Ever Been to Costa Rica?

My husband spent several years there, and I have a friend who was a diplomat there, I've only passed through.

DO know

- that one side has malaria and the other has leishmania (both mosquito born parasites). So you'll need to be on antimalarial drugs while you're there (try them out at home for a week to make sure you tolerate them; very little is worse than being bedbound sick your entire vacation) AND if you come home with any persistent sores (that will start to weep eventually) let your GP know you need to see a tropical disease specialist and let THEM know that you just spent time in an area with endemic leishmania (everyone on one side gets it... do NOT do the local treatment in country; it only has a 50% survival rate as cauterizing the sore often pushes the parasite into the blood, at which point it becomes lethal. The antiparaciticles in the US will make you sick as a dog, but you won't die)

- also... rebellions pop up all the time. Often whiskey rebellions as the govt tries to stamp out the local stills. Automatic weapons are par for the course

- also... CR is a "switzerland" for both pacific and atlantic pirates. It's a place 'everyone' can go to relatively safely, and look for more work. Never leave a child alone in any coastal region in case people are shipping out. (kids bring good money. They don't usually pull them from port, but it's something to know about. Kid-trade is alive an well in c. america. Esp infants and toddlers for the adoption trade)

- also... locals encourage tarantula colonies in living spaces, particularly in windows. Because they hunt and eat the deadlier insects and spiders

- DO NOT ride any busses. Ever. Period. They fall off the mountain roads all the time. Usually at least one per day. They also 'ram' the other busses and some cars (because the mountain roads only permit 1 vehicle at a time. If you're in a car and a bus is coming towards you BACK UP, as fast as you can to keep from being rammed until you can get the heck out of their way. It's the 'rule of gross tonnage' on those roads)

It's a LOVELY country, and I'm not trying to scare you off.. but these are just some of the daily hazards that don't make the brochures I like to warn people about before heading down. AKA 'good to know' stuff.

I went years ago before it got very touristy, but I highly recommend Manuel Antonio on the Pacific side! Quepos was awesome! A lot of wildlife, beautiful surroundings -it was magical!

And I agree -stay off the buses! We flew a two-seater plane that was duct-taped on one side with a hole in the floorboard, but it was much safer than the bus! They go off the cliffs all the time and the planes rarely crash, even though they are rickety and scary!

S., there is a neat story you can buy from your kindle or you can download a free kindle app from Amazon.com. The name of it is "Getting to Costa Rica" cute and very informative. Spencer Jacobson is the author and it costs .99 cents. He has lived in Costa Rica for years. Good info that only a TICO would know. Good luck!

I can't tell you where she stayed, but my MIL and FIL went, a few times now, to CR and they LOVE it!!! They've taken jungle tours (think safari type Jeep ride), zip lining in the jungle canopy, there's every kind of water activity that you can get anywhere on the ocean and they've toured ruins. They also said that during their last 3 week vacation they spent $600 for all their food, including eating out occasionally!!!! They always get a condo or room with a kitchen. They also said that they would feel more comfortable taking kids there as opposed to Mexico.
Have fun planning a vacation!!

I went to Costa Rica in 1996 and stayed here:
http://www.crica.com/hotels/marenco.html
In case the link doesn't open, it's called Marenco Lodge, located in Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula. I went with a group in high school and we had an amazing time. Keep in mind I went there in '96. You should definitely look at reviews online to see what this place is like these days. We went on all of the tours listed on the website (the link above). It was definitely one of the best travel experiences of my life. I know that there is another hotel nearby called Punta Marenco (very similar name) and I've heard that that one is sketchy. Definitely take the time to do your homework. You will want to talk to your doctor about the appropriate vacs/meds prior to going. You might want to join an online travel forum to get some tips on what to bring and what not to bring, safety tips, etc.

I loved Costa Rica... Initially we stayed in San Jose right in the heart of town at a hotel. It was fun and near everything.. but then we ventured off and went to Arenal and stayed a a BB called the La Ceiba... it was run by a German couple who loved CR so much , they moved there. The place was small and all the rooms looked out onto the lake.. also , hiking nearby and you could see and hear the holler monkeys..
Additionally, went to Monteverde Rain Forest and stayed the SAPO DORADO.. it was nice, right in the woods or close to them.. We took a tour of the rain forest also bought lots of coffee beans to take home..
I always remember the locals being so nice. it's a lovely country..
We also rented a car... get one that can handle potholes... it does rain a lot as I recall and therefore, many pot holes on those back roads..

have fun!!