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.

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?

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 »

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 »

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)

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!!

Samara tips?

Hey everyone,

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

Thanks, Suz

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).