if you went on a tropical trip alone, where would it be?

[ekguy]

Been thinking of ducking out for a couple weeks at some point by myself.

Go somewhere with a couple good books, bring some good tunes along with me and just not be around people (or as little as possible anyways)

Now I know resorts are definitely more geared towards groups/couples...

So I ask this, where would you go if you were to travel alone just to have some time to gather your thoughts and relax for a couple weeks?

[spikerS]

Peru or Boracay Island.

Personally, I would go to Boracay

[403ep3]

Alone because you want some peace and quiet?

[Dumbass17]

Originally posted by spikers
Peru or Boracay Island.

Personally, I would go to Boracay

Really?

I just went there in May 2013 with the ex and it was pretty party central

[spikerS]

Parts of it are party central. But a lot of it is also pretty quiet and relaxed. I found it to be a pretty good mix, but I wasn't there long enough to fully explore it.

To me, it seemed like a great place to go as a single person to have fun and relax.

[wintonyk]

i would check out some of the small islands in malaysia specially around penang. its beautiful there and not very party central yet. personally i spent 2 week on my own in koh tao thailand diving and reading it was amazing.

[Seth1968]

Originally posted by 403ep3
Alone because you want some peace and quiet?


have some time to gather my thoughts and relax for a couple weeks

I don't think he wants to get away for the sole purpose of "peace and quite" masturbation.

[Dumbass17]

Originally posted by wintonyk
i would check out some of the small islands in malaysia specially around penang. its beautiful there and not very party central yet. personally i spent 2 week on my own in koh tao thailand diving and reading it was amazing.

Koh Tao was amazing. I agree with this. Peace and quiet when you need it, with amazing diving. or you can party

[ExtraSlow]

If it was me, and I was going just to "unwind" like you are, I'd be trying to keep the flights reasonable too. spending 10+ hours on the bird just doesn't seem relaxing to me.
Costa rica/ Nicaragua/Panama/(insert other central american country here) would be my top choices.
Most of us know enough spanish that we can buy something in a market, prices are cheap-ish, weather is warm, beaches are beautiful, forests are rain-foresty.
For me, perfect combo.

Maybe this place (note, I haven't been to this one, just sounds good)
Tulemar Bungalows & Villas
Tulemar - Tripadvisor Reviews (http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g309274-d300974-Reviews-Tulemar_Bungalows_Villas-Manuel_Antonio_National_Park_Province_of_Puntarenas.html)

[403ep3]

Originally posted by Seth1968




I don't think he wants to get away for the sole purpose of "peace and quite" masturbation.

Well he did write, somewhere to unwind by reading some books and with little to no people around. That sure does sound like personal time.

[n1zm0]

Personally, a close one for me where I wouldn't have to spend loads of cash or fly extended amounts of time would be Cortes Island (http://ourcortes.com/accommodations/vacation-rentals/) , been there about 5 - 6 times, all types of accomodations (http://cortesislandvacationrentals.com/category/ocean-front-homes/) then there's 2 motels on the island, but the private houses are amazing, if you wanted to read and just stare at the ocean quite literally the place imo it's so damned quiet, if not there's 2 freshwater lakes too also with rental units (http://cortesislandvacationrentals.com/category/1-bedroom-lake/), then goto Manson's landing (with your tidal license of course) and get enough clams/oysters/mussels to make yourself a fresh seafood dinner, bring a crab trap too if you're down for that.


Originally posted by wintonyk
i would check out some of the small islands in malaysia specially around penang. its beautiful there and not very party central yet. personally i spent 2 week on my own in koh tao thailand diving and reading it was amazing.

Another option is East Malaysia, at least on the East Coast of Sabah. Mabul has not as many tourists - not a party resort - mainly centered around diving, shamless plug, my aunt's places (http://www.sdclodges.com/my/) (Pulau Tiga was where they filmed the first Survivor, the Sukau one is smack in the middle of the jungle with Elephants/penis nose monkeys/crocodiles etc) :D Used to be on Sipadan (http://travel.cnn.com/gallery-incredible-photos-sipadan-one-worlds-top-dive-destinations-064021) until the government turned it into a national park, now on Mabul island with day trips to Sipadan.

But West Malaysia is a good option too, as said Penang or Langkawi, then if you want to can get to KL or anywhere in Thailand for pretty damned cheap on an Air Asia flight.

[darthVWader]

If you want to stay in NA I would look at Kauai. Lots of beaches with next to no one on them. Go on VRBO and rent a small condo for less then $100 a night or even camp at some of the beaches for $5.00 a night.
You can get a rental car for under $30 a day. http://discounthawaiicarrental.com/index.shtml

Very laid back Island

Just got back from a family trip there and I'm planing to return on my own with just my tent and Fly Rod.

[adamc]

Panama or nicaragua

[msommers]

Molokai, Hawaii. Hands down.

[adam c]

I found boracay overrated, sure the far far end of station 1 was nice and past the rocks to the secluded beach but other than that I didn't have a great time there especially the way my wife and I were treaded since we didn't wear our wedding rings

I hear Tahiti is a magical place though
Personally I think I would go to bora bora

[taemo]

it depends on your budget and what do you want to do exactly on the island

never been interested with Boracay island as it has now become a party place.
we enjoyed El Nido though, very laid back and we are planning to hit Coron next.

other tropical islands that we want to see are Gili Islands, Ko Phi Phi, Maldives and Seychelles.

Can't go wrong with Polynesian islands too, all Hawaii islands except Oahu are still pretty laid back.
Always wanted to see Easter Island so hopefully one day.

Looking forward to see Moorea, Tahiti and Bora Bora in our vacation 5 weeks from now.
There was an island that I didn't notice until we finalized our trip, Maupiti.
Looks like a mini version of Bora Bora but more quiet.

[DENZILDON]

Coron and Amanpulo are the two places I hope to hit next when I go back to PI

[adam c]

I wanted to go to Boracay to have fun and party but I was expecting it to be like Vegas I think so I was a little let down with the party scene there

I think next time we're going to Palawan although the wife and her family want to go to pagupud or whatever it is on the north end of the main island

[austic]

Costa Rica was a great choice at a reasonable price. Tamarindo beach was amazing, you could read your book for a while then rent a surfboard and give it a shot in the smaller breaks. Nicaragua was great too but flights and customs Costa Rica was easier.

If budget does not matter allot of the baller options mentioned would work.

[Willie Bobo]

.

[Kloubek]

Boracay is nice for what it is. The beach is typically very nice. The vendors are typically very pushy in the daytime.

Night life is not really that great. Not like say, Thailand.

But sounds like he wants something nice and secluded, and Boracay is not it. If he really wanted that, there are areas like Cebu in the Philippines which are amazing. And not expensive.

[DENZILDON]

Originally posted by adam c
I wanted to go to Boracay to have fun and party but I was expecting it to be like Vegas I think so I was a little let down with the party scene there

I think next time we're going to Palawan although the wife and her family want to go to pagupud or whatever it is on the north end of the main island

I've backpack Pagudpud. Nothing really special. It's nice because there's not a lot of tourist but the reason is it's a loooong ass drive for a beach. Palawan is where it's at. My cousin just went to coron and amanpulo and it's like paradise!

[DENZILDON]

BTW if any of you guys go back to boracay. I have a buddy who teaches kite/surfing. He's also a good techno dj and plays around the island. Might be able to hook you up for some good parties.

[ekguy]

Originally posted by 403ep3
Alone because you want some peace and quiet?

let's just say my life has been so busy lately i haven't been able to get into a good book in a while. it'd be nice to just get away from all the needy people in my life.

seems like i get maybe a half hour of peace and quiet a day lately with school and work...so yes I'd love to go away by myself.

[ekguy]

Dunno why Costa Rica skipped my mind when I've always wanted to go there.

Any specifics for Costa Rica. I honestly think this will be the winner.

Everything has been so hectic lately I've just been burning out, and if I bring my best friend with me it'll just end up being a blur the entire way through.

Keep the suggestions coming along the lines of costa rica or resorts, or places to stay in costa rica.

[max_boost]

Cancun cause it's cheap all inclusive and man the white sand blue skies lol that's all I know.

[tomt64]

Originally posted by darthVWader
If you want to stay in NA I would look at Kauai. Lots of beaches with next to no one on them. Go on VRBO and rent a small condo for less then $100 a night or even camp at some of the beaches for $5.00 a night.
You can get a rental car for under $30 a day. http://discounthawaiicarrental.com/index.shtml

Very laid back Island

Just got back from a family trip there and I'm planing to return on my own with just my tent and Fly Rod.

2 years ago I was in work work work mode and needed a break. Decided on Hawaii and chose to go to kauai based on the fact there are no big clubs and iirc population is around 60,000. Spent 2 weeks there exploring and surfing.
As soon as I got back to work I was completely refreshed and ready to go.

[msommers]

Kauai is fantastic, there is so much to do and get lost if you want.

Molokai is all about no one being around. Some sick diving there too

[austic]

Originally posted by ekguy
Dunno why Costa Rica skipped my mind when I've always wanted to go there.

Any specifics for Costa Rica. I honestly think this will be the winner.

Everything has been so hectic lately I've just been burning out, and if I bring my best friend with me it'll just end up being a blur the entire way through.

Keep the suggestions coming along the lines of costa rica or resorts, or places to stay in costa rica.
Find a place in Tamarindo if you have the budget. it tends to be one of the more expensive areas but the beach and weather are pretty nice. Little more dry and beach like as far as CR is concerned. I spent quite a bit of time at Witches Rock Surf camp. They had a nice little patio bar with cheap drinks and eats where you could watch the surfers. Really laid back surf beach vibe without the commercialism of places like Hawaii. No cruise ships, no big airplanes flying over the beach.. Just chill
Massages are super cheap, I got one with a room that had floor to ceiling windows that looked out onto the jungle so I watched the howler monkeys play while getting a relaxing massage.
I stayed at an all-inclusive just so I knew what my all in price was, the place was walking distance to town so I went to town a lot. The resort was fairly small by All inclusive standards with the best buffet I have had in a long time. Good meat grill that my friends and I could not get enough of. I loved the local drink Guaro, kind of tastes like the bastard child between vodka and rum, make a great drink called the Guaro Sour. I stayed at the Barcelo Langosta Beach but there are some great smaller hotels and condos you can rent in town as well.
The more I think about it the more I would love to go back.


Witches Rock (http://witchsrocksurfcamp.com/)

Barcello Resort (http://www.barcelo.com/BarceloHotels/en_GB/hotels/Costa-Rica/Tamarindo/hotel-barcelo-langosta-beach/general-description.aspx)

[austic]

Originally posted by msommers
Kauai is fantastic, there is so much to do and get lost if you want.

Molokai is all about no one being around. Some sick diving there too

I loved Molokai, the hammerheads were a lifetime dream of mine.

[msommers]

Originally posted by austic


I loved Molokai, the hammerheads were a lifetime dream of mine.

The hammerheads are on the list! Need to keep my specialized deeper depth though since I'm only O/W at the moment.

Can you send me a PM when you have some spare time, would love to hear about your experiences diving with them!

[mr2mike]

Any Hedonism resort you should be fine.
Might not get through any books. :poosie:

I'd pick somewhere in Hawaii as well. Even when you talk to people down there, they're super relaxed it's infectious.

[Ben]

Bumping this thread because I'm heading down to Panama shortly (mostly Bocas Del Toro) and will also be in Costa Rica (been there a few times already Bro in Law lives there)

I will first contribute that anyone thinking of going to Costa Rica, Should. The people there are phenomenal, super kind and dont look at tourists as money near as much as other places do. No one hassling you at the beach, markets dont harrasss you and pull you into shops. No Gracias Senior, Seniorita and they just smile and "Pura Vida!"

English is nowhere near as wide spread as other central american areas like Mexico, and the Carribean. Brush up on your Espanol.

Things are cheap! I'm not a big fan of doing the all inclusive thing for this country because there is so much to see and do and the local food is far better than the resorts. I spent a night at a 5 star all inclusive prior to flying out last time and both the Mrs and I left after an hour to head into town and go to locals beaches because the resorts just had abnoxios fat americans and pompous europeans. We just slept there and enjoyed the proper Bed and bathroom to get ready; had breakfast pre flight.

See the volcanos! Arenal is awesome but should also check out Volcan de Poas. We rented a villa on an organic coffee plantation half way up its side, enjoyed monkeys and a plethora of birdlife while sitting on the veranda sipping just roasted coffee. It was mas tranquillo! Also a must go are the national parks like Manuel Antonio. Lots of tourists but not the dumb kind, amazing beaches and monkeys bloody everywhere. The terrain is so lush and ready to be explored with amazing waterfalls and lush jungle!

Another quaint spot is Playa Samara, which is just south of Tamarindo. Awesome little villas to rent at a place called Kalimba.

If you're inland head south of San Jose to Cartago and check out the most incredible Cathedral you'll likely ever see this side of Rome. Head up to Volcan Irazu near by and view the entire valley while looking into an active volcano.

And if you're into this stuff, Old Downtown San Jose Hotel Del Rey, where every woman is a hooker and everyone is high on blow. It was a laugh for sure.

Stay out of the slums.

Keep your passport safe, it's worth about 10k on the black market there.

Try the local rum! Cennetario is phenomenal, and Flor de Cana (Nicaragua) is hard to match.

And yes, the insect life is incredible. Grasshoppers the size of pie plates and evil scorpions and tarantulas abundant. You'll get over your fear of bugs in a hurry, or you'll die...either way know that like any place in this region, there are bugs and some are dangerous. Embrace it. Leave them alone, be smart, dont hike in flip flops through grass any taller than your lawn here at home, and if nothing else, you NEED to do a multipoint inspection of the bathroom before you sit down or hop in the slower. Kick the toilet seat up with your foot, these bastards love humid spots and nothing sobers you up faster at 4am half drunk than unexpectantly exposing your manhood to a huge scorpion inside the toilet. To kill, stomp and twist. hard.

Most resorts have regular insect control, however if you're in the real costa rica, this could save your life. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bothrops_asper also known as the terciopelo, love bathtubs and toilets. They migrate indoors when it is in heavy rain season.

Anyways. About Panama. If anyone who has been has any other imput on things to do and see I would appreciate it. Besides the Canal of course. We have our own vehicle (cant take rentals across the borders from Costa Rica to either Nicaragua or Panama without a huge 2500-5000 deposit up front due to theft and such) so we are mobile and love heading out and exploring off the beaten track.

Muchos gracias mi amigos.

[austic]

Originally posted by msommers


The hammerheads are on the list! Need to keep my specialized deeper depth though since I'm only O/W at the moment.

Can you send me a PM when you have some spare time, would love to hear about your experiences diving with them!
Only just saw this, if you are still looking for information on it let me know

[Sugarphreak]

...

[flipstah]

Originally posted by DENZILDON
Coron and Amanpulo are the two places I hope to hit next when I go back to PI

+1. If you're heading to SE Asia to find yourself, you don't want to go to Boracay. It's too touristy and busy.

Coron is quiet and no one will bother you.

Hawaii is a safe bet as well. Looks peaceful from the pics.

[killramos]

To just be somewhere and exist in comfort and peace?

I would do Cuba. Great Drinks. Great Weather. And nothing like governement censored internet access to help you disconnect :rofl:

[Cos]

.

[BavarianBeast]

Originally posted by ekguy
Dunno why Costa Rica skipped my mind when I've always wanted to go there.

Any specifics for Costa Rica. I honestly think this will be the winner.

Everything has been so hectic lately I've just been burning out, and if I bring my best friend with me it'll just end up being a blur the entire way through.

Keep the suggestions coming along the lines of costa rica or resorts, or places to stay in costa rica.

I went to costa rica by myself about 2 years ago. I had a blast, met a lot of cool people and just enjoyed myself. I spent 10 days there.

I flew into Liberia and stayed close by at a hotel called Bahia Del Sol in Portero bay and it was amazing; http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Hotel_Review-g1380092-d603769-Reviews-Bahia_del_Sol_Beach_Front_Hotel_Suites-Playa_Potrero_Province_of_Guanacaste.html .

The hotel was quite small, but I rented a bike a couple blocks away and used it to get around. The neighborhood the hotel was in was very cool, tons of canadians and lots of cool little bars to hang out at.

I road my bike to Playa Flamingo and booked some tours, seeing the volcanoes, ziplining, ATVing were some of the highlights.

After about 4 days at Bahia Del Sol, I decided to grab a bus and head down to Tamarindo/Playa Grande. I did a ton of surfing and partying here and met a ton of cool people. Tamarindo/Playa Grande was a lot of fun, but a lot less relaxing than my time spent at Portero Bay.

Hopefully this helps a little.

[Jlude]

So when's the trip? Be sure to post pictures so we can see where you went.

[max_boost]

dannie has been going on quite a few of these recently maybe she will chime in!

[z24_wheels]

If I am correct in evaluating what you are looking for, then I would recommend Poas Volcano Lodge.

Fly into San Jose, arrange a shuttle and crash at Casa Laurin (Canadian owner) for the night. Wake up and cab it to the lodge. Its an old dairy farm converted into a very quiet B&B type atmosphere in the rain forest. You can hike the area, see the volcano, check out La Paz Waterfall Gardens. Read by the fire drinking scotch. I had a very peaceful, recharging trip to that area pre-earthquake in 2008.

PM if you want more info.