Costa Rica
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- pyeaton
Heading down there this December. Anyone been there? Whats it like? Looking to go relax, surf, and take in the jungle and volcanoes. But what s the local culture like...etc.....?
Thanks all.
- Nairn0
Is Costa Rica the one where those bandits have been marauding tourists spots and neutering menfolk?
- pyeaton0
hhhhhhhhhmmmmmm.....
- acescence0
it can be a bit dodgy. i stayed with someone from there, so they knew the ins and outs. their house was surrounded by a very tall stone wall capped with barbed wire. the cocaine is so cheap and pure that tourists will lose it and become stranded when their money runs out
- acescence0
oh, but it's a beautiful place and the surfing is amazing. have fun!
- pyeaton0
DAMN........ looking at nicoya to stay. looks amazing there.
- alex_0
Nicoya is very nice and further down that road is a couple great beaches playa carriloo, and playa samara. Playa samara has a great bar called La Gondola.
Oh and the pizza is amazing. You wouldn't figure it, but there are a lot of European transplants that add a lot of flavor.
Cops are a little dirty around there tho. I'm not sure what the exchange rate is now, but 20 bucks used to get you out of a ticket you didn't deserve to begin with...
- alex_0
Make that Playa Samara and Playa Carrillo not carriloo
- pyeaton0
Wow! Great! thanks. Did you stay on a resort/hotel? What was the name? Looking for some info on places to stay that are clean and safe, and have some stuff to do around them when not by the beaches.
Thanks all.
- alex_0
I stayed in Puerto Carrilo at a friends house. The resorts I've seen there were kinda boring. It really is best to know someone there or make friends quickly.
I know of a couple places in Carrillo that were nice, Hotel Sueno Tropical and Guanamar. 8 bucks for Cohiba! if you like cigars...
- pyeaton0
DAmn! sweet. Thanks for the info. Any info is very appreciated.
- gramme0
Costa Rica is the Switzerland of Central America. Granted, all of Centro is relatively shady by our standards, but you'll be a hell of a lot safer there than Panama, Nicaragua, or any other popular surf destination in that area.
Best of luck, and ride one a balmy one for me when you go!
- pyeaton0
I plan on it. I have heard that the pacific waves there are really nice. Smaller than pipeline, but the same clean curl. Going to be sweet!
- simonando0
for great surf head to playa hermosa, the best place to stay is las olas hotel. the surf at the hotel can get huge. owners are ex-pats and can take you to the best spots. close by is jaco. go to the beatle bar, you won't be dissapointed.
- pyeaton0
What time of year is best for surf there? I would imagine that on the Pacific side, it would get nice during winter.
- Tara0
http://www.arenal.net/tabacon/
http://www.bluejaylodgecostarica…
both truly amazing. blue jay lodge stay at the top of the hill- its worth the little hike. nicoya peninsula -yes yes
costa rica's not sketchy- don't stay in san jose too long.
ENJOY
- Mimio0
I have to go there.
- pyeaton0
Hey tara! Did you stay at the Blue Jay? That place looks awesome! Good waves around that area? Did you notice?
Really beautiful place.
Thansk for the tips.
- Tara0
serioiusly Tabacon is a must.
I've sent 3 sets of friends there and we all agree. It's unbelievable- all different temperature hot springs surrounded by lush jungle and view of the classic cone volcano. i saw the volcano erupt a bit from our room at 2 am! and a swim up bar and brunch buffet- what more could you ask for?
you only need 2-3 days here.
- Tara0
I stayed at Blue Jay- the bungalows are rustic in the trees but really well designed. supposedly the monkey swing thru the trees and you can see. we didn't see any but were only there for 1 night. i think that was not normal that we didn't see any. about 15 min down is santa teresa- gorgeous surfing beach. really chill. i learned to surf there.
- Tara0
Actually, here are some of my pics.