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DPChallenge Forums >> Out and About >> Costa Rica?
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 05/04/2005 12:37:19 PM · #1
I'm going to Costa Rica Friday for a week. We won't have a car but will probably go on a couple of tours through the place we are staying. I'm looking for suggestions. What would be the top places to see? I've also read that you can get to most places by bus. (Hablo un poquito español.) Thanks for any suggestions!

(I read a thread this morning about a lightweight travel tripod from REI. I'm going to see if I can get one. I was debating about bringing my tripod. I didn't want the hassle of carrying it but I love flower/bug shots.)
 05/04/2005 12:50:28 PM · #2
Hi Zippy, Costa Rica has lots to offer, and if you need something I'll be glad to assist you.
I'm going to investigate some destinations and post them for you later.

Message edited by author 2005-05-04 12:59:58.
 05/04/2005 01:04:22 PM · #3
One of my Ex's was from Costa Rica. She always said that her town "Sarchi" was very colorful. They are also famous for their Hand painted wood carts.
 05/04/2005 01:04:36 PM · #4
Where will you be staying (which area(s)/city(ies))?

You'll find bugs galore all over, but the Monteverde and Santa Elena cloud forests are particularly rich with them. Guided tours are recommended for both as the guides are knowledgeable and friendly; let the guide know you are keen about bugs/flowers and they'll steer you right. After the tour, the forest trails are large enough to wander for the rest of the day and you'll spot many things if you take your time. The hikes can be strenuous and hard on the knees however.

If you are in Santa Elena don't forget to visit the Ranarium and the miniature orchid garden (don't let its size fool you!).

If in the San Jose area, La Paz is great for flowers, butterfly, and hummingbird viewing. Lankester gardens is also very nice, but you have to be careful about the tour group for this one as you won't get enough time there. Better to rent a car or have a taxi take you directly there for maximum time; they have a very large orchid area. Tours that include La Paz or Lankester usually include a visit to the volcanoes, Irazu or Poas, and both are well worth the trip.

A trip along Cano Negro is also very exciting if you don't mind boat trips and enjoy wildlife viewing (much to see). Shooting from a boat can be tricky depending on your gear.
 05/04/2005 01:23:56 PM · #5
Originally posted by dwoolridge:
Where will you be staying (which area(s)/city(ies))?


Thanks for all the great information. I'm getting so excited I can hardly wait.

We are staying at Pura Vida Spa. They said it is 20 minutes from the airport in San Jose. It must be close to Alajuela.

(Directions from Alajuela, you'll start here "at el stadio", the soccer stadium. Start measuring! Exactly 7 kilometers from here, toward Carrizal, you will find a bar on the left called "Bar Nueva Penca" (formerly Apolo 15). Make a sharp left turn that is almost a U-turn and go 700 meters. The road is paved for the first 400 meters and then is dirt the last 300 meters. At the dirt fork in the road you stay left, keeping straight on the road you're on. You will come to a huge stone wall with two burgundy gates. Stop at the second gate and ring the bell.)
 05/04/2005 01:37:40 PM · #6
Mount Arenal is awsome, it's an active volcano with beautiful hot-springs at the base. Also Mal Pais is a nice relaxing area on the Nicoya peninsula, and montezuma is a short distance away and is a bit more touristy, but fun. Definately check out Monteverde. It takes forever to get there but the cloud forest is so cool! (there are even zip lines, yes, it's fun) Manuel Antonio is a national park on the pacific coast and is easily accessible. And there are a bunch of small towns south of Puerto Limón (thats me!) that are great to visit. The carribean side and the pacific side are like 2 completely different countries.
!PURA VIDA!
 05/04/2005 02:39:37 PM · #7
Hi Roxanne! As you see there are lots of things to see in CR even though is a small country.
Arenal and Monteverde are must see places, and are quite near from each other so you can make a two day tour to visit the region.
There's also Manuel Antonio National Park where you can find beatiful beaches, exuberant vegetation and lots of fauna.
Other two places near from one another are Corcovado (which appears a lot in National Geographic Channel) and Isla del Caño where you can even find tours to photograph whales.
There's also Savegre near San José and of course the Caribbean Coast that's very colorful and full of life.
I hope you'll stay for a while so you can visit most of what Costa Rica has to offer. Feel free to e-mail me if you like so we can arrange a DPC Costa Rica GTG!
Regards!

Message edited by author 2005-05-04 16:28:10.
 05/05/2005 12:10:11 PM · #8
Thanks Roberto, Eric, Mark, and Dale for the suggestions. Roberto, the links were very interesting. I already wish we were going to be there longer than a week. I'll post some pictures when I get back.

¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! (It's a big celebration in California)
 05/05/2005 09:33:34 PM · #9
Roberto, I meant to tell you that is a cute picture in your signature.
 05/05/2005 10:40:29 PM · #10
For Corcovado, be aware that there is nothing per say at the entance of the park except for a little store. The ride from Puerto Jimenez is fun but very bumpy. You should have at least some hiking experience before attempting a trek in there.

I would also suggest the Nicoya Peninsula. You get there by taking the "lancha" (ferry) from Puntarenas. Puntarenas is a bit of a rough place, but I liked the character and there is lots of activity. Good for candids. The Nicoya Peninsula is a very laid back area with lots of interesting people from all around the world. The beaches are very, very nice. Some people actually camp along the shore. Montezuma is the biggest centre with restaurants, decent grocery stores and hotels. Don't forget the smaller palces along the shore for more peace and quiet.

Monteverde is very nice with the Cloud Forest Preserve as a must as others have stated. If you are fit and up for some real adventure, you can do some backpacking and stay in the huts / research stations in the jungle. If I remember correctly the first one is something like 8 km in and the second 15 km in. When I went in I got to see monkeys, armadillos, agoutis and many, many birds. You're also going to get wet and dirty, guaranteed. You have to have good legs and knees to do this one and do it with someone. Don't want to get hurt and stuck out there on your own. Just before the entrance to the preserve there is a small gift shop (Galleria Colibri = Hummingbird Gallrey). As its name states, LOTS of hummingbirds (they feed them). They are human habituated, so easy to photograph. A must. The Violet Saberwings are very cool. One thing to remember though: its almost always foggy and rains every day, so be careful with your camera stuff.

A note of caution at the bus station in the Coca Cola district of San Jose. This can be a bit of a rough spot at night. Try to travel in this area during the day and be VERY mindful of your stuff. Not a good spot to flaunt your toys.

PM me if you need anything else. I spent three months in Costa Rica back in 1999-2000. My wife was in Monteverde for a year. She has lots of info on things to do / not do.

Have a great trip
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