Questions for Costa Rica
Aug 18th, 2004, 03:01 PM
#1
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Questions for Costa Rica
Are ATMs readily available through out CR?? If not, what are your recommendations? Is the US dollar accepted and is it preferred by the Ticos?? How safe/easy is it to drive??...I keep reading about car break ins. For first time visitors what is the MOST important thing to keep in mind?? Thanks.
Aug 18th, 2004, 03:34 PM
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ATM's are widely available, especially in the central valley where the towns are larger, but less so in the beach and more remote areas. Dollars work well, the Ticos don't mind them at all (not sure they are preferred, however). Colones are very easy to use and save the nuisance of always doing conversions. Visa cards are accepted everywhere, MasterCard less so. We try very hard not to keep over $200 or $300 in cash with us at a time--and then don't keep it all in one place.
Driving is interesting. Not particularly safe nor easy. But not particularly dangerous or difficult! How's that for riding the fence? I should have been a politician! There are some simple rules you should follow:
Drive defensively.
Don't be in a hurry (Type A personalities don't work well here!)
Try not to drive at night unless you know the area very well.
Laugh a lot and don't let anything bother you--you'll have more fun. Took my husband a while to get the hang of it--he digresses occasionally!
Very few roads are horrible (but there are SOME). Very few roads are excellent (but there are SOME). Most are quite tolerable.
Car break-in's do happen. Never ever leave anything in your car. Plan your time so you won't be stopping to do activites while moving from place to place with all your stuff. After 8 visits, we have never had one single problem, but knock on wood everytime we say that! We figure we're due!
Any place that has a lot of tourists becomes a high risk area for theft (i.e, Manuel Antonio, Tabacon, etc).
For first time visitors, the MOST important thing to keep in mind is that these 7 days (or 8, or 10, or 14) are going to pass very quickly. Enjoy every minute!
Driving is interesting. Not particularly safe nor easy. But not particularly dangerous or difficult! How's that for riding the fence? I should have been a politician! There are some simple rules you should follow:
Drive defensively.
Don't be in a hurry (Type A personalities don't work well here!)
Try not to drive at night unless you know the area very well.
Laugh a lot and don't let anything bother you--you'll have more fun. Took my husband a while to get the hang of it--he digresses occasionally!
Very few roads are horrible (but there are SOME). Very few roads are excellent (but there are SOME). Most are quite tolerable.
Car break-in's do happen. Never ever leave anything in your car. Plan your time so you won't be stopping to do activites while moving from place to place with all your stuff. After 8 visits, we have never had one single problem, but knock on wood everytime we say that! We figure we're due!
Any place that has a lot of tourists becomes a high risk area for theft (i.e, Manuel Antonio, Tabacon, etc).
For first time visitors, the MOST important thing to keep in mind is that these 7 days (or 8, or 10, or 14) are going to pass very quickly. Enjoy every minute!
Aug 18th, 2004, 03:43 PM
#3
shillmac
What do you my personality(A) does not work well in Costa Rica !!!!!
When I leave the Costa Rica airport I want to get to Arenal yesterday!!!
That is why I hire a private tour guide .!!
Just kidding.
Oscar was not even type B , I think it was more like type C. !!!
Percy
What do you my personality(A) does not work well in Costa Rica !!!!!
When I leave the Costa Rica airport I want to get to Arenal yesterday!!!
That is why I hire a private tour guide .!!
Just kidding.
Oscar was not even type B , I think it was more like type C. !!!
Percy
Aug 18th, 2004, 03:53 PM
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Hi Percy!
I hope to meet the famous Oscar one day! We had an Oscar take us from Vida Tropical to San Jose this summer in a taxi, and I wondered if he was the same Oscar!
As for the personality types, what you have mentioned is precisely why we drive. We call it our Costa Rican Behavior Modification Program. My husband has learned that he can do a Type B on the road, and he even slips into C or D mode with a few too many cervecas! But not on the road. . . .just a little clarification there!
How are you and how is your wife doing? What are your next travel plans?
I hope to meet the famous Oscar one day! We had an Oscar take us from Vida Tropical to San Jose this summer in a taxi, and I wondered if he was the same Oscar!
As for the personality types, what you have mentioned is precisely why we drive. We call it our Costa Rican Behavior Modification Program. My husband has learned that he can do a Type B on the road, and he even slips into C or D mode with a few too many cervecas! But not on the road. . . .just a little clarification there!
How are you and how is your wife doing? What are your next travel plans?
Aug 18th, 2004, 07:32 PM
#5
Hi shillmac
Nope that would not be Oscar with a taxi.
He owns all his own vehicles depending on how many he has to tour around.
Future plans are for:
Punta Cana
Huatulco Mexico, it the one major place in Mexico I have not been.
Plans fell though today for a Mediterranean Cruise, it just did not fit.
I am not a long range planner, I like to book and go quickly.
Vi is okay right now,Thank You.
She had a Bone Scan last week..cancer still in remission, and hopefully will stay that way.
She wants a beach holiday this winter, just to relax and take some side tours..so we are looking into the Pacific Costa of Costa Rica as one of the places.
Take Care in Oklahoma
Percy
Nope that would not be Oscar with a taxi.
He owns all his own vehicles depending on how many he has to tour around.
Future plans are for:
Punta Cana
Huatulco Mexico, it the one major place in Mexico I have not been.
Plans fell though today for a Mediterranean Cruise, it just did not fit.
I am not a long range planner, I like to book and go quickly.
Vi is okay right now,Thank You.
She had a Bone Scan last week..cancer still in remission, and hopefully will stay that way.
She wants a beach holiday this winter, just to relax and take some side tours..so we are looking into the Pacific Costa of Costa Rica as one of the places.
Take Care in Oklahoma
Percy
