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-   -   Mosquitos - yes. Spiders???? (https://www.fodors.com/community/mexico-and-central-america/mosquitos-yes-spiders-904713/)

4deckers Sep 1st, 2011 11:36 AM

Mosquitos - yes. Spiders????
 
Hello, I know that there a a ton of mosquitos and other biting insects. Do any of you recall seeing many spiders? (big or small) I am wondering because they seem to seek me out and bite me :) Seriously, I occasionally have a mild + reaction to spider bites. We will be traveling San Jose to Puerto Viejo. Thank you

volcanogirl Sep 1st, 2011 11:47 AM

Yes, we've seen spiders everywhere we've gone. For the most part, we've seen them predominantly outside, but one place we stayed had huge ones in the room. Luckily we had a mosquito net there. None has ever bitten us though.

qwovadis Sep 1st, 2011 01:25 PM

http://www.therealcostarica.com/livi...ica/bugs_costa

Yep I have seen a tonne also scorpions rartely crawled into my

shoes on the floor so I always put them up and shake clothes

carefully check them over...

Kinkazote Sep 1st, 2011 04:29 PM

I think I have seen more spiders than skeeters. I found a big one between the sheets once. Just keep checking. Carry benadryl.

volcanogirl Sep 1st, 2011 06:37 PM

And be sure to keep your luggage zipped up.

HappierWithLess Sep 2nd, 2011 11:14 AM

Lots of spiders but never had them bite me. I think just checking your sheets and keeping your luggage closed it more than enough.
www.happierthanabillionaire.com

4deckers Sep 3rd, 2011 06:09 AM

thank you - I think,lol

incabod Sep 3rd, 2011 09:44 AM

We have some awesome spiders. Around me we get tarantulas a lot, but they really are harmless. BIG but harmless.

They are actually quite delicate, if you were to drop one from just 6 inches off the ground, it would die from the fall(please dont do this).

As most of natures creatures, they are important and deserve to live as we all do.

volcanogirl Sep 3rd, 2011 11:01 AM

Some of the spiders are actually really beautiful - hard to believe I know!

JBX Sep 3rd, 2011 06:43 PM

Uh, it's the tropics ..... and you'll be seeing bugs. Especially when walking thru rain forest, BIG big spiders in large webs .... they certainly didn't seem interested in humans. Fortunately, these bad boys stay outside. I think only critter who made his way indoors was a little gecko (lizard) in room @ Manuel Antonio.

JBX Sep 3rd, 2011 06:52 PM

For those who live in CR, I guess one has to make peace w/ variety of creepy crawlies ..... http://www.therealcostarica.com/livi...osta_rica.html

4deckers Sep 6th, 2011 08:01 AM

I think spiders are beautiful, at a distance, lol.

Shooie Sep 11th, 2011 05:47 PM

Costa Rica has lots of bugs. Mosquitoes aren't that bad at all. (If I want to see real mosquitoes, I can go to Wisconsin or Minnesota.) The spiders in Costa Rica are beautiful. Take pictures of them to scare your friends at home. They aren't interested in biting you. BUT, never leave your clothes on the floor, and shake your shoes out before you put them on. The scorpions love dark, wet places.

Cattail Sep 12th, 2011 04:00 AM

In three trip to CR, we've had not one spider bite between us, and we're on the trails a lot. Not many mosquitoes either. We have literally run into a number of webs, but we mainly felt bad for messing with Madam Spider's design; she (and her mate when there was one) never bothered us. As others have mentioned, they're very beautiful. Benadryl isn't a bad idea for peace of mind.

Blizzardcpl Sep 17th, 2011 04:34 AM

We have been from coast to coast in C.R. and for mosquitoes???? Nothing like spring or summer in Ontario. We have never worn repellant regardless of location. Honestly they are NOT a problem in C.R. Only experienced tarantulas in the dryer areas around tamarindo. Blue hair and huge but the critters are spookily fascinating, when you have a stick in your hand lol

4deckers Sep 17th, 2011 09:36 AM

...so are the mosquito nets, over the beds in the hotels, just for atmosphere? lol

volcanogirl Sep 17th, 2011 09:55 AM

We've been devoured by mosquitoes in Tortuguero, so some areas do have them. Maybe because I'm so sweet - ha, ha!!

Cattail Sep 17th, 2011 01:40 PM

Umm, plenty of bugs in BdC without the nets secured... moths, etc. They can be annoying.

You're funny, 4deckers! ;)

4deckers Sep 18th, 2011 05:09 AM

Smiling is good for the soul.
You have all given me useful information. Pura Vida!

shillmac Sep 20th, 2011 06:41 PM

Yeah, lots of spiders, all sizes, all types. Mostly outside, but occasionally in, as others have said. They still give me a start (the larger ones), but just being around them a lot (over many trips to CR) has made a huge difference in my attitude toward them. Still, I agree with what others have said. . .we are exceptionally careful about checking clothes, shoes, towels, etc has become second nature.

My husband attempted to put his tennis shoe on once and was unable to put his foot all the way into the shoe. Hmmm. . . .yep, there was a HUGE spider in there. . .it fell out and scooted out of the way, probably wondering what the hell. . . .!!!


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