Ever been to Costa Rica?

[TheRoseLady]

We're going on a cruise that will visit Panama, Costa Rica, Columbia and Aruba. I've gotten the shore excursion set for Aruba (snorkeling) and I am pretty sure that I have Cartegena all figured out...it's Costa Rica that I'm still trying to decide on..

Have you ever been? Have any suggestions for things that shouldn't be missed?

[Allereli]

haven't been there, but that's a nice cruise. what line?

[Warriorbird]

Joey, have you ever been to a Turkish prison?

[Xandalf]

A fitting place to make my return to these forums I suppose - I spent the past 10 months traveling.

You hear a lot of people... mainly Americans...raving about how fantastic Costa Rica is. And I know you have a vacation there already planned and I hate to burst your bubble but Costa Rica sucks. No really - it sucks.

It's horribly horribly Americanized, so much different than most of Central America and all of South America which is still so free from massive Americanization.

Colombia (not Columbia) is perhaps my favorite country in the world - and I've seen a lot of them at this point. What do you plan to do there? Only stopping in Cartagena?

Plans for Panama?

The best advice I can give for Costa Rica is to get on a zip line hike into the rain forest. Short hike, then a long zip line on the tree tops. It's pretty cool. If you don't want to do that then stay on the boat and save up your energy for Colombia. You'll need it.

Let me know if you have any questions.

[Wesley]

I heard there was an Island off the coast of Costa Rica with dinosaurs on it. Maybe the boat could take you there and you could parasail and see the dinosaurs. I like dinosaurs.

Also, here is a picture of a dinosaur for you.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bOWsZ3RAtb0/SOGNjc-5eGI/AAAAAAAAAA8/BdK-wN3hXKA/s320/denver.jpg

[Suppa Hobbit Mage]

I've been to Costa Rica twice. If it's a cruise and you only have the half day or whatever it is, get the rafting or zip line excursions. I've been through on a cruise and flew in for a few days once. The rafting is a lazy, easy trip and lots of fun just to see things most people don't see every day. Lots of monkeys and giant iguanas (giant to me, like the one Stanley has).

I disagree that it's horribly americanized (what's wrong with that anyway?). Of course the dock is tourist central and full of shit and beggars, but once you get past that (if you decide to get past that), MUCH of Costa Rica is just undeveloped land and jungle.

Whenever I travel I always make it a point to get out into the "real" parts of whereever I am. Contrary to popular belief many people are just like us in that they'll help you find good places to eat, things to see and do if you ask them politely.

I think I still have the card of the guide I had when I went there about 10 years ago, I'll see if I can find it.

[Sean of the Thread]

Lol my surfer friends went to costa rica and even hired a security guard for their apartment.

Not only did they got robbed but they were nice enough to take a shit on their doorstep.

And the cabbie the next day tried to sell them their shit back.

Fuck costa rica.

[CrystalTears]

For every story where something bad happens, I hear a whole lot more stories where nothing bad happens and/or neighboring people help out.

I loved my visit out there. There are several "dives" that have awesome food where you wouldn't expect it. There's even one place while journeying up the mountains that has huge steaks.

Check out the parks and mountains. They're worth seeing.

[Trouble]

I spent 2.5 weeks in San Jose for work and had a blast. In addition to the usual three guys in a foriegn county stuff, we did the zip lines in the rainforest, some general sightseeing, and we tried to do white-water rafting but got rained out (flooded out I should say).

Almost everyone speaks English and you'll find a ton of US expats.

[TheRoseLady]

Cruise line is Royal Caribbean.

We have two stops in Colombia (thanks for the correction), one in Cartagena and one in Santa Marta. I'm Catholic, so I'm most interested in seeing La Popa Monastery, The Palace of Inquisition and the church of San Pedro Claver. Not planning any excursions in Santa Marta, I may check out a few churches. (I'm not like one step from the convent or anything, I just enjoy seeing those sorts of things.)

As for Panama, I wasn't planning really carefully when I booked our flights - like a ninny I didn't schedule to fly in a day early so we'll be seeing Panama via the 1-2 hour drive from PTY to the port in Colon. (I suspect we'll be back to Panama again though.) We have secured a private transfer, so I'm sure he'll be willing to talk a bit for a good tip.

I've heard some very good things about a few tours that are separate from the cruise line. I'm considering one tour that encompasses a two hour tour of the Tortugero Canal, a visit to a banana plantation, lunch at a restaurant on Bonita Beach and a trip to find some good coffee.

Let me know if you find the card, Bill.

Probably one of the most enjoyable visits I've ever had was to St. Lucia, we did an all day tour of the island...even saw a man taking a bath in the river (fun times.) Our guide was so flustered...

[onurb]

If you go to Aruba, watch out for the Vandersloots. They might try to pull a Holloway on you.

[Clove]

Costa Rica grows my favorite coffees. If I were visiting Costa Rica I'd tour a coffee plantation.

[TheRoseLady]

Costa Rica grows my favorite coffees. If I were visiting Costa Rica I'd tour a coffee plantation.

I thought about that, but I'm not a coffee connoisseur like yourself :) I do plan to bring some back, any suggestions on brands?

[Paradii]

I heard there was an Island off the coast of Costa Rica with dinosaurs on it. Maybe the boat could take you there and you could parasail and see the dinosaurs. I like dinosaurs.

Also, here is a picture of a dinosaur for you.

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_bOWsZ3RAtb0/SOGNjc-5eGI/AAAAAAAAAA8/BdK-wN3hXKA/s320/denver.jpg


Pshh, that island was Kauai. I have see the gates myself. No dinosaurs left though, I think the bird flu got them.

[Paradii]

Lol my surfer friends went to costa rica and even hired a security guard for their apartment.

Not only did they got robbed but they were nice enough to take a shit on their doorstep.

And the cabbie the next day tried to sell them their shit back.

Fuck costa rica.

Tell your friends that I am sorry about that dump on their doorstep. When I gotta go, I gotta go.

[Paradii]

A fitting place to make my return to these forums I suppose - I spent the past 10 months traveling.

You hear a lot of people... mainly Americans...raving about how fantastic Costa Rica is. And I know you have a vacation there already planned and I hate to burst your bubble but Costa Rica sucks. No really - it sucks.

It's horribly horribly Americanized, so much different than most of Central America and all of South America which is still so free from massive Americanization.

Colombia (not Columbia) is perhaps my favorite country in the world - and I've seen a lot of them at this point. What do you plan to do there? Only stopping in Cartagena?

Plans for Panama?

The best advice I can give for Costa Rica is to get on a zip line hike into the rain forest. Short hike, then a long zip line on the tree tops. It's pretty cool. If you don't want to do that then stay on the boat and save up your energy for Colombia. You'll need it.

Let me know if you have any questions.


No offense, but she said she was taking a cruise. She's part of the problem why Costa Rica sucks.