OT: Costa Rica

22yardpunt

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Dec 20, 2009
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The wife and I are considering hauling our 2 little ones (ages 6 and 8) to CR for spring break. Does anyone have any recommendations, stories or opinions regarding their (somewhat recent) visit?? I am primarily concerned about safety down there - should I be? We plan to stay at a couple resorts
 

qball.sixpack

Redshirt
Aug 26, 2012
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First, most couples resorts don’t allow children. Hence, you may need to verify or shop for “family” resorts. I go there fishing annually on West Coast side. Never see kids where we are but it’s also in February (usually sbout 95 degrees when we step off place). We stay in a gated Marriott resort area with a marina. Not a great kid place unless you’re fishing with them. Overall though, the people, scenery, biodiversity and culture are great there. Honestly though, it’s like many spots in the Caribbean, Mexico or South/Central America—as long as you stay on the resort primarily and don’t venture too far off the beaten path you are ok. Venture off too much and there can be issues. I might consider talking to a travel agent if I were you. Have a good Bulldog referral there if needed (she does not plan my CR trips BTW).
 

SonofaHump

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Feb 21, 2017
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Kids are probably too young for that trip but if you are still inclined:

Fly into Liberia and stay in that general area. Maybe hire an outfit to take you all to Arenal after the beach. Do NOT take kids to San Jose and expect anything good to come of it.
 

22yardpunt

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Dec 20, 2009
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Thanks for that info. I think we’re looking at that same Marriott resort on the west coast. Is the drive over there tolerable?

We certainly plan to fish with my son - can we fish off the beach (either renting equipment there or brought myself)? Is 4 nights there too many perhaps?
 

Imadick

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Jan 18, 2009
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Been a dozen times in last few years like CR a lot. Not sure what the kids will. Always went as a single make and traveled the whole country with no problem. Lots of expaits. I think of San Jose as a clean NO.
 

SonofaHump

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Feb 21, 2017
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Driving around Pacific side is fairly easy with any type of 4x4 SUV. I wouldn’t risk it without 4x4. Do not drive inland with small family. Beaches are public spaces almost everywhere and you can fish from them.
 

o_Native Son

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Dec 16, 2017
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Kids are probably too young for that trip but if you are still inclined:

Fly into Liberia and stay in that general area. Maybe hire an outfit to take you all to Arenal after the beach. Do NOT take kids to San Jose and expect anything good to come of it.


I'd agree with this. Arenal area was terrific. Up to Monteverde was really good too. We rented a car outside the San Jose airport - stayed there a night on the back end too, but it wasn't nearly as good as the Arenal area (waterfalls, rain forest, volcano, hot springs were unbelievable at some resorts).
 

Michael Grove

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Nov 28, 2016
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I've had the opportunity to visit Costa Rica numerous times ( 99-13 ) almost all on missions trips but we always managed a day or 2 for recreation. Entire west coast is pretty spectacular, awesome fishing , golf and some of the best snorkeling on the planet ( not a lot for small children). Inland resorts are more geared to zip lines ( Congo Trail was always the best ) volcanoes and white water rafting, again other than zip lines not a lot for little kids. We never experienced any issues other than petty thief but we weren't out late at night either... For the most part the people are laid back, almost shy. I would definitely reccomend going but you will need to make sure there are things for the kids to do.

Mike Grove
 

missouridawg

Junior
Oct 6, 2009
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Me and the wife stayed at the JW Marriott in Guanacaste about 3 years ago. It was a nice resort and we had fun, but for smaller kids there are much better Caribbean type resorts. Check out the kids themed resorts in Jamaica or try the Atlantis in the Bahamas. The Atlantis is absolutely perfect for kids that age.

FYI - The drive from the airport in Liberia to the JW Marriott was about 1.5 hours.
 

maroonmadman

Senior
Nov 7, 2010
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I’ll second The Atlantis in the Bahamas. We took a Disney cruise last Sept. and spent a day in Nassau and rented a cabana for the day at Atlantis. The 4 year old grand baby had a blast and so did we.
 
Feb 19, 2013
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Kids are probably too young for that trip but if you are still inclined:

Fly into Liberia and stay in that general area. Maybe hire an outfit to take you all to Arenal after the beach. Do NOT take kids to San Jose and expect anything good to come of it.

This cannot be overstated. Don't go to San Jose period....but especially not with kids. The area around Liberia is great and it could be fun with kids.

ETA: I have only been to San Jose once and it was pretty brief, so I would listen to Imadick. But I didn't see anything clean about that place.....I left there thinking it was closer to a third world New Orleans.
 
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boatsandhoes

Junior
Sep 6, 2012
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I went to crocs in November. It was fantastic. I went to jaco tho that may not be the best vaca for kids. I felt safe the entire time other than in town it could get a little sketchy. Costa Rica in general is a must go....just pick a good spot for kids. I’d liken it as just a little bit safer than Mexico. A tad bit. I would do it if I were you. Not much like Costa Rica and I have been blessed to get oi world travel some. Costa Rica was def in my top 5 favorite places

Costa Rica is phenomenal.
 
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Jan 9, 2016
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Question for those that have been down there. Cost wise, what would a trip to Costa Rica run for a couple? Not on the cheap but not outlandish either. Middle of the road....Flights and all.
 

qball.sixpack

Redshirt
Aug 26, 2012
224
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Thanks for that info. I think we’re looking at that same Marriott resort on the west coast. Is the drive over there tolerable?

We certainly plan to fish with my son - can we fish off the beach (either renting equipment there or brought myself)? Is 4 nights there too many perhaps?

Los Suenos is the one I mentioned. It is about 1:15 from the airport in San Jose. You can rent houses in there (beautiful views, pools, etc) or stay at the Marriott condos. I still do not see this being kid friendly even though it’s gated and extremely safe inside. I wouldn’t recommend fishing on the beaches in this area, whether it be horseshoe bay or jaco. Honestly sorta dirty and I can’t see you catching anything. Big surfer area. CR can be expensive for groceries etc. Not what I would consider cheap by any means. I will say the charter fishing is a bargain compared to similar trips out of Venice, LA, Destin or OBA.
 

Imadick

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Jan 18, 2009
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Cost is not cheap

Question for those that have been down there. Cost wise, what would a trip to Costa Rica run for a couple? Not on the cheap but not outlandish either. Middle of the road....Flights and all.
They don't collect sales tax like here in the USA so their government is funded off taxing imports. If it is made in CR then the cost is low imported then expensive. Rum and chico's are inexpensive. Cars, clothing and imported food items are expensive. Only crime is petty theft such as pick-pockets. The medical system there is top notch very modern. People(Tico's) are friendly.
 

jb1020

Freshman
Jun 7, 2009
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We stayed in Nosara a few years ago

Just rented a house on VRBO. It was awesome, had our own infinity pool, gate around the house (which wasn't necessary), hired a local lady to come cook for us a few nights. She charged $50 and made us a 4 course meal, plus breakfast to heat up for the rest of the week. I tipped her another $50 and she about fell out. Her husband even came in to thank us. Otherwise we zip lined, took surfing lessons and just chilled on the beach. Had a fairly large earthquake one afternoon at the Guilded Iguana.

Costa Ricans are fantastic people. You'll love it.

We plan to take the kids soon. They were very young the first time so we left them at home.

Can't add anythign about resorts, but we liked having the house. It was so easy to get out and around town we liked exploring.
 

stungeon

Redshirt
Sep 5, 2008
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We went to the west coast this summer. We don't have kids and went to an adult resort. They have a wet season and a dry season. The trees are not green during the dry season on the west coast. It's not a big deal but just interesting because you would think everything would be lush year around. The other thing is the beach we were on had dark sand. We were fine with it but some people are conditioned to expect white sand. Feel free to PM me if you want any info about our trip.
 

jb1020

Freshman
Jun 7, 2009
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We unkownigly went during the wet season

We were actually there during our CWS run in 2013. From my experience I prefer the wet season. They did had really heavy rains, but it never lasted long.

Locals told us during the dry season everything was dusty and they'd spray molasses on the roads to keep the dust down. Its sounded awful.

The one thing I didn't like was how it got dark at 5:30.
 

Digging dog

Sophomore
Aug 22, 2012
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We went last summer. Opted for the all-inclusive rout. Stayed at the Hard Rock. It was new and had a great time. Have older children (19-22). Did not see a lot of younger children. There were a few though.
Recommend booking a day excursion on one of the mountains. We zip lined, horseback riding, volcanic pools, etc. the one we went to was a working coffee plantation. Lotta fun.
Be prepared to walk. Most of CR has pretty extreme terrain and lots of relief in elevation.
Good luck. Would go back.
 

L4MANDW

All-Conference
Feb 21, 2018
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Been three times, Liberia, Gua’cimo, & La Fortuna. Food is good, people are great, scenery is even better! Liberia is very rural, Gua’cimo was the hottest place I’ve ever been in my life! Kinna gotta be careful there also. La Fortuna is a tourist town. One place we ate fish there, they brought it out on fire! Best fish evvahh! Nicaragua you don’t want to visit now, civil unrest. Honduras not very safe in a lot of parts either. Never fished Costa Rica but always wanted too. Enjoy your trip. I believe you’ll enjoy most anywhere you go. Just like traveling about anywhere you go, just gotta be mindful of others, and careful. Obey the laws of the land. :)