It's awesome, right?
We're going in January, for 10 days.
Let me know how you liked, or disliked it, and where you went!
We're going in January, for 10 days.
Let me know how you liked, or disliked it, and where you went!
Whose been to Costa Rica recently?
- Thread starter ViviTheMage
- Start date
Rhezuss
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2006
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I've went there with my gf last year in july (rain season but it was sunny, we were lucky) and we enjoyed it for the most part. Lots of nature there, volcanos, rain forests, jungles, nice little towns with mostly charming people.
Enjoy!
P.S.: We prefered Panama though, people are more friendly and the country is amazing (San Blas, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, Panama City, volcanos and trecking is really cool there... was an awesome trip!!!!)
I've went there with my gf last year in july (rain season but it was sunny, we were lucky) and we enjoyed it for the most part. Lots of nature there, volcanos, rain forests, jungles, nice little towns with mostly charming people.
Enjoy!
P.S.: We prefered Panama though, people are more friendly and the country is amazing (San Blas, Boquete, Bocas del Toro, Panama City, volcanos and trecking is really cool there... was an awesome trip!!!!)
What didn't you like exactly?
We'll be trekking for sure...3 days in La Fortuna, and 5 days on the western coast for some surfing, trekking, etc.
All 4 of us are pretty young .. 21-24.
We're renting a car too, which should be deadly fun.
Raizinman
Platinum Member
My Time Warner cable was acting up a few days ago and I called the Time Warner toll free number to speak with technical support. A friendly guy answered and while he was resetting my cable box (that seems to be the cure for any ailement) we got talking. He told me that he works out of his apartment in Costa Rica. When you get there, kick him in the butt for me, resetting the box didn't work.
My parents took a Caravan guided tour there with lots of old college classmates and everyone enjoyed the tour and Costa Rica itself greatly.
Not sure if this is the exact tour they took ( http://www.caravan.com/tour/costa-rica ), but itinerary looks like what they took.
Not sure if this is the exact tour they took ( http://www.caravan.com/tour/costa-rica ), but itinerary looks like what they took.
Last edited:
arrfep
Platinum Member
- Sep 7, 2006
- 2,314
- 16
- 81
I was there mid August, and my feelings are mixed about it. To be honest, I was kind of underwhelmed.
The biggest thing for me is that I feel like I never experienced a different culture. Most of the places we were at felt like I was just walking around a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago.
A lot of stuff is WAY more expensive than you'd ever think. You can take a cross-country, eight-hour bus ride for like two bucks, but food and drinks cost the same as in the States, for the most part. In the tourist towns, which are really all towns of a decent size, sometimes we paid more than the US to eat.
The same went for most of the tourist-oriented activities we did. $50ish for an hour-long zipline tour, or for an hour-long boat ride across a bay. We did manage to get a good guide to take us around Manuel Antonio National Park for only like $10 a person, which, if you want to see any wildlife, I recommend. These guys have like a sixth sense for spotting hidden animals in the trees, things we would never have seen on our own.
We spent our first day around Alajuela, including Poas Volcano and a coffee plantation. Both were really cool to see. Then we went to La Fortuna and did some white-water rafting. Person I was with was not into hiking/trekking, which I would have liked to do. But we still had some fantastic views of Arenal.
We spent two days at Montezuma, in an awesome hotel/hostel called Luna Llena. I definitely recommend it. Montezuma's a cool beach town, but it's filled with dirty hippies and a dirtier beach which precludes any kind of laying out or relaxing. I don't think anyone was surfing there either, apparently the good surf was a couple miles up the coast.
Then we went to Manuel Antonio for a couple days, spent some time at the beach but we were unfortunately rained on pretty consistently. Hit up the park and chilled out at the small town. We drove through Jaco and Quepos which I believe are both surfer hotspots and significantly larger as towns. From there we headed back to SJ to spend the night and the next afternoon before flying out. That was the first time I felt like I was in a truly foreign country. Great way to get a feel for a different lifestyle...San Jose's an interesting city.
Overall I'd say it was a good vacation. It didn't meet my expectations but I think that's only because it had been built up to be some crazy-awesome, super cheap adventure destination. The flaws in my vacation were mostly due to poor weather, poor planning, and a travel partner with different tastes than me. I would go back again because it's ridiculously cheap to get there, but I'd spend more time seeing the country on my own terms and less time at the vacation hotspots and tourist traps.
The biggest thing for me is that I feel like I never experienced a different culture. Most of the places we were at felt like I was just walking around a Hispanic neighborhood in Chicago.
A lot of stuff is WAY more expensive than you'd ever think. You can take a cross-country, eight-hour bus ride for like two bucks, but food and drinks cost the same as in the States, for the most part. In the tourist towns, which are really all towns of a decent size, sometimes we paid more than the US to eat.
The same went for most of the tourist-oriented activities we did. $50ish for an hour-long zipline tour, or for an hour-long boat ride across a bay. We did manage to get a good guide to take us around Manuel Antonio National Park for only like $10 a person, which, if you want to see any wildlife, I recommend. These guys have like a sixth sense for spotting hidden animals in the trees, things we would never have seen on our own.
We spent our first day around Alajuela, including Poas Volcano and a coffee plantation. Both were really cool to see. Then we went to La Fortuna and did some white-water rafting. Person I was with was not into hiking/trekking, which I would have liked to do. But we still had some fantastic views of Arenal.
We spent two days at Montezuma, in an awesome hotel/hostel called Luna Llena. I definitely recommend it. Montezuma's a cool beach town, but it's filled with dirty hippies and a dirtier beach which precludes any kind of laying out or relaxing. I don't think anyone was surfing there either, apparently the good surf was a couple miles up the coast.
Then we went to Manuel Antonio for a couple days, spent some time at the beach but we were unfortunately rained on pretty consistently. Hit up the park and chilled out at the small town. We drove through Jaco and Quepos which I believe are both surfer hotspots and significantly larger as towns. From there we headed back to SJ to spend the night and the next afternoon before flying out. That was the first time I felt like I was in a truly foreign country. Great way to get a feel for a different lifestyle...San Jose's an interesting city.
Overall I'd say it was a good vacation. It didn't meet my expectations but I think that's only because it had been built up to be some crazy-awesome, super cheap adventure destination. The flaws in my vacation were mostly due to poor weather, poor planning, and a travel partner with different tastes than me. I would go back again because it's ridiculously cheap to get there, but I'd spend more time seeing the country on my own terms and less time at the vacation hotspots and tourist traps.
I heard Manual Antonio is the place to stay away from, because it's purely a tourist trap town now.
I heard prices for food are US standards, because we're American/White...which I can expect.
How'd you like white water rafting? I've been in the states, always felt safe ... I hear it's a little iffy in Costa Rica? The group i've been with has been on class 1-4 rapids, nothing TOO intense, but we've done it together, before.
One of my members of the group isn't allowed in San Jose, or at least if she's caught, she's screwed...she asked the army about it, and they said she can't be in San Jose, so that's out of the question.
We're staying in La Fortuna, facing 2 mountains from the hotel, and in Mal Pais.
Sounds like you guys drove? How'd you feel about that?
I heard prices for food are US standards, because we're American/White...which I can expect.
How'd you like white water rafting? I've been in the states, always felt safe ... I hear it's a little iffy in Costa Rica? The group i've been with has been on class 1-4 rapids, nothing TOO intense, but we've done it together, before.
One of my members of the group isn't allowed in San Jose, or at least if she's caught, she's screwed...she asked the army about it, and they said she can't be in San Jose, so that's out of the question.
We're staying in La Fortuna, facing 2 mountains from the hotel, and in Mal Pais.
Sounds like you guys drove? How'd you feel about that?
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
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I leave the day after Thanksgiving for 14 days and I'm super excited! I'm going by myself and planning to do things on the cheap - taking the public transportation and staying in hostels, only taking a small carry-on backpack. I will be going to La Fortuna for a few days shortly after getting in, but after that I plan to avoid the tourist traps completely.
If you haven't read about it yet, Costa Rica is having a big dengue outbreak this year so cover up and use repellent!
If you haven't read about it yet, Costa Rica is having a big dengue outbreak this year so cover up and use repellent!
Doug, you're crazy .. we've been PMing back and forth, and talking to eachother in the same threads about the dengue
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
- 81
Doug, you're crazy .. we've been PMing back and forth, and talking to eachother in the same threads about the dengue
Yeah, I know. I'm just excited to go. Hah!
- Aug 22, 2001
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He probably did the Cafe Britt tour, it is pretty cool. I order coffee from them every year. http://www.cafebritt.com/
Rhezuss
Diamond Member
- Jan 31, 2006
- 4,118
- 34
- 91
In CR you'll have to deal on EVERYTHING! Food, hostels, taxis, activities...EVERYTHING"
They see your skin color and you can tell by their eyes that they want your money.
When we were there, we entered a nice loking hostel. Behind the counter there was a board with the prices for each type of room (with/without baths, dorms, private, etc). The price was 5000 colones over the price on the board behind him...We tried to deal with the guy but he didn't want to give us the correct price.
We visited at least 5-6 hostels before choosing and happened on 2-3 of them every damn time. Same thing with taxis...
And we got sick as hell to boot. Both of us, same time, 1 day long letting our internals get external...
But all in all, it's a great place to visit and the nature there is amazing. Just be vigilant.
They see your skin color and you can tell by their eyes that they want your money.
When we were there, we entered a nice loking hostel. Behind the counter there was a board with the prices for each type of room (with/without baths, dorms, private, etc). The price was 5000 colones over the price on the board behind him...We tried to deal with the guy but he didn't want to give us the correct price.
We visited at least 5-6 hostels before choosing and happened on 2-3 of them every damn time. Same thing with taxis...
And we got sick as hell to boot. Both of us, same time, 1 day long letting our internals get external...
But all in all, it's a great place to visit and the nature there is amazing. Just be vigilant.
The Nicaraguan army was recently there, although I hear they had a less than pleasant time.
http://searchengineland.com/nicaragua-raids-costa-rica-blames-google-maps-54885
- Aug 22, 2001
- 32,102
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You will have the best time ever. If you have not notified your CC companies you will be going there, be certain to do it.
Look for where the locals eat, the food is better and much less expensive IME. See both coasts, you can do it the same day. See Arenal and Irazu, they are awesome. Arenal at night after the hot springs is win. Buy real Cuban cigars, and savor them.
If you surf, Playa Escondida is a good spot for a first trip. If you can catch it when there is not a huge crowd.
Luckily we have our accommodations booked...not going cheap this trip...got some nice as hell , private villas for $300~ a night....no 'hotels'.
We're also renting a car, so we'll probably get hosed on food if anything, and the damn activities, which cost a pretty good chunk of change.
Not sure, the army said they won't come rescue her if she's caught.
DougK62
Diamond Member
- Mar 28, 2001
- 8,035
- 6
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Thanks - I had read the same about eating where the locals do at small "sodas".
I would love to have some Cuban cigars while I'm down there, but am concerned that I'll be sold fakes. If you have suggestions for getting REAL Cuban cigars while there I'm all ears.
- Aug 22, 2001
- 32,102
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We have a friend that used to live on Jaco Beach, that hooked us up. There are way more fake than real there, but if you use a guide to spotting fakes, it will get you a long way.
She said she has found real and fake, in the same box before. Top real, bottom fake. Take a copy of a guide on how to spot the fakes, and hit up the better smoking clubs. They usually have real and fake from what I understand.
I was also told to never go to a shop in a mall or hotel, they are all fake.
Agree with this. It's more of an adventure park than a foreign country experience. Very touristy, and quite expensive. All the "wilderness" you will get to see is pretty highly trafficked by tourists on a daily basis so is no longer pristine. The tour guides have memorized the locations of all the animals and like to act like they are eagle-eyed Tarzan jungle guides by pointing things out to you.
The coolest eco-tourism thing I did was cloud forests in Monte Verde.
It is kind of fun though as long as you know what you're getting into. Adventures like ATV tours, horseback riding, visiting waterfalls, boat rides are a pretty good time.
Probably just need some quality bug repellent ... outside of that, not much more you can do I think.
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