Zenning out waiting in transit

---

Well it´s too hot to wait outside so I thought I blog abit and zen out and maybe give some of my No Planets Just lonely Dan tips.

If you are planning on coming to CR bring money. CR has developed into a big tourist hotspot and probably the most expensive country in Central America. Average price for food is $6-$8 and that is just simple stuff now dining out.

Most activities range from $40 average and up. And grocery is not that much cheaper when you try to buy can tuna it´s pretty much the same as home.

It is a great place to come if your spanish sucks and if this is your first trip to Central America because it is probably alot easier to travel then other places without knowing any Spanish. Most people I have met have said their favorite places are Guatamala, Nicaragua and Columbia and all 3 places are much much cheaper then CR.

This is still a super fun place to explore but if I had one regret I wish I knew more spanish so I could chat to the local ticas. Going back to money I would budjet $40-$50 a day and that is average. If you hit the dorms and cook in shared kitchens you can probably get away with $20-$30 a day. CR is a great place to come if you have 2-3 weeks and not really on a budget. 1 week is not enough because commuting takes up alot of time.

Picking hostels - some are better then others but I would recommend going from A to B as early as possible. Because most buses run 6am to 11am and then stop witht he last bus at 4pm. You don´t want to get into your next town super late or it is tough to shop around for a place.

Most places I have came across are $15 average which is basic. Unlike Asia, you can´t really bargain here even when it is low season. You can ask for best price and sometimes they will give you a better rate.

Dorms cost $10 average and they are a great way to meet people. I would always check how clean the beds are and if it smells like ass move on.

Also check the shared kitchen, you want a clean one. It´s pretty fun to go out in the market and cook and meet other people. It is the best way to share tips and figure out what is the best route. Most people have probably made the same mistake so they are eager to help.

Always travel with a bottle of rum or in my case 3 so when you are bored you can drink and read anywhere.

Transportation - it´s pretty easy to use the tourist buses (tica buses) or shuttle which cost about$35. Shuttle buses are a-c and they take you from A to B quite quickly. Tica buses are longer but cheaper at $10 and then there´s the local buses that take the longest because they stop for everyone at $3-$5. Take it from me, go to the washroom first or you will experience how it feels to have your bladder explode.

The voltage here is the same as North America so all cameras, ipods etc are safe to plug in.

Packing - I had a friend no to name anyone that brought a huge stack of books and a 5 lb flashlight probably used at airports to bring down planes. All you really need are a few shorts, 1 hiking pants, 2 pairs of short socks, 3-4 tank tops, maybe 1-2 shirts, and NO towels. 1 hiking boot and 1 flipflop.

Also bring a Credit card because some places do not accept your bank card.

Things I didn´t think of - headset with mic for skype, it will save you a ton of money on LD calls.
More zip lock bags, they are so useful especially the big ones. Small ones are good when you surf to protect your money from getting wet.

Misc items - buy your ticket in Seattle, you will save $400-$600 dollars off your fare. The cost to take a shuttle from Vancouver to Seattle is $70 which is still cheap. If you fly out of Canada it cost $1100 rougly. If you fly out of Seattle you can get away with $600 sometimes.

If you are going budget travel bring your own misquito net, alot of the ones in the hostel have holes or if you are me find a bunch of geckos and plant them all over your room to ward off bugs.

Surfing - Tamarindo so far is the easiest surf but super touristy. It has a beach break so good for beginners. Mal Pais is rough and I got schooled so many time. Rip tide is dangerous here so do not swim. The water can go from knee deep to above your head in 3 seconds especially in low tide.

During sept-oct do not bother going to the east side (Carribean) if you plan to surf. It is the calmest time of the year but the east side has better food, weather and it´s a must chill atmosphere.

Danger level - so far so good and it seems safe to walk around. Maybe not at night in the bigger cities but just use caution. Always better to go with another person and always have a smaller back pack with all your valuables in it. I normally carry $100 with me and have my credit cards and passport in the smaller back pack. Most hostels do not have safes so I would take your important documents with you and leave the mother ship bag behind.

Zenning in - I dont´think you ever get tired of travelling but have patience. It takes a good week to settle down and get away from the high pace lifestyle you left behind. Don´t get discourage if places you go to are not what you expect. You are your own master and the next bus is just a day away. Explore and try to hit the dorm rooms soemtimes instead of private rooms especially in low season to meet other travellors.

I would recommend at least 3 weeks to get a real feel for back packing. It took me 2 weeks which was the same time in Asia to completely become absorbed into the trip. The biggest challenge when you first start is what to do with all that free time. Things always work out in the very end, you will be surpise what you are capable of if you just do it. Just keep moving if you are not sure where to go...you will eventually get there.

Well the 4x4 is almost here...zenning out.

---

Photos

shot
zenning out in a cafe trying to figure out where next.

food
Typical Costa Rican food for $5

interesting
Funny they sell this at the same place I got the food

pothole
when exploring at night you have to worry more about the hidden pot holes then muggers