Costa Rica

[JRSC00LUDE]

We are hard R's who decided taking 4 kids here would be a nice experience for them this winter. So other than don't take kids, any tips/comments/recommendations?

[ThePenIsMightier]

I'm sure it's pretty nice there. Should be nice and safe within the resorts. It's not like taking them to Vegas.

[max_boost]

pura vida dude @Ben is the costa expert

[g-m]

Did not really like. The food was awful and expensive. Hotels were meh. Lots to do though which was the saving grace I guess. Have fun paying $30 for chicken rice and beans every day.

[R-Audi]

I went with my family of 4 last spring, and travelled with another family of 4 for 12 days. We used a Costa Rica based travel planner (or whatever term the Insta travel agents are now) and she was a big help booking everything.

Flew into Liberia, then took trasfers to Arenal (Jungle, hot springs, waterfalls), Monteverde (Jungle and zip lines), and Playa Carillo. (Small beach town on the west Coast)

My thoughts looking back:

-Travel between destinations is rough... we had private transfers in AC'd vans, but the roads SUCK. You are going slow and a lot of twisty roads if you are goin in the mountains. My son puked out the window once, I almost got sick the second transfer. That being said, I would try to limit travel betwene desintations as much as possible, unless its on a major highway. (Which most arent) We could have rented a car, but preferred to be driven around. Once we got to the hotels, we didnt have much need for a car outside of excusions, which included transportation. May be dicey driving at night, as not everything is well marked. Rental cars are quite expensive as well.

-CR ain't cheap! Think US/Canada prices in a Mexico type destination. 6 packs of a local beer at a regular gas station/grocery store are like $15 Cdn. We ate at a mix of the hotel, local restaurants and "Soda's" (Where its supposedly where locals would eat, very casual restaurant) Initially thought in the range of $150/day for food and drinks... we nearly doubled that. Especially if you want hotel drinks! ha ha. We stayed at mostly 3.5-4 star places, which were all pretty decent. Better than the standard Mexican 3.5-4 stars.

-Food was better than expected, really enjoyed how fresh everything was, basic meal (Casado) is rice, beans, salad and a protein. We mixed them up and made a basic power bowl type meal, but quite liked them. Restaurants were decent.. but expensive, even in smaller towns. You could get most standard foods in the bigger towns.. read about food being boring, but no major complaints across the families.

-If looking for a basic beach destination, Im not sure thats where I would go. Its not that different than Mexico, but further away and just as if not more expensive.

-All of the Jungle stuff was amazing.. zip lines, animals, jungle tours were great. That would be a focus if we ever went back, with again a relaxing beach holiday at the end.

-We ended up being on the beach for a major CR holiday... it was a gong show during that time, but completely dead when it ended.

-Never felt unsafe, but were always in small towns. People were generally friendly.

-Cleanliness was maybe a step above Mexico, but not by much.


Happy to answer any other questions...

[g-m]

For transfers just take planes. It's so much better and cheap.
https://costaricagreenair.com/en/

[R-Audi]

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For transfers just take planes. It's so much better and cheap.
https://costaricagreenair.com/en/

Thats only major centres... you would still need a van or rental car for the smaller places.

[JRSC00LUDE]

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Did not really like. The food was awful and expensive. Hotels were meh. Lots to do though which was the saving grace I guess. Have fun paying $30 for chicken rice and beans every day.

You're the first person who I have heard say they didn't like it but that doesn't mean I don't believe you. I don't know anything about it whatsoever wasn't even sure where it was exactly. We made this decision over 2 days haha but tickets are booked.

Tourist Mexico is the worst place I've ever been in my life so hopefully this is better. I'm not real worried about hotels at the best of time, I hate going anywhere that the hotel is a focus. We're going to Airbnb it because there's 6 of us and rent a car for the duration.

I guess we'll find out, too late now - the kids are excited about it.

Please be better than tourist Mexico.....

[g-m]

I mean the activities were great. We did probably everything. Quadding, canyoning, white water rafting, zip lining, hiking surfing, etc. All great. The rest of it was very mid. Food was bad and the drinks were very Mexico and very expensive. If you like Mexico you would like Costa Rica. I also hate Mexico.

[JRSC00LUDE]

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I mean the activities were great. We did probably everything. Quadding, canyoning, white water rafting, zip lining, hiking surfing, etc. All great. The rest of it was very mid. Food was bad and the drinks were very Mexico and very expensive. If you like Mexico you would like Costa Rica. I also hate Mexico.

YOU'RE NOT SELLING ME ON THIS mister.

[ThePenIsMightier]

You might need a mister when you're there. On accounta it's supposed to be hot.

[max_boost]

yea reading these posts makes me want to remove costa rica from my bucket list lol

[g-m]

Don't get me wrong I'm glad I went and the canyoning in particular was super cool. I'm also super glad I went all over Peru. But those two are off my 'return to' list. Japan I'm up to 5 trips and Argentina will be 6 after this November and those are on the 'always return to' list along with half of Europe

[ExtraSlow]

So if I love Mexico I'll love this? I'm in!

[g-m]

There's less irritating people who are trying to rip you off at all times but they're still there

[max_boost]

Argentina. Interesting. No messi around if you went 6x

[g-m]

Buenos Aires is my favorite city in the world. There's like unlimited things to do, it's super cheap but maintains a European standard of service, quality and food. Nobody ever tries to rip you off because they have pride. There's jungle in the north with Igauzu falls, desert and high plains in Salta, all mountain sports and wine in Mendoza, nice beaches in Mar Del Plata, Canadian style mountains in Patagonia in Bariloche and the South Pole in Ushuaia. We might have to get a place there at some point it's SO good

[max_boost]

God dang it sold

[cycosis]

Costa Rica was one of my favourite trips but I didnt do it with kids in tow. I flew into LIberia and then had a beat up old 4x4 rental. The car WILL GET SCRATCHED so dont rent new or youre gonna get hosed. The roads are not paved and narrow. I had a blast driving around the northwest/central areas from Arenal, Montezuma back up to Tamarindo. Absolutely gorgeous jungles, lots of biodiversity for hikes. I found the food and coffee fantastic. Ziplines were really fun. If you're into hiking, nature its a great area. If you just want the all inclusive experience with palm trees go to mexico.

[Buster]

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Buenos Aires is my favorite city in the world. There's like unlimited things to do, it's super cheap but maintains a European standard of service, quality and food. Nobody ever tries to rip you off because they have pride. There's jungle in the north with Igauzu falls, desert and high plains in Salta, all mountain sports and wine in Mendoza, nice beaches in Mar Del Plata, Canadian style mountains in Patagonia in Bariloche and the South Pole in Ushuaia. We might have to get a place there at some point it's SO good

I'm also a fan of Argentina and BA. The food is a highlight.

I've also heard that BA has gone way downhill with current economic conditions.