www.CostaRicaTicas.com

There has been some recent talk about how boring the REST of Costa Rica can become after so many trips to the country by veteran mongers (but never SJ and the Gulch). However, I have to wonder how thorough an exploration most vets have really given CR. And I'm not talking about just the standard places that most normal tourist hit their first trip like
1) Arenal,
2) Monteverde,
3) Jaco,
4) Manuel Antonio and
5) perhaps one of the northern Guanacaste beaches (e.g. Hermosa, Coco, Ocotal, Flamingo, Tamarindo).
What about:
6) Puerto Viejo or Cahuita,
7) Tortuguero or Bara Del Colorado,
8 ) Cano Negro,
9) Santa Rosa or Rincon de la Vieja,
10) any of the central Nicoya beaches (Samara or Nosara),
11) any of the southern Nicoya beaches (Montezuma, Mal Pais, Sta Teresa),
12) any pacific south of Manuel Antonio (from Dominical as far down as Punta Uvita),
13) anywhere on the Osa Peninsula (Drake Bay or the southern tip near Puerto Jimenez) or
14) any southern inland area more than a days trip out of SJ (ie beyond Turrialba, the Orosi Valley or the Tapanti Reserve such as San Isidro and points south of that)

Naturally, I've left a lot out, but I suspect the vast majority of you have not even been to most of these. I also combined a lot of places to allow credit if you've been to either one (but please take credit for only one). I also didn't even mention going on more extensive side trips to neighboring countries. Finally, no one would expect most newbies to have been to all of these places, so this survey is really intended for those vets with more than 5 CR trips to their credit.

So, without further ado, here is my question:

sorta lost track but I think I am over 20 trips now...but only been to 5 on your list (1,2,5,10,11). After the novia thing kicked in, we could only get away when she wasn't working.

25 trips of two to 4 weeks each
all but three on the list
two side trips to Panama and one to Nicaragua
Colombia next month

In five trips to CR, I spent nearly all of my time in SJ.

I took a day trip (via Sansa) to MA and one day trip to Jaco via taxi. I also spent an afternoon/evening in Heridia, a few quick jaunts to Escazu and that general area, and a couple of short exploratory trips to San Pedro and Curridabat....

I've been to all of them, 4 years and 20 trips but well worth it.

Personal favorites not on the list
Papagayo and Tambor.
If you get to Papagayo I recommend the Fiesta Premier, now a Hilton hotel. Also jet ski out to Playa Juevos. The Four Seasons is close by but the caves and tidal pool are a sight to see.

Drake bay is good but prefer Guanacaste area and the Nicoya peninsula in general. Granted more touristy but the beaches can't be beat. The south seems to be more "eco touristy" IMHO.

I assume when you mention Arenal you include Tabacon. As mentioned in a different post I prefer the other hot springs there.
What about Irazu or Poas ?? How about Punta Islita or is that included in Samara ??

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Patriot: Ice Road Trucking through the Bearing Sea to recovery

In my 35+/- trips to CR, I have rarely spent extended time in SJO. I've been from coast to coast and as far down as the Panama border. (I've actually been to Panama City 3 times via bus through Paso Canoa, CR). Manuel Antonio is one of my favorite places. Jaco...too many times to count. Cartago...well, that is my 2nd home.

If you want to see CR country take the Tracopa bus from SJO to Paso Canoa. Long ride but you see many small towns along the way. Banana plantations as far as the eye can see. It's worth the experience at least once if you really say that CR has more to offer than just mongering. It costs like 5400 colonies one way from SJO to Paso Canoa. Leaves at 11am at the Tracopa bus terminal just south of the Presidente. Stops along the way for rest and typical Costa Rica meals. Approximate length of ride, 7 hours.

dapanz1

YO: Places I've been in CR

Hmmm, let me see....Shit, I can't remember all of them. Change that ! Can't remember half of them. Oh well, I'm sure they were fun....at least I hope so. Hell, I'm sure that there are some I'm glad I forgot.....especially the pig I slept with on the old train heading to the east coast. Not one of my finer moments.

Yep, they say you lose brain cells as you get older.....I've tried my best.

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Damn if I'm going to repeat this shit again. I need a drink.
I've been drinking vodka every day for 45 years and I have certainly never found it to be habit forming.

I would love to take the bus to Panama. Spectacular scenery and banana plantations for sure! It is such a different feel to get far away from central valley.

Seriously, I highly recommend it. If you are lucky, you might even get seated next to some Tica hottie. Last time I went down, 2 sisters were sitting across the aisle from me. I think they just made a weekend trip in to SJO to pick up a little extra cash. Both of them were at least 7's. They got off at Palmyra. Another, sitting near the front of the bus got off at Buenos Aires (also the town the bus stops for the restaurant). She was a 9 in anyones book. The scenery really is spectacular. Some of the out of the way places make you wonder if time has forgotten them. Paso Canoas is a different place all together. A bustling little border town with duty free shop.

dapanz1