Costa Rica vs. Peru
 

Hi all...I've been searching and browsing these forums, and it's been very helpful, but now I think I need some more personalized advice. I am having a hard time deciding between Costa Rica and Peru for a week-long trip in March 2008. Here are my considerations:

-My husband has never been out of the country before, so I don't want to overwhelm him too much
-We like doing activities, but would also like relaxation options as well
-I'm into cultural/historical sights
-This may possibly be the last international trip we get to take before starting a family

I'm attracted to Peru because of Machu Picchu, but Costa Rica is intriguing because of its beaches and wildlife. Any suggestions are welcome!

My input, for what it's worth:

-My husband has never been out of the country before, so I don't want to overwhelm him too much

Either would work. To be honest, I find the logistics of travel in Peru to be a bit easier than Costa Rica.

-We like doing activities, but would also like relaxation options as well

Costa Rica

-I'm into cultural/historical sights

Peru, hands down

> I'm attracted to Peru because of
> Machu Picchu, but Costa Rica is
> intriguing because of its beaches
> and wildlife. Any suggestions are
> welcome!

To be honest, I would never pick Costa Rica as a beach destination. The beaches are okay, but you can find far better in many other countries. Costa Rica (I think) is its nature and wildlife and volcanoes.

March is about the hottest month in Costa Rica. It's the end of the rainy season in Peru.

If you have a week, Costa Rica is closer. Peru is about 3 hours farther away. That might be a consideration if time is of the essence.

As usual, Jeff-Costa Rica has sensibly laid out the options for you to consider. Having recently returned from my first trip to Peru (last month), I had a great time there ...... comparing it to CR? It's such an apples/oranges decision. And as already cited, CR wouldn't be at the top of my list with regards to a beach destination. However I've also enjoyed my time there. For me, I've been fascinated with Arenal - seeing a live volcano, especially because is in synch with what you picture a volcano "should" look like (conical shape, a lava flow from top).

Is cost a consideration? Because CR is closer, the airfare likely will be less expensive than Peru; however after that initial expense, I found Peru to be cheaper than CR.

As for "overwhelming" your hubby? Well, Peru is full of young 20-something backpackers from all over the world and they seem fully capable of handling it. Granted, CR does have a preponderance of visitors from North America -- it's popular with Canadians as well as those from USA.

Lastly, one more element to consider -- altitude. Do you live at elevation OR have you been up to the mountains? Machu Picchu is at 8,000 ft and that's at a point where some people may experience a problem with that altitude. For myself, it was a non-issue; other people have difficulty when in Denver (5,000 ft).

All things being said & done .... if you made me choose, I'd cast my vote for Peru.

Hi, fitz - we just returned from Bosque del Cabo, an amazing nature lodge in Costa Rica. If you're interested in wildlife, this place is hard to beat; we saw all 4 kinds of monkeys here, as well as toucans and wild scarlet macaws - many of them from the front porch of our cabina. It wouldn't overwhelm your husband because everyone is fluent in English and quite friendly, and they have a fabulous restaurant on site - things like beef tenderloin, grilled mahi-mahi, and homemade brownies. They really make it easy to live in the jungle. There are beaches at the base of the resort, but you would have to hike to them. This was our second trip to CR after doing Arenal and Manuel Antonio last year - we really loved Arenal and doing the Cano Negro tour - excellent wildlife there, as well. In terms of cultural, historical sites, I agree with the others that Peru would be a better bet for you.

We were in both Costa Rica and Peru this year and are on are way to Brazil. I completely echo the apple to oranges comparison. I also want to say that while the Peruvian people were nice. It was much more formal and lacking the warmth of the Costa Ricans. I also got tired of seeing all the rocks in Peru. Machu Picchu was amazing but seeing sight after sight became somewhat repetitive. If you love nature and wildlife I would pick Costa Rica hands down.

I think everyone has summarized the two places pretty well.

I have been to both and I am not going to decide as to wish it better.

I think fitzpemberley, you should decide exactly what you want to see and what you want to do.

Pretty tough to make a major error in your decision either way
Good Luck !!

Percy