Costa Rica - Anyone been? Recommendations?

[khryslerkid]

My son and his wife raised five boys there. They first moved there to house sit peoples homes that owned but didn't live there. Beautiful homes with views of the mountains and beaches. The boys went to school there, half day learning Spanish and half day English.

More bugs and critters than you can imagine. They made a mistake feeding a monkey one day and it left just to return with about twenty more, all looking for handouts. The morning rooster are giant parrots that would scream and carry on at the break of daylight. They finally worked out a deal with a local for their own place. It's mostly third world with bartering and just who you know to get what you need. Cops can be bought, car parts are obsolete, the local hardware/lumber store is a long line on Saturday morning. A six pack will get you to the front of the line. Everyone owns a couple of dogs to keep the thiefs away. This is the way of life outside of the tourist areas. It's a beautiful place as far as scenery goes, and the people can be friendly. Just be vigilant as you would be vacationing in any country that you haven't been to before.

Have a great time!

 

[5.7 hemi]

Bolivia or Peru?

 

[monaco66coupe]

I can say it was beautiful in 1973! I was with the 24th CAMS squadron in the canal Zone, and the unit loaded a UH1-N in a C-123 and transported it along with us to San Jose
to test the helicopter at 10,000 ft elevation. Upon arrival, the Costa rican Air Force consisted of a couple C -47's!
We stayed at the Bal Maral Hotel, and had a maid with a German First Name and Spanish last name.
She was Hot! (I was 21)I was informed that the country was a German colony since the 1800's thru 1918, so expect the mix.
The city was beautiful, and the taxis were Mercedes cars everywhere.
I still have the receipt for paying for five days there.


However, There is nothing to compare to flying in a C-123 with open windows and a Huey inside following the river back to Panama at 130 Knots or so( loaded up) not in a hurry,with the 2800 recips you felt like you were back in world war2, along with some of the toughest Vietnam combat Veterans you can Imagine.

 

[Richard Cranium]

It’s about the same flight time to go to Hawaii fr9m here but I looked for a bnb there and couldn’t find anything remotely in our price range with dates that fit what we want to do.

This should be in your price range. As you can see, it comes with room service.

 

[Ron H]

You want to go there during the 'dry' season as getting around is much more difficult during wet season. We could drive through rivers to get around that otherwise takes many miles to do finding a bridge. Here are some photos, one is the backyard of the mountain top home we stayed at with infinity pool, example of the roads, you can buy a forklift at the Nissan dealer, one lane bridges that dare you to play chicken with oncoming traffic (don't mess with bus drivers), and fun time at Baldi springs where I swam up to enjoy frozen margaritas..

 

[r4sedan]

I've been there a couple times. It has been a while. Your money goes a long way. Like most have said you have beaches, mountains, forest Volcanos all pretty close. We rented 4 wheeler's went up to the Volcano and saw Coffee fields. Stopped at a little bar. Very cool place.

 

[Skytrooper]

Not as a tourist