Costa Rica....anyone?? - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

quietman303 · 03-04-2004, 04:03 PM

Places to go? Things to see?? Always looking for a heads up!

**Diorama** · 03-05-2004, 10:04 AM

I went to Costa rica in august 2002. I had a fantastic time! Seriously I didn't want to go home. I was gone for just about a month. For the first part of my trip I went on a Green Tortoise Camping Trip. It was alright. Definately went to lots of places that I might not have made it too myself. But personally I found group travel to be stifling. I didn't really like a lot of ppl in my group (girly girls gag). But saying that I guess it just depends your group. After green tortoise ended I took off on my own and went to Montezuma. Which is located on the Nicoya peninsula. And I found heaven. It was so beautiful. i spent the days laying in a hammock, chatting with all the other backpackers and dancing in chico;s bar. Bare in mind that there really isnt any culture in montezuma. Just pure relaxation. I stayed at the Hotel Lys. Which I would reccomend. The owner used to work for club med. hehe

heres some tips on what you should see or do.

1.) When arriving into San Jose book yourself into the Costa Rica backpackers hostel. It's a fantastic choice for first night stay and in a safe area.

2.)Go to tortugero. A small town on the caribbean side of the country that is only accesible by plane or boat. This is the strangest town ever. there are no roads, so no cars. People travel by foot and bikes. The "streets" are actually just little paths that sometimes cut right thru peoples gardens. The main highlight is watching the turtles lay their eggs at night. what a site!

3.)Bring a rain coat. I went in the month of august which is the wet season. And boy was it wet! I'm talking about downpours. One night there was a tropical storm and i've never heard thunder that loud in all my life. The next morning we found out that part of the highway got washed out and the bridge near our hotel was gone!! But rain is mostly on the caribbean side. The pacific coast was alot nicer (weather wise)

4.)Try Imperial beer. costa ricas greeaat beer. Its cheap and its everywhere!and have a drink for mee!

5.)Gallo pinto is the most common dish in costa rica. Rice and beans mmmmm..hehe actually it's not that bad. And if your into saving money it;s the cheapest!

anyways ask if you have any more q's B)

naj131 · 06-03-2004, 10:23 AM

Hiya Diorama

planning on a trip to Costa Rica, was originally thing of september, but now considering August if it means that there is less rain. Will it rain everyday?

How long was your trip then- I'm thing of about 10 days, so I'm trying to figure out what the best things to do are, but I don't want to be overdoing it want to spend some time relaxing, enjoying the nature.

I wasn't planning on booking any accomodation, and just seeing finding some when I get there as I don't want to fix my itinery.

How did you travel about there and what would be your top tips out there.

any help appreciated

thanks
Naj

**Diorama** · 06-03-2004, 08:45 PM

Yeah I went in august. The caribbean side of the country was very wet, it rained just about everyday. Though Most rains were at night. If you want to stay away from the rain then your best bet is the pacific side. As I mentioned I would recommend Montezuma and the rest of the Nicoya Peninsula. The country is very small so 10 days should be sufficient time to travel. I was there just over three weeks and it was perfect. have fun!

**worldwidemike** · 06-04-2004, 10:17 PM

Although I was only in Costa Rica for three days, I loved it, too (see my travelogue on my web site, below). In addition to the beach scene and hanging out, you can do LOTS of nature type things in Costa Rica. I went to Monteverde Cloud Forest, which was quite cool. I really wanted to go up north and see one of the volcanoes (Vuclan Arenal being a popular one). The group I hung out with at Monteverde had a few that had gone and seen the night eruptions. Said it was quite a sight.

Lotsa of wildlife in Costa Rica, lots of cool scenery, lots of cool people. I highly recommend it!

worldwidemike

accomar · 06-17-2004, 09:47 AM

Naj

Ive been to Costa Rica a few times, most recently this past march. My journeys are always surf related so my recommendations may be a little biased to that. I do like doing some sightseeing and nature stuff also though. The two main areas (most tourists) on the pacific side are in the north, Tamarindo and in the middle, Jaco area. Jaco is like being in america, its complete with resorts, bars, restaurants galore, shopping, ect.. The towns just south of Jaco are really cool. Playa Hermosa has some neat villas that you can stay in for like $15 a night. I stayed at Villa Hermosa (taycole@racsa.co.cr ). Its ownen by an american and run by a couple of Columbian guys. Bomb ass food every night there by Marcel (marswell2003@yahoo.com.mx ). there are some nicer villas around though. Also, further south in Quepos is a cool rainforest area/ park called Manuel Antonio. it has a cool hike and wildlife. Like Dio says, the more laid bak part on the pacific is Nicoya peninsula. Also close to panama is low key. The area is called Golfito and its really relaxed.

If you can afford it, rent a car. Taxi money adds up and they wont go everywhere. Four wheel drive is where its at, especially when you get off the main "highways" If it costs too much the public buses are cheap and safe, but slow...

Sorry to ramble. I probably have more info if you need it. Just ask. Have a blast. PURA VIDA!

ac

**MolsonGirl** · 06-18-2004, 04:22 AM

Did the CR trip for two weeks... Saw the Leatherbacks and Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs... Walked through the cloud forest, Saw the Active Volcano of Arenal... Went to Montezuma (LOVED IT) amazing waterfall there... Tamarindo was cool if you're after a kinda bar/club type scene at night... I personally stayed just off Playa Grande on the West Coast right next to tamarindo... Very very cool little place with amazing food... couldn't tell you the name... Saw the Turtle Museum bought a T-shirt that i will never part with.. Been trying to get time to go back for a long long time now....

And I have to agree that Imperial Beer is Excellent and really the only beer you should be drinking while down there... otherwise you may just be looked at a tourist/gringo.. (don't get me wrong the people are amazing, they just like you to recognise how amazing their country and everything about it is)

**TheJake** · 08-12-2004, 02:04 PM

I spent three weeks there in 97 on a mission trip with a church group. I was 12 and dont remember a whole lot other than the fact that i loved every minute of it. We spent half the time in San Jose and the other half in Puerto Limon. We did the 19 mile rafting trip on... damn i cant remember the name of the river but it was bad ass mostly 3's and 4's with one 5 spot... absolutely insane.
Costa Rica is definitly on my list of places to go to again.

**voyd** · 11-12-2004, 08:14 AM

I'm going to my sister's "destination wedding" there next June. It will be in Tamarindo, 45 min from the Liberia airport.

Any tips on where to stay or cheap flights? So far the cheapest one I found was $449 (+ fees) out of DFW.

Also, most of them are all planning to stay at Villa Alegre, at *cough* $190/night!

I thought Latin America was supposed to be cheap, not price-gouging? WTF?

I'm thinking maybe I should just see some other areas, stay in hostels, do my own "backpacker thing" and show up for the wedding? Well, all great info so far, and any more tips please post 'em!