www.CostaRicaTicas.com

From time to time there is a discussion on the board where some members indicate they feel that without mongers Costa Rica would have little tourism. The numbers just released for tourism in 2006 indicate that if each tourist stayed just one night there would be, on average, over 4500 tourists in CR each day. I doubt most of those are mongers.

From this mornings Inside Costa Rica

_________________
Pura Vida
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four
essential food groups:
alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
Alex Levine

Mongers are very much a minority and becoming more so every year. I first discovered Costa Rica as a tourist over 10 years ago long before I became a hobbyist just less than 3 years ago. I still enjoy the tourist aspects Costa Rica offers particularly on longer trips.rbc100

_________________
In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

Sorry Double post.rbc100

_________________
In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

I am sure I am not alone in that several family members who have vacationed in the northern part of the country (more of the all inclusive crowd, my family). Visit Volcano's, beaches, rain forests, etc.

Have been asked on numerous occassions for recommendations and have used the board on more than one occassion for information for them.....Not that they knew where the info came from, just assumed I had been there as most know I vacation there and do business there, In some cases this was true but not all.

IMHO, it would increase even more, if they would fix the roads and get a better handle on security issues for americans (road robbers, etc)

I have also heard but not confirmed, some MAJOR hotels have bought land in the Northern Pacific Coast with the intention of building all inclusive type resorts with touring facilities. If this is true, they must believe tourism will be increasing......

I just returned from Manuel Antonio and was blown away by the tourist growth in the area. I'll write about my drive out and back later in a more comprehensive trip report.

I agree most people who travel to CR are probably there for the volcanos, beaches, wildlife and fishing.

However, its pretty easy to pinpoint our fellow mongers/hobbyists. I was in line behind one guy to board a plane in Charlotte, thought we had something in common, and sure enough, 4 hours later he was perched at BM chatting up a tica.

IN Manuel Antonio, we stayed in a room that was hardly decent for $150/night. The bed was uncomfortable, the floors dirty albeit with a great view.

7 years ago, I stayed at Costa Verde, a hotel with a magnificent view of the Pacific and at that time the Penthouse suite was $85/night. Prices have doubled in 7 years. That same room is over $200 now. Not sure if that is because it is high season.

There is a price to pay for all of the "progress" in the tourist areas. Prices for certain things were the same as New York. I bought three cervezas at a store and it was damn near close to $6.

Oh and by the way, after picking up some girls in Quepos who wanted cien, we dropped them off at a new club on top of the hill. Later we went to check it out and could not believe the dude ranch at this joint. It was 6-1; gringos to ticas. I felt like i was back in new york.

Tourism is alive and well. Its fine by me, i just need to put on that instant tan stuff and take a lot of photos when im near nature since its such a short part of my trip.