costa rica or iceland

Get a new travel agent. Lots of people go to Iceland. Been there myself. If they want to go, then go. Loads to do. Hiking, snowmobiling, whale watching, rafting, fishing, biking, etc. Do some searches and explore it a bit.

Do you mean that there are no nonstop flights? That I'm not sure of. But your travel agent s particularly uninformed if he or she believes no one is going to Iceland.

There are direct flights between Reykjavik and NYC on Icelandair.

You say your husband and adult children want to go there so I suggest you discuss this with them rather than the clueless travel agent. lol

There is a whole world out there, not just Costa Rica or Iceland. Why not go to Iceland if that's where they want to go? The way you have written your inquiry makes it seem like your intention was to go to Iceland for "beach and rest." Yup, nobody (well hardly anybody) goes to Iceland for the beach, although the Blue Lagoon comes pretty close to both. Maybe that's what your hapless travel agent actually meant. Both Iceland, Costa Rica, and dozens of other countries offer "adventure and new cultures" Explore Iceland some more and discuss it with the family. It's like being on another planet. (Don't eat the rotten shark!) They already seem sold on Iceland.

To suggest Costa Rica when someone comes in asking about Iceland seems odd to me. It's like you go into a restaurant and order a slice of pie and the server suggests shrimp cocktail instead. It doesn't really make sense. I'v been to Iceland and found it fascinating. I've also been to other countries that offer adventure and interesting culture.

It depends on what YOU want to do. What was it that struck your fancy about Iceland in the first place? Presumably you didn't twirl a globe, close your eyes, and point a country. Figure out your interests, do a little research, and then decide. You say you like adventure and new cultures... Iceland is big on adventures. Coming from the U.S., you won't find the culture as different/exotic as other countries, but it's interesting nonetheless. What time of year are you considering? And what other places have you traveled? Is this your first time overseas? Or have you done a lot of traveling already?

Iceland is amazing. Costa Rica is amazing. Go to one on this trip and save the other for another time. They'll both be around for a long time. It sounds like your family had its heart set on Iceland. There ya go. That would seem to be the answer for me.

I love Costa Rica, but if your family wants to go to Iceland, that's where I would go.

wow, I haven't used Fodors Forums for a long time and forgot how supportive this community is. We have been to China and parts of Europe, and are a bit limited with time right now so we can only go for one week. We would like to go in June and love hiking and food. Who doesn't like the food part. BTW have you seen that new travel show with Tony Bourdain. Really cool, watched the Istanbul segment last night. I will be researching Iceland. Thank you all for your replies.

Too bad your agent is too stupid to know that there are some great fares even to Europe on Iceland Air. There is direct Denver to Reykjavik service beginning 5/11, which means someone must go there! Seriously, you can be there in 5 hours flat from Boston. Spent three days last June enroute to Paris, and would love to see more of it. Still not cheap, economy and 2 volcanos not withstanding. Check out my profile pic for a shot of the Blue Lagoon!

Definitely FIND A NEW TA !!! Plenty of people go to Iceland and love the experience.
Also... MANY people navigate Costa Rica on their own! That agent seems to have a totally closed mind and sees things very differently than you. Dump them quickly and find one who knows what they are talking about.

Goodness sakes, this is why I make my own travel plans now instead of using an agent. We went to Iceland in November and it was lovely. I also wouldn't bother hiring a driver in Costa Rica as it's one of the more navigable Central American countries. NY has loads of decent travel agents - get a new one and in the meantime make your reservations on Icelandair.

FWIW, we thought we were amongst the few to visit Iceland, but quickly discovered how popular it is. In our tiny community in Indiana we encountered three people the week before we left who had been there. That's more people than had been to Peru before we took that trip!!

www.bluelagoon.com Only prettier spa/springs than www.tabacon.com for me lots go to Iceland great hiking and parties in the city many europeans.Costa Rica wins for
better greener nature so I would head there.
visitcostarica.com lovecostarica.com good info.

Stoweflake, sorry for the late reply, but I have to 2nd the motion: time for a new travel agent. Having been to both places, I rate Iceland a "10", Costa Rica a "4". Here's why:

Iceland is like another planet, geologically and topographically. You are in a seriously foreign culture, but the majority of folk you encounter speak English. You will see things in Iceland that you can't see anywhere else in the world (can anyone say Jokulsarlon, Asbyrgi, or Hraunfossar?) It is generally pristine and pure, the seafood and lamb are fresh and delicious. There are too many waterfalls to count. There are fjords and mountains, valleys with iconic Icelandic horses, geothermal pools for relaxation. There is a vibrant art scene, with imaginative and innovative locally-made products (like fish leather pocketbooks and felted wool wrist warmers). You can scuba a deep lake (Thingvallevatn) diving literally between the tectonic plates. The colors of some of the lakes, bays, and ocean are otherworldly. The bird cliffs have to be seen to be believed. Many of the roads are gravel, but they are well-maintained and sign-posted. In the summer, you have 21 hours of daylight. It is relatively unpeopled; you will often be the only folk at unparalleled national parks or geological curiosities that would be mobbed if located in the U.S. Yet you never feel totally isolated or at risk in case of an emergency. The locals are reserved, which may come off as unfriendly, but generally they do respond in kind if approached with an open demeanor.
Costa Rica, while geographically beautiful has a much more primitive infrastructure. The driving is very dangerous and scary because of the risks local drivers take (passing 18-wheelers on a curvy mountain road with no guardrails OR visibility). There are no street signs. In the populated areas, there are steel bars on every window and the hotels are always in lock-down mode. In the country settings it's more relaxing, but for every beautiful vista, there's a corresponding view of trash/junk/unkemptness (if that's a word). The tourist trade is very touristy, e.g. you feel almost like cattle driven into a slot waiting for the next "sight" or activity. The food is hearty but unseasoned, though fresh seafood on the coast is great. It just hit a lot of wrong notes for me. The people are joyful, friendly and helpful though, the culture is vibrant and open.
Hope this is helpful, and please remember, this is just one person's opinion.

NY, I think maybe you went to the wrong places in Costa Rica. We've had some amazing food at places like Grano de Oro and Nayara. The areas where we stay don't have any trash or junk and everything is beautiful and well kept. They also have beautiful waterfalls, gorgeous tropical plants, thermal pools, active volcanoes, and beautiful hand-carved pieces of art. Totally different culture, yet most people speak English. Otherworldy colored lakes and rivers like the Rio Celeste, incredible fresh seafood. We've never felt like cattle; we just returned from a trip and on almost every tour we had it entirely to ourselves; we've had beautiful picnics by the riverside for just the two of us - sounds like you didn't experience all the wonderful things that we have; a lot of the things you love about Iceland are readily found in Costa Rica. And the wildlife there is absolutely amazing.

I agree about finding a new travel agent. They are supposed to work for you theoretically, not the other way around.

To the question at hand "Costa Rica vs. Iceland" I am going to tell you a bit of a story.

My mother was a world traveler, she traveled all over the place and it is because of her that I myself became a traveler myself.

Sadly my mother has passed, but a conversation I had with her towards the end is pertinent to the question asked I think.

A few months before she died we were talking and I asked her "Of all the places you have been, everything you have seen, where is the one place I absolutely must go?"

Her answer "Iceland"

Don't get me wrong, I live in Costa Rica, and I love my new country, but IMO I would head to Iceland. I have not made it there myself yet but rest assured I will be.

According to my mother there is no there place like it on Earth that she had seen.
Cheers

incabod, that is an absolutely lovely story and brought a tear to my eye. Thank you for sharing ( and time to start planning a trip I think

inca, that would be a great way to honor your mom.