Lincoln

I am thinking about spending a week in Central America. I cannot decide whether to go to Costa Rica or Guatamela. Can someone tell what I will expect to see in those countries?

JoAnn

Check out the "Costa Rica Trip Report" headline on this board. They did a great job of traveling and seeing Costa Rica. We were there for 7 weeks in '94, 3 weeks in '97 and loved it. Saw jungles, beautiful flowers, birds, beaches, mountains, animals, great hiking trails, wonderful white water rafting, and best of all warm, wonderful friendly people.

Barry

<BR>Ditto JoAnne. In one compact area you can experience cloud forests, rain forests (from the jungle floor or hanging from a cable car), whitewater rafting, tropical beaches and - if your lucky - an occasional sighting of a toucan, sloth, snake, monkey, etc. The people are intelligent, friendly and go out of their way to be helpful.

Cassie

I think you will find Costa Rica better prepared to handle tourists and probably safer to stay. Costa Rica is one of the most stable countries in Central America, high employment, little begging, etc. I did spend 1 day at Tikal in Guatemala and recommend that if you can get a day trip there, but I'm not sure I'd stay in Guatemala for a week. Check State Dept web page http://travel.state.gov for travel advisories. <BR>

Alan

Well, it really depends what atmosphere you are looking for because they are very different countries. Costa Rica, yes, is very beautiful, peaceful with jungles and beaches, etc. So, if you are looking for fun and and interesting experience in a tourist filled but safe country go to Costa Rica. Guatemala is much more of an adventure, though, and at least in my opinion more affecting. Guatemala has both cold, high mountains and swelting hot jungles. Guatemala has very warm people, but yes, a bit more dangers. But Guatemala is a beautiful, thrilling place with so much diversity packed into such a small place. And having survived such a dark past, it's a nation of very strong peoples. It really depends what your taste is. <BR>

Maria

I agree with the last message. His description of Guatemala is excellent. I prefer an unusual, off the beaten path adventure, full of culture. To me to go to Costa Rica is just a bit too touristy. Guatemala is still pure & unchanged by tourism.I'm also on a budget, and find that my dollars certainly go further in Guatemala. Give me the offbeat adventure, and that's Guatemala, for sure. And, someday the indigenous culture that exists here will not be existent anymore, as it has disappeared in other Latin countries. See it now before it's gone. <BR>If you need info on Living here or Retiring in Guatemala, contact me. We do the GUATEMALA Living & Retirement Newsletter and we can get you, if you need it, the "GUATEMALA Bus Travelers Little Helper." We recommend taking chicken buses everywhere. Now that's an adventure! <BR>