Mexico or Costa Rica??

Question

I have the opportunity to go to either Mexico or Costa Rica.

In Mexico we would visit Puerto Vallarta, Mexico City, Guanajuato, Guadalajara, & Teotihuacán.

In Costa Rica, we would visit San José, Tortuguero, Sarapiquí, Arenal, & Guanacaste

The money difference between the two is just $200, so that isn't a big deal to me.

which one would be the best to visit? opinions please!

Answer 1

Mexico, try going to Cancun Mexico, you wont regret it

Answer 2

If you're looking for more of a city feel, Mexico.

If you're looking for some adventure and nature, Costa Rica.

I would choose costa rica.

Answer 3

Costa Rica

Answer 4

i have never been to mexico, but i have been to all those places you mentioned in costa rica.

costa rica is very nice, and only san jose is really urban. the rest (especially tortuguero) is jungle, cloud forest, and rain forest.

very interesting place to go. not much for "woo-hoo!" kind of fun, just a nice place to relax, learn about another culture, and see some beautiful natural sights.

i hope this helps

Answer 5

Some random thoughts..

Best places to visit depends on a lot of who you are and what you want. Mexico City and Guadalajara are very large cities and are essentially endless streets, traffic, etc., with lots of entertainment.

San Jose, the only real city in Costa Rica is large, but about a 20 minute drive(depending on traffic) and you are out of the city and most of the rest of the country is laid back and is a green, diverse, dynamic beauty.

Puerta Vallarta is a resort city with some entertainment and lots of expensive hotels. Guanajuato is lots of history and local culture. Mexico is so large that it's hard to get a feel for it in general.

I think most people love Mexican food - and in Mexico it varies considerably from one place to the next. Costa Rican food is chicken, beans and rice. Good, and very cheap,  but if you aren't accustomed to an unchanging diet, it will be boring for you.

Water of course is a big problem in Mexico, and not so much in Costa Rica. Everytime I go to Mexico I pick up a water related problem(the big D) someway or other, so be prepared to spend a couple or three days recuperating from that.

Both have good bus and taxi systems.

The Costa Rican culture is totally different from Mexico, as different as Mexico is from the USA.  Driving is about the same - crazy - in both places. The roads in Costa Rica are terrible - more chuck holes than road.

Hope this helps,

Bob

Answer 6

That depends...

Costa Rica is better if you talk about nature...

Answer 7

I think you should go to Mexico becuase I am from there and everything is wonderful and there is other citys you could go to like Tijuana,Puebla,Tabasco,and much more

  

Answer 8

Mexico...I have been all over the country...Central America too, but I always have missed Mexico.

Regardless of where you go, it will all mean so much more if you learn as much as possible about the areas and the people you will encounter. Remember that The Cervantes Festival will be happening in Guanajuato, Guanajuato...in October  I have heard that it's nearly impossible to get lodging there during this event, but it is also great to attend it.

While in Guadalajara, visit Tlaquepaque.

I believe the Mariachi fest in Guadalajara is in October too.

Also the coastal area south of PV is beautiful and less touristy.  If you go in the fall/winter, the weather will be much more pleasant than now.

Answer 9

If you like nature, Costa Rica is one of the most wonderful places to experience an equatorial jungle climate.

Answer 10

If you like historical places, Mexico is better.  Costa Rica for nature but then every country has nature. I'd pick Mexico because your list sounds diverse....beach, new city, old Spanish city, old indigenous city.  

Answer 11

Costa Rico. I have heard the water in Mexico isn't

safe.