Costa Rica Trip Help...?

Question

I want to visit Costa Rica, but I don't want to spend that much. I was thinking about either San Jose or Monte Verde. If I went to Monte Verde, how close it the Volcano and what is there to do close around that area and how much are hotels around there? If I went to San Jose, is it safe for my girlfriend and I, and what is there to do?

I really want to go visit Costa Rica because I have met so many people from this country and heard so many great things, but I need to know where to go and like what there is to do, and prices during the trip for activites.

Thanks for your help!

Answer 1

if you want to see the volcano (volcan arenal) stay in la fortuna.

Answer 2

I have been to Costa Rica twice, most recently being earlier this month.

First, I recommend you stay away from San Jose. It is a dangerous city, and I recommend you fly in, and get out of there pronto.

If you want to spend a day checking out the Irazu volcano or whatever, go for it, but then move on.

I would head for the Pacific Coast. There is beautiful rain-forest stuff to do near Jaco, which is about 2 hours away from San Jose. Then head south down the coast. The further you go, the nicer the people will be, and the more you will find.  Domincal is a nice town, I went to Pavones on my last trip (near panaman border), which was a blast. It is a tiny tiny tiny tiny tiny town, but the scenery is beautiful, the trip is a bit scary, but you will quickly get accustomed to driving down there... (one lane bridges without railings) and get used to people doing stupid things on a road that is next to a cliff with a 3000+ foot dropoff and no guard rail.

The Pavones ferry is a trip on its own... photo google it to see why.

But back to what I was saying, dont stay in San Jose, it is not too safe, and you dont get to experience all Costa Rica has to offer. If you go to San Jose you might as well go to New York... it is just a city. One you are likely to be stabbed in if you venture out at night. I stayed there one night, and that was only because my flight arrived at Midnight, so I took a taxi to the Best Western Irazu and rented a car from there the next morning.

The drive down the Pan-American Highway is beautiful, but very stressful at times, because you are in the mountains for so long. My breaks went out on my last trip because I rode them too long going down hill (you need to use 1st/2nd gear a lot). The drive down the coast requires 1 hour of extremely scary mountain roads, with very tight turns, but once you get out of that, it really is a beautiful ride, and you get to see a lot of out of the way stuff.

The people in Costa Rica are awesome... at least they are outside the city. Dont flash your money, use common sense, and be careful, but I felt safe there. An American was stabbed to death in Jaco a few weeks ago because he was flashing his money late at night trying to get a prostitute...

As for the cost... Costa Rica is still a pretty cheap place to go.

We stayed at the best place in the town of Pavones for $90/night.... there are dumps you can stay in for $20/night or even less.

You can easilly eat for 5 bucks or less per meal.

A car rental will be around $400/week for a 4 wheel drive. You MUST have a 4-wheel drive SUV, because some of those dirt roads get bad. And look out for potholes.

Be sure to save $26.00 for departure tax (per person), payable in US Dollars at the airport when you leave.

I love it there. This is rainy season, so be prepared for that. When I was there 2 weeks ago it rained from 4PM-10PM each night. The temperature was not too bad... mid 80's or so and not too humid believe it or not. Also with rain you get full rivers, and there are some activities you can do there as well.

Costa Rica is an absolutely beautiful place, and if you want to get away from the stress and madness of civilization, it is a great place to go. So go, and explore the middle of nowhere.

If you are into wonderful hotel rooms, and a great nightlife, then Costa Rica is probably not a good place to go. The nightlife they do have is not safe for grengo's to go. But if you want to spend time away with your girlfriend (maybe wonder up a river to be alone for 25 minutes or whatever), relax on the black sandy beaches, eat very simple food (know how to say chicken and rice (rose y pollo)_and rice and beans for breakfast, see monkeys, sloths, weird insects, beautiful flowers, nice people... or no one at all, then you will have a great trip.

I got long-winded in this stupid little window that I hard to type long things in... I hope this helps though. :)

Answer 3

Ok, Monte Verde is great for going to the Cloud Forest, Monte Verde is deep in the mountains 5 hours away from San Jose, its a pretty fun mountain town if you want to know about hotels and what to do in Monte Verde go this site http://monteverdeinfo.com/  Monte Verde is not a city at all, there are no shopping malls or movie theathers but its a very beautiful and romantic place and very safe and its like 1.5 hours away from Volcan Arenal, its very easy to get transportation from Monte Verde to Arenal. San Jose is where alot of clubs are its the city and its as dangeous as any other big city but its a pretty fun place also. There is a Holiday Inn there that is not too expensive and alot of other hotels, if you want to find out a little more about San Jose you can visit this site http://costaricaparty.com/

Answer 4

They seem like funny choices for places to go, but I am guessing you are not a beach person if you have narrowed it down to those 2.

My advice would be that you don't really want to hang around San Jose for more than you need to, let alone stay there for your vacation. When people talk about how great Costa Rica is, they are not talking about San Jose. It's dangerous (although not as bad as some people say) and really just not that interesting.

Costa Rica is about being in amazing natural environments, of which there are plenty.

Monteverde is famous for the cloud-forest, but I'm not sure that it will keep you entertained for more than a couple of days. There is no volcano right there, but I assume you mean Arenal which is an hour or 2 drive away (if i remember correctly). The road to monteverde is nothing short of shocking though.

Arenal is a really great time, and could definitely keep you interested for a few days, visiting the volcano by day, and bathing in the hot springs at night (whilst you sip a cocktail!). Go to Tabacon resort for a great experience (but don't stay there).

Then if you want to visit the beaches, your options are endless - all up and down the pacific coast there are amazing places to visit like Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Malpais, Nosara etc etc.

My advice would be to travel around a bit when you are there because distances arent that big and you can see so much wonderful stuff if you keep moving. For example, if you wanted to stay in the central valley area, you could do a tour of 3 volcanoes (arenal, poas, irazu) and monteverde very easily in 8 days.

As for accommodation, you will be able to find something for $30 a night for a double room (or even $15 if you really want something basic) wherever you go. There are good traveller options everywhere.

If you want to read more about the country and what the different areas have to offer, see my articles at the link below:

About the costa rican regions:

http://www.ricarent.com/about-costa-rica...

Activities to try:

http://www.ricarent.com/book-a-tour.htm

Why to visit in the rainy season:

http://www.ricarent.com/about-costa-rica...

Answer 5

i've been to Costa Rica twice, i once landed in San Jose and didn't like it....it's not a very pretty city. Basically a work center with not much tourism around--and it didn't look too safe at night (there were bums and "night ladies" lol). But i was just passing through on my way to Tamarindo beach...a surfer town which is pretty nice but not very developed. They have a lot of surf shops where you can take classes and rent (highly reccomended). I picked the "Laguna del Cocodrilo" hotel...i think it was around $60 a night, and it was decent. It's on the right when you enter the town

however, the first time i went, i arrived in Liberia and stayed in the "Gran Papagayo" hotel (4 or 5 stars), which is not bad but the beach is flat like a lake. So that might be your best bet if you want to look at the country...they have lots of tours in the hotel that take you all over. I would suggest this one if it's not a surf trip....but in case you decide to try it out, Tamarindo is about an hour away. The roads are HORRIBLE, so don't say i didn't warn you haha

There's some serious vegetation, so take lots of spray and your camera :-)

just mail me if you have more questions

Answer 6

go to montezuma. you and your girl will love it. the small town, rivers waterfalls, beach and there is a lot you can do there. and is not expensive

Answer 7

Monte Verde is really nice and Volcan Arenal is the nearest Volcano from Monte Verde. If you don't want to spend a lot of money thats ok because Costa Rica have a variety of hotels around the country.

I live in Costa Rica and also have my own bussiness in tourism. What I can suggest you is a package " Monte Verde & Arenal Volcano" if you will like an unforgettable trip with your girlfriend. For sure she will say married me after the trip! Anyway, let me verify all the information with hotels and see what do I have available for you.

The package will include everything, hotels, tours, transfers and maybe meals. During your trip you won't have to worry about how much will the hotel charge you the days you'll stay or how much for a tour  with the agency tours, also how will you get a transfer to the Volcano or Monte Verde, I'll save you that headache. You'll have to bring some money just to take something back with you. Promise!!  

Ok' see ya!