cesta

I am new to the forum but I am fairly well traveled. In planning a trip for 3 or 4 friends this upcoming fall I am having a tremendously difficult time. Somehow I always end up doing the planning. We need a nice beach, good shopping, good nightlife, some sights but not too pricey. (<150 night)
Having been to Mexico 4 times, it always seems the bargain spot even if it is ...still Mexico. Costa Rica looks interesting but after reading Fodor's time of year not to go, I am skepital. We would like to travel in October. Is it too rainy then? Should I consider other alternatives...any help would be greatly appreciated.

dncee11

Oct is a great time for CR, its the end of rainy season (never a big deal anyway) and before high tourist season (Christmas thru Easter) so for your price range you will have no prob finding nice places. Shopping in CR may not be the same as Mexico but relaxing and nature are the big attractions. For other alternatives check out Panama and Belize too. Good luck and have fun wherever you go!

Sam_Salmon

If you've narrowed it down to just the two I'd say Mexico hands down the winner.
More life, more choices, more of everything in Mexico.

CR is 'ok' but many places are completely overrun with tourists thievery is rife and the food is in a word godawful.(I used to live in CR BTW)
Be aware that many people who own interests in the tourism biz in CR post here so you may receive a somewhat less than candid response from them.

garyrbeck

I have a lady friend who right now is in CR and is setting up a travel agency, not for tours and air, but lodging. She will be moving there in May 2005. I have yet to go down and visit her, but I most certainly will. Many of her tales are a bit hair-raising for me though, what with boas, spiders, rapids, heights, storms, terrible roads, crazy drivers, etc. For now, I opt for PV the past 26 years and will be back there for a while in October and November in Old Town. You would not regret it and the weather is superb from early October until mid May.
Gary
groups.yahoo.com/group/Puerto_Vallarta_OldTown_SouthSide

JeanH

I enjoy vacationing in both Mexico and Costa Rica, but for different reasons. Vacationing in Costa Rica is an adventure, lots of things to see and do, but one must move around to do them. Distances appear short on the maps, but in reality, travel takes up time. For me, it depends on what type of vacation I'm looking for. I can plan a trip to Mexico in just a few minutes. Costa Rica is much more planning, where to stay, which part of the country to visit, fly or drive while there, etc.

Our current favorite not-a-lot-of-planning vacation spot is Ambergris Caye in Belize. Great restaurants, nice places to stay, good snorkeling, and most of all fun people. Not a great beach though, but the water is beautiful. Not great shopping either, if that's a priority.

Jean

sclubb

I have been to 25 countries - and CR ranks right up there as one of my personal favorites - if not my all-time favorite! BUT - based on the things you mentioned you want out of this trip, I am not sure it is the right place based on what you are looking for. Mexico sounds like a better fit, I think. If you do decide on CR, you can fly into Liberia which is closest to the Pacific beaches & spend some time in those areas since it doesn't sound like you're looking for a lot of "nature" experience....but you'll be missing out in my opinion!

ewesthoff

I will have to agree with the previous posts on some points and totally disagree on others. CR is an adventure and is truly one of the most incredible countries that I have visited, but it is not a country to lie on the beach and have rum drinks and walk to town for shopping, not at least in the areas that I have been. I wil have to say that the food in CR is not godawful, but incredible. It is the freshest fish, fruits and vegetables, with the north, Guanacaste area, supplying the best beef I have ever eaten. I hiked, canoed, swam, dove, and trekked across the country everyday and still gained weight because the food was so good, but to each his own. It does take more time to set up a vacation to CR, but well worth it. You seem to know about mexico, so go to other sites and research CR, you may like what you find and as for the scaredy cats with the snakes and spiders, yeah, the are about, but so are all of the other incredible creatures of CR that make it such an incredible place. Enjoy whatever you do.

mikemo

Like many others, I love both for different reasons.
CR has no military, so taxes support education, health care and retirement/social benefits.

You should visit CR and go to all the wonderful National Parks (with experienced guides) to gain perspective. CR is geographically stunning and is the "choke point" for so much migratory biodiversity that much effort is placed into education (of mostly ignorant Gringos) about the importance of same.
The food in CR was less great than I expected and not inexpensive (just more bland and less interesting than MX).
I voted with my hard earned USDs and bought a house in (Centro) San Miguel de Allende, MX.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Love both countries, but Mexico sounds more like what you're looking for. And I disagree with the comment that October is the end of the rainy season. It might be, but it's usually the rainiest month. October is the month I find most difficult to travel here. For that reason alone, I'd suggest Mexico.