Costa Rica

[Titan]

So we just booked a vacation for February for 2 weeks (Sorry sample but my mom's an agent and has a place there)

Anyone been and want to share some tips on things to do/not do?

We will be just south of Liberia on the west coast.

Thanks in advance.

[Sample00]

Originally Posted by Titan

So we just booked a vacation for February for 2 weeks (Sorry sample but my mom's an agent and has a place there)

Anyone been and want to share some tips on things to do/not do?

We will be just south of Liberia on the west coast.

Thanks in advance.

damn, I got beat out by mom!
have a great time!!!!!

[kootenayguy9]

I won a trip there 2 years ago through Lite 96 and I would highly recommend to do any tours through the Rainforest, Volcano, Zip lining etc. We also had a lot of fun going into Liberia and experiencing what bull fighting was all about down there.

[surferguy]

Rent a car to get around, its not to expensive and lets you explore the entire Guanacauste region and Nicoya Pennisula. La fortuna is a must see and well as the cloud forest up near Monte Verde. PLaya Grande and Tamrindo are neat areas and Playa Avalones is a great beach with nobody around

[TimSJ]

I think cheese has been you might PM him..

[driveway]

If you're not going to be stuck in an all-inclusive you really, really, really should head for either of these two places:

Montezuma, at the very tip of the Nicoya peninsula - it's about a two-hour bus ride from Liberia and there are direct buses. It's a gorgeous little beach town, populated by ex-pats and some hippies. Tons of hotels, unbelievable beaches.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua - Less than an hour from Liberia. I preferred Nicaragua to Costa Rica while I was down there and San Juan Del Sur has the most beautiful beach I've ever seen in my life - it's another well-visited but unspoiled town, there are tons of hotels to stay at and the beach, my god the beach.

Avoid Tamarindo unless you're into tourists, hookers and blow.

both Montezuma and San Juan Del Sur can be found on this map:
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&cli...-8&sa=N&tab=wl

[TimSJ]

Originally Posted by driveway

Avoid Tamarindo unless you're into tourists, hookers and blow.

and whos NOT into Hookers and Blow...

[driveway]

Originally Posted by TimSJ

and whos NOT into Hookers and Blow...

I'll be honest ... I had a great time in Tamarindo.

[Tron_fdc]

I actually leave on Friday for Costa.....trip#5 for me. We're spending a month in the Nosara area. In fact, I was just sent this pic of one of the local bartenders.....



Anything in particular that you want to know? Like prostitution is legal, and don't go to bars in Jaco because they're full of transvestites pandering to sick old men?

[Tron_fdc]

I travel quite a bit for work, but it just so happens that I usually travel to really nice places so it SEEMS like I'm always on holidays. This one is a true holiday though.....4 weeks of no cell phones, email or computers. I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle not knowing what's going on, but after a few beach cervezas it shouldn't matter all that much!

[trew]

Whatever you do, make sure you see lots of wildlife while you are there.

I haven't been up to Liberia, but the roads in most part of Costa Rica are horrible. Regional flights can often be the best way of going anywhere that is more than 100km away. (otherwise you spend most of your trip on the bus). I flew with both Sansa and Nature Air, and the flights were fine (if a bit cramped sometimes, pack light!).

I have heard mixed reports on the Arenal volcano. Most people enjoyed the trip, but many would have been happier to spend more time elsewhere. I'd go if I had the time, but wouldn't it let it eat into beach or wildlife time.

I've heard the best zip lines are in the Monteverde Cloud forest. If I went back I'd try to get over there.

If you have the flexibility to spend a few days in a different region, and want to go someplace less touristy, with loads of wildlife, check out the Osa.

We spent a week in the Osa Peninsula at "Bosque del Cabo", it was amazing. You stay right in the middle of a private eco-reserve and can lay back in your hammock and the wildlife literally comes to your doorstep. Lots of great hiking in the area too. A stay of even 4 days is well worth the hassle of getting down to Osa.

I also spent a few days in Manuel Antonio. The park there is pretty small, but packed with wildlife. Worth a day trip or two night visit. A guide is well worth the money and will help you see much more then you could on your own. (I think this is probably true of anywhere). The natural setting is also very dramatic, and the beaches there are pretty nice. Has a little bit of everything, but is also pretty well touristed.

Lastly, buy a camera with a really good zoom. It's really hard to get a good picture of wildlife without it.

[SebC]

Edit: nm.

[Titan]

Thanks all. I was going to print this out to show my wife until Tron's post. Now I will just describe what people said!!

BTW my 6 year old daughter is not really into hookers and blow. Maybe my next trip!!