Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic for Honeymoon?

I just went to the DR with my sister, and it was amazing!! But to be fair I've never been to Costa Rica..my sense is that Costa Rica has more opportunity for like rainforest /canopy adventure type stuff..in the DR there are a lot of all inclusive beach resorts..but there is also some opportunity for adventure..just depends where in there you go and what you 2 prefer..If you do choose DR or want more info on that, feel free to PM me..at any rate sounds like ur gonna have an awesome honeymoon! :-)

I do want some adventure on our HM (snorkeling, zipline..)but I'd say the resort is #1.

What's nice about CR, which is where we're planning to go, is that you can do a little of everything. What we're planning to do is start in the Arenal region and hit up the hot springs and spa, get massages and just hang out and enjoy each other. Then we'll do the ziplining and hiking through the rain forest. Then we'll head to a beach and just chill for the last few days. I'm SO excited.

But if you're looking for an all-inclusive resort, I don't think CR is the way to go. It's just not the way they do things there, based on my research.

This is what a travel agent emailed me on costa rica all inclusive

Occidental Grand Papagayo

starts $3607

Riu Guanacaste

starts at $3745

Paradisus Playa Conchal

starts $3917

It really depends on when you are going. Costa Rica can be very rainy during our summer months (june, july, august). However there is a lot of outdoor adventure type stuff, as well as resorts where you can just kick back and enjoy the beach and sea. DR I would say is more of a resort, all inclusive kinda place. My fiance is from DR and he says if you're gonna go to DR stay within the town limits, whether you go to Punta Cana or Puerta Plata... DR is very poor and without a proper guide it can be a little dicey (this coming from a native dominican)

We got married in Punta Cana in June. We had an awesome room and it was $3500 for the week (Majestic Colonial Resort). It's a gorgeous resort and we had so much fun. DS has been to DR many times and our friends go there several times a year, too. In all fairness, I haven't been to Costa Rica, but I hope eventually we will. We went to DR because you really get a lot for your money. We also were traveling with kids and family/friends, and we just felt more comfortable going to DR. I didn't want to go to Jamaica with kids because sometimes there are major issues there. With just DS and me, I wouldn't care, but I don't want to put the kids in jeopardy.

@Kerry-your FS is right on. I used to work with a lot of Dominicans, and they said to stay on the resort unless you're with someone.

Oh, and anywhere you guy, try to learn some of the native language. Luckily I can speak Spanish, so I had a blast in Punta Cana with the staff! But anyone loves it when you try to use their langua

Personally I would not go to jamaca right now because there are some serious issues... as for the other 2 I have no idea because I havent been anywhere but please let me know what you decided and why because I am looking at those 2 places as welL!

I have been to DR twice. Once at the Majestic Elegance last year and the year prior to Iberostar Bavaro. Both very nice hotels. I agree with the other ladies here... if you go to DR it's max relax and you should really only leave the resort for excursions. I have never been to CR but a friend of mine has just recently come home from a trip there and she liked it. She said it is VERY hot and an all-inclusive is def not the way to go there but she did say it was fun and there was a lot of adventure. I have been to Jamaica and I think I can safely say it has been my fav vacation yet. I have traveled a bit and Jamiaca was def the most fun! The people there are just great! I would def go all-inclusive and you can leave the resort just have to be careful. The food isn't as good as other counties but its not bad by any means. The beaches are great if you go to Negril or OchoRios. I LOVE jamaica!

We went to Punta Cana, DR a few months ago, and it was AWESOME! We even went outside the city limits, with a tourguide of course (Bavarro Runners) and it was the best thing we did during our whole trip! VERY fun! We stayed at the NH Real and it was GORGEOUS and all-inclusive.

As for adventure in the DR, there are opportunities. My sister and I went on a snorkeling excursion, and also we went on this safari tour thing which safely lets you see areas outside the resort (a pretty river, countryside, tobacco farm, and a little rural neighborhood), we also went horseback riding which was awesome (30 dollars for a little over an hour) along the beach and in nearby wooded area!)

How come they say Costa Rica- all inclusive is NOT the way to go??

I've been to DR...don't stay near Boca Chica. It's straight HOOD. lol

@Sunny - I am going to Costa Rica and we are staying at the Pardisus Playa Conchal. We booked our stay on Orbitz and it didnt cost that much. On Orbitz, when you read the reviews, one person says to not upgrade rooms until you get there because it will be cheaper. We chose Costa Rica because they have the best of both worlds, great beaches and plenty of adventerous activities to enjoy.

@Sunny, about the idea that costa rica all inclusive not way to go..it's just that there are must more all-inclusive resorts in the DR, like thats what they are more known for.. but certainly you'll be able to find a great a great one in Costa Rica if you choose to go there.

Oh ok, I was wondering if I was missing something about Costa Rica's all inclusives!

The DR is the bomb!!!!!! :-)

I'd just like get some travel books from the library, that way you can get the sense of what each country is like; or the internet of course..my sister and I were trying to decide between costa rica and DR; I thought the books helped a lot, that way i didn't have to wonder if i was missing looking up certain types of websites or whatever.

I live in CR and have written a guidebook on the country. There are 13 microclimates here so lots to see/explore. The focus is on smaller, boutique hotels (ie stand-alone, not chain) as opposed to the all-inclusives like DR. We only have a handful of them here and the only 'honeymoon-worthy' in my opinion are the Conchal and Grand Papagayo (quite remote though). You can get a better bang for your buck staying in a 'regular' hotel (which includes breakfast). There are lot of great restaurants in the beach towns to check out. And CR is safe so you can explore. Beer is $2 a bottle at a bar, fresh mahi mahi main course runs around $10 at a nice restaurant. The all-inclusives do not include tours in the price ('water sports' means sea kayaks). If you want a feel for the land and the culture, staying at a big resort isn't the way to go.