www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've never been to Costa Rica, but just recently went to Rio. For anyone that's been to both places, what are the pros and cons of each?

I live in San Jose and I visited Rio a few years ago in a non-monger way. I can't compare the mongering but I did see a LOT of beautiful women in Rio. But as far as other factors go, I would say...

Rio has beaches, the beaches in CR are smaller towns at best and have little 'action.' Jaco is about it, and comparing it to Rio is like comparing an iguana to a brontosaurus.

Rio has more violent crime than CR. CR still has crime, but Rio is scarier.

San Jose, the monger center, isn't ever hot and humid. Rio is for about half the year, and it's the half when North Americans want to flee bad (cold) weather at home.

CR is a lot closer to the USA, cheaper flights, shorter flights.

Spanish versus Portugese.

Rio is one of the biggest cities in the world, San Jose isn't.

My advice is to just come to CR for a few days, see how you like it.

_________________
"The only normal people are those you don't know very well." Joe Ancis

i'll be there from jan 13th to jan 28th.
looking forward to it.

Reversecowgirl,
I've been to Costa Rica 11 times. I have also been to Rio once.

15 days in Costa Rica for a first trip is quite a bit, especially if you're going alone.

I hope you're planning to do some other things beside chase women. I say this because I think you're going to be bored and wish you had spent at least part of the trip to Rio.

The majority of the female action takes place in and around downtown San Jose. It in no way compares to Rio.

If you are in fact planning to travel around the country some (i.e. take a canopy tour, go white water rafting, tour a rain forest, see a volcano, etc) then it should all balance out.

My bottom line suggestion would be to split the trip in two and do both countries.

But that's just my opinion.
Wit

good stuff bilko....good stuff!

15 days. I'd get board. I'd bust it up with a couple of more countries on the way home. Panama, Nica...... I did an 8 hour layover in Panama on my way back to the states from CR this Sunday. I learned a cheap lesson. Don't go back. It's too damm sticky and humid for my taste.

LOL... I'm not going to chase tail for 15 days. I'm definitely going to enjoy the countryside. Surfing, whitewater rafting, volcanoes... the works.

I can book that stuff once I get to San Jose, right?

Rio Vs. CR... check out the Trip reports from all around the world section. If you have a few hours, read my trip report from last month, it's outlandishly extensive. At the end of the day, Rio blows Costa Rica away.

That does not mean Rio is where one should go. Rio requires extensive research and if you are not careful, will be more expensive. Rio is more dangerous, but you can pretty much reduce the danger element to a very small factor.

Quality and pure sexuality of women, Rio is unmatched.

Rio Termas, are an unmatchable experience. If you don't know what that is, check out the section that has Termas details in Rio.

Rio is far. Spanish can get you by, but Portuguese is not the same by any means. Rio is big. Rio will find you with less comraderie if you are traveling solo. Rio requires more time. Rio is also the "king trip"

Probably better to go to CR first if you have never been to either.

You've already won if you are going to either place.

You need to do both.

Most of all, just read the boards, you will see that most people who have been to both have their own opinions and reasons, but it's pretty much guaranteed that Rio blows everything else away, but it's good in doses as you go to other places.

I personally can't get excited to do anything aside from Rio, I've been spoiled, and i LOVED CR.

Man, that's a bit disappointing to hear. I just want to bed some quality women. I just broke up with a girl that I've been dating for quite sometime and I need to get my mojo back.

Rio was unbelievable when I went. The Termas were great. Help was pretty solid as well.

Mojo back - CR Rocks - Rio Rocks - You can't lose either way

I really like the scene in SJO and have been to both places several times. The HDR is a blast if the talent is good and the MPs are fun. The strip clubs are so so imo but it's entertaining. I think you'll have a lot to do and I would follow the advice that you should do a couple day trips. Choose your girls wisely and maximize your number of good experiences by going with your instinct and making sure you negotiate for exactly what you want. If you don't speak Spanish then type it in freetranslation.com in simple words and make sure she agrees with it. The reason that's so important imo is you just broke up with a girl. Nothing will make you miss her like getting dumped on by hookers in a foreign country. So do it right and set yourself up to be a "winner", not a loser gringo. SJO is a lot of fun and you'll probably be able to meet some guys at HDR to pal around with.

BUT, if you get bored after a week or so, call your airline and leave. Then you can spend the money somewhere else down the road. Or, check into the possibility of flying to Colombia or something from SJO for part of the time and see two places. Cartegena is probably rocking right now since it's summer.