
Costa Rica What to Expect
Puerto Limon, Carribean Coast, Costa Rica In Puerto Limon be prepared to have tons of beautiful little kids trying to sell you stuff. The parents send them out to make money cuz they make it so much harder to say no. Beautiful awsome place a must see...! Good tip? (0) Carate, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica Travel Like A Local The cheapest way to get between Puerto Jimenez and Carate is definitely by taking the colectivo. It’s also a great way to feel like a local. The colectivo is basically a pickup truck with a tarp fashioned over the truck bed to act as a roof / sun protection. Two wooden planks are fixed to each side of the truck bed. It’s not the most comfortable seat in the world, but it’s a fun way to travel. And be aware that the roads are unpaved so expect a bumpy ride. If you’re taking the colectivo get there early to get the best seat (the ones nearest the truck cab). They squeeze in as many people as they can for the ride so prepared to be cozy. We had 4 people sitting on each plank and three standing up, hanging off the back, then another 2 adults and 2 children smooshed into the cab along with the driver. If the colectivo fills up many times they will call for another one to pick up the passengers they can’t fit, but that’s not always possible. They turned away passengers on our trip and denied them another colectivo, another reason to get there early. The ride between Puerto Jimenez and Carate takes about 2 hours and the driver will stop for a 5 minute break halfway through the ride. The cost is $7 US one way. Leaves Puerto Jimenez for Carate: 6 am 1:30 pm daily. Leaves Carate for Puerto Jimenez: 8:30 am 3:00 pm daily. Good tip? (0) Puerto Jimenez, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica Travel Like A Local The cheapest way to get between Puerto Jimenez and Carate is definitely by taking the colectivo. It’s also a great way to feel like a local. The colectivo is basically a pickup truck with a tarp fashioned over the truck bed to act as a roof / sun protection. Two wooden planks are fixed to each side of the truck bed. It’s not the most comfortable seat in the world, but it’s a fun way to travel. And be aware that the roads are unpaved so expect a bumpy ride. If you’re taking the colectivo get there early to get the best seat (the ones nearest the truck cab). They squeeze in as many people as they can for the ride so prepared to be cozy. We had 4 people sitting on each plank and three standing up, hanging off the back, then another 2 adults and 2 children smooshed into the cab along with the driver. If the colectivo fills up many times they will call for another one to pick up the passengers they can’t fit, but that’s not always possible. They turned away passengers on our trip and denied them another colectivo, another reason to get there early. The ride between Puerto Jimenez and Carate takes about 2 hours and the driver will stop for a 5 minute break halfway through the ride. The cost is $7 US one way. Leaves Puerto Jimenez for Carate: 6 am 1:30 pm daily. Leaves Carate for Puerto Jimenez: 8:30 am 3:00 pm daily. Good tip? (0) Mal Pais, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica most beautiful place beach in costa rica visit Good tip? (+3) Jaco, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica There are cooler places to stay than the Best Western...we stayed at a hotel closer to the action. It had a pool, a bar and a parrot in the courtyard, and we got free vouchers for the casino. Good tip? (+1) Puerto Viejo, Central Valley & Highlands, Costa Rica Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to stay. You can lay in the beach or drink a Ron with Cola at night. Don't forget to visit Maxi's at Manzanillo to have lunch!! Good tip? (+1) Jaco, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica jaco is a surfer hub in southern costa rica. Much better off going to Hermosa or Estillos Este to catch good waves. Jaco is a party town; lots of alcohol, drugs and hookers. Good tip? (+1) Puerto Cahuita, Carribean Coast, Costa Rica Walk thru the National Park next to the beach and follow the path a while to get to a big lonely beach. Be aware of the Monkeys-if u eat something they come and get agressive Good tip? (+1) Mal Pais, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica most beautiful place beach in costa rica visit Good tip? (+3) Jaco, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica There are cooler places to stay than the Best Western...we stayed at a hotel closer to the action. It had a pool, a bar and a parrot in the courtyard, and we got free vouchers for the casino. Good tip? (+1) Puerto Viejo, Central Valley & Highlands, Costa Rica Puerto Viejo is a beautiful place to stay. You can lay in the beach or drink a Ron with Cola at night. Don't forget to visit Maxi's at Manzanillo to have lunch!! Good tip? (+1) Jaco, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica jaco is a surfer hub in southern costa rica. Much better off going to Hermosa or Estillos Este to catch good waves. Jaco is a party town; lots of alcohol, drugs and hookers. Good tip? (+1) Puerto Cahuita, Carribean Coast, Costa Rica Walk thru the National Park next to the beach and follow the path a while to get to a big lonely beach. Be aware of the Monkeys-if u eat something they come and get agressive Good tip? (+1) Tamarindo, Northwestern Costa Rica, Costa Rica The Tamarindo Diria Resort is not a resort by US standards. It's a 3-story walk-up on the beach. Unfriendly staff, with the exception of the bell hops. Your rental vehicle will most likely be broken into so you might as well leave the doors unlocked and the windows down so the locks don't get busted (auto theft does not seem to be an issue). Poor water quality with high levels of bacteria at the beach. Make sure to get your hepatitis B shots and bring antibiotics and Imodium. Very hot and very dusty. Good tip? (0) Honduras, San Jose & Surrounding Region, Costa Rica If you are a frequesnt blood donor, the Red Cross will not use you as a donor for one year after visiting this location. Good tip? (0) San Jose, San Jose & Surrounding Region, Costa Rica Chloroquine is the anti-malarial of choice for most of Central America. Good tip? (0) Sabanilla, San Jose & Surrounding Region, Costa Rica Sabanilla is a bedroom community with no nightlife or other amusements in the area.
There is adequate other shops and stores nearby. There is a hardware store, a large grocery store, Liquor store and several others.
I lived there for about six months and liked the area very much. Good tip? (0) San Jose, San Jose & Surrounding Region, Costa Rica Dont go there for other than passing through! Good tip? (0) Bradt Travel Guides |