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Costa Rica Trip Help...?

Travel Info
I want to visit Costa Rica, but I don't want to spend that much. I was thinking about either San Jose or Monte Verde. If I went to Monte Verde, how close it the Volcano and what is there to do close around that area and how much are hotels around there? If I went to San Jose, is it safe for my girlfriend and I, and what is there to do?
I really want to go visit Costa Rica because I have met so many people from this country and heard so many great things, but I need to know where to go and like what there is to do, and prices during the trip for activites.

Thanks for your help!

Travel Tips

They seem like funny choices for places to go, but I am guessing you are not a beach person if you have narrowed it down to those 2.

My advice would be that you don't really want to hang around San Jose for more than you need to, let alone stay there for your vacation. When people talk about how great Costa Rica is, they are not talking about San Jose. It's dangerous (although not as bad as some people say) and really just not that interesting.

Costa Rica is about being in amazing natural environments, of which there are plenty.

Monteverde is famous for the cloud-forest, but I'm not sure that it will keep you entertained for more than a couple of days. There is no volcano right there, but I assume you mean Arenal which is an hour or 2 drive away (if i remember correctly). The road to monteverde is nothing short of shocking though.

Arenal is a really great time, and could definitely keep you interested for a few days, visiting the volcano by day, and bathing in the hot springs at night (whilst you sip a cocktail!). Go to Tabacon resort for a great experience (but don't stay there).

Then if you want to visit the beaches, your options are endless - all up and down the pacific coast there are amazing places to visit like Guanacaste, Manuel Antonio, Malpais, Nosara etc etc.

My advice would be to travel around a bit when you are there because distances arent that big and you can see so much wonderful stuff if you keep moving. For example, if you wanted to stay in the central valley area, you could do a tour of 3 volcanoes (arenal, poas, irazu) and monteverde very easily in 8 days.

As for accommodation, you will be able to find something for $30 a night for a double room (or even $15 if you really want something basic) wherever you go. There are good traveller options everywhere.

If you want to read more about the country and what the different areas have to offer, see my articles at the link below:

About the costa rican regions:
http://www.ricarent.com/about-costa-rica...

Activities to try:
http://www.ricarent.com/book-a-tour.htm...

Why to visit in the rainy season:
http://www.ricarent.com/about-costa-rica...
Others

i've been to Costa Rica twice, i once landed in San Jose and didn't like it....it's not a very pretty city. Basically a work center with not much tourism around--and it didn't look too safe at night (there were bums and "night ladies" lol). But i was just passing through on my way to Tamarindo beach...a surfer town which is pretty nice but not very developed. They have a lot of surf shops where you can take classes and rent (highly reccomended). I picked the "Laguna del Cocodrilo" hotel...i think it was around $60 a night, and it was decent. It's on the right when you enter the town

however, the first time i went, i arrived in Liberia and stayed in the "Gran Papagayo" hotel (4 or 5 stars), which is not bad but the beach is flat like a lake. So that might be your best bet if you want to look at the country...they have lots of tours in the hotel that take you all over. I would suggest this one if it's not a surf trip....but in case you decide to try it out, Tamarindo is about an hour away. The roads are HORRIBLE, so don't say i didn't warn you haha
There's some serious vegetation, so take lots of spray and your camera :-)
just mail me if you have more questions
Ok, Monte Verde is great for going to the Cloud Forest, Monte Verde is deep in the mountains 5 hours away from San Jose, its a pretty fun mountain town if you want to know about hotels and what to do in Monte Verde go this site http://monteverdeinfo.com/ Monte Verde is not a city at all, there are no shopping malls or movie theathers but its a very beautiful and romantic place and very safe and its like 1.5 hours away from Volcan Arenal, its very easy to get transportation from Monte Verde to Arenal. San Jose is where alot of clubs are its the city and its as dangeous as any other big city but its a pretty fun place also. There is a Holiday Inn there that is not too expensive and alot of other hotels, if you want to find out a little more about San Jose you can visit this site http://costaricaparty.com/
Costa Rica is cheaper than the states but some how, you end up spending more than if you were at the states sometimes.
It would be safer to calculate spending $50 a day, each person not including the Hotels or tours.
go to montezuma. you and your girl will love it. the small town, rivers waterfalls, beach and there is a lot you can do there. and is not expensive
if you want to see the volcano (volcan arenal) stay in la fortuna.
Monte Verde is really nice and Volcan Arenal is the nearest Volcano from Monte Verde. If you don't want to spend a lot of money thats ok because Costa Rica have a variety of hotels around the country.
I live in Costa Rica and also have my own bussiness in tourism. What I can suggest you is a package " Monte Verde & Arenal Volcano" if you will like an unforgettable trip with your girlfriend. For sure she will say married me after the trip! Anyway, let me verify all the information with hotels and see what do I have available for you.
The package will include everything, hotels, tours, transfers and maybe meals. During your trip you won't have to worry about how much will the hotel charge you the days you'll stay or how much for a tour with the agency tours, also how will you get a transfer to the Volcano or Monte Verde, I'll save you that headache. You'll have to bring some money just to take something back with you. Promise!!
Ok' see ya!