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Costa Rica Suggestions

Steph and I are going to Costa Rica this summer to study for about 5 weeks. We would like travel tips and must see / must do list from experienced Costa Rica travelers.

16 years ago, June 7th 2007 No: 1 Msg: #14972 Delete Edit

Spartan
Los Beckstrom

B Posts: 3

So far Steph and I have considered the following places as potential visits while in Costa Rica. Feel free to give ideas about these places or give other suggestions as well. San Jose, Cartago, Puerto Viejo, Parque Nacional de Manuel Antonio, Volcan Poas and Bocas del Toro, Panama. Thanks for all of your help. Reply to this

16 years ago, July 2nd 2007 No: 2 Msg: #15896 Delete Edit

Meche
Mercedes

N Posts: 5

It is great tha you decided to visit Costa Rica, if I can help you I own a transportation company and a tour operator (www.costaricadelights.com) in my webpage you can find a lot of advises about travelling to Costa Rica, feel free to visited and if you want me to help you with reservations, please let me know, write me to .

Thanks and PURA VIDA...

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16 years ago, July 22nd 2007 No: 3 Msg: #16732 Delete Edit

Martin en Brenda
Martin & Brenda van Gestel

B Posts: 8

Hi guys, Costa Rica is awesome, We live here now for 2 years and run a dive shop, but I also have times for trips. IN 3 days I have to guide some tourist around so keep an eye out for my blog because we are also heading to Tortuguero, a place I haven't been yet. You can check out the other trips we did as well.
Have fun and if you guys love diving we are the place to be Playas del Coco Reply to this

16 years ago, July 29th 2007 No: 4 Msg: #16980 Delete Edit

Kuno
A Kid Following His Dreams

B Posts: 20

If you're headed to Costa Rica, I highly recommend the West Coast towns of Tamarindo, Jaco, and Nosara. Tamarindo is in the North West, and is a quaint little beach town that has become fairly Americanized in the sense that there are many outdoor shops, boutiques, and restaurants. It is clean and beautiful. Jaco is a growing city on the West Coast with lots to do and beautiful beaches. Just north of the city, is Playa Hermosa with black sand beaches and one of the most consistent surf breaks in the world. If you end up here, rent a surfboard and catch a few. Lastly, the secret diamond of the West coast is Nosara. It's a quiet little town south of Tamarindo, with big, white, rolling waves that highlight the most beautiful sunsets I've seen anywhere in the world. At some point during your trip, throw down ~$50 (USD) for a canopy tour. Don't expect to see a 'zoo-like' number of animals, but do expect to have fun zipping through beautiful, untouched rain forest.

These are my recommendations. Whatever you end up doing, I hope you have a great time in Costa.

Pura Vida Reply to this

16 years ago, July 29th 2007 No: 5 Msg: #17002 Delete Edit

akatico
akatico

N Posts: 1

Airport
1.do not change dollar at airport their rate is 1 dolar = 460colones, standard rate is v around 1$ = 517-520colones, here is the Costa Rica national bank website where you can check the daily rate http://www.bncr.fi.cr/BN/index.asp?c=home
P.S (you can find a lot of banks in San Jose)
2. The airport departure tax is $26 and they only take visa and mastercard or cash, so please do not spend everything until you pay the departure tax
3. The airport taxi to San Jose is $22, and if you do have a hotel reservation, please do not let them take you to other hotel by saying that the hotel you booked is closed or full coz they can get some commision by taking you to other fancy hotels.
Languages Schools
ACADEMIA EUROPEA
Location: San Jose, Sabana (Paseo Colon) & San Pedro
Tel: 257-2062 * 233-1714 Price $120-180 per month
4 days a week / 2 hours and half per day

New Learning Academy
Location San Jose (downtown) www.newlearningcr.com
Price $100-120

Uiversidad de Costa Rica
Location: San Pedro Tel: 207-4000

You may also find personal tutor for $8-10 per hour, you may find it on www.craigslist.org
Or the personal ads board in the supermarkets

Here is other schools information http://www.infoweb.co.cr/costa_rica/educacion/spanish.html

Tours
From San Jose

Tourtuguero (turtle nesting season July- December) (Great tour and cheap)
Costa Rica Hilighlight tour (volcan poas, sarapiqui river, waterfall garden)
Volcan Irazu,Valle Orosi
Turu Ba Ri (canopy, airtram, and other activities)
Canopy Sarapiqui
Pacuare rafting
Naranjo Bungee jumping
Volcan Arenal (hot spring)

Hotels 2007 Rates

Arenal (La fortuna) Cerro Chato Lodge
Owner Miguel Samora
They can pick you up at the bus station (requires previous reservation)
Location : (2.5 kms. from La Fortuna, on the road to Catarata R甐's Fortuna and only 15minutes by car from Tabacon's Hot Springs) www.cerrochato.com $23-40

San Jose (downtown) Hotel Pension de la Cuesta
Location: Avenida 1, 50meters west from Registro Civil
Very nice location , close to the museums, bars, restaurants
Nice and clean rooms and great service
Their staff are very helpful and they also offer airport shuttle to their hotel for $15 www.pensiondelacuesta.com $18-28

Monteverde (Santa Elena) Pension Santa Elena
owner :shannon
Location: Santa Elena (downtown) 50meters este from the banco nacional www.pensionsantaelena.com $8-15

Manuel Antonio Hotel Verde Mar
Location :400meters from the entrance of Manuel Antonio National Park
The only hotel which has the direct access to the national park
Great view and beach
(no need to pay the park entrance) http://www.verdemar.com/ $50

Puerto Viejo El Tucan Jungle Lodge
Location: Near playa manzanillo
Good service and nice rooms and cheap!
They can pick you up at the bus station www.eltucanjunglelodge.com
$30

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