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| *Travel Tips>>>Costa Rica Travel Tips |
Any concerns about traveling to costa rica or belize? |
Travel Info Any concerns about traveling to costa rica or belize? Travel Tips I just got back from a 9 day tour in Costa Rica on an EF Tour with 34 folks aged 14 through adult. We had the best time and it will be certainly hard to top this trip. There were no incidents during our trip. We were warned of possible hazards such as pick-pockets or thieves. If you have travelled anywhere, you know that it is possible to get into trouble regardless of where you go. Some advice, (mostly common sense stuff) 1. Have a plan and research the map and schedules ahead of time so that you are not looking confused or distracted. 2. Travel in groups or pairs at a minimum. 3. Keep your zippers on your bags closed and straps tied up so that people can't see what is in your bag or have something to grab onto. 4. Travel in well lit areas. Bring a good flashlight in case you have to travel at night. We had a power outage that lasted an hour at night. Generally, the Costa Ricans are some of the nicest people that I have ever met. Others I was in Costa Rica (and Panama) for 2 weeks around Christmas 2005. These would be my suggestions: 1. Costa Rica makes an impression of a cheap but developed and orderly country. It does not make you look over your shoulder and suspiciously watch everyone around you like, e.g., Guatemala or El Salvador. However, I got robbed there at a gunpoint outside Oros铆 in Central Valley at about 10 am on a tourist trail to local hot springs. A part of the problem was that I was a "gringo" and walked alone (it was also too early in the morning), but the lesson is - BE CAREFUL. I was worried many times in Guate and El Salvador - but never had any incident, luckily. In Costa, I did not worry at all and this was the result. 2. Getting around is a bigger pain than in other CentAm countries, like Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador or Panama (no experience with Nicaragua or Belize). The buses run less frequently, especially between seaside resorts (e.g., there are just three or four buses a day in each direction from Puntarenas to Jac贸 or Parque Nacional Carara). If you want to move around, make sure you plan your trips in advance - otherwise you may end up getting stuck and wasting time. 3. Tourism is an income source for Costa Rica - and, apparently, the Ticos do not want their "cash cows" move from taxis and tours to subsidized buses for locals. Therefore, bus stops are not marked, bus schedules are not printed and the frequency of services is often as described above. However, schedules are pretty stable and locals know everything - so make sure you ask frequently, it is always a good idea to ask before wasting hours waiting at wrong places or wasting money on American-oriented travel services. For example, you may not know that you can take a bus from Alajuela Santamaria International Airport to downtown San Jos茅 for only about 310 colones (0.63 USD, prices valid in December 2005) while a taxi would cost you about 10 - 12 USD. However, the buses are nowhere advertised! You have to ask, say "no" to taxi drivers lined up, get out of the terminal building, walk about 100 meters to a major highway and wait there for one (runs frequently). It depends on your expectations of comfort vs. adventure, but getting around this Costa Rican anti-marketing of subsidized services for locals was quite enjoyable for me! Some specific recommendations - San Jos茅 is quite a safe city, but do not walk to the North (and possibly even much more West) of Mercado Central after dark; it is dodgy there. The countryside is supposedly OK, but be careful - see point 1. Otherwise, do not get discouraged and enjoy the place - the amount of tropical wildlife to be seen is amazing! Someone else may answer about Belize ... never been there. My experience (18 - 31 December 2005). You may look at my travelogues at http://railtrips.euweb.cz/index_en.html... - unfortunately nothing about Costa Rica because I lost my camera during the robbery. It's a beautiful country I was there and just enjoy it! It seems like the person above handled Costa Rica so I will give Belize a shot. I am from the States and have lived in Belize for about two years. We have found Belize to be a very safe place and if there is a place to worry about it would be Belize City. However, we go to Belize City on a regular basis and as long as you stay in areas where there are people around there should be no problems. Also, the biggest advantage with Belize is that it is English speaking so it is much easier to get around and communicate with others. We came through Mexico on our way to Belize and it a constant challenge to communicate with people and everything was many times more difficult because of the language barrier. This is all to say that Belize is great. Come and there are many great things to see and do. very nice just dont wear anthing expensive on the streets if you want to get back in one peace If you come to CR, just make sure you have some good condoms that wont rip, cause you will need them. Too much booty here ! |
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