Travel Taleswith Mike Siegel

Costa Rica

by Mike Siegel

Surf, sun, mountains, rain forests – this Central American gem is an outdoor lovers paradise.

Mike’s Snapshot Review

  • When: December, 2005

  • Duration: two weeks

  • Visited: San Jose, Arenal Volcano and hot springs, Monteverde, Nosara

Positives:

  • COST– Food and drinks very affordable, good hotel and flight deals to be had.

  • OUTDOORS– beaches, mountains, rivers, rainforests all in a small country. Some of the best surf breaks in Central America.

  • DISTANCE– 2-1/2 hr flight from Houston, Miami, etc. with many direct flights. Central time zone.

  • TOURISM– good tourist infrastructure in place, with English widely spoken.

Negatives:

  • CITY LIFE– the capital, San Jose, is grimy, dangerous, and has little to offer the tourist. Unless gambling and prostitution are your things, I’d skip it.

  • ROADS– much of the country is unpaved and pothole-ridden. Roads can get washed out in rainy season. If renting a car, get 4WD.

  • FOOD– like most of Central America, dishes are more in the rice-and-beans category. Some decent fish at the beaches. I do not recommend pre-paying for food, as dining out is cheap.

  • CRIME– while the country (excluding San Jose) is pretty safe, petty crime is still a factor. Lock up your stuff and don’t bring valuables to the beach.

Must do:

  • **Surf **(take a lesson if you’ve never tried).

  • Tabacon Hot Springs near Arenal Volcano. Relax under a hot waterfall and enjoy the swim-up bars.

  • hiking and canopy tours (ziplining) in Arenal and/or Monteverde,

  • drink the excellent coffee.

Recommended?

Absolutely!

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