Travel Suggestions
Looking for travel advice for an 8 day trip in April '08. Two young adults looking to make the most of the trip.
N Posts: 1
I am in the process of planning an 8 day trip to CR for my boyfriend and me in last April. I spent 4 months traveling through Asia and love adventure. He is a bit more reserved and cautious than I. I am looking for suggestions of what places are a must see and which places are not worth it.
I really like to get off the beaten path and experience as much unique things as possible.
We are looking to spend ~$1000 or less.
I would love hotel suggestions as well. I don’t want to stay in a resort setting, but he insists on having a private room and bath with hot water. But, I don’t want anything more.
If you have experiences and knowledge you would like to share I would really appreciate it!
Reply to this
I really like to get off the beaten path and experience as much unique things as possible.
We are looking to spend ~$1000 or less.
I would love hotel suggestions as well. I don’t want to stay in a resort setting, but he insists on having a private room and bath with hot water. But, I don’t want anything more.
If you have experiences and knowledge you would like to share I would really appreciate it!
Reply to this
N Posts: 35
That is feasible (under $1000) but if you don't speak Spanish you will get swindled into paying the "gringo" prices. If you PM me, I can send you a few links that may be useful. They might consider it garbage on these forums and delete them.
Michael,
Live Costa Rica! Reply to this
Michael,
Live Costa Rica! Reply to this
N Posts: 8
I've lived in Costa Rica since 1991 and some places I always suggest to my friends and relatives include:
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Arenal Volcano (and Tabacon Hot Springs if you can spare the bucks to get in)
Around Arenal you'll find a number of canopy tours and trams
We also love the drive to Irazu Volcano up the gently sloping hills to visit the crater. Same with Poas (closer to San Jose and a more popular destination).
All of these are near San Jose. There are a lot of good places to stay that meet your requirements. I might suggest an aparthotel with laundry facilites etc.. such as the Aparthotel del Oro in Belen about 10 minutes from San Jose and 5 minutes from the airport.
Here is a list of the must see in Costa Rica places. Have a great time. Reply to this
La Paz Waterfall Gardens
Arenal Volcano (and Tabacon Hot Springs if you can spare the bucks to get in)
Around Arenal you'll find a number of canopy tours and trams
We also love the drive to Irazu Volcano up the gently sloping hills to visit the crater. Same with Poas (closer to San Jose and a more popular destination).
All of these are near San Jose. There are a lot of good places to stay that meet your requirements. I might suggest an aparthotel with laundry facilites etc.. such as the Aparthotel del Oro in Belen about 10 minutes from San Jose and 5 minutes from the airport.
Here is a list of the must see in Costa Rica places. Have a great time. Reply to this
N Posts: 1
As for Arenal, a cheaper alternative to Tabacon hot springs is Baldae Springs..abotut $19 for a day pass (vs. $40). Baldae was gorgeous. Everyone says Tabacon is supposed to be nicer, but hard to fathom. Stayed at a little budget cabina "Hotel Dorothy" in La Fortuna for $11/nt...two full beds and a shower. Liveable, owner was quite helpful.
Manuel Antonio is gorgeous. Little resort/surf town. Can stay in Quepos on the cheap. Heard Villas Bosque is pretty cheap, about $40/night in M.A. near the beach. Friend said they were feeding the monkeys at the hotel pool. There are also posh condos and new resorts, but everynight something is going on at one of the bars.
Also went to Monteverde......nothing special from my point of view. The best part of that leg of the trip is the jeep-boat jeep tor from arenal to monteverde.
For about $90, do the day tour rafting on the Pacuare River. (adventuras naturales or rios tropicales.....breathtaking). For about $200, we stayed overnight in the cabins (yes showers and electric). took us on a mini zip line tour, hiked up the mountain w/ pools and natural waterslides)! have a blast!
san jose to areanl- took the public bus for $2. Many stops. think it took about 4 hrs. other option was grayline or interbus. shuttle costing about $24. much quicker. Reply to this
Manuel Antonio is gorgeous. Little resort/surf town. Can stay in Quepos on the cheap. Heard Villas Bosque is pretty cheap, about $40/night in M.A. near the beach. Friend said they were feeding the monkeys at the hotel pool. There are also posh condos and new resorts, but everynight something is going on at one of the bars.
Also went to Monteverde......nothing special from my point of view. The best part of that leg of the trip is the jeep-boat jeep tor from arenal to monteverde.
For about $90, do the day tour rafting on the Pacuare River. (adventuras naturales or rios tropicales.....breathtaking). For about $200, we stayed overnight in the cabins (yes showers and electric). took us on a mini zip line tour, hiked up the mountain w/ pools and natural waterslides)! have a blast!
san jose to areanl- took the public bus for $2. Many stops. think it took about 4 hrs. other option was grayline or interbus. shuttle costing about $24. much quicker. Reply to this
N Posts: 35
These links might help with finding a hotel and planning your trip. http://www.livecostarica.net/index.php/home/web-links
$1000 is definitely feasible especially if you spend a few days in Puerto Viejo because it is very inexpensive there compared to other "beach towns".
Have a safe trip!
Mike
Live Costa Rica! Reply to this
$1000 is definitely feasible especially if you spend a few days in Puerto Viejo because it is very inexpensive there compared to other "beach towns".
Have a safe trip!
Mike
Live Costa Rica! Reply to this