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Would it be too "tourista" to carry an umbrella for the rain. Going down next week. Don't want to look like a WOOS.

Thanks for you input.

Carrying an umbrella is definitely not "Turista" at all, just get a dark blue or black type that collapses to a small size and is pretty inconspicuous, then You will fit right in, LOTS of Ticos carry them.They are available at Wal-Mart, pretty cheap i sometimes take an extra or two to give as gifts Good Luck!

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"You only live ONCE but it does help if you get to be young TWICE"
¨You cannot love life until you live the life you Love

Greetings from the Hotel Presidente. Quite a few of the locals seem to carry the small fold up umbrellas as well as the reqular size. It has rained an hour or so the last three days I've been here (afternoon or evening). So it can come in handy.

Enjoy,

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MidnightRider

It is very easy to spot a tourist during green season there the one without an umbrella

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

I always go in the green season and always bring an umbrella. It has been a real asset on more than one occassion. Pack a small travel type, you will be glad you did.

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Tunaman

Go to TJ MAXX..they usually have some good quality ones very cheap.

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My life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming...." MAN....WHAT A RIDE!!!!"

I purchased mine in San Jose.
They are readily available at a good price , you don't need to pack it and you help out the local economy.

The Nuck

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Throughout the history of mankind there has never been one shred of evidence that supports that life is serious..........
Don't believe everything you think ............

I've often gotten one at Universal, either on Avenida Central or in Sabana Sur. The problem with the little foldup jobs is that when you get in a real tropical downpour, they do little other than help you breathe. I got thoroughly chilled one day when walking home from Paseo Colon to Sabana Sur when 1 or 2 inches of rain fell while I walked the quarter mile. I've seen the courtyard get about 2 inches of water in it in 20 minutes at Aparthotel el Sesteo, and that is soaking into the grass. Some years it really rains during the "Green Season." The heavy ribbed umbrellas work MUCH better, and are easy to find and cheap.

FYI roads around Cartago, a few miles south, have gutters that are several feet deep and several feet wide with small bridges over them. CR is in the tropics, when it rains, sometimes it doesn't mess around.

Very true they are not meant to keep you absolutely dry in a downpour for that carry a golf umbrella. What they are designed to be are a very easy to carry item that will allow you to stay dry until you find a place to duck into to weather the storm.

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

The reason I like the fold ups is I can stick it in my single medium sized suitcase. I don't like to drag a lot of stuff with me. I don't plan on any long walks in the rain either. I am sure the full sized ones are much better but a real pain in the ass to travel with. I always see these guys who take surfboards and fishing gear with them and feel sorry for them to have to babysit their belongings. Purely a matter of ease of mobility for me.

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Tunaman

When I go to MasXMenos to buy the chocolates, pop and other things I need and I usually pick up an umbrella there.

I get the compact one as it is easier to carry. I usually end up getting 2 or 3 as I leave them at different places.

Althought the trip in May was the first one I used the same umbrella the whole trip.

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"Life isn't like a box of chocolates...it's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your ass tomorrow." SP

I buy the largest, longest one I can find. Preferably with a straight, padded handle.

I find it's really one of the best weapons to carry around with you at night. It's inconspicous because it's only an umbrella, but if you carry it like a baton at half grip, you can you it the same way they teach in Philipino stick fighting, if asaulted And the street urchins think twice about coming up to you when you use it as an extended arm to say, "Keep your distance from me."

Who's the easier target? The fat drunk guy, or the fella walking around with a three foot stick/umbrella cocked under his arm like a rifle?

Greetings from the SL,

As hard as it's raining at the moment an ark would be more appropriate. Probably would get soaked with any kind of umbrella. This has happened twice in a week. Be prepared for that sort of thing and seek shelter in the nearest bar .

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MidnightRider

Almost like clockwork this time of year...from 2-5PM carry an umbrella...and yes, a big one for big downpours.