question from a reader (pt.2)
Hey Heather,
I remember reading about your trip to Costa Rica. (Although I may be mistaken.) The reason I’m asking is because I am interested in going and was wondering if you have any info to pass on? Any help would be very much appreciated, and maybe you could post it on the travel blog for other readers?
Thanks for your help!
Justine
Yay! Costa Rica was fantastic - the people are warm and welcoming, the rain forest is paradise, and the beaches, while not the best I’ve been to, were still pretty darn great. We sort of cheated a little and made our arrangements through a travel company, JD Watersports. They were very helpful and if I remember, not expensive in the least. We told them what we wanted and they made it happen.
Mind the season. Costa Rica has distinct wet (May-November-ish) and dry (December - April) seasons. We went in early December at the tail end of the rainy season, and boy did we see evidence of it. It didn’t matter much in the rain forest, but it made driving on the winding mountain roads a little scary. Okay, a whole lot scary. I’ll try to post a video of it for you.
Costa Rica is a road sign-free country. Another reason I’m glad we went with JD Watersports is that they provided very detailed driving directions, in a country where it’s really, really uncommon to see any road markings.
You’re probably never going to see the volcano because it’s behind the clouds. Always. But go anyway! There’s a lot of fun to be had in the rain forest areas around the Arenal Volcano. Like, hot springs. We visited Tabacon Hot Springs and it was like the Garden of Eden. Then again, I’m a huge sucker for anything with a swim-up bar. Do keep in mind that you’ll be paying Manhattan prices for food and cocktails in the Garden of Eden (I’m guessing the high prices keep the riffraff out), but elsewhere, food and drink is inexpensive (if not a bit bland).
Eat at Steve n Lisa’s. It’s on the Pacific side of the country (just North of Jaco), and if that’s where you end up doing your beachin’, such a worthy place to grab a bite. Two lobsters for under $15? Yes, please.
Try the zip lines (scary and awesome all at the same time). I remember thinking, at one point while I was hanging there, hundreds of fee in the air, that I might die. And then I realized I didn’t care. It was just that exhilarating. There are plenty of sites to zip through the canopy, but we did it near Arenal, arranged, naturally, by JD Watersports.
Tidbits: Vitamin B complex is supposed to keep the bugs off. Worked for me. The sun is strong, so keep up the sunscreen, even if it’s not particularly hot. Not much excitement in San Jose, I’ve been told, and from what I saw, it was true. Fly in, but get out to the fun stuff ASAP.
Anyone else got some must-have Costa Rica tips?
1. If driving yourself, do not ever leave anything in your car in a visible way. No matter how remote you think the location is, your stuff will be stolen.
2. Keep some pocket money handy to bribe cops in case you get pulled over for speeding. A few bucks will save you the hassle of a ticket.
3. When ordering food, at most places they have some sort of “Americanized food” for more expensive prices. You’re much better off just ordering a “Tipico” chicken, fish, beef etc. plate. It’ll be much cheaper, better and you’ll get a lot more food.
4. If you want suggestions on surf spots, let me know.
5. If you’re going to be out in the ocean for any length of time, consider using zinc on your face. Yeah, it looks stupid but it looks a lot better than the radiation burn you’ll get otherwise.
6. When walking out into the water, shuffle your feet while you walk. Stepping on a Ray sucks.
Tommy,
Have you ever actually had to bribe a Tico cop?
Yes, multiple times. The last time I was there I’d estimate at least four or five times.
One more tip: If you are renting a car, get 4WD and ground clearance. And not what passes for that in America, i.e. don’t get a RAV-4 or something. Get a big, old school, 4WD truck/SUV (we rented a diesel 4Runner last time I was there). This advice goes double for the rainy season. The extra few bucks you spend will be worth it when you are driving on some of the wet, dirt roads.
I realize that my first couple tips make the country sound like a den of robbery and corruption. Nothing could be farther from the truth. On the whole, the locals and expats are extremely friendly. So long as you are away from San Jose you shouldn’t really have to worry about violent crime. Just remember, Costa Rica is a third world country so petty theft can and will happen, as will the occasional cop pulling you over in the hopes of getting a few dollars as a bribe. If you’re just the least bit careful, you’ll be fine (my friends left wallets and a digital camera on the dashboard while we were surfing a reef near Avellanes, that’s asking for it).
It also depends heavily on where you go and what kind of trip you want. You could book a five star hotel in Tamarindo and do the resort thing, in which case you’ll have nothing at all to worry about. You could also do what we did, which is fly in, rent a car and book everything but the first night or so on the fly. If you go for the latter, just keep your wits about you and you’ll be fine.
I just returned and have lived there (ok, I was 8 but still, I lived there). I would say Heather was spot on for the most part, although I love the beaches there (you just have to know where to go). I didn’t have to bribe any cops but I also let my Costa Rican friend drive so I don’t know if that made a difference.
One thing Heather didn’t mention was that I was able to pay in US dollars most of the time.
I stayed in Grecia (where I used to live and where my friends live now) but visited Montezuma and Arenal. If you’re planning on going to either spot and want more information, feel free to email me (nld128@hotmail). Also, I’ve got some pictures and videos (including what it’s like to drive there)They’re listed under Costa Rica http://community.webshots.com/user/nld91081?vhost=community
Have a wonderful time.
We drove ourselves everywhere on the Nicoya peninsula with a Terios. (small 4WD) We never had any problem with the police except the one time really late when I HAD to go on the way back from Montezuma. Turns out that driving after inbibing is fine….public urination…not so much. (In my defense, it WAS late and it WAS in the middle of nowhere). He just told us to find a banos and send us on our way.
You can use dollars everywhere; don’t really need colones. They’re spot on about the Tipicas..much cheaper than the Americanized menu. Also, always check the smaller restaurants-they usually have very fresh food much cheaper. I had a 3 Kilo lobster!!!! (that’s nausea inducing big) for $10 at a small place in Tambor. We went to Tambor, Montezuma, Mal Pais and Poas, so if you need anym,ore info about these areas, I’d be happy to help.
Enjoy! Pure Vida