And Guatemala is not even in the top 10 for the Americas.About 2 million people a year.A lot of them are Americans and Canadians studying Spanish.
Nor is Costa Rica in the top 10,somewhat surprisingly! I think its just because these countries are fairly small,and they have very pronounced (and visible) clusters of western tourists.Nicaragua gets very few tourists these days,and Honduras and El Salvador hardly any.
Thanks, that is helpful. I am interested in finding out what people have enjoyed in case I overlook something in my own research.
We will be in CR for several weeks with other family members after we leave Panama, so I appreciate those suggestions as well. Initially we were just going to go to Guatemala and then Costa Rica, but the flights from Guatemala City all go through Panama, so I thought we could spend some time there instead of just doing a layover. I chose Guatemala because of Lake Atitlan and Tikal (and because it is very different from Costa Rica), but maybe it would make more sense to spend more time in Panama.
Hi! I’m working on a 8-night itinerary for a first timers trip to Costa Rica early/mid December. We want to find the balance between seeing some of the diversity that Costa Rica offers while not spending our whole time going from place to place.
We are all in good shape and active and definitely are thinking of this as more of an adventure trip. As far as activities we are interested in doing some of the following: hiking, zip-lining, bird watching, beach time (not a necessity), waterfall rappelling, hot springs, river rafting, visiting a coffee plantation , riding bikes, eating local food, seeing wildlife
Below are the many itineraries I’m considering right now, but love would any thoughts and recommendations! We arrive at 10:30AM our first day so plan on traveling on from SJO to our first stop, but besides our flight everything else is open
Itinerary Option 1
- 3 nights in Cahuita / Puerto Viejo de Talamanca area
- 2 nights in Sarapiqui
- 2 nights in Arenal National Park (at Arenal Observatory Lodge)
- 1 night in San Jose
Itinerary Option 2
- 3 nights in Cahuita / Puerto Viejo de Talamanca area
- 4 nights in Sarapiqui (with either a day trip tour to Tortuguero or a half-day trip on the way to San Jose stopping at the Poás Volcano)
- 1 night in San Jose
Itinerary Option 3
- 2 nights in Turrialba Valley (Guayabo Lodge?)
- 2 nights in Sarapiqui
- 3 nights in Arenal National Park (at Arenal Observatory Lodge)
- 1 night in San Jose
Itinerary Option 4
- 3 nights in Manuel Antonio (based off concerns about it being too rainy on the Caribbean side)
- 3 nights in Arenal National Park (at Arenal Observatory Lodge)
- 2 nights in San Jose with a day trip to Rio Pacuare or a coffee plantation
Doing some research first is a good idea anyway!
If you are sure where you want to go (eg you mention Costa Rica),you can buy a guidebook for that country.See what appeals to you there.Then book flights and (if you want) accommodation accordingly.
You can leave it as open as you like..some people book nothing at all except flights Some book everything in advance...
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Hi Robert - here's a Trip Report I wrote from last March that might be a day less than what you'll have; no car rental necessary. Also a lot of 'tell tale' info in the comments.
I think you'll find rafting Pacuare at the end not only saves the best for last but is also convenient with the included transportation for getting back to San José.
Enjoy ~
I'm about to head off on a Scandinavia/Nordic/Eastern Europe jaunt. I will be flying into Copenhagen in a couple of days. From there; the idea is to go Oslo/Stockholm/Tallinn/Riga/Vilnius and then head into Eastern Europe. I had intended to make Belarus my next stop, but my friend in Riga has just told me that, to get visa free access, would require me flying into, and out of, Minsk Airport. Otherwise I would have to organize a visa beforehand.
I doubt I'll have time to get a Belarusian visa in Scandinavia and only in the Baltic if there is the possibility of one day service (And only then if the visa doesn't cost an arm and a leg). Flying in is going to pump the cost of the trip up a bit more than I really want at such an early stage (I will have luggage which will take a lot of the cheap airlines out of the equation) and I certainly won't have time to do anything before I leave tomorrow evening so will likely have to skip Minsk unless someone can come up with an alternative.
Hello.
My girlfriend has ended up in Costa Rica for a couple of weeks before she flies home after being in Guatamala, el Salvador and Nicaragua for a few months. Obviously its far more expensive so shes looking for somewhere that she can get some basic, cheap accomadation that she can hang out in for a few days . Does anyone have any recommendations please?
Thanks very much
Ben
Where in Costa Rica did this shakedown you claim occurred, and when/what year? Was this near a border? There are Police check points near borders and major roads due to drug trafficking, these type inspections are controlled, with orange cones and in zones, you either are waived on, or waived over. Please elaborate on the situation you describe? Costa Rica has Traffic Control Police, Tourist Police, and general police, they all wear Navy Blue uniforms and usually only carry a side arm. Military Uniform is special operations, as Costa Rica does not have a Military, unlike Panama or Nicaragua. So I suspect you were part of a a check point. How does a guy in a military uniform carry an automatic weapon just appear demanding money? Do you pay a bribe? Was this guy alone? Please, lets have some details. Been going to CR for 2o years and on this forum since 2002....never heard of anything like that.
If you are speeding, and get caught in radar trap, sometimes a foreigner will be asked for a bribe to let you go, please refrain from this and ask to pay the ticket.
Its low season so rental rates are super cheap, but quotes dont include Mandatory Insurance-
Damage Waiver covers the car- Your Credit Card may offer this coverage, make sure it does for Panama. If not, that is a good $15-$25 day depending. When booking on Expedia and some booking sites, you can add the Damage Waiver for $10 day as well, which is a good deal.
Liability Waiver covers you run into anyone or anything and damage to private property, this is usually Mandatory, and you have to buy at time of rental, and usually cost $20-$30 day.
You also should expect a $500-$1000 Hold on your Credit Card, for the period of the rental. This covers the agency should you damage the car and not get the police report, break in, or other uncovered issues.
I would check Trip Advisor for the best and most honest rental agency and locations, as Panama has had some bad reports of scams and rip offs with over charging. (Same with Costa Rica time to time).
FYI- You cant take rental cars across the border. To or from Panama/Costa Rica/Nicaragua.
Where in Costa Rica did this shakedown you claim occurred, and when/what year? Was this near a border? There are Police check points near borders and major roads due to drug trafficking, these type inspections are controlled, with orange cones and in zones, you either are waived on, or waived over. Please elaborate on the situation you describe? Costa Rica has Traffic Control Police, Tourist Police, and general police, they all wear Navy Blue uniforms and usually only carry a side arm. Military Uniform is special operations, as Costa Rica does not have a Military, unlike Panama or Nicaragua. So I suspect you were part of a a check point. How does a guy in a military uniform carry an automatic weapon just appear demanding money? Do you pay a bribe? Was this guy alone? Please, lets have some details. Been going to CR for 2o years and on this forum since 2002....never heard of anything like that.
If you are speeding, and get caught in radar trap, sometimes a foreigner will be asked for a bribe to let you go, please refrain from this and ask to pay the ticket.
Its low season so rental rates are super cheap, but quotes dont include Mandatory Insurance-
Damage Waiver covers the car- Your Credit Card may offer this coverage, make sure it does for Panama. If not, that is a good $15-$25 day depending. When booking on Expedia and some booking sites, you can add the Damage Waiver for $10 day as well, which is a good deal.
Liability Waiver covers you run into anyone or anything and damage to private property, this is usually Mandatory, and you have to buy at time of rental, and usually cost $20-$30 day.
You also should expect a $500-$1000 Hold on your Credit Card, for the period of the rental. This covers the agency should you damage the car and not get the police report, break in, or other uncovered issues.
I would check Trip Advisor for the best and most honest rental agency and locations, as Panama has had some bad reports of scams and rip offs with over charging. (Same with Costa Rica time to time).
FYI- You cant take rental cars across the border. To or from Panama/Costa Rica/Nicaragua.