BootsnAll Travel Community

Hello. I'm a 23 year old male from St. Paul, Minnesota seeking a transformational experience in a far off land, specifically someplace with a tropical climate, stunning landscapes, incredible wildlife and world class surf spots. Itinerary to include yoga, meditation, and relaxation as well as surfing, scuba diving/snorkeling, eco-trekking, etc. My budget is somewhere between 5-6 thousand dollars including airfare. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to save money on accomodations, but a decent hostel network would be a plus. I've more or less narrowed my potential destinations down to the Hawaiian Islands and Costa Rica/Central America, so if anyone out there has any travel experience with either destination, I would appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.

Well, I'd say go with Central America, Costa Rica. Going to Hawaii, for me, would seem like just any other American state except tropical. Coming to CA is completely different and would lend itself to a transformational experience.

Cost of living is pretty good too.

Yeah I do have concerns about limiting myself by traveling within the U.S., but I was hoping that Hawaii would provide a pacific island kind of atmosphere different from anything you could find in the continental U.S. while still offering the incredible scenery I'm looking for. It would definitely suck to be surrounded by McDonald's and Walmarts at every turn, but I think it'd be worth it if the environment is as beautiful as I've been told. I guess the thing I'm most concerned about is cost. From what I've been told the state of Hawaii isn't very welcoming to the kind of tourism I'm looking for, so I'm wondering if there's any way to skip all of the American B.S. and kind of travel Hawaii under the radar at minimal cost. If anybody has any Hawaiin travel experience, please let me know.

I am not sure what American BS you are talking about, but if you've heard that Hawaii isn't welcoming to what you want to do, I am not sure why you want to go there.

I would also focus on Central America/Mexico/Costa Rica. Hawaii is really expensive, there isn't really a way to avoid it. CA/MX/CR have retreats and such just for this type of trip. Your money will go a lot further.

costa rica! i think airfare to both places would cost about the same, but costa rica will be at least a little cheaper once you get there.

CR has everything from jungle trekking to yoga in manuel antonio.. and IMHO, domestic travel is lame compared to international travel.

you are BOMBARDED with tourist traps in hawaii. i was so annoyed the whole time i was there! i'd definitely choose CR over hawaii any day.

i'll be in CR in a couple of weeks, for a friend's wedding. if you're interested in specific lodges and activities, i can toss some links over your way tonight when i get home from work.

The island of Kauai is Paradise on earth. The cultural experience might not be as rich as in central America, but it sounds to me like you are more into the sports than the culture thing. Kauai and most all of the islands of Hawaii have hiking, kayaking, surfing, diving, and snorkeling.

I've been to Kauai twice, hiking on the Na Pali coast both times and there are few places I would rather be, including anywhere in central America. Hike hard. Take a break beside a waterfall and eat wild fruit. Catch some waves. Throw pennies into flowing lava.

Dude, if you need a guide, I'm in....

I would head to Belize or Guatamala. Caye Caulker is an island and will give you the true island feeling. No fast food there. Then take the 5 hr bus to Guatemala and see Tikal mayan ruins for a few days. Also visit the cool town of Flores which is like an island too.

I volunteered in Costa Rica and it was a fantastic experience.
Costa Rica is a country of beautiful landscapes, people and culture and is much less expensive than Hawaii.
Arenal volcano is stunning, there is a fabulous waterfall nearby you can horseback ride to. The cloud forests are also amazing and the Coast and its surfing can't be beat!!
Jaco is a very relaxed surfer town thats worth checking out, and the pennisula is also great for that, although they just put in a new airport out there so its getting more touristy.

I recently got back from a camping trip in Kauai, which is an absolutely beautiful place! However, you definitely still feel like you are in the US. It is like a slower less crowded version of southern california. You can avoid the crowds, but it is a very small island. The hikes are terrific and the beaches are wonderful. I've never been to costa rica, but I'd say go there.

I live in Hawaii so I would have to go with Central America. Hawaii is just like being anywhere else in the U.S but with nice view.

Oh and SCREW Costa Rica! Been there! you have to look long and hard to find a spot that hasnt been ruined by dread locked college kids.

Try Costa Rica's neighbor, Panama. CHEAP not as much tourism as Costa Rica. Panama has some great beaches and wonderful jungles.

quote:

Originally posted by JamesL:
Oh and SCREW Costa Rica! Been there! you have to look long and hard to find a spot that hasnt been ruined by dread locked college kids.

Hahahahahah!!!!!!! Finally someone had enough guts to say it.

CR is pretty much like Amerika dude. Everywhere you turn there will be tons of "white" people and usually buying every piece of land in site.

CR is beautiful but waaaaaaaaaaay too easy if your looking for this experience you say you are. You can get by there with next to no spanish which to me says A LOT!

Guatemala was beautiful but beware that Panajachel (Gringo-jachel) in the Lago Atitlan area is pretty overrun as well. Beautiful area and the town is cool but all the tourism is created a very healthy drug trade. Nothing like getting offered everything from coke to heroin by the same deadlocked dealer that I swear was American. Lol.

Anyways, yea, I would steer clear of CR but thats just IMHO

If you want 'transformation' then you're going to have to avoid the yoga, meditation, surfing, eco-trekking, et al.

I practice yoga, I surf, and I used to run a hiking company - for me these are all good things, right? - BUT organized activities like these, done with other travelers just like yourself, will not take you out of your comfort zone enough to be transformative.

I would say instead of Costa Rica (JamesL is right...too over-run with white people buying up the land...similar to what is happening on the west coast of mexico right now with californians taking over). I would recommend Nicaruagua or Puerto Rico. PR is freaking awesome! people are super friendly, surf is cool and food is great (have to try the empenadas and bakery items in Rincon)! My husband and I stayed in Rincon for about two weeks in Rincon and had a blast! WE stayed at what was like a 'hostel' but listed as a 'hotel' and were totally fine. We rented a car...drove around the island and found surf spots everywhere...just follow the locals to spots. Same in nicuragua...but be a little more careful.
Hawaii is an amazing state for America to claim as it's "own"....definitely should be independent like Somoa, Fiji, Tahiiti, etc. My brother said it best "why go to hawaii, when I can go somewhere just a tropical without the US influence for cheaper?" P.S. I love Hawaii, but it is something that you can do for a "deal" on one of the airlines within US later brah!!

Central America is definitely the most touristy of the Central American countries, the most expensive, and with the most gringo expats building places to look just like home. If you're a surfer, there's plenty of Pacific Coast waves to hit in El Salvador, Panama, and Nicaragua. Depends on how much of a change you're really looking for. One thing's for sure--Hawaii is not the answer.

I'll second the opinions on Kauai - breathtaking. Still America, though.

I enjoyed Costa Rica, but that was maybe 10 years ago, and I was 13 so anything new was enjoyable. My girlfriend lived there for 6 months and had an amazing time, but that was also about 8 years ago. I can see it being overrun by this point.

I'll also second Puerto Rico. Easy to navigate, most people speak English, and I imagine it can be done cheaply. Fly into Ponce instead of San Juan and save a decent amount. I didn't get to go to Rincon, but heard it's a surfer's paradise. Vieques is also a great escape from the main island with its wild horses and ex-pat vibe. I have to disagree with Jennifer and say that my food experience there was borderline terrible.

Lastly, I suggest Mexico. I was just in Tulum and was able to see a good amount of the Yucatan. There are a few tourist traps, but it's a very relaxing place. The rest of Central America has yet to be explored, but I've heard Guatemala is less touristy (as some other posts have noted).

Good luck!