Any of yoose been to Costa Rica?

[zenwhipper]

Folks, I'm planning a trip to Costa Rica this July. We will be staying on the Caribbean side, on the beach in the area of Puerto Viejo just north of the Panama border. Anybody on this board been in this area? Any tips, tricks or stories of your travails in this area? What about just going to Costa Rica in general?

Gracias!

 

[juniorfjr]

I have heard that if you travel, keep a wad of small U.S. bills to pay off the police and military guards. I have also heard it is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

 

[s_boy]

my brother and i are old surfers so costa rica is on our bucket list - i know many surfers who have been there and general opinions: it is a place to be very careful - you will either love it or hate it - you can get some very good deals if you don't need "plush".

those who love it are pretty adventurous types and go back as often as they can.

there are several informative web sites on everything from visiting - to retiring there.

 

[radman]

There's some island with a shitload of Dinos just off the coast somewheres around there.

 

[worldbound4now]

My wife spent a semester of college in Heredia, and I spent a couple of weeks there and loved the country. It is an adventure. You can be pampered if you want, but we stayed in cheap assed, no windowed shacks and road around the country on public buses and taxis.

Check the CDC website for the most recent vaccination guidelines and what they recommend for malaria prophylaxis. Some areas of the country are more malaria prone than others and you'll have to pick up the medication (taken daily) before you leave the US. Also be cautious about sources for hepatitis A. If you're in a developed city and the water smells of chlorine, you have a higher degree of protection than in a non-chlorinated small town water supply. Best practice is to purchase carbonated beverages or beverages that have been pasteurized to kill of hepatitis A. Also read up on dengue fever, typhoid, and tetanus (all remain threats in much of Central America). The healthcare system is fairly modern for a Central American country. Be sure you have a health insurance plan that will cover you abroad.

In general, we felt very safe. Petty theft can occur, but it can also occur at your local shopping mall. We loved Monte Verde and Volcan Arenal if you can take the time to head to the central/north central region of the country. Waking up pre-dawn to watch a volcano glowing straight out your balcony "window" is amazing. Since you're staying on the east coast, be sure to check out Pacuare Nature Reserve if you get the chance and if you like nature and adventure.

 

[dkbellga]

My wife and I love Costa Rica, in fact it's her favorite destination. We've never been to the caribbean side though so can't offer any advice there. She's been to the arenal area and loved it. And we've both been to Manuel Antonio state park and to the amazing Marriott Los Suenos near Jaco.

You would be well advised to keep your eyes open, don't speed or run stop signs, don't stop if someone tries to tell you you have a flat etc., and don't wear a bunch of flashy clothers or jewelry...no sense tempting folks who have few options. Sounds kind of edgy compared to US tourist destinations, but the ticos are very friendly and warm, the food is awesome AND cheap, and the flora and fauna is like nothing you've ever seen.

If you do a little research online, you'll learn everything you need to stay out of trouble and ensure you'll have a great time. Just remember it is a third world country, albeit a beautiful one, it is 50 years behind the US in most areas. Still, I highly recommend it.

Disclaimer: no offense to any Tico Feejers out there, just trying to help my bro have appropriate expectations

 

[scubatech]

Hi there Zen,

I work at a Dive shop and we book trips there occasionally.We use Bill Beard Travel,they specialize in CR. I went to Costa Rico four years ago on a dive trip, it was awesome. We were on the Pacific side where most of the developement is. Diving is average visability,lots of marine life,thermals. Landscape is very mountainous,jungles,rain forests. Most trips are adventure oriented,such as river rafting,hiking,surfing,diving,sight seeing,zip lines etc. We did something different every few days. Accomadations were very nice. Food & drinks were really affordable and they seemed to love Americans! People were very nice at least on the Pacific side. As mentioned Arenal is a must see! I have been to lot of tropical destinations and CR is one of the best.

KEN.

 

[RenoJohn]

Been there a few times and love it.

Too bad you're not riding ....and you might ping Sandiegoland (here on the forum) as he has spent considerable time in Costa Rica, even had a bike shipped down there to use while he was there.

have fun, it's a great place.

 

[joeR6]

My wife is from Costa Rica and we go about 2 times every year. I've been there probably over a dozen times. Puerto Viejo is probably the nicest area aside from Tortugero when on the Carribean side. On the way there you may stop by Puerto Limon - this city is a dump - its where all the cruise boats stop which puzzles me b/c it is not nice at all. You'll see. The pacific side is more developed and the beaches a bit nicer but puerto viejo is nice too. I've been to Puerto Viejo twice. Surfing is good on this beach but make sure you know what you are doing b/c the rip tides are pretty intense - once you get out and can't touch the sea floor the waves can get rough and pull you out to sea. This beach produces some pretty wicked waves if surfing is your thing.

I did do a little dual sport riding, zip-line, whitewater rafting, and ATV tours over the years while down in costa Rica (beats hanging out with the in-laws), but by far the COOLEST activity for you to do is a guided ATV tour in Puerto Viejo. There is an off-road trail that goes for miles along the CR/Panama border. The riding is not difficult at all and you go through beautiful rain forest, cross river streams, see cool wildlife like tucans, sloths, poison dart frogs etc - If you are looking for something to do besides hang at the beach you MUST do this. I highly recommend it - you should see vendors advertising ATV tours throughout the town - just make sure you ask to go on the CR/Panama trail. IMHO it is the best way to see the country.

Steet crime can be a problem in CR so watch your valuables. Don't leave ANYTHING in you car (if you are renting a car, be careful - no holds barred type of driving if you know what I mean - not too many road signs either but most locals speak english and are friendly.) Don't be surprised if you see people smoking a little reefer while in puerto viejo - very relaxed type of lifestyle, especially on the Carribean side.

Bring lots of suncreen! While visiting one year I laid out for maybe 20 minutes with no sunscreen and spent the next two days getting rubbed down with Desitin (baby butt cream) b/c I got burned so bad - the sun's rays are much more intense than anywhere in the US.

CR is not Mexico so the water is safe to drink. You will be in a remote area so your hotel should let you know if the water is potable or not.

You don't need to take any stupid shots - there has not been an occurance of malaria or dengue fever for many many years in CR- you'd have to be sleeping on the jungle floor for a week eating raw animals and bugs, drinking jungle water like Bear Grylis to catch anything like that. You'll be fine. Hell, I'm still here!

You should have a great time down there. Might want to brush up on a little spanish just to be safe "Una cerveza" Beer "Donde esta el bano" Where is the bathroom (most important phrase to learn in any foreign country). "Purda Vida" or Pure Life is the saying down there.

PM me if you want any more info - again I've been there a dozen times and done just about everything there is to do down in CR (anything is better than hanging with the in-laws.)

joe

 

[worldbound4now]

JoeR6 brings back memories of places we visited that I forgot about.

Please don't take the malaria issue lightly. It is present in Costa Rica and much more prominent on the Caribbean side and in the north, where CR borders Nicaragua. You'll be in the Limon province along the coast, an area of concern. Malaria doesn't care if an area is developed or not. It needs standing water, mosquitos, and blood as a host. The medications for prophylaxis are usually very well tolerated. Wearing bug spray a majority of the time will also decrease risk a bit.

You can have sex with a whore and you probably won't contract hepatitis or HIV while in CR, but if you were to do it you probably would wear a condom to reduce the risk.

Have a great trip!

 

[ZOOOMM]

My wife Iris and I went to CR in 2004 on our honeymoon. However we went to a resort on the Osa Peninsula call Drake Bay Wilderness Resort. It was a beautiful time. We had a cottage on the Pacific Ocean. They offered all kinds of tours (horseback, zip line, hikes thru the rain forest) The resort had breakfast and dinner for all guest in their dining hall. Lunch was prepared for you and the guide would bring the lunches with the tour group. They would always spread out a table cloth no matter where you stopped for lunch. Remember "sun screen" and a hat. The owner of the lodge told us we did not need a wake up call, because the howlar monkeys will wake you up and he was right (they start screaming about 5:00AM everyday). The Pacific Ocean was so warm, like bath water. The resort had kyaks that you could take up this small river into the rain forest and watch the Howlar monkeys.


You should try to exchange US dollars at a reputable bank when you first get there. Do not leave it up to the locals.


If you do not speak Spanish, you should lean just a couple of words to help you out, such as coffee, sugar and cream :lol: . No doubt, you will likely fly into San Jose International. If you have to stay over a night there, you'll be surprise (or at least we were) that very few and I mean few people speak English. Enjoy your trip. You did check to see when the rainy season is? Have fun.

 

[zenwhipper]

Thanks Mates! This is all good stuff. We are actually staying in Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge real close to Playa Punta Uva (a beeutiful beach I here). I guess this is real close to Puerto Viejo as well.

Thanks for the comments! :yahoo:

Scott

 

[zenwhipper]

Oh, one other thing. Does anybody have any tips on staying in the capitol of San Jose? We might add a couple days to our trip to check this place out especially since our beach stay is 5 hours away by bus and we'll be needing to get back into San Jose the night before our flight back to the US.

Gracias.

Scott