BootsnAll Travel Community

I am planning a trip to Costa Rica next year. My research is still in its infancy, but I have a question for the travelers here:

What is the quality of hostels posted on this site like? (Specifically for Costa Rica)

Any body want to make recommendations?

Any tips are welcome.

Thanks.

Sorry to have to be the one to let you in on this but there aren't really that many "hostels" in costa rica. I spent 6 weeks down there and I went to about 6 different places and only found two places worthy of the hostel label. One was in San Jose and it's something really simple like the backpackers hostel, any way it's the only one in the city wiht a pool. It's a really good hostel and if you start your trip there don't expect to find accomidation that nice for that price the rest of you trip, although it could happen. If you go to the east coast and go to Puerto Viejo then stay at Rockin Jays Hammock Hostel, it's right on the beach, it's got a kitchen and that's were you'll meet lots of other travelers. That's the problem with backpackin in CR and even CA for that matter, the lack of hostels makes meeting other travelers a much less common expereince than in other countries were hostels are well established. Most of you budget accomidation will be in Cabinas, cheap motels, rarely any kitchen available and just not nice places. I spent at least half of my trip in a tent, I was paying $2-3 per night and could see the ocean when I opened my eyes, whereas cabinas were anywhere from $6-$15 for the cheaper ones and were rarely on the water, cabinas aren't really that bad if your in a small group 2-5 people and don't always opt for the cheapest one bacause sometimes just a few more bucks or maybe just some more time spent looking around can get you much nicer accomidation. Altough camping may be considered a bit more risky I always left my bag in my tent, money passport and ticket never left my person!, but none of my stuff ever got stolen and I had some nice gear. I was prepared for it to be taken and was surprised often that it wasn't, but there were plenty of other people doing the same thing. Well I hope this helps and good luck on you travels. Pura Vida~T

Thanks travis.

I was looking at the 'hostels' mentioned on this site, and most of them did seem to be more like hotels. That is fine, as long as the price is right and they are not too shady.

I have not heard good things about the capital San Jose. Are they true? According to you what is the best time to visit and what kind of itenary do you recommend?

Thanks.

Yes.

But I never had a problem. I did however get the hell out of there very quickly and only had one more brief stopover in the nations capitol on my way accross the country, I went out drinking and walked around at night, maybe I just got lucky to not be mugged but I've been in some sketcy situations before and SJ didn't seem to me to be the worst of it, but yeah, stay away.

Best time of year, well that depends, why are you going there and what to you expect out of your trip? Any time is great, but the tourist season, which I missed begins in the middle of december but doesn't really kick in until Jan.. That also happens to be their summer, less rain. But if you want to surf and are an accomplished surfer then go in winter, June- August, huge waves but it also rains everyday, seriously, everyday like clock work. The time of year when I was donwn there seemed to me to be the best and it means you should start to think about leaving soon, I was there in NOvember and December, I missed the peak of the tourist season, there were lots of other travelers to meet, I could almost learn to surf, it only rained on me a handful of times every thing was still really green and yeah it was amazing.

Itenary-one of my least favorite words actually, I like to just play it by ear, ya know go with the flow. But if thats not your style then any iterary must include both coast, unless you don't have much time. Actually it all really boils down to how much time and money you have, what your interest are, etc.. There is alot to do in the country, from jungle tours to whitewater rafting, you really should og to monteverde and take a zip line tour there, it's got the best one in the country. If you give me a time frame, budget and travel style, I'll take some time to give recommedtations but really once you get there and start meeting other travelers and hearing stories you;ll be much more informed then any amount of computer transpondence could provide, down there everything seems to be much more of a reality then reading off a comp screen.

Cao~T

Thanks again Travis. Very informative.

I plan to do this trip next year. I was planning a 2 week trip. November sounds good, since it allows me to get away from the Chicago winter for a bit.

Stuff that I would be interested in doing...
Definately a visit to the rain forests is in the offing.
The idea of seeing both coasts is also appealing....see the pacific and the atlantic in the space of a few days.
Would love to get a feel for the country. Nothing like getting to know the culture.
I am the kind of traveler who loves to get off the beaten path, and so any recommendations would be welcome.
I am also using this trip to get a feel of Latin America, before I make plans for Peru. Thought CR would be a good introduction.

How important is it to know Spanish? I know thats a very stupid question to ask, but I did anyways...cos you never know what the answer might be.

Anyways thanks a lot for your help.

Spanish isn't neccasary, I didn't speak a word before going, but it would be nice and at times very very helpful. In two weeks it's definatly doable to see both coasts but on the PT it's a bit time consuming. I'd say head to the atlantic first cause you'll want to explore the pacific more. On the atlantic side, carribean side, spend some time in both puerto veijo and cahuito or if you've got enoug money, it's not expensive in US terms, then head to tortuguero. On the pacific side you should start by heading down to Manual Antonio and then work your way up to the pennisula de Nicoya, stop in some little off the track place between MA and Jaco you could check out this place called bejuco (sp) but I don't think theres any cabinas but I've heard good things about the privacy of the place from a Costa Rican buddy of mine. Anyways ya've gotta get out to the penninsula but it's big and I didn't see very much of it. I went to Montezuma and it was a gringo town but it was amazing all the same there are awesome, well the best, waterfalls there and you could rent a mnt bike for the day and ride over to (can't remember the name, but it's got huge surf and it's the only place up the coast you can ride to) if not the head to Tamarindo and Nosara. But you've got plenty of time for more advice while I've gotta run, my jeep is actually all packed and ready to go, I'm driving out west to the rocky mountains, but I'll offer you some more advice in the future nest time I have computer access, Cao`~T