go to content go to search box go to global site navigation

Thorn Tree Forum

Costa Rica

Messages: 45,139 - Threads: 5,982

sort by
show only
jump to
← Back

May 23, 2013 8:12 PM
kcooper1102

last reply
May 24, 2013 2:41 PM
wiremu

3 replies
111 views
location: Costa Rica

Question about bus from San Jose to Manuel Antonio Quepos

Hello
I will be arriving in Costa Rica about midnight June 1st...want to take the express bus to Manuel Antonio that same day. I had read online about getting tickets early and normally I would do something like that at least the day before but obviously am unable to; I was wondering if I would have trouble getting a ticket the same day. If anyone has any experience with that, please let me know your thoughts.

May 22, 2013 8:42 PM
ninedeuce

last reply
May 24, 2013 6:54 AM
MrEd

21 replies
476 views
location: Costa Rica

Pages 1 2

Puerto Viejo to Panama border on foot

We're staying in Manzanillo before heading to Bocas Del Toro. Does anyone know how long the hike from Manzanillo to Gandoca village? I hear it's 2.5 hours to Punta Mona, but I'm not sure how long it takes to get from there to Gandoca. We have to get to Bocas Town by 4, so I suppose we should get to Gandoca by noon?

May 22, 2013 11:14 AM
cjmackay

last reply
May 23, 2013 8:03 AM
wiremu

2 replies
91 views
location: Costa Rica

Traveling from Nicoya Peninsula to Liberia

My friend and I will be spending a week in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula, and plan on taking a TicaBus from Liberia to Nicaragua, eventually ending up in San Juan Del Sur. My question is what would be the best way to get to Liberia from the peninsula?

May 22, 2013 8:18 AM
anillos_de_satu...

last reply
May 25, 2013 11:02 PM
roquemocan

3 replies
125 views
location: Costa Rica

TACA ends several routes out of San Jose airport

More info and details can be found here

May 21, 2013 7:19 PM
PapaH

last reply
May 25, 2013 8:21 AM
MrSoS

6 replies
217 views
location: Costa Rica

Stay away from Costa Rica Descents, La Fortuna, Costa Rica.

I visited La Fortuna for the sole reason to go rafting with Costa Rica Descents after they came so highly recommended. I signed up to do the Class III / IV expecting a challenging and fun day, I was extremely disappointed. The /website said the tour was 6/7 hours, yet it turned out we spent about a third of the time in an Organic Farm learning about Costa Rica organic farming methods.

The rafting was not challenging and we kept getting stuck on rocks. My tour guide was in a bad mood when he came to pick us up and was very unhelpful. During the rafting he kept blaming me (the only male on the boat) for us getting stuck on the rocks in shallow parts of the river. The girls on the boat were very taken aback by this and came to my defense.

When I went to complain, I was met with an unhelpful member of staff and not offered any consolidation for an extremity expensive and disappoin... more »

May 18, 2013 9:12 AM
2crazy

last reply
May 24, 2013 1:18 AM
2crazy

35 replies
823 views
location: Costa Rica

Pages 1 2 3

Transit through Newark Airport

Has anyone had experience of flying from UK to Costa Rica and having to change planes at Newark? We are flying with Lufthansa to Newark and then onwards with American Airlines.

Have read that some people nearly missed, or nearly missed onward flights because of transit problems in JFK. We only have 1hr 30 mins for transit. This will be next February. Will we have a problem with transit through Newark and do we need any documents to transit through USA?

Have done transit through Bangkok, Asia with no problems but now becoming worried about transit through USA.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

May 18, 2013 7:50 AM
Behrbi

last reply
May 22, 2013 8:56 PM
ninedeuce

7 replies
335 views
location: Costa Rica

October - Caribbean Coast

Hello,

I am beginning to plan a two-week trip to Costa Rica for my husband and me in October and was hoping to get input and observations about my draft itinerary from the regulars who seem to have a good idea of what's reasonable and makes sense in CR. So here goes...

Going in October to the Caribbean coast, as it appears the weather is good there at that time of year. While a car is not out of the question, I'd hoped to take public transportation.

Stay overnight in San Jose, then on day 2 raft the Rio Pacuare. I've noticed comments that a 2-day raft trip is better - really? I'd thought one day would suffice. However, afterwards we'll carry on to Tortugeuro, so my hope is that the tour company will pick us up at the hotel in SJ and then drop us after rafting at Moin to catch a boat. Will it be too late in the day at that point?

Stay two nights in Tortugeuro. Is it better ... more »

May 17, 2013 7:58 PM
Maeja

last reply
May 22, 2013 5:51 AM
MrTim

4 replies
228 views
location: Costa Rica

Costa Rica in september 2-3 weeks.

Hello my friend and I are planning a trip in september, possible to CR, we are both 25 years old, into nature, hiking, swimming, would love to learn to surf.. so my question is, is september a good time to travel costa rica?

I've been reading online that the weather is CR varies depending on the region and that the caribbean side is rather dry and a good area to check out? Although it would be rainy, I would still like to check out tamarindo and that region.

Flights that I have looked up indicate that it's more affordable to fly into san jose than liberia

Please let me know what you think?
Any seasoned costa rican travelers out there that could give me the 411 on CR in september would be extremely helpful!

Thank you!

May 16, 2013 11:04 PM
boske

last reply
May 18, 2013 6:35 AM
MrEd

8 replies
277 views
location: Costa Rica

Choosing honeymoon destination

Hello fellow travellers,
I'm trying to figure out the best destination for our honeymoon next year in February. I get to choose where we go and prepare the whole shabang, but she imposed the conditions ( to which I agreed). The criteria are few but very precise.:

  • see vulcanoes and heavy vulcanic activity (lots of fumaroles, mud pots, volcanoes etc);
  • clear skies and good temperatures to have beach time;
  • no need to take malaria pills;
  • good diving spots
  • if possible: see whales (but this is the least important one)
Is Costa Rica a good option for our honeymoon? Please give us more details about what places not to miss (for vulcanoes and diving) and what places to avoid (malaria). Or do you know someplace else in the world that would suit us?
Thank you very much!!!

May 16, 2013 10:25 AM
frautinalein

last reply
May 17, 2013 1:40 PM
racandee

4 replies
226 views
location: Costa Rica

honeymoon all inclusive affordable remote

hello,
my partner and I are looking for a honeymoon destination. we are really flexible as to where to go: costa rica, mexico, dominican republic etc etc etc....
we are tempted by the idea of having all meals provided, or an affordable restaurant really close (given breakfast is provided) and therefore all-inclusive fits the purpose of this trip (we really only want to be together, not worry about food etc).
We do not like really touristy places and big resorts.
We are rather in nature in a remote place (at least not crowded).
and yes...we are on a budget....meaning those really fancy resorts that are completely in nature but where you pay hundreds of $ a night are out of our league.
basic-nice-nature-all meals provided- affordable. any hints????
thank you soo much
tina

May 14, 2013 11:23 PM
sharong

last reply
May 16, 2013 5:53 PM
MrEd

19 replies
558 views
location: Costa Rica

Pages 1 2

Dominican Republic or Costa Rice

We are trying to decide whether to go to Costa Rica or Dominican Republic in Dec/Jan. Has anyone been to both?

I am wondering how costs, food and transport compare, which did you prefer and why?

We are travelling with two young kids, so ease of transport is a big consideration to us. I have also read that DR is more historically interesting. Is this true?

Thanks!!

May 14, 2013 9:29 AM
RoamingRome

last reply
May 17, 2013 12:37 PM
Mott2

10 replies
281 views
location: Costa Rica

Advice on getting from Alajuela to Tamarindo

I fly into SJO late Friday night so I am going to stay in Alajuela. I am looking to make my way over to Tamarindo the following day.

Is it necessary to go into San Jose to catch a bus to the coast or is there somewhere I can get a ticket and get on a bus from Alajuela.

Could someone please advise on the best way to do this?

Thank you!

May 14, 2013 7:55 AM
SuzPrins

last reply
May 15, 2013 5:06 PM
MrTim

4 replies
183 views
location: Costa Rica

Samara tips?

Hey everyone,

I'm looking into going to Playa Samara next weekend.
Does anyone have any tips? Hotels/hostels/trips?

Thanks, Suz

May 13, 2013 6:24 PM
ournow

last reply
May 22, 2013 5:49 AM
MrTim

4 replies
224 views
location: Costa Rica

Family Trip to Costa Rica

We're a family of four heading to Costa Rica as the first stop on a round-the-world trip. Our kids are aged 9 and 11. We're planning on spending 2 weeks in Costa Rica and would like advice on a good itinerary. We'll be there in the month of mid-late November. I've been to Costa Rica once already on a surfing trip. We spent a week in Playa Grande but didn't see much of anything else besides some great surf. Would love any advice for our family.

May 11, 2013 6:52 PM
MrEd

last reply
May 12, 2013 5:54 PM
enroutesiglo

4 replies
222 views
location: Costa Rica

El Sabor de Ojochal

I hear there is, was, or will be a food festival in this vicinity, but have failed to ascertain the temporal coordinates, and wheras the place is a bit off the grid, I'm a bit leary of falling in sketch sitch. I would appreciate advise from anyone qualified (that means having been to Cosa Rica).

← Back
ADVERTISEMENT

Welcome & Getting Started

Welcome to Thorn Tree - the oldest and most diverse travel forum on the web.

Our Community Guidelines and Community FAQs will help you get started.

Businesses and commercial interests please note, this is a strictly no advertising community. Our members do not tolerate solicitation or guerilla marketing, and accounts are for travellers only.

Email: community@lonelyplanet.com with feedback or questions.
 

Featured Threads on This Branch


Central America FAQs
Where to go in Central America in September?
How touristy is Central America?
Corcovado National Park practicalities
Are buses really that terrible?


Nominate the best threads in this branch by clicking on the heart icon in any thread


 

Join us on Facebook & Twitter

Become a fan of Lonely Planet on Facebook for travel news updates, polls and more.

Follow us on Twitter @lonelyplanet for the best in travel tips and inspiration.

If you’re on Twitter, tag your travel related tips with #lp and we’ll share the best of them with our community of followers.
 

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels

Check out all our reviewed and recommended accommodation and book online.

Find hotels & hostels