494orever

Hello everyone. I am hoping you can help. I have spent hours researching Costa Rica thinking it is the perfect vacation for our family. However, my hubby is still concerned that Costa Rica is a lot like Mexico...Ixtapa perhaps. He dislikes the food and feels unsafe anywhere off the resort. Can those of you who have experienced the area of Tamarindo please contribute your thoughts? Should I be worried?

SteveH5863

I just got back from Samara, where we stayed for a week. We did not feel unsafe anywhere, and we were all over the town and surrounding area by car, bicycle, and on foot.

This may not be the case, however, in San Jose or some of the larger resorts.

volcanogirl

I've never felt unsafe in Costa Rica. We've had several trips there. The food really isn't similar to Mexican food - lots of plantains, rice and beans, grilled meats, fresh fruit - it's kind of homey, not spicy. Most places we've gone to have also served American style dishes if you want that. CR has a really high literacy rate, and they put a lot of emphasis on education; you don't see children begging in the streets and things like that that you see in Mexico. I supposed it depends on where you go, but we've visited several areas and enjoyed them all. I agree with Steve - I wouldn't wander around San Jose after dark; I'd take a cab. I haven't been to Tamarindo yet, so hopefully someone with more expertise can chime in about that area. Another bonus regarding CR, the food and water have never made us sick. We eat and drink whatever we want. I've gotten violently ill in Mexico twice. Manuel Antonio is a little more Americanized than some other spots, maybe that would appeal to your husband - lots of hotel and restaurant choices, pretty views, easy to get around, wildlife.

RAC

Most of the criticism of Tamarindo is that it's too much like the United States. Although, if your husband feels unsafe in Ixtapa, I'm not sure there's anywhere that he'll feel comfortable.

ShellD

I've never been to Ixtapa, or to Tamarindo - but I've been to Riviera Maya area of Mexico several times, and to many areas of Costa Rica. I really enjoy both countries, but don't find them similar at all. I'd agree that for the most part, Mexico is more "resort" oriented - if you look for that type of vacation. In Costa Rica, we've driven all through out the country and haven't felt unsafe. However, you do read reports of crime in both countries. The food is very different in both countries. As volcanogirl mentioned...they have similar staples - rice and beans. But the preparation is very different.

For me the main difference in the two countries is that Costa Rica is very lush, with a lot of wildlife and Mexico is much drier with much less wildlife. But Mexico has ruins, and beautiful beaches where you can snorkel and Costa Rica has beautiful beaches - but not the reefs to snorkel at.

I've never felt unsafe in either country. I personally have never been sick in either country, but I don't drink the water in Mexico - only bottled water.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country - I'd agree that Manual Antonio may be a good choice, Arenal is also a very "safe" feeling area of the country.

Stewbear

I have to agree with RAC. I can not imagine anyone afraid to leave the resort in Ixtapa/Zihuatnajeo where I have spent a couple years of my life in 2 & 3 month increments with never a moments fear, concern or incidents. He needs to stay home IMO.

volcanogirl

What are your husband's specific fears - fearing for his own bodily safety? Things can happen anywhere, but in CR, I'd be more worried about someone breaking into an unattended car with belongings left in it.

RAC

To put it another way: If one is nervous about Costa Rica, then that person should certainly avoid Disneyworld. Costa Rica's murder rate is 50% less than that of Orlando, Florida.

suze

If someone is afraid to leave the resort in Ixtapa(!) quite honestly I would not recommend Mexico or Costa Rica either one. Seriously.

robertino

Yep, I would start researching a different trip. Where would your husband feel safe?

suze

How about Hawaii? (seriously)

volcanogirl

I'd hate for you to miss out because of some misperceptions, but if you don't think you can change his mind, Hawaii is a good suggestion.

suze

When someone has a preconception like this, it's likely going to be impossible to change and I personally wouldn't want to risk a happy vacation forcing someone to go someplace they are not comfortable. Even though I agree the fear is not rational. Doesn't really matter. You want to have a fun trip. Ixtapa is a very tame destination, so if that didn't work for your husband, I really wouldn't recommend anywhere in Mexico or Central America.

Hawaii is beautiful. And much easier for tentative travelers.

Davy1961

Is there another side to this question?
Is there a better way to word the problem?
Since the husband's perported reluctance is what this seems to
be about, perhaps he should be entering the discussion.
Resolving this is probably beyond the competence of this board if
it requires more than singing the glories of Costa Rica.
I won't judge the husband without meeting him.
If he doesn't want to go, then Costa Rica is clearly
NOT "...the perfect vacation for our family."

stotz

I loved Costa Rica and felt very safe. I've also been to Mexico a couple of times and felt safe there too. I'd say try to persuade him to try Costa Rica. CR is beautiful and there is so much to do. Having said that, I did not especially like Tamarindo. There are better beaches and I found the town to be dusty and boring. I think you'd have a great time if you split your trip between the Arenal Volcano area (lots of great places to stay) and then over to the beach.

jesput

I really don't understand why no one else felt unsafe in Costa Rica. Was everyone else traveling in a bubble?

In Nov 2007 I flew into San Jose, drove to the Pacific coast (Playa Hermosa) where I stayed for a week. Returned to San Jose to hook up with my sister, then drove to the Atlantic coast, Puerto Viejo, where we stayed for 4 days before returning to San Jose.

All the local people that I met were super nice & friendly. But they all constantly warned me to be careful against theft & assault. I was advised to carry my passport, credit cards & cash in my bra since that was the last place thieves would look. The car rental company had me sign a list of possible things that could go wrong including thieves on motorcycles slicing my tires open. They gave me special locks for the gear shift and told me to always keep my doors locked and windows rolled up. The corrupt police had numerous speed traps set up (of course we were stopped) and solicited bribes to let us go. The people drive like madmen - taking over the oncoming highwy lane in convoys to pass large trucks, squeezing between lanes of traffic on the center yellow lines in San Jose to get ahead. The security guards at the gas stations and grocery stores were carrying automatic weapons. Men on the street in San Jose tried to open our car doors. I saw many businesses, houses & hotels surrounded by ten foot fences topped by razor wire....Is that enough???

The guards at the hotel kept watch over me so I felt safe in my hotel and when I went to eat in Playa Hermosa but that was about it. Costa Rica is really beautiful but not the place for me. And, yes, I have traveled to Mexico and all over Europe by myself. Costa Rica is the first place I've traveled that kept me on edge.

494orever

Oh yes, his perfect vacation is Hawaii!!! We have been there several times. However the rest of our family is ready to go somewhere else. I think we will try Tamarindo anyway and hope for the best. Thank you for all of your feedback.

volcanogirl

jes, maybe it's the areas you visited? We usually get the heck out of San Jose. We've gone to Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio, Tortuguero, the Osa, etc. and never had any dire warnings about anything. On the Osa we didn't even have locks on our doors. I agree that people do drive really aggressively - especially the passing on a hill, etc.

49, what specifically is drawing you to Tamarindo?

Dyer

Went to Tamarindo almost 4 yrs. ago with our then 21 and 18 yr.old children. We stayed 5 nights at Hotel Capitan Suizo, an 8 minute walk to town. It is on the beach, wonderful property and great staff. One should take a taxi at night. We toured with www.jandctours.com on a zipline, horseback riding, mud baths tour. I used to visit www.visittamarindo.com to read info about the town but haven't done so for awhile. We used Leo Rodriquez to transport us from the airport to Tamarindo (approx. 5 hr. drive) [email protected] We were very impressed with Leo's knowledge (he is a college grad) and his love of his country. Great driver too. We felt safe but placed billfolds front pockets if we were in a crowd, didn't leave cameras, purses on tables unattended, etc. Like one wouldn't do in any country. We loved Costa Rica and have dreamed about going back, want to try the many locations that people post about here. Fodors and www.tripadvisor.com show comments on Hotel Capitan Suizo in case you are interested.