Costa Rica

[killer_carlson]

My wife and I are considering a holiday. She is leaning for an all inclusive type vacation, I am leaning towards grabbing a backpack and heading to the south pacific. I get bored at all inclusives and don't drink much anymore so that aspect is wasted. (I do make good use of the buffet mind you)

In any event, has anyone ever been to Costa Rica? What can you tell me? Which side is better? Can you give me some reports on some resorts? In terms of expense, what countries is it comparible to?

I think if I can find a resort type place for a few days at the start or end of our trip, I can convince my wife to let us hit the jungle for a few days in the middle.

[Cheese]

Costa Rica is an awesome country....both sides....however IF you want to see a country that is a little less developed tourist wise go a bit further south to Panama. They are just entering their tourism industry and there are excellent deals to the Royal Decameron and Gamboa resorts.

Decameron is on the Pacific so its tidal ocean, not carribean style calm waters. Very nice and very warm water. Gamboa is inland near Panama City...in the middle of a Rain Forest...great for birds reptiles etc etc. Spectacular view. They have packages where you can stay at each place as part of the same vacation.

Heres my link to Panama Pics c/w Flames in Panama...LOL... http://community.webshots.com/user/dayel1956

The all inclusive is nice cuz you get your meals/drinks/smokes whatever paid for with no worries...and you can hop on a bus or rent a car at the resort and drive anywhere...safely...for cheaper than here....both in Panama and CR.

I suggest you read Debbies Carribean for reviews on resorts and locations...best on the web for resort and country reviews. I suggest giving in to the wife and doing the resort thang with day trips as needed to outward locations. We went to an all inclusive at the Royal Decameron in off season for less than $1500/flight/resort/everything.

http://www.debbiescaribbeanresortreviews.com/

[MolsonInBothHands]

I have never been to Costa Rica myself, but my mother and her family have. They started their trip at the Drake Wilderness Resort. It sounded pretty cool to me, and looked amazing in the video. They landed in San Jose, then took a twin prop plane into a remote area with a dirt runway. From there, they had the choice of horseback ride or landrover to the coast, where they wake up the guy driving the boat. That is the only way to get to the place.

The video looked amazing. They took tours through the rainforest, and there were three toed sloths and spider monkeys all over the place. My little brother was pleased to see a group of Canadian college girls there as well .

... and the best part: 100% snotboy free!

[habernac]

hey KC, honeymooned at an all-inclusive type deal there a few years ago. All the people I talked to said stick to the Pacific Ocean side, lots of nice beaches, surfing, etc. Definitely check out the volcano as well. The people are friendly, the food/beer is cheap (and I managed to keep it all down!). I had a great time, my regret was not checking out more in the interior of the country.

[Neeper]

Looks like it's time for another photo expedition for me!! Tell us about your trip when you come back KC.