Well, our Germany trip fell through. We have been watching ticket prices for months and they just aren't getting any cheaper and it has come time for us to throw in the towel as the price of the tickets and all other expenditures will exceed our vacation budget we have outlined, so Germany will have to wait. It is just disappointing as the reason for the trip was my wife's cousins wedding. She is marrying a Kraut (joking).
so.......
we have time booked off, vacation money marinating, and we both need a break from work.
We have always talked about Costa Rica and how cool of a vacation spot it seems. We have a good friend that wants to move down there with his family, so he has made several trips down, but mostly to San Jose to scope out jobs, cost of living, etc etc. I am also going to talk to him.
We are going through Apple Vacations so it will include our flight, lodging, and an all inclusive resort, plus access to Apple approved tour companies. Most of the vacations I have been on to the carribean region have been on Apple and I have never been disappointed with their level of service.
The resort we found (I can't recall the name) is 30mins from an active volcano and very close to one of those zip line rain forest canopy deals (great Go-Pro footage could come from that!!)
Anyone have any other recommendations, comments, etc etc.
i.e. Would it be a good idea to rent a jeep/car for a day to explore on our own?
My main concern is the safety of my wife and me second. I could give two shits about myself, I just don't want to put her in a bad situation where I am forced to attempt to defend us (ok......Mario and Carlos.....chime in that my wife could beat my ass). I've heard Costa Rica is safe for a central american country, but just don't want to be driving around and getting in a bad spot.
Let em' rip boys and girls
Are you taking sis?
Quote from: ducpainter on June 03, 2010, 07:39:24 AM
Are you taking sis?
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
make the beast with two backs no. She'll be kicked out of my house by then.
Or should I say:
she failed to meet the requirements set forth before we agreed to let her move up here. She is well aware of the rules and if she violates one of them..........end of story. Get the make the beast with two backs out.
if you rent a jeep make sure you get someone at the hotel to give you the ins and outs because the jungle can get pretty thick quickly and you WILL get lost. If you don't speak Spanish I'd suggest hiring someone to ride along for good measure.
Was there about 5 years ago. Beautiful country! Stay away from Jaco, that place was a dump. The main hotel of the Tabacon Hot Springs area also sucks, if that is the volcanic town you are headed to. Otherwise the area was beautiful. I liked a town called Nosara, at the time it was less developed and quiet but safe. If you want to get away from the beach, I really liked the Monteverde/Santa Elena region. Mountain town, hummingbird sanctuary, butterfly breading sanctuary. Very interesting bus ride to get there. One of the best things I did was go white water rafting on the Pacuare river, somewhere outside of San Jose. That was in Sept/Oct, don't know what water levels will be like when you will be there. As for driving... the roads are in pretty poor condition, with really bad signage. Took a nightmare 4 hour ride through an intense rain storm in the middle of nowhere. Kept hitting huge potholes, because the way the road looked at night, you couldn't tell which was a pothole and which was just a little puddle. Each pothole shook the hell out of the car we were in. I was just waiting to have to get out of the car to do a tire change in the middle of the jungle, at night, in a fierce rain storm. I'm talking windshield wipers on full speed, driving 5 mph, and still can't see where you are going. :o
All in all I felt Costa Rica was safe, and the people were cool. Just don't let your wife wonder off alone, obviously. You should take your sister in law down there, send here to the Caribbean side by herself. Drop her off in Limon. That could make her grow up real fast. [thumbsup]
^^^Accurate info re: the roads.
Is the volcano by any chance Arenal? The area around there is gorgeous and there are tons of outdoor activities, including hikes through the rain forest, whitewater, and zip-lining, plus the hot springs in the area are excellent and well-kept.
The country in general is gorgeous and very tourist friendly. I also suggest hiring someone, maybe through the hotel, to drive you around. You can never be too safe. But other then that, east or west coast, you will have fun. Make sure to stay away from the monkeys.
Quote from: ducpainter on June 03, 2010, 07:39:24 AM
Are you taking sis?
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
i hope you and tiff have a nice vacation :)
and come home to all of your belongings exactly where you left them
I have a friend who goes down there for 2 weeks every year. He takes whatever he can carry in a large backpack and $500 cash. He comes back with money to spare and some amazing stories and pictures. I have thought about going along for a couple of years now just because he knows what he is doing (former Army Ranger/Pathfinder/etc).
The pictures and video from his trips always have the vibe of a CIA in country op. [laugh]
I know bike rentals and tours can be had and are plentiful too...
Not much else to add.
Quote from: DuCaTiNi on June 03, 2010, 03:02:17 PM
[laugh] [laugh] [laugh]
i hope you and tiff have a nice vacation :)
and come home to all of your belongings exactly where you left them
Locks are being changed at 4:30p today by myself :)
Thanks all for the advice, I need to read through and research.
we are dropping the hammer today on our accomodations for the week.
bring on the 4 Apple all inclusive swim up bar resort!
PURA VIDA!
What a beautiful country.
Tico's are very nice, hospitable people.
Next trip down is to scout out business opportunities to become ex-pats
More pictures to come
We were in the Guanacaste state.
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/DSC_0247.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/DSC_0272.jpg)
(http://i636.photobucket.com/albums/uu82/jshoward11/DSC_0273.jpg)
Dude...a monkey and 2 sunsets? You gotta have some better pictures than that! ;D
Quote from: Triple J on July 26, 2010, 02:10:41 PM
Dude...a monkey and 2 sunsets? You gotta have some better pictures than that! ;D
I do, they are just on my wife's Mac and she is at class right now, so no access for me.
That was just a taste of the country.
I'll post pretty much only landscaping pictures. Not one to really post a lot of pics of my wife and I. Hell, I am not even sure I posted a wedding photo.
Gotta join my FB for that.
Quote from: cyrus buelton on July 26, 2010, 03:52:57 PM
I do, they are just on my wife's Mac and she is at class right now, so no access for me.
That was just a taste of the country
It tastes like monkeys at sunset?
Ewwwww [puke]
Apparently the Nicaraguan's love to eat the Howler Monkey's. I can't imagine they taste very good.
I won't get into specifics, but let's just say the United States shares a similar situation with Costa Rica in regards to unregistered labor.
It is pretty sad considering the normal wage in Costa Rica ranges between 1.25 - 2.50$ an hour and outside unregistered labor cuts that in half. Not to mention when the US housing market crashed....well......guess what happened to all the American's building 400k houses on the coasts? It crashed too.
I still applaud the people of that country. They are so proud of their land, culture, and everything that surrounds it.
We made several trips off our resort into Playa de Coco (Coco Beach) as a change from our resort to get a taste of a real town. We went to the grocery store, walked around shops, etc. We started casing the area as a possible place to move.
Every time we got transportation through the Hilton into town, the driver would take us up his favorite overlook where they take their wives or girlfriends. The look in their eyes was the same as ours:
just udder amazement and beauty. They are so thankful for what they have. They don't give a shit about material possessions. The land is theirs. That is what they love and enjoy.
Coming back from that country has given my wife and I a completely different perspective on life.
Who gives a shit about a nice car, motorcycle, guns (just for your Mr I and Sacduc), etc.
I'd give it all up in a heartbeat to enjoy a beautiful country and people like that.
We just don't speak Spanish, which sucks, but can easily be changed.
Told ya!