ewesthoff

Dear Tinamidon,

The first time I visited CR, my first opinion, the first few hours that is, was like your friends, but how quickly it changed. I was used to the high end resorts and pristine white sand beaches where waiters brought you drinks, but then I went to CR and all that changed. CR is a magical adventure that happens live right in front of you. The animals, flora, fauna, sights and tours through the jungles are incredible, and the people are the nicest, friendliest and most helpful in the world. You only have to open your eyes and want to see the true natural beauty and you will have an awesome time.

woodie

Ewesthoff:

Right on.

We visited CR many years ago and are seriously considering either 6 or 9 weeks in 2008.

On our first and only trip there many years ago we had a great time. Just as you described CR to be.

I am hoping to be able to rent an affordable cottage for a month and tour for a couple of weeks in the winter of 2008 [we are already booked for 9 weeks in winter of 2007 - New Zealand].

If we can find that affordable cottage not far out of San Juan, 6 weeks for winter then we are thinking of 6 weeks in spring to Greece.

Back to your post. Good-oh for speaking up. CR was pretty nice when we were there.

Woodie

shillmac

That sums it up rather nicely, Molly2. . .as usual! Hi!

sweet_polly

Costa Rica is beautiful, and is perfect for ecotourtists who want to soak in its unspoiled beauty. While there are nice resorts to be found where you can be spoiled onsite, if your idea of vacationing is shopping, fine dining, and being catered to, this is probably not your place. I loved it, but it is quite rustic and third-world.

shillmac

I like to think of it as "second world". Certainly not on a par with the U.S., but a stronger infrastructure (and equipped for tourism) than most 3rd world countries.

suze

i believe "developing country" is more acceptable instead of "third world" currently.

sweet_polly

Sorry if "third world" didn't sound PC enough. Costa Rica is referred to that way in articles all over the web. I certainly didn't mean for it to be insulting...I'm just not into euphemisms. Oh, and I sometimes forget that this is a veryvery serious board.

hansboomer

Well, well....Costa Rica. Seems as tho many folks go there expecting Paradise and come back with some disappointment. That is really pretty good. Good in terms of those that travel (and are planning on retiring there!) there and fall in love with the simplicity of life, the absolutely beautiful countryside, the warmth and kindness of the Ticos....aren't expecting nor looking for the "Americanization" of this wonderful country.

San Jose is a city. Nothing more nor nothing less. In reality, one not even need to enter the city limits. In fact, you are smarter if you don't. The campo is wonderful.

I could go on but let me give you my wife and my take on what is mentioned: Arenal is a neat volcano to see but is really a 2 night stay at most. The driv eup is crazy fun. If you are planning on driving yourself, which is both fun and exciting, the roads really are very poor. Not potholes...holes that wiull eat your car if you aren't slow and alert. The bridges are a hoot. They look like you shouldn't drive on them but they are fine. The roads and bridges are that way all over the country. The Arenal Paraiso is a nice cabin hotel for lodging right outside (West) of La Fortuna. La Fortuna itself is a nice little town but is so turista dependent. Good little places to eat all over. We became partial to the "sodas" which are nothing more than little shacks but the serve good Casada, which is a typical Tico meal. Just order a casada con Pollo and you are very safe. Tico food tends to be pretty bland but you don't see many heavy Ticos! Try the Pino Blanca River tour with Jacabar Tours I think it is. NOT the white water rafting....really nice "slow boat" river full of birds, monkeys, etc. Also, with this tour company, great lunch ends the trip at a typical Tico house in the campo as part of the trip. Tip the family nice....don't ask why but trust me.

Tubacon is the nicest hot springs but we elected to have dinner there. I couldn't see getting into 100 degree water when it was 85 degrees outside in May!

Jaco.....the description is pretty harsh but pretty much on the money. Quepos is a poor man's version of Key West. There are a couple of excellent places to eat...El Gran escape for lunch...Cafe Milagro for breakfast (2 locations...one in town and one up on the top of the hill towards Manuel Antonio. In Quepos area, Costa Verde was EXCELLENT lodging. Si Como No is over-rated in my opinion. Be sure to request A/C if you must. The view from the non-A/C building is the best and the rooms are large enough to hold a dance! The park (M.A.) is just OK. Probably one of the best parks happens to be a private park...Parque de Turubari near the village of San Pablo de Turrubares, east of Orotina about 25 minutes drive over the crazy road of holes!!! There is a great B & B just east about 10-15 kilometers called AmaTierra. What a place. Best food in the country! Beautiful owners (Americans that you will feel like are old friends after 5 minutes) and Tico staff. This are in the highlands is where we are buying property to retire. About 1 hour + west of the airport in Alajuela. I know I'm jumping around here but if you get the chance, you will understand what I mean!

Check out Villa Lapas if you want a 3-4 day all inclusive. You don't get to cover as much of the country but it is good.

Just NW of the San Jose area abount 30-45 minutes are the towns of Grecia and Sarchi. Sarchi is the craft center of the country and they have some of the neatest shops and ox cart makers that are artists! Grecia is a wonderful place for lunch and a nice hour in the city park at the church. Wonderful to just relax and enjoy. Beautiful little community that have a realsonable number of U.S retired.

Last....there is a wonderful little hotel named Orquidias Inn about 10-15 minutes from the airport in Alajuela. I strongly recommend it as a jumping off and night before you leave place to stay. Enjoy the food and the quaint bar!!!! We rent our car from TriColor Rental when we go down but there are other good rental places as well.

Expect to get lost if you drive. It is part of the fun and journey. When you think you have gone too far, keep going! The wonderful people will help you get back on track. Don't drive late in the afternoon. You really don't want to be on the highways after subdown. Get early starts. Stop at little places out along the way at a soda. Enjoy the culture and the people. I'm sorry that your friend had a bad trip. Virgin Islands and Cancun are like Florida resort areas. The REAL Costa Rica is not. Bless you in your travels.

trixiew

I've been to CR 6 times, love it. San Jose is a large city, but has many interesting things to do, including the natural history museum, and the butterfly farm. Nice restraunts also.

I could be really sarcastic about your friend's complaints, but I'll just keep it simple and say she sounds like a pill.

raderbarbarian

I went to that "dump," San Jose, twice this week. The first time I enjoyed an excellent performance of the opera "Don Pasquale" in the beautiful and elegant Teatro Melico Salazar. An usher came up to us a few minutes before the curtain rose and told us that we could move into some empty, more expensive seats nearer the stage if we would like. I don't recall an usher offering me that option in any opera house in the States or Europe.

After the opera, we enjoyed a delightful performance by a Costa Rican singer at the Jazz Cafe.

Today, I went to "Chepe" again with four friends. We visited an outdoor art show in the small park in front of La Soledad Church. There are several new galleries surrounding the park, and each was quite impressive. We then went to a bookstore, visited one of the best galleries in the country, Namu in Barrio Amon, and had lunch at Rouge, a new, classy but informal restaurant just north of the Parque Nacional (You heard about it here first ;-)

So, if anyone thinks San Jose is a dump, well, that tells me that they wouldn't recognize a "dump" if it dumped on them! Truth is, San Jose can be quite a delightful place. It may not be why one comes to Costa Rica, but it has much to discover that will enhance any trip - if you wish to enhance it, that is, by TRULY "getting off the beaten path" and visiting a place that "isn't so touristy."

shillmac

Well said, and I couldn't agree with you more! The theatres in SJ (both Teatro Nacional and Melico Salazar) are delightful. Havn't been to the Jazz Cafe, but would love to go. It sounds like my kind of place--I'm always reading in the Tico Times of the great performers who are there. I think one has to plan a bit to enjoy San Jose and know where to go and what to do in advance. Just to wander around there hoping something interesting will pop up--not such a good plan!

sean420

I see far more people begging and far worse traffic here in San Francisco, CALIFORNIA than I've seen in San Jose, Costa Rica. I've traveled all over Costa Rica and cant wait to move there some day

bgsnmky

those of you who had drivers like Oscar..do you reserve a driver for the whole week or do you plan ahead and schedule the times you need him. It is sounding like this is better than renting a car. We are trying to decide where to go on a family trip. There are 8 of us and so the driver would have to have a big car/van. THe 8 are:
3 40ish olds
2 senirs (late 60's0
18 year old
15 year old
13 year old

Trying to decide if the seniors would do well here. Even if we went to Playa Del Carmen or something they would probably still be hang out at the hotel/shop etc.

angethereader

We stayed at the Marriott Los Suenos resort north of Jaco last February.

I thought Jaco during the day was an interesting place. No seedier that places I've been to in Mexico.

Yes there were the surfer "dudes", but we expected that. We were there for dinner two nights also, and at no point did it feel unsafe.

I loved seeing the school kids in their uniforms waiting for the bus or riding their bikes.

Yes on the canopy tour and a big yes on the ecotourism.

After several trips to Mexico, I was pleased with the way the government is trying to handle the envronment.

I was also happy that they set aside beach access for all Ticos. There will never be wall to wall high rises for the rich and no access for the people whose coutry it is.
I love that.

koa

Sounds like your friend should have researched the destination before going. Why would you go to CR if you dont want to do canopy tours, rafting and the other great outdoor adventures there? I hardly seen anyone begging in CR. There are more beggars and homeless in the U.S. I think you should not change your plans. CR is a great destination!

Dyer

bygsnmky - we hired a driver and loved everyone being able to see what was pointed out!! Leo Rodriguez was going to purchase a 30 seat van for larger travel groups but you'd have to contact him to see.(He also has a 12 passenger van). He is a great driver, a college grad, a immense love and knowledge of his country and speaks fluent English and French. You will have to contact him early as he is very busy/popular on this site as well as www.tripadvisor.com and www.frommers.com [email protected] (011 from the U.S.) then 506-378-0001

Suzie2

We use a driver who is used to working with seniors. He has a large yearly group that he arranges a bus for and takes out. I mention this because he is familiar with the areas and will know what is available for the less active traveler. There are great boat rides for wildlife viewing and nice easy walks with beautiful views. He is also good with families and has 2 children of his own. He has been in the business for many years with some of the top companies before heading out on his own. He speaks fluent English and French as well. Most of his business is repeat so he is not mentioned on the boards much.

[email protected]
011-506-289-7846

brownjimi

If your not an adventurous person and are an extremely boring person and expect towns in costa rica to be Rodeo Drive I can see why your friend would say she didnt have a good time, she is certainly one of millions, should she not have had great adventure such as G.A.P Adventures it's no reason why she definetly did not have fun she realy must be blind. Sounds a bit like Paris Hilton, nothing is good enough for her. Costa Rica is beautiful and a great place for endless adventure and fun.

brownjimi

Sorry She SHOULD have done a G.A.P Adventure. I some how said NOT to.

dfarmer

Ok so this is an old subject that I had missed, but have enjoyed reading all the views here today.

Thankfully the world is made up of many different personalities and there are fortunately those that do not like CR. I however, seemed to have fell in love the moment I first entered CR air space.

Our story -
The first trip to CR was a last minute "too good to be true deal". We booked and were on a plane within a few days. It was one of those All Inclusive air deals, putting us up in the Northern Guanacaste Region. The hotel was fine, but neither myself nor my husband are "veg out in a resort types". So after 2 days of sit by the pool, wander around the resort we felt we were becoming zombies and wondered "why are we here?" So - we rented a vehicle, called around, arranged some hotel accomodations and set out. OH MY GOSH!!!!! As we traveled south the vegetation became greener than the greeniest I had ever seen!!!. My mind had expected green in CR, but the dull dry browns of the Northern coast in Feb, was very dismal to me. Now I was getting excited. We drove where to - YES - Monteverde. What a treacherous, adrenaline rushing drive. And then the glory of the Cloud Forest. WOW ! Now I remember why we came to Costa Rica.

Short of it - if we had not ventured out on our own, I feel safe to say that we would not have returned to CR.

Next year we brought friends with us on our trip. I planned what I thought was the perfect trip. My friends husband complained constantly!! It is too hot, I am tired, I don't want to hike anymore, the food is terrible and the best one! Why do these people speak Spanish I am English speaking! OK I think I will STRANGLE my friends husband! Our final nights were to be spent at Vista del Valle Plantation Inn - paradise for most. He immiediately screamed at me that there was no ________________ TV, no ________________ phone, and no _______________________________________ Air conditioning. SO I said here is the ___________ keys to the Jeep there is a Hampton Inn across from the airport, get yourself home!!

My friend says she enjoyed CR, but her husband, who knows.

Trips 3 and 4 for us were perfect in every way.

We do one splurge hotel during our stay and the remainder are moderate.

I personally do not zip line nor rent ATV (actually detest the idea of ATV's and zip lines destroying the forest and running off the wildlife). Can't for the life of me understand why people think they will see wildlife this way. Oh Yea ! loud motors, people screaming and animals standing still as you go by! But that is my soap box and unfortunately far too many people want to experience the thrill ride, rather than walk a little.

I on the other hand can waste hours just walking, standing, looking, savoring the peace and beauty that surrounds me.

Certainly we have had few disapointments in CR, but none that have made us not want to return.

I know I do not like staying in SJ, but that is only because I simply do not like large cities - Country Girl all the way!

My step daughter who truly enjoyed her time in CR, enough so that she will be spending a couple months there summer 2007 - has a friend that just returned and hated it. Friends first time to a destination such as this, booked a fly/drive package, hotels on their voucher system were full, rained a lot, lost much of the time, driving around at night - lots of mistakes due to poor planning and research.

We have traveled to many destinations that at first were unsure of our take on things. Sometimes it even takes a few weeks to figure out your true feelings of the destination you just visited.

It is Dec, and I hope tinamidon is on her way to CR to determine for herself.

Hello everyone! sorry I missed this post earlier. Busy, Busy these days and my addiciton to Fodor's was cutting into my business!!