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).

Advice for using SANSA website?

The place where we're staying gave us instructions on how to use their travel agent credentials to get a discount flying on SANSA (one of the regional air carriers in Costa Rica). After failure on a PC, I managed to log in on a Mac (no snickers!). But once in, the system reported no flights were available on the dates requested--yet if I try to make the reservations using the main SANSA site, or Kayak, or by phone, the flights are available.

While I wait for a response form the folks who offered the initial information, I'm hoping another savvy traveler might have some useful advice.

Thanks in advance!

Travel between Costa Rica and Panama

Hi there,

I'm planning on going to Tortugeuro in June before moving on to Panama City. I'd like to stop off in Limon on the way down (and maybe see the sloth sanctuary between Limon and Cahuita). I've had a look around the web and on here and can see lots of information on how to get to Tortugeuro and Limon from San Jose, but not how to get in between the two. Does anybody have any advice on how to do this? What are the most convenient and cheapest ways to get from Tortuguero to Limon?

And any advice on the best way to get down to Panama City from Limon / Cahuita? I know it's relatively easy to get to Bocas from Limon but I'm meeting friends in Panama City so need to get there.

Thanks,

Leslie