Costa Rica Travel Forum

ANY HELP WILL BE APPRECIATED. THANKS, DC

Does anyone have any experience taking an ESL course abroad (Costa Rica or any other country) or in the US? I would like to get a TESL certificate, can anyone recommend a school, and/or tell me about your experiences? Thank you.

we need to take a bus from san pedro {san jose ] to playa coco on a thursday afternoon. what bus station would be best? any help or advice? thanks , dave and carla

ANY INFO WILL HELP... WE NEED TO GET FROM SAN PEDRO {SAN JOSE] TO PLAYA COCO LEAVING ON A THURSDAY AFTERNOON BY BUS... ANY ADVICE ON WHERE A BUS STATION IS AND WHERE A SCHEDUALE CAN BE FOUND? THANKS, DAVE AND CARLA

I came on the Tica Bus from Panama to Costa Rica. No official stamped my passport when I entered C.R. I am now trying to fly out of SJO, but the airport authorities say I am here illegally! What is it that I must do? I am desperate and need exact directions as to my next step as I am running out of money. Any help would be gratefully received. Thank you.

Hi,

I'm planning my best friend's wedding to CR in either Nov '09 or Feb '10. We are going to the Pacific coast so ideally we want to fly into Liberia to avoid having to do the 5 hr drive from San Jose. Can anyone please help me with the best travel company online or in person to get a good rate for 20+ people nonstop or other to Liberia.

Thanks,

Marissa

Hi!

I'm a single female traveller and heading to Costa Rica in November...i'm spending a couple of nights in San Jose before heading out to the Caribbean Coast, i'm just after some advice on accommodation in San Jose - i don't really know much about the city at all, i'd like to be quite central, not too expensive and somewhere where i can possibly meet similar single travellers etc.

Thanks in advance for any advice!
:)

Planning a trip to the Guanacaste area in January 2010. My wife and I (56,62), an adult friend and our college-age daughter & her girlfriend. We would like to get a condo or villa, near a beach for swimming and snorkeling. Some "nightlife" not too far away for the girls would also be good, but the not the big hotel/resort stuff. I should mention that my daughter speaks Spanish and we have been to CR previously (Manuel Antonio, San Jose & Arenal)

I have looked at Playas: Hermosa, Flamingo, del Coco, Ocotal & Tamarindo. Any suggestions as to the "personality" of these different areas would be appreciated/ Thanks.

Please could anyone tell me if the ranger stations within the Tortuguero national
park allow camping in hammocks. I am planning to travel to the park in July and
did not wish to carry a tent when a hammock is much smaller and more
comfortable.

Thank you

Hi, I'm thinking of taking a first trip to CR in 2010, not sure what dates yet - maybe in May. I will most likely be flying into San Jose, and go from there. I'm estimating about 10 days total for the trip, with first and last being travel days.

I'm not sure which towns I want to visit exactly, would appreciate help with planning. I'm not into mountain-climbing, rappelling, diving, etc. Below are some things I definitely would like to do on my trip:

- I love wildlife, so would like to see toucans, parrots, lizards, frogs, monkeys, etc.
- visit a coffee farm.
- visit a butterfly farm and/or animal preserve. The La Paz Waterfall Gardens/butterfly farm looks neat.
- spend a day or so at a beach.
- go on a river ride. for example, the Sarapiqui River, which I see is near Puerto Viejo.

Would Puerto Viejo make a good base, from which I could do some of these things as excursions? Oh and I'd prefer hostals, family-run places instead of resorts. Thanks for any advice, Greg

My internet research led me to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica (instead of Tortuguero). The problem is trying to identify which town is closest to the small section of beach where the turtles come ashore. Ostional is listed (but I am not sure if the town is meant or the Ostional Wildlife Refuge - which would make more sense).

We will have an SUV so getting there isn't the problem, I just don't know whether we should head to Nosara/Ostional or further south near Samara. I'd like to stay one or two nights and am trying to figure out which town to book a room in (We will be driving from Monteverde).

Thanks for any advice.

There is a group of 8 adults and we are having trouble deciding which zipline tour to take. It is either Titi Canopy or Canopy Safari. Some of us have ziplined in the past so fear isn't an option. We know that both tours are highly recommended. We want the funnest, and most thrilling.

There is a group of 8 adults and we are having trouble deciding which zipline tour to take. It is either Titi Canopy or Canopy Safari. Some of us have ziplined in the past so fear isn't an option. We know that both tours are highly recommended. We want the funnest, and most thrilling.

I know its rainy season. Im thinking about coming in July. What type of rainy season is it? Rains for a few hours then sunny later, or rains for a few days then stops? Thanks.. Charles

I have seen on the Center of Desease Control website that there is a danger of malaria in most of Costa Rico. Has anyone had experience with this danger? Where could I go there where the danger is not acute? Would I need to take a preventive medicine? Thanks, Dres

A group of 8 adult couples are planning a vacation next February. What is the best location for couples looking for fun, sun, beach, drinks, an excursion or two, all-inclusive resort?

Hi there and thanks for reading.
I've read the tourism sites online, but am having trouble narrowing down exactly where to go in Guanacaste.
We'll (my gf + me) will be flying into Liberia, renting a car and then driving to the beach to spend about 10 days in late July/early August. Which beach is up in the air.
We don't surf and don't plan to, but would be very interested in snorkeling. From what I've read, Tamarindo is more developed, rowdier (relatively) and more surfing-oriented, so we'll probably stay away from there. Playa Grande has been recommended also, but it seems so close to Tamarindo.
I've been leaning toward Playa Conchal/Brasilito and have found a couple of places to stay. I've gotten recs about Conchal, but it was from tour guides and people who lived there.
For accommodations, we're not looking for luxury. We just want a comfortable, clean and cheap (under $60/night) place to sleep, that's very close, if not on, the beach. It would also be nice to find a place with discounts for the long stay, since we're planning on being on the beach for at least 7 days.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Colin

I'm looking to travel in early December and to stay at an all-inclusive. I'm open to location, just looking for a moderately priced resort. Any recommendations? Thanks in advance!

I am going to Costa Rica for the first time in June. I have some questions that I'd like to pose to anywone that can answer.

1) What is the weather like there in June?
2) What are the best beaches to go to?
3) Is there anywhere to change money there, pound sterling?
4) How much do things cost, like how much is a can of coke?

With regards to San Jose can anyone tell me a reasonably priced hotel near the airport?

How much does it cost to get from San Jose to Puerto Viejo?

Thanks in advance!

I will be traveling to Jaco soon. Does anyone know which hotels are decent and especially who allow men to bring their dates from the Beatle Bar back to their rooms without harassment?

Thank you,

Happy Traveler

Hey all! My first trip to Costa Rica in mid August. Staying on the Nicoya Peninsula in Montezuma at villa called Las Rocas. Does anyone know this stretch of beach? I am a beginner surfer looking to take a few lessons and rent a board. It seems that Mal Pais/St Theresa is the place for beginners but thought i'd take a shot to see if anyone new of a closer spot of Montezuma. We will have a 4x4 so it's no big deal if we have to drive, but just looking for that hope that someone knows a great spot with an old surf dude that gives lessons and rental on the cheap. Also, how much rain should i expect mid august? Will roads be flooded? Or does it rain mostly at night? Any other off the beaten path suggestions would be great...we'll be there for nine days!

Thx for all/any help!

Deneane

Hi All,

We are trying to figure out how to spend the last two days of our trip / honeymoon.

This is a llitle far off yet as our trip is not until next February but I like to plan early and be done with it.

We are going to be spending four days in Montezuma and then four days in drake day, minus a travel day to each spot. We will leave Drake bay on a thursday and do not leave San Jose until Saturday afternoon.

We were in Montezuma and Arenal this past February and found that Arenal was a little to toristy for our liking so I am unsure of Manuel Antonio as it would be the obviuos choice between Drake bay and San jose, but am still open to it.
By the time we leave Drake bay and arrive at our destination I realize that we will only have one and a half days before leaving.

Any sugusstions would be appreciated. Also we will not have a car so we would arrange a driver or fly.

Thanks in advance

Hi,

My friend and I are going to CR in May for 9 days and have no idea how to get around! We've been told not to rent a car, and to try the public bus systems out. We are staying in Quepos for our trip, but want to take many day trips to different places, such as Jaco, Manuel Antonio, Monteverde, The Cloud Forest, and other great places (any recommendations?). How should we go about reserving seats or learning the bus system.

Interbus was recommended to us, however, I know the public bus system is much less expensive. If I can get a lead on how to work the public bus system, I'd prefer to do that and save a few bucks! Are there any public systems where you don't have to buy your tickets in advance (in case of plan changes).

Please help!!!!

Thank you!

I have been to Costa Rica many times but are trying some a new itinerary this year. We are planning on flying into SJO and taking a bus to Cahuita for several nights, heading to Bocas del Torro for a few more nights and then to Dominical for a couple weeks. Any advice on the best way to get to Bocas del Torro and them to Dominical? Also, I haven't been to Cahuita since my pre-kids days and am wondering if it is safer now?

Hi,

I am going to Quepos from May 25th to June 3rd, and I have a bunch of questions which I'm hoping someone can help me out with! We're flying into San Jose, and are thinking about renting a car for the week so we can drive around - are there other, better options (i.e. busses, shuttles, etc)? How long is the drive from San Jose to Quepos?

We are staying in Parador Resort and Spa - has anyone heard of it or what it's like?

We are staying in Quepos the entire time, but plan on doing many excursions and day trips - any suggestions for the best ones?

Finally, I've heard a lot about the green season in CR. Should I expect mostly rain? Should I pack warm clothes? AND...WILL I BE ABLE TO GO SWIMMING and lay out on the beach?!!!?? - or is it too cold???

Sorry about all the questions - any info will help, I am just looking to be as prepared as possible :)

Thank you!

I WILL BE FLYING SANSA INTO QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO SO BAGGAGE IS MINIMAL. HOW DO I GET STUFF I MIGHT BUY BACK HOME? ARE THERE SHIPPING COMPANIES LIKE UPS OR FED-EX IN THE AREA AND HOW ARE THE RATES? HAS ANYONE USED THE LOCAL STORES TO PURCHASE OTC MEDS (ANTIDIARREA),CLOTHING AND EVERYDAY ITEMS?

Hi,
I will be vacationing in Playa Hermosa Guanacaste this April and am interested in hiring the services of a cook and maid. I am also interested in renting a boat. Can anyone steer me in the right direction.

Thanks

First time traveler to Costa Rica coming this May. What are the best beaches to visit this time of year? I'm looking for a good balance between nice, clean beaches and fun beach bars/nightclubs.

1. Are there any towns in CR that are like the colonial towns of Antigua, Guatemala or Granada, Nicaragua?

2. What is the best volcano to visit?

3. What is the best beach closest to San Jose..would it be Quipos / Manual Antonio Natl Park ?

Hi everyone. I am getting off a cruise ship at 6:00 am.and our flight leaves at 4:00 p.m. so time to see a little of old san juan since charter will not allow us to stay an xtra day or two. BUT WHAT DO WE DO WITH OUR LUGGAGE. I really want to see some of san juan but with the luggage am stiffled.
Any suggestions??Thanks a lot.