Top Costa Rican romantic gifts to give on Valentines Day

by crv.staff
13.02.10
8:01 AM UTC

Filed in Costa Rica

By Richard Barone

Costa Rica is preparing for Valentine’s Day this Sunday. Valentine’s Day is a very celebrated holiday here, with a reputation for creating traffic jams of mythical proportions so shop ahead of time to beat the crowds.

There are so many creative options in Costa Rica for the romantic in all of us. Here are a few top answers we culled from a street poll in the center of San José.

Women polled said they would like the following:

Flowers, orchids and other cut flowers and live plants. You may give the exotic baby orchids growing in test tubes or of course the national favorite, the guaria morada orchid with its pleasant mauve and purple flowers.

Chocolates. Organic, dark or light, mixed with ginger, orange, mint, pepper and other amazing spices, liqueur and rum filled, indigenous, hippy or even regular commercial chocolate candies. The key words are fancy and abundant, wrapped in a special heart shaped box, with a ribbon and hand written note, cliché, but timeless nonetheless.

Spa services. Couples services like those offered at Intercontinental Escazú o Vitta Corporale Spa in Sabana Sur, San José.

Luxury restaurants with a view. Candlelight dining from miradores to beachside private bungalows with private service will score high Valentine’s Day points in anyone’s book.

Mariachis, marimbas or troubadours. Have them come to your home or party. You can find bands for hire in San José. You may get away with having a live band dedicate a song to your valentine or do it yourself with romantic karaoke.

Some of the men I polled added a few more popular choices:

Rent a cabina in Cartago or San José en la Montaña, where the chilly air lends itself to fireside cuddling.

Something handwritten by that special one that makes you tick is a favorite.

Cooking a fine meal at home, drinking wine or champagne, sitting by a campfire and looking at the stars from a quiet nighttime overlook were options as well.

Sunday is Valentine’s Day in Costa Rica. Whatever you do, enjoy the romance of just being here.

Rating 3.00 out of 5