getting around or anything.
Just depends what vibe you're looking for.
Thanks for sharing this. I don't surf but maybe the kids would want to take a lesson or two. Might make my dad happy to watch the grandkids screw around on surfboards. He used to surf when he lived on Long Island. I'd be in to snorkeling though, I have done that before and really enjoyed it. To be honest I don't think anyone's going to be hiking up volcanoes but we would just like to see them. I know my brother had mentioned that they want to do some white water rafting and do a zip line. I think he might be looking for more of a tourist feel.
My father also wants to go in June. I'm not sure what that translates to but I think that's the rainy season right? Would there be a preferable side to going at that time of year?
So generally during rainy season Carribbean side doesn't get it as heavy as Pacific cause it flows from west to east so often it will dump outthe heaviest rain before it makes it acorss the mountains and lighter showers in the east. June is technically rainy season, but it's not full on yet. I prob wouldn't recommend going Pacific side from like Aug to Oct as you will def have days where it just pours all day. I go June to the Pacific when school gets out to take the kid surfing and you're looking at like Florida summer weather if you know what I mean by that. In short hot sunny mornings and early afternoon, mid afternoon heavy rain for about an hour or two and then cleared up by late afternoon. It's basically the same on the Carib side just the rain period will be shorter and lighter which means you might not have to abaondon your outdoor activity if you don't might being out in a drizzle, but on Pacific you're prob stopping everything and waiting for like an hour or two.
So I mean yeah, you can def do Pacific in June, just make your plans for your big activities to be morning and be ready to go chill inside somewhere for an hour or two between like 2-4.
Yeah my father lives in Florida off and on throughout the year. So I was there in June a couple years ago and I know what you're talking about. I sat at the airport terminal for hours waiting for the weather to clear.
Can you do any snorkeling on the Pacific side or is it strictly surfing? So maybe if the kids do a surfing lesson or two some of us can go snorkeling.
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