www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Hi everyone

Been reading a bunch of stuff on the forum. And I'm about to head to Costa Rica in early January. I know I should of posted sooner but I procrastinated haha. Anyway I just wanted some input or advice on things I should do there. Or stuff I should definitely try that I'll end up regretting cause I didn't know about.

So far these are the stuff I want to do
1. Waterfall Repelling
2. Zip Line near the volcano
3. Definitely Scuba Diving ( Lots of it! and possibly get certified while I'm doing it?)
4. Hot Spring
5. ATV or horseback riding?
6. Water rafting? ( It's only me and my brother, Is it worth trying to do this? It's usually a 4 man or more boat right?)
7. Deep Sea Fishing ( I want to catch a humongous fish that's taller than me haha)

I don't really have any hotels booked or transportation booked yet. Mainly not sure on where exactly to go for each of the activities. So far I'm looking at Monteverde cause thats where the volcano is at. Where is a good place for Scuba Diving? I don't have a certification yet. So I know I can't go to those super deep dives. So places with reefs and places you can go snorkeling but with scuba gears. I'm trying to get as much of the activies done in a single place. So I don't have to travel much. That and I want to spend some time relaxing on a beach, and spending time with some babes (If you know what I mean)

Anyway Thanks for reading and any advice you guys can give me.



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Edit
Sorry another question, How is transportation anyway? I seen some stuff online about roads are horrible so a 2-3 hour travel would actually take like 5-6 hours. Not sure if that's being exaggerated or not.

Hope your staying for a couple of weeks! It's a small country, but it takes time to get around it. Everything on your list can be done, but it'll take a while. Why not, right?

That is quite an ambitious schedule...you will need some time to accomplish all of that. Forget Monteverde...there is no volcano or hot spring nearby. You can take a 4X4/Boat trip from Monteverde to Arenal where you will find those two things but by car, that is at least 4 hours drive no matter how close it looks on a map.

Most of what you want to do can be accomplished in two places. First, Arenal for the waterfall repelling, zip line near a volcano, hot spring, ATV riding, horseback riding and river rafting (although it isn't great up there). Check out www.arenal.net

The rest of what you want to do can be accomplished in Jaco including ATV tours, horseback riding, white water rafting and deep sea fishing not to mention the beach and babes you mentioned.

Scuba isn't a big thing here unless you go way offshore or around Drake Bay. There are some shorter day dives out of Quepos.

As for transportation, I obviously suggest me.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

Thanks for the info. I'll look into Quepos for scuba diving since it's closer to Jaco. And I've contacted the guys from arenal.net about the tours that they do. And If the river rafting not really that great than I'll just pass on it.

Hopefully I'll just get the Waterfall Rapelling, Zip line, and hot spring at Arenal.
Then travel to Jaco to relax for a bit and hopefully some deep sea fishing
Then Quepos for scuba diving!

Based on everyone reaction I might have bit off more than I can chew. haha. So I'll leave off the ATV/Horseback and River rafting. But if I change my mind, it's nice to know I can still do it in Jaco.

PVT did a great job of defining the activities and limits of your itinerary. You sound like a guy who might enjoy bungee jumping... you can find that too in La Fortuna (Arenal). http://www.visitcostarica.com/ict/paginas/bungee.asp I've seen the platform, but decided to take a pass on the jump.

I drove the Arenal, Jaco & Quepos circuit a year ago, and the roads are in great shape... and the road conditions overall in Costa Rica are a vast improvement from 10 years ago. The only driving hazard I encountered was fog on the road from San Ramon to La Fortuna.

David, you're correct about underestimating driving times in Costa Rica. The roads are narrow and winding and most major highways run through San Jose like spokes in a wheel. A great example of what I am talking about is the drive from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (on the Caribbean coast) to Dominical (on the Pacific coast). As the crow flies, the distance between those two locations is only 75 miles. But since there are no roads over the Talamanca mountain range in the south, a trip from Puerto Viejo would take you north up the Caribbean coast to Limon, and then West over the Central Mountain range towards San Jose, then southwest on the Interamerican Hwy to San Isidro de General before the last stretch (Hwy 243) to Dominical. This is a distance of over 200 miles at speeds between 20 -40 mph. The trip takes the better part of a day weather and traffic permitting.

What I meant was the rafting around Arenal isn't that good BUT it is VERY good around Quepos.

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The only thing that matters is happiness in all it forms...

My crew did the waterfall rappel in Jaco, and it was quite fun. There is a bungee jump off the Colorado Bridge (they pick up from San Jose).

A question to the OP: are you interested in any mongering on this trip, or is it strictly an adventure vacation? *IF* you are looking for the other side of the coin, then you need to think about location, location, location.

Either way, you're going to have a fun time in CR.

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bypassin' kinky, and usin' the whole chicken!!!

There is good rafting but it is mostly EAST of San Jose and most of the other items mentioned will take you WEST to the coast.

Any hotel in San Jose can hook you up with tours. They will make a few pickups and bus you all to the river.
The Pacuare River would be your best bet.
http://www.exploradoresoutdoors.com/pac ... fting.html

http://www.rainforestadventure.com/cost ... xcursions/

Most tours are day-long adventures. If you want to also enjoy some nightlife you're going to wear yourself out quickly so better to pace yourself and plan some downtime to recharge.

Have fun.
Wit

I didn't know they had bungee jumping too! And now that I know about the rafting I really want to go now. Too bad I don't have that much time. I'll try and reorganize on what I want to do the most and do the other stuff, the second time I come back.

And the question about mongering. I'm tempted to just stay in San Jose the whole time. But I figure with the first night there, and then Jaco during the middle of my trip and staying at San Jose again before my flight, would be enough time. I think haha.

And one more question. I've been looking at transportation. And all the shuttle seems to stop at 2:30PM at least the one I could find online. So I'm assuming anything after 3PM is pretty much taxi or private transfers to go to Arenal, Quepos, and Jaco? And the only public bus transportation is from san jose and jaco. but not Quepos or Arenal. So pretty much if I want to travel in the evening to get to my next destination, I have to pretty much pay out 200ish every time?

Also thanks everyone for all the info so far!!!

You would have to take the busses from San Jose to get to Jaco or San Isidro to catch other bus lines to get to Quepos, or San Ramon or Naranjo to get to La Fortuna (Arenal).

If you need flexibility in your travels, I would highly recommend renting a car. They are not too expensive, and the routes you are planning are pretty easy to drive. Although a private driver and car/van is the most relaxed and carefree way to go, this form of transportation gets expensive on a multi-leg trip. And then, unless you plan on keeping your car and driver, you will be need to find transportation at your destination. I mean, any trip can be planned that will meet a budget. It basically depends on what you want to do once you get to your destination(s). A group of guys who want to spend a few days whoring, drinking and fishing in Jaco, a private van and driver or the Amisstad bus might be a good choice... a guy going solo, maybe the Jaco bus or Interbus shuttle... but if someone wants to make side trips and explore the coast from Jaco to Dominical, a rental car would be the most cost-effective option.

Option 2;

Come stay at HDR, SL, Scores or Zona your first couple days. Get laid 2x to 3x a day (more if you're under 50).
Do the same the next day.

Travel to Jaco and stay at Cocal, get laid 2x to 3x a day (more if you're under 50) after all this activity, go lay on the beach if you're exhausted.

Ok, go home and check off laying on the beach as your first accomplishment of what you wanted to do. Pick another item on your itinerary, follow the same procedure, then do it your last day. Follow this methodology and in 10 trips you will have accomplished your goal...

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Don't try to understand 'em, just rope 'em down and brand 'em...

This is the kind of itinerary and options list like we haven't had in awhile, with current info on transit, etc. Congrats to all.

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

BlueDevil thanks for the help on traveling. It really helps me out alot with planning my transportation.

Netgems that sounds like an amazing plan if I had that much time and money to come back to costa rica 10 times haha. But that would be a trip to remember if I was with that many girls in such a short period of time. lol

I have scuba dove/ snorkeled several times in Jaco. The name of the shop was Herradura divers. It was located on the road to the Los Suenos Marriot Resort. If they still rent gear there are several places to snorkel between Jaco and Hermosa. Also Villa Colletas I think was the name was good for a snorkel. Lots of fish and small lobster.