What's there to do in Costa Rica?

Question

I'm traveling for 1 wk to Costa Rica in 5wks. I'm going over for work, but the job will only require me from 7a-3p. I've been told that I should not venture ANYWHERE alone. I will be accompanied by a friend. This is a once in a lifetime trip and I want to take full advantage! Any suggestions?

Answer 1

San Jose can be dangerous at night, but during the day the biggest danger is pickpockets, and even then it's not THAT likely. Worst places for pickpockets and bag thieves are the bus stations.

As far as what to do, San Jose itself isn't that great. There are a few museums and such but the best of Costa Rica is away from the capital. You didn't say where you'll be working. If it's San Jose, there are day trips and weekend trips you can make such as Poas volcano (day trip), Quepos/Manuel Antonio (beach towns, weekend trip), river rafting, jungle tours (canopy, zip line, whatever), hiking, horseback riding, ATVs, surfing, sunbathing and so forth. Get the Lonely Planet Costa Rica guidebook, it'll give you ideas. Have fun.

Answer 2

I have not been to Costa Rica but while in Jamaica my husband and I did a zip line canopy tour and two guys in our group said they had done the same thing in Costa Rica and that it was way better than Jamaica! I would highly recommend it, so much fun! That's awesome that you are getting the opportunity to go over and work for a week, enjoy it!

Answer 3

Costa Rica is a wonderful place to visit. I personally have always found it safe. Then again I am large, male and speak Spanish. You will find the people to be warm and very hospitable. If you enjoy nature there are numerous national parks such as Arenal Volcano National park, Tortuguero National park and Corcovado National park just to name a few. These are spectacular places to visit. Everywhere you go you will find water of some kind beaches or rivers so be prepared for rafting and swimming. If you know how to scuba dive the diving is there is also wonderful. Diving in this part of the world is so wonderful, in fact, that if you do not already no how to dive I would say that it would be worth the expense and effort to learn. If you like shopping there is Sarchi and Coffee Town. These are very touristy but have a lot of handcrafted souvenirs and some pretty good restaurants. If you are into more cultural things then definitely go to see the National Theater and catch one of the performances there. It is a very beautiful place to see. If it is nightlife you are after then Costa Rica is your place. There is a very suave feeling that lends it self to having a relaxed party atmosphere in the evenings. Also be prepared to dance. Dancing is a huge part of the culture and one of the primary nightlife activities. Dancing is very romantic and passionate but at the same time just for fun! I am sure that you will have a great experience.

Answer 4

Costa Rica is a big place. Where will you be for your job?

Answer 5

Costa Rica is a safe place to go day or night but use common sense and avoid the bad areas of the big cities and you´ll be ok.

One week is not very much in Costa Rica , to see it you will need at least a month or two, but in your short time I wold recommend Tortuguero canals, a volcano or two, which are close, one of the beaches in Guanacaste but since you mhgt not have time the closest beaches to San José are Jacó and Manuel Antonio and Puntarenas, the first two are a bit touristy and you should be more carefull going alone at night to some areas.

Answer 6

Take a nature tour or go swimming.

Answer 7

Depends on where you will be.  Costa Rica is a very early country.  Busses start moving at 5 am.  You will be working most of the day, and it gets dark by 6 p.m..  If you are not in San Jose you will be safe, but still nothing is much fun by yourself.  Wherever you will be you will make a friend.  They'll show you around.

Enjoy

Answer 8

Hi! My name is Raul I live in Costa Rica.

Here you can do many thing, for a week is better if you plan very good your trip, becouse your trip will be so short for know the best of here.

For example: If you arrive tomorrow, next day you can travel to Raenal Volcano and stay there for one night and enjoy the hot spring waters and see the volcano at night.

Next day you can travel by Jeep-boat-jeep to Monteverde and enjoy the cloud rain forest for 2 nights, them you can travel from there to Manuel Antonio Beach for 2 or 3 night, afetr that you can go back to San Jose if you have a extra full day you can do some rafting or visit Tortuguero for one day.

If you need more info e-mail me to [e-mail]

Answer 9

After traveling in CR I'm planning to return to investigate living there.  I've read 6 books on the subject and here's the one you want.  It's titled simply "Costa Rica" and it's a travel book published by 'Lonely Planet' available on their website at www.lonelyplanet.com or you can find them at the AAA (Auto club) stores in large cities.  Barnes and Nolbles may have it to or will get it for you.  

You will find many interesting items in this book and great little hidden places to go (Or not go).  Crime is a problem in CR for tourists as they seem like easy pickins for the newly enfranchised petty criminals.  One word on that; "If you can't afford to lose it, don't take it".  Common sense traveling is what it's all about.

Answer 10

What you can do in Southern Costa Rica?

This is the green side of costa rica, here you can enjoy the real ecotourism and enjoy activities like:

Horseback riding, canopy tours, cayaking in rivers mangrooves and the sea, ultraligh fly, hiking to Chirripo National Park (the highest mount in CR),  Scuba Diving and Snorkeling, sport fishing,  Whale and Dolphin Watching Tour,  Cave Exploring,  Birdwatching Southern Costa Rica, visit  Indian Reservations, hot waters, etc, you can find enought info in:

http://www.southerncostarica.biz/Activit...

Answer 11

You can check out some party info here http://costaricaparty.com/ and you can go on One Day Beach, Volcano, White Water Rafting, or Jungle Tours, if you are in center San Jose you can go to a turist info office and they offer allot of different one day tours, i see you wont have much time so one day tours might be a good idea. check out the cloud forest http://monteverdeinfo.com/ or the beautiful beaches http://nicoyapeninsula.com/