Costa Rica questions/vacation planning

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Folks, I just decided a few days ago that I want to take a vacation and I want to do it now. Been in Thailand a couple of times and really enjoyed it and now I thought of finding out what other nice countries are like. I had no idea where to go but after seeing everybody praising Costa Rica I´m seriously thinking about visiting. The vacation will begin in three weeks and lasts about two weeks.

I´m from scandinavia and there are not any "package trips" to CR that I´m aware of and I´m not really interested in those anyways. So looked for the Plane prizes and was very surprised to see that round trip only costs about 1000$ (remember that usd is very low compared to euro now). This a bargain IMO. Have to fly first to Paris then Miami and then San Jose and it lasts about 22 hours which really doesn´t bother me as nothing gives me headaches when I´m on holiday.

So now I´ve been looking for some info about Costa Rica, and based on the very limited info I have I thought that Manuel Antonio could be the destination that I´d enjoy (Of course some travelling too but I prefer not to use too much time travelling). What I´m basicly looking for is sun, Nice beaches, beatiful landscape, relaxed atmosphere, nice people, reasonable prizes, some "bar fun" (not TOO much drinking though but a beer or ten is in order some nights definately).

Based on the above info I´d like to ask a few questions as many people here seem to know CR very well:

1. Does this sound like good plan?

2. How is the weather in february/march in CR?

3. Is there cheap hotels (20-40$/night) easily available in MA? (planning to go without hotel reservations). Is it ok to bring overnight company there (if that should happen ;)? I don´t care about the quality of the hotel too much..

4. Can one rent a scooter there and about how much would it cost? I´m thinking this could be a good way to have some freedom to move as is the case in Thailand.

5. How much would a beer cost in bar in tourist places like MA? What about a basic Chicken/rice meal?

6. Any suggestion to make this trip better?

All the help is very much appreciated!
 

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1. Does this sound like good plan?

you will probably get really bored after day number 4 in MA, there are close places that are worth visiting, say Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Arenal, Monteverde is good too

2. How is the weather in february/march in CR?

Should be great (now january should be too and its still quite chilly!)

3. Is there cheap hotels (20-40$/night) easily available in MA? (planning to go without hotel reservations). Is it ok to bring overnight company there (if that should happen ;)? I don´t care about the quality of the hotel too much..

yes but if you try that on Easter (who knows when that is this year) you may have a problem as thats a week when most CRicans go to the beach.

4. Can one rent a scooter there and about how much would it cost? I´m thinking this could be a good way to have some freedom to move as is the case in Thailand.

probably yes,I have seen some hotels that do that (the Parador one), haven't been in MA in ages but I am sure you will find some scooters or worst case scenario would be bicycles

5. How much would a beer cost in bar in tourist places like MA? What about a basic Chicken/rice meal?

Beer probably between 1-2 USD , chicken/rice could be 3-4

6. Any suggestion to make this trip better?

there are options for getting here from Europe without stopping in the US , for example AirMadrid flyes directly from Madrid, I am not sure but I think LTU flyes straight from Frankfurt or Munich.
 

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Nicely done wolfie :103631605 ! Brown, Wolfie gave you a good breakdown. You should definately get out and about while you are down in CR. Stay at MA, but go to Tabacon at Arenal Volcanoe, and if you like adventure, go bungee jumping or white water rafting (both can be done as day trips from MA). Enjoy your trip, you will love it!

Jake
 

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My major question is transportation to and from these locations. I would like to visit the volcano and some rain forests. Are there transportation packages available once someone gets to CR?

Brown Sugar, there are some good threads in this forum that will give you a good idea of what to expect for things to do. Lots of good ideas of where to go as well.
 

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I don't recommend renting a car unless you either speak spanish, have a GPS and you are used to drive in New York/Downtown LA , you would probably need all three to drive efficiently down here

Unless you seriously want to go off the beaten path and go on roads not even us CRicans go to........try this

http://www.costaricapass.com/

you can go almost anywhere interesting with these guys, just get in the bus and relax!

hey Jake, hope you are doing ok bro.
 

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Thanks guys. I have been to those web sites briefly, but haven't done much research. I'll be sure to be looking into the details. Hell, I've even bought a Spanish language study course to bone-up on my speaking skills.
 

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C.R is a very nice place to go to. And hey do yoursself a huge favor go to MA National Park the beaches are more beautiful inside the Park.
 

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QL, you def should learn at least some basic Spanish. Whale, I agree, it's my favorite beach.
 

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Judge: I have the basic greetings and directions, enough to get me to where I need to go.

I want to be able to hold a conversation though and I'm not at that level yet.
 

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QL, the Costa Ricans love when the gringos make an attempt to speak the language. Shows respect. I find them to be very patient. Learn what you can and then practice it when you're here.
 

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patient yes, but in resteraunts they will always look to the person that looks latino assuming that you dont understand what they are saying, some of us do speak spanish believe it or not Senora.

Dime
 

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