Costa Rica?

[freeflir29 0]

Who's been there? What can you tell me about it? I've been to MOST Central American countries so far but haven't made it there yet. I may be going in January or so. My neighbor and a few friends have houses there and want me to come visit. Those bastards spend about 3-4 months a year down there. Anyway.....is it worth $500+ for a plane ticket or should I just take another trip to Eloy or Florida?

[n2skdvn 0]

[wisper voice] Psst...they have sheep there....[/wisper voice]


in all semi seriousness F*&kin' go and take your rig!

if my calculations are correct SLINKY + ESCULATOR = EVERLASTING FUN
my site

[freeflir29 0]

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F*&kin' go and take your rig!

Well....my neighbor does do some work down there with a crop dusting operation. Maybe I could get a ride. I haven't heard anything lately out of the Skydive CR DZ. I think it went belly up. I also have to get a motorcycle endorsement on my license so I can lease a bike there. My neighbors are big into the Harley thing.

[VanillaSkyGirl 6]

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I may be going in January or so. My neighbor and a few friends have houses there and want me to come visit. Those bastards spend about 3-4 months a year down there. Anyway.....is it worth $500+ for a plane ticket or should I just take another trip to Eloy or Florida?

Oh my gosh, it's almost like you are stalking me. I am probably going to be there in early January myself!

[Ncrowe 0]

I have lots of friends who have made the trip from south florida and from what I hear its a great vacation.

"Don't Mess Around With the Guy in Shades- Oh No!!! "

[LouDiamond 1]

Costa Rica is the BOMB! You definately need to go check it out. San jose is a good place to hang out and you won't feel like your in a different world there. Check out the beaches, do some surfing, check out the Mountains, do some Mtn biking, white water rafting and hiking. Most of Costa Rica is wildlife preserve/National forest so it's everywhere once you leave town. Head out towards Murcielago and you will really be in the sticks but it is beautiful. Oh yeah, there is a good deal of wildlife in those forests/jungles that will fuck you up or kill you so don't lick any pretty frogs, same goes for getting in the ocean bays/inlets. But it isn't like Mutual of Omaha and Jim getting attacked by the anaconda by any means.Just be aware. I would seriously consider retiring down there if they had skydiving. The roads aren't the worst I've seen in Central America but they are pretty crappy in places and traffic can be bad in the city so take your A game if you plan on riding a Harley. Other wise, Pura Vida baby

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[John4455 0]

Hows the SCUBA?

How do ya like it Johnny?

[goose491 0]

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Oh my gosh, it's almost like you are stalking me. I am probably going to be there in early January myself!

January in Costa huh?

... Now I'm reconsidering the January in Florida I was considering... Hmmm

My Karma ran over my Dogma!!!

[Rebecca 0]

Ohhhh Drrrrroooolllll!!!

Costa Rica is INCREDIBLE!! So laid back and beautiful - everywhere you look, it's just gorgeous. And monkeys everywhere, just keep an eye on the trees.

And everything else Lou Diamond said.

You should definitely go. And take me with you.

you've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel loquacious?' -- well do you, punk?

[skydiver30960 0]

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I would seriously consider retiring down there if they had skydiving.

Let's make it happen dude! You open the DZ and I'll be your first full time TI/packer/DZgopher.

Elvisio "like the sound of the tropics" Rodriguez

[skymama 37]

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But it isn't like Mutual of Omaha and Jim getting attacked by the anaconda by any means.

LOL...I wonder how many of the young pups on here don't even know who you are referring to. I certainly do, we watched that all the time growing up!

She is Da Man, and you better not mess with Da Man,
because she will lay some keepdown on you faster than, well, really fast. ~Billvon

[davedlg 0]

Costa Rica is awesome. The people there are great. There is so much to do there...everything from surfing to whitewater rafting to backpacking in the rainforest to climbing active volcanos to...well you get the point. If you've traveled to other central / south American countries you may be surprised by how expensive Costa Rica is in comparison. But it is definatly more modernized as well. My favorite memories of costa rica involve backpacking through the rainforest to huge waterfalls and a black sand beach. GO!!!!

Definatly check out:
Corcovado N.P. (rainforest jungle and black sand beach)
Pacuare River (whitewater rafting)
Ricon de la Vieja N.P. (geologic hotspot near Libera)
Playa Tamirindo (surfers village)
Arenal Volcano (erupts constantly)

[freeflir29 0]

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San jose is a good place to hang out

Hehehehee........My neighbor "San Jose is a shithole! Once you get away from there it's really nice." I guess they live up on a mountain about an hour drive from the airport. Not sure which direction. He said it's great because they are up 2000 Ft so it's not as hot or humid.

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And take me with you.

Don't tempt me! I'm glad you can't bat those beautiful eyelashes at me over the internet. I would most likely be powerless to resist! Isn't that like bringing sand to the beach though?

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it's almost like you are stalking me. I am probably going to be there in early January myself!

And like EVERYWHERE else........you get there before I do. WFFC, Eloy, and now CR. Wow....it'd be nice to have a fluent interpreter though! My Spanish is horrible but it seems like it's getting slightly better. I was watching TV the other day.......I could understand the guy fairly well......then this chick started talking and I only picked up an occasional word. I think maybe I was distracted by the lollipop and nurses outfit. No it wasn't porn.....just some station in Houston.

[JohnMitchell 16]

My wife and I did a boogie in Coasta Rica about 6 years ago. Beautiful country, nice people. I've heard they have the highest literacy rate and lowest crime rate of all the Central American countries. They keep no standing army. They've also discovered eco-tourism, and are working to conserve their country's natural beauty. All in all, a pretty together country. Is there another boogie coming up? I wouldn't mind going.

[Jib 0]

San Jose is a shithole

Corcovado N.P. -- I was in Drake Bay and loved it. (flew in from San Jose) Wish I would've taken a boat to the Sirena station in the middle of the park with a guide.

Arenal Volcano -- can get fogged over, shots out molten boulders. Sit in the Tabacon springs and stay at the place up on the hill. (The National Geographic lodge side is dormant last I heard, but I hiked around in the old boulders in the park on that side.) I didn't think the waterfall was worth the hike but others love it. Bring water and park next to the entrance if you go (ignore the park here people).

Monteverde -- find out if they still have the zip lines. Go watch Quetzals (birds). Unmarked dirt road from San Jose -- you want a Cherokee! Also, get insurance and inspect the car very well. Otherwise, you'll be paying for flat tires, broken radios, screwy windows, etc.

There is supposed to be petty crime -- leave nothing in the car. Most Ticos spoke English; so, don't worry.

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[surfers98 0]

Just got back from another surf trip there. I agree with all the above suggestions but would add Montezuma, Mal Pais/Santa Theresa, all located on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.

As for the DZ, it was supposed to be in Playa Esterillos, just south of Playa Hermosa (south of Jaco). I went hunting for it with a Costa Rican friend of mine from the area and no one in the area knew anything about it. Let's just say I'm glad I didn't have my rig down there with me.

Have fun, it's a beautiful and safe country.

[davedlg 0]

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San Jose is a shithole

Agreed

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Corcovado...Wish I would've taken a boat to the Sirena station in the middle of the park with a guide.

I backpacked from dos palmas into sirena and along the black sand beach to Madigral. It was the highlight of my trip! Lots of walking though.

I wasn't terribly impressed by Monteverde. It was small, espensive and too touristy. Arenal was even more touristy than Moteverde, however seeing the volcano offset a lot of it. I loved the waterfall. We got there as soon as it opened in the morning and had the place to ourselves.

We took busses everywhere and had no problems getting where we needed to go.

[freeflir29 0]

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Most Ticos spoke English; so, don't worry.

I'm sure...BUT......I have found that people treat you VERY differently in most countries when you at least make an effort to speak their language. Highly true in Latin America, Asia, and some European countries. In fact.....in Asia and Eastern Europe the chicks COMEPLETELY dig it when you can hablo. In Latin America it tends to cut down slightly on the "Gringo" comments. They'll still call you that.....just out of earshot.

[Jib 0]

Everyone I met was very nice in Costa Rica. Then again, they were in France too, well except for three assholes.

--------------------------------------------------
the depth of his depravity sickens me.
-- Jerry Falwell, People v. Larry Flynt

[freeflir29 0]

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Then again, they were in France too, well except for three assholes.

You only found 3 assholes in all of France? C'mon!?!?!?!?!

[Douva 0]

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I would seriously consider retiring down there if they had skydiving.

There is a DZ near Jaco.

I hope this is the right link:

http://www.skydivecostarica.org

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.

[LouDiamond 1]

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I've heard they have the highest literacy rate and lowest crime rate of all the Central American countries. They keep no standing army.

I believe that to still be true. Their president is a West Point grad is very pro US. I trained the Presidential security force and the regular police back in the day. CR doesn't have an Army but they do have a fairly large police force that can operate pretty much like an Army if needed .They do have average street crime but it isn't as bad as some places I've been to. San Jose is a city like many cities in between "small" and "large" I had a fantastic time in the city, the partying is off the hook once you figure out where the hot spots are and the women are very beautiful and friendly. Take some good clothes because some of the clubs there rivial the velvet rope clubs here and the people dress nicely. I know where your friend lives and it is nice once you start moving up the mountain, it is cooler. That area is more artisian, crunchy, tree huggerish but middle to upper classish. If you get the chance check out a place called Key Largo if it is still around. If you don't have a good time in CR, there is something wrong with you.

"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required"
Some people dream about flying, I live my dream
SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING

[GrumpySmurf 0]

Yep - several times.
Jumped with the group out near Jaco - super friendly people - they like thier beer and the only rule was that there aren't any rules.

Oh yeah - Imperial - ask for it by name
One thing to keep in mind - lock everything, absolutely everything. They have little to no violent crime to speak of - but if it can be stolen, it will be.

And aye, the Ticas are not hard on the eyes.

[Thanatos340 1]

I have been to Costa Rica 8 Times over the past 4 Years. The country is Great and the people are very friendly. One of the few countries where they actually like Americans.
If you do happen to get stuck in San Jose, Go to El Pueblo. It is a HUGE Night Club Complex where people come from all over Central America to Party. There are 40 to 50 different night clubs in this one maze of walk ways.
Tica`s (Costa Rican Women) are beautiful. You will fall in love over and over again. I think they have a Law against Ugly women there because you really have to look to find one.
Other places to check out are Tabicon (Hot Springs by Areanal - The Volcano that erupts at least once an Hour). Nothing like soaking in the 100+ degree water drinking an Imperial (The Local Beer that is not too bad) and watching the Volcano shoot sparks and Lava a couple hundred feet in the air. There is another Hot Spring called Baldi that is less touristy and has a better view of Arenal that is also worth checking out. There is a Place called Valle Escondido on the way that is alot of fun too. They have the best Canopy Tour in Costa Rica with some killer Zip Lines.
Also if you are a single guy, You Have to atleast check out the Blue Marlin Bar in San Jose atleast once. Very interesting place.

[bbarnhouse 0]

Well I am taking vacation in January! Was looking at a sweet little place that I know of in Honduras....CR ..hummmmmmmm