Hello!

We have just returned from our wonderful trip to Costa Rica and now my folks would like to go.

The folks have almost always used tour groups when travelling but never really liked them. They would like to backpack across CR as we have done by staying in hostels and using local buses.

During our trip we visited Alajuela, La Fontuna, Monteverde and Manual Antonio Park area. We did the jeep-boat-jeep (really a van) across Lake Fontuna and enjoyed many adventure trips including the zip lines and canyoneering through waterfalls. The folks would like to do a similar itinerary for their trip.

Both the folks are 60 and in reasonably good health. They enjoy hiking through the Bruce Trails here in Ontario, Canada.

I know they will love Costa Rica, but the local bus rides can be long and uncomfortable and the sidewalks, trecherous. We stayed in very modest hostels (I love Sleepers in Monteverde where the rooms are anything but hostel like) but I wonder if this kind of lodging would be appropriate and comfortable for the needs of older folks who may have concerns I am not aware of. We were able to get around CR without much Spanish but I worry that they will have a harder time communicating because English is not their first language and English speaking Ticos can be few in more remote areas.

Mostly I am concerned about the bus rides, lodging and the adventure tours. I did suggest that maybe they could rent a car (dad is a great driver but has never gone off-roading) and view the country at their own pace but I realize that this may be a real challenge. Dad is really interested in zip lines! Is this reasonable for those his age?

I would love to hear from baby boomers who have backpacked across CR and get feedback from others who can bring some insight. I really appreciate all your comments! I just wish my folks have the most enjoyable and safest adventure. They are thinking of backpacking through Turkey and Jordon next if this goes well!

Because you are specifically wondering about backpacking style travel, you might also read &/or post over on The Lonely Planet's forum called The Thorn Tree.

I'm in my 60's. While backpacking in Costa Rica is not what I'd like to do, I could handle it. Depends on the health of your parents. Do they sit in front of tv all day at home or do they get out and DO things - take hikes, be active. If the latter, and they are aware of the possible physical challenges they might encounter, then tell them to go for it with a smile on your face.

Actually I think the backpack itself may be physically challenging. Can't they use a normal 22" suitcase with wheels instead?

Do they really want to "backpack"?There's a lot of ground between guided group tours and backpacking - just low cost independent travel! Seems like they'd enjoy that. If Dad likes to drive (and is good with map/directions and not spooked by two lane highways) - then he might enjoy car rental. But remind them not to leave anything of value in the parked car - no matter where, no matter what time of day! Help them plan an itinerary using boards here and fodors thorn tree - choose lodging steps up from hostels, but still inexpensive and simple - plenty of that (and plenty of high end)is available pretty much everywhere in CR. Encourage them to travel really light (as if they were packing for 25 lb. or under requirement for Sansa - maybe they WILL be). Two Super light softside bags (ebags convertible weekender for example). If they're in pretty good shape and want to do them can't see why they couldn't do zip lines, rafting etc. After all, as we all like to say - 60 is the new 40.
--- from a babyboomer

Forgot to add - re communicating - encourage them to learn a few Spanish phrases. Is there a traveler's phrase book in their first language (you didn't say what it is). Much can be accomplished by pointing to the appropriate Spanish phrase in one of these books - so well organized by subject (food, directions, etc.)

I could see the public buses being a bit of a nuisance for them. How about if they used Interbus to get them from place to place? More comfortable, for sure.

www.interbusonline.com

Each transfer would cost about $30 each. Yes, more expensive for sure, but it seems to be a nice compromise.

Sorry, each transfer (Interbus) would cost about $30 each PERSON. Perhaps you knew what I meant, but just in case. . .

My husband and I are both +55 and travel to Costa Rica often. We mainly use the public buses and I guess you could say we backpack - since we have these great backpacks with wheels - which we wheel around when possible and can always sling over our shoulders. We travel very light.

from San Jose, it is easy to get pretty well anywhere by public bus. Most of the buses are relatively comfortable - so the only issue might be the length of the rides. However - once you are away from SJ it can get complicated or even more time consuming. therefore I would suggest a mix of public buses and Interbus or similar service. For example to go from Monteverde or la Fortuna to Manuel Antonio, the interbus would make sense.

As for accommodations - it depends when they plan to go. In the green season, you can get some fairly good places (but it is all relative of course and depends on one's needs and expectations..) at decent prices. That changes in high season.

As long as they are prepared to do some uphill walking and probably climb alot of stairs and also have a fair amount of patience and are flexible, they should be OK.

Pura Vida,
raquel

I'll be 50 when I head back to Central America for my 6th visit in August (have loved Honduras and Belize, too, but heading back to Guatemala this time) and as long as I'm physically able I'll keep heading back to Latin America with my backpack. My husband and I can envision ourselves resorting to wheels when we have to, but I'm only going to give up my beloved conversion pack reluctantly, no matter how old I am. Backpacking will always, to me, mean heading up for days or weeks into the mountains in our beautiful NW, but independent traveling with a backpack in CA is one of the joys of my life and I hope it will be for decades to come. Hope they find the style of travel that suits them. Happy trails...

Have them carry a Lonely Planet guide book with them. Possibly they can find one in their language as people from all over the world use it. It lists the less expensive places and will give them a good idea of what each one offers in the way of amenities. Hopefully they will be able to read that well enough. There are tour operators that speak French and there was a solid German population in CR.. less it seems these days but still many around. Possibly they can find some common groud there? GAP tours offers inexpensive tours. You have experience yourself so can give them a heads up on a few places and how the buses are. As was mentioned, there are options like Interbus that can make some of the more complicated places a little easier to get to. Even though the buses go everywhere, as I am sure you have found out, making connections can be a bit tricky in places. Grayline and monteverdeinfo.com also offer shuttles.

Being of just about that age group myself, the only limits I have are ones I give myself or get from my Dr. Just last year I backpacked 12 miles up into the High Sierras in Calif to a tent camp. This was just 45 days after having two stents put in my arteries. A spray of nitro and I was off and hiking.

If they are going at an off time and they don't like a place they can always move on if they don't have solid reservations that they have prepaid. Cash can get you some good deals in the off season.

Some of the rafting companies had age limits for the more challenging runs but there are still some that most people can do.

My trips down there are a mixture of things. When my husband goes home and I am alone down there, I backpack and take taxis and public buses.

Wow! Thanks so much for all the advice and feedback! It is so very helpful!

Yes, I was wondering about the backpacking. Having a wheeled suitcase is fine but I found that lots of sidewalks and roads are not paved making it hard to wheel around luggage. Also, at the beach to catch the La Fontuna boat to Monteverde we saw some tourists having troubles with their wheeled suitcases while all that had backpacks easily made the short walk up the sand. A really light backpack with wheels perhaps?

I had forgotten about Interbus and will definatly recommend that option for some destinations! Also will tell them to pick up a few Spainish phrases. A very good idea.

I also keep hearing that the new 60 is the new 40 so I really have no idea what that might mean when it comes to physical limits. It is very reassuring to hear that you all have no problems even with medical treatment on arteries!

After hearing all your experiences, I feel a lot more confident about their independent travel. I will also send them to the thorn tree forums. Thank you for letting me know about that! They have a forum for older travellers which I'm sure will be helpful!

Thank you again! Costa Rica was my favourite place to visit next to only Cambodia and I think my folks will have a great time.

Gracias!

<a really light backpack with wheels perhaps>

Why I don't like the "conversables", because the wheel frame and mechanisms are heavy. To me it is the worst of both worlds.

Either a backpack, or a small suitcase, or actually for myself I prefer a medium duffle bag for bus travel.

This is a totally personal choice based on physical limitations; because of knee surgery carrying a heavy weight (on my back or shoulders) really messes me up; it could ruin a trip. And I've yet to see a dirt road or cobble stone street I can't bounce my way along with a little suitcase, that is light enough I can easily lift it for short distances.

Again, it's not about your luggage, it's the style of travel and your spirit that makes you a "backpacker" or adventurer might be better word imo.

Hi I'm 61 and I just came back from CR. I'd recommend renting a car at the airport.(Shop around and you might get something resonable with a pick up at the airport. You also don't need a big 4wd unless you want to drive very fast. There are lots of reasonably priced B&B hotels but you'll waste a lot of time going on buses. It also limits what you can see. I never felt myself in any danger but did not stay in the San Jose area. Use your Fodor's Guide and you'll see there is very reasonably priced accommodation.I loved the Mountain Lodge in Rincon de la Vieja,the Swiss Hotel in Monteverde, and Chalet Nicholas in Nuevo Arenal. The national parks cost around $6 to go in and you can hike at whatever level of fitness you are. Eat Tico and it is very cheap.