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Lucky7 · #1 03-10-2007, 01:58

Anybody here been to Costa Rica? If so, I wanna know the score. Which places are best for nightlife? I'm supposed to be heading out there in the end of November.

Masterwoodsman · #2 03-10-2007, 02:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lucky7

Anybody here been to Costa Rica? If so, I wanna know the score. Which places are best for nightlife? I'm supposed to be heading out there in the end of November.

Try CostaRica-info.com Forums !!!!

Lucky7 · #3 03-10-2007, 02:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Masterwoodsman

Try CostaRica-info.com Forums !!!!

Dude, I have. There's really no other forum about Costa Rica as comprehensive as Nicke's on Phuket/LOS

JayBee · #4 03-10-2007, 03:34

I have friends that go down there frequently to look at the land they bought and imagine building on it someday. They stick pretty much to the gringo subdivison, where they rent a vacation house, and go to the local town just for a meal and shopping. So their socializing is confined pretty much to other gringos. They spend a lot of time on daytrips(rafting, rock climbing, day at the beach, etc.)

They did say that you have to be careful where you go and where you park your car, as if you leave it alone in an unguarded area for long, it may be broken into and/or stolen. That is a very common occurence.

Doesn't sound like a very friendly place to me, if you always have to be watching your back, and sticking to the commercialized forms of recreation. There interaction with local people is pretty much confined to maids, gardeners, waiters, and the gringos who run the sales/rentals. But they love it, as it is a very pretty place, and her daughter lives there, working for one of the daytrip/tourguide companies. They do complain about the food there, though.

Of course, I haven't heard much about nightlife. If I believed them, I would conclude that it is nearly non-existent.

nelsonone · #5 03-10-2007, 05:08

I've been there diving...so not much in the big cities....didn't notice P4P going on anywhere....but as usual it does have the odd brothel about

JayBee · #6 03-10-2007, 05:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

I've been there diving...so not much in the big cities....didn't notice P4P going on anywhere....but as usual it does have the odd brothel about

For you, that's a bit of a long way to go for a dive. Was it worth it?

nelsonone · #7 03-10-2007, 05:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

For you, that's a bit of a long way to go for a dive. Was it worth it?

yeah JB really liked it....but probably liked Belize better from a diving viewpoint...both very poor countries

I'll go anywhere for a dive....

JayBee · #8 03-10-2007, 05:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by nelsonone

yeah JB really liked it....but probably liked Belize better from a diving viewpoint...both very poor countries

I'll go anywhere for a dive....

A good buddy's new GF is from Belize. Very pretty/sexy,

and smart as a whip!! Looks like he picked a good one!

nelsonone · #9 03-10-2007, 07:00

yep....no doubt about it the gals are hot down there...but pretty shy in a family/catholic sort of way when coimpared to say the Brazilian or even Mexican gals

seafox · #10 03-10-2007, 07:22

:: Welcome to Costa Rica Ticas ::

Lots of P4P in San Jose. Hostess clubs and some free lancers in discos. Not a lot of stuff in the country side but ladies from San Jose will go to a resort with you.

Have a friend who goes down there for I & I (intoxication and intercourse)tours all the time, loves it.

Beautiful country and beautiful women. Lots of cool things to do in the Arenal Volcano area, hot springs, volcano and rainforest canopy tours, zipline and rapelling tours in the canyons, whitewater rafting, surfing, diving and fishing in NW corner of the country, SW corner very unexplored.

marc26 · #11 03-10-2007, 21:05

i am heading to Costa Rica with BM-Jimbulljag in Januray, along with Nicaragua

we are staying at Tamarindo beach, which i heard has alot of western girls partying and also some p4p in the clubs
im not really looking for the p4p, but im sure can be tempted
Costa Rica is great for outdoor activities, like trekking, zip-lines

Lucky7 · #12 03-10-2007, 22:24

Not to worried about P4P this time around. My last trip to LOS, I went alone. This time I'm going with the girlfriend so i'm taking sand to the beach. I'll be in San Jose during the first few nights and it is a big city so I assume the nightlife will be there. I think my girl will be up for an adult nightclub/gogo bar but thats about it.

As far as the rest of the trip, it's going to be a Nat Geo-type (on a budget) trip. We're going to climb Mt. Chirripo which will take about a 3 day hike. We're also going to do a volcano tour, a dirt bike tour, and possibly check out the turtle conservation park at Tortuga. We're also doing Tamarindo during our last few days to party a bit.

I was wondering for those that have been there, how is it safety-wise. I felt absolutely safe in LOS and that was when I was travelling all over the place alone. I'm not so sure Costa Rica will be the same.

seafox · #13 03-10-2007, 22:57

Costa Rica should be fine. The only problem I have heard about was when 2 US ladies went far off the beaten path a couple of years ago and got killed, an everyday occurrence nowadays in the US. Costa Ricans are very friendly and like people from the US. English is widely spoken and their economy is pretty good, primarily driven by tourism so natives giving tourists a hard time is frowned upon. Lots of US expats in CR.

Lucky7 · #14 03-10-2007, 23:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by seafox

Costa Rica should be fine. The only problem I have heard about was when 2 US ladies went far off the beaten path a couple of years ago and got killed, an everyday occurrence nowadays in the US. Costa Ricans are very friendly and like people from the US. English is widely spoken and their economy is pretty good, primarily driven by tourism so natives giving tourists a hard time is frowned upon. Lots of US expats in CR.

That makes me feel a bit better. Actually I've been learning Spanish for the last few weeks in anticipation of this trip. I figure it will help not to come across as too much of a gringo.

How's the driving there. We are planning on renting a 4x4 to take us all over the country.

seafox · #15 03-10-2007, 23:33

certain areas are fine and other areas are pretty bad compared to US roads but better than a lot of areas in Central and South America. Just allot more time for driving and then be happy when you get somewhere early.

Talk to the locals about best roads to take as they will know if there are problems. 4 x 4 is a good idea in case you hit some bad conditions. End of November is about a month into dry season so most roads should be in decent shape by then.

WTF · #16 14-10-2007, 09:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayBee

Doesn't sound like a very friendly place to me, if you always have to be watching your back, and sticking to the commercialized forms of recreation. There interaction with local people is pretty much confined to maids, gardeners, waiters, and the gringos who run the sales/rentals. But they love it, as it is a very pretty place, and her daughter lives there, working for one of the daytrip/tourguide companies. They do complain about the food there, though.

I was there twice but this was quite a few years ago. Made a trip up to a Quaker community in Monteverde cloud forest where a relative was living.

This group of Quakers apparently left the US in the the forties because they were unhappy with the direction in which we were heading as a country. (something I can relate to today). The lifestyle that they have created there is amazing.

I would describe the people in Costa Rica as some of the friendliest in the world. It is an environmentaly friendly country with no army (that's in its constitution).

Although some mongering goes on in San Jose, I cannot think of a better place to go when in a non-mongering mindset. It is a good place to travel as opposed to staying in one resort.

Food was uninspired. As I understand, there are very few indiginous people Costa Rica and that may, in part, explain why art, fashion, food etc seem to be somewhat newer and less developed.

Arenal volcano was active when I went. It is really a trip to be laying in bed, facing the volcano through ceiling-high windows. You feel a rumble, look up, and there it goes! Very cool.

Some of the Northern pacific beaches are great as is the fishing for those who care. I have not been to the Carribean side.

I am looking for to going back.

Have a great trip.

SoCaMark1 · #17 27-10-2007, 06:03

Been there a few years ago for the honeymoon. Stayed in a somewhat off the beaten path all inclusive place. Did get out and do the volcano tour, zip lines (fun!), sail/snorkle trip, rainforest hikes...

Agree with the others in that the people were very friendly. Beware of the roads though. Except for the major roads the rest are in very poor shape. That makes for a very slow and bumpy ride.

Enjoy