BootsnAll Travel Community

Hi-
I am going to Costa Rica on January 15th for 3 1/2 months. Any suggestions for places to visit or stay? I have some guide books for some help but it is nice to hear from those who have been there.
thanks,
Bilbo

Hi! Sorry I can't give you any advice on Costa, but wondering if you'd be interested in exploring together at some point. I am going Jan 8 until March. So I'll be able to give you a few days knowledge. This is my first trip there also. I do suggest staying in San Jose the first night at the backpackers hotel. It is only $8/night and it's a good place to meet up with other backpackers. When you come through customs off of your plane trip, take the Alueja bus to the end of the route and the hostel should be right around the corner. Bus trip is .50. This is all what I've read and heard from other people that have been before. If you are interested in traveling together please email me or respond to this post. Good luck!

KJ

Go to Quepos which is very near the Manuel Antonio Park. Nice little town and not quite as touristy as Jaco. Take the Arenal trip and actually see a functioning Caldera. Playa Tamarindo and work your way along all of the beaches there. Say hello to my buddy John Harkin who you will meet if you plan to do any surfing.

Go to the Caribbean side and try to pick out the island that has all the dinosaurs on it. Don´t paraglide there.

Have fun. If you stop in Jaco for any period of time, all those women who are so friendly to you in the Beatle Bar are NOT just friendly. But if they don´t do very well that night, they are all pretty good at pool and a hoot to boot.

D

Who puts Hot Sauce on Their Popcorn?

Thanks KJ,
I wouldn't mind travelling with someone else. I was actually going to the Backpackers Hotel. It has been recommended to me by others. I get in on the 15th so I will keep in touch. Thanks for the info on how to get there. I wasn't sure how I was going to get there without getting lost. Talk to you later.
Bill

First rule of thumb...get out of San Jose ASAP. Then, too, 90% of all tourist hit the same 5 destinations (Quepos, Montazuma, Puerto Viejo (Cahuita), Fortuna, and Monte Verde. If you're planning on spending 3 months, I'd definitely hit the more remote spots (then, too you'll save a hell of a lot of money. I'd also suggest you gravitate down to Panama.

Hank

Thanks Piecar for the info on Jaco. I'll make it a point to say hi to John for you.

Sounds good Hank. I think I am planning to stay away from most of the tourist spots. The beaches sound great. Any suggestions as far a scuba diving?


thanks,
B

CR is a small place to travel for 3 months in, I was there for 6 weeks adn really saw most of it, but I could have spent 3 months easily, you've just got to stay in places for a week or two. I did spend a lot of time in Jaco but I had a surf board and a beach house to crash at, and good friends who surfed. But my favorite place in CR was Montezuma, it's definatly a touristy place but that's one part of traveling I love, meeting people from all over the world no matter where you are. In montezuma there are these two waterfalls to hike to, good body surfing, bike rentals and then ride to mal pias, go down to charlies at night and go dancin and play some pool, camp down the beach a hundred yards or so at the second campground for like $2.50US a night. Yeah go to Quepos and the east coast but really if you'll spend 3 months there you don't really need to plan much ahead of time, it's a small country and you'll figure it all out once you get there and talk to other travelers. Pura Vida

bilbo,

Just got into costa rica a few days ago. I want to let you know that the directions i gave to you above are for the gran hotel imperial NOT the Costa Rica's backpackers. AND if you stay at the backpackers ONLY pay 12 US dollars from the airport, don't let them rip you!
Good luck!

KJ

Hi to Bill and dalfingurl...
I will be living in Monteverde from January 25th to sometime into May, so if you are in the area, send me an email.
Bill, I lived in Williams Bay, WI for summer 2002 to work at Holiday Home Camp if you've heard of it....small world.
Ann

you ppl should check out the III World Rainbow Gathering that's happening in Costa Rica from March fullmoon to April full moon.
I'd be there myself if I hadn't lost my passport
http://www.yahoogroups.com/group/costaricaravan

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