Most likely going to Costa Rica, Tips??

[Bas]

Almost 100% sure that i'm going to Costa Rica in the end of July. This will my first holiday on another continent, can't wait!!!

I'm sure (after using the search) that quite a few members of this board have been there, and I was wondering, have you lads got any tips me? I'll be going on a 14-day trip trough Costa Rica, visiting various places in the country.

The program:

1st day = Trip from Amsterdam - San Jose.
2nd day = San Jose, and a hike through the city. We get the option to visit a crater that's somewhere near there??
3rd day = San Jose - Sarapiqui
4th day = Taking a boat trip over the sarapiqui river! (Photo's :cool:)
5th = Sarapiqui - La Fortuna
6th = La Fortuna - Montoverde (And a walk in the night to see exotic animals).
7th = Full day at montoverde, various activities.
8th = Montoverde - Rincon de la Vieja (Via Liberia with a walk on the end)
9th = Rincon de la Vieja, free day to fill in as you like. Option to take a walk through the hacienda and see nice animals and such.
10th - 12th day = Rincon de la vieja - Samara, where we will chill out 2 days.
13th day = from samara - san jose.
14th day = landing @ amsterdam...

Ok, that's the program.

Does anyone have any tips? What TO and what NOT to do in Costa Rica ?
What should I watch out for?

Regards,

Oh btw if somebody knows of any nice photo galleries of Costa Rica, let me know! I Haven't found that many so far and I'm very curious to see more pics of that beautiful country...

[bcdoug]

my itinerary would be:
1st day: straight to freddy's and learn.....
14th day: beg for an extended visa to stay at freddy's and learn more.

[rklepper]

We have been there several times and Love Cahuita. Also, we have gone to Volcano Irazu, which was a lot of fun.

[jamesdean007]

2 Words . . . . CALL FREDDY

[WorkingClassHero]

Try to go to the Osa peninsula. It's beautiful - lots of wildlife on land and in the sea and good diving and snorkeling, if you're into that.

[Naturalist]

my itinerary would be:1st day: straight to freddy's and learn.....
14th day: beg for an extended visa to stay at freddy's and learn more.

LOL
EXACTLY whay I was thinking!!! Freddy would be able to show you some Costa Rican sights that you would NEVER forget!!!! :D

[hard12find]

Looks like I was beat to the punch, but yes I would PM freddycr, and try to hook up for a day....
Jim

[Bas]

Good god! I've just searched for freddycr's posts on this forum, and damn does he have some nice women in his photos!

It is possible to extend our stay in Costa Rica with 5 days for about 320euro's a person. That means that we would stay 5 days longer in Samara! Enough time to do whatever we'd like then :)

[LotsToLearn]

Good god!

That's the usual reaction to most of Freddy's posts... and deservedly so.

[BillsBayou]

Costa Rica = Freddy

I wasn't aware there was any other reason to go.

[Hangbot]

I'm heading over to Costa Rica this Thursday night for a 10 day trip. Any advice on what lenses to bring?

[G35Driver]

dont drink the water and wear plenty of mosquito repellant

[Flo]

We were just talking about going to Costa last night instead of going to Mexico.they prices are fabulous right now. Timely question, I will use the answers you have received;)

[Flo]

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowForum-g309262-i9358-Cahuita_Province_of_Limon.html

Forums asking the questions you have asked.

[Nick_b]

Bring the widest angle lens you have and don't forget to get your head away from the view finder! ;)

I went there on my honeymoon.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_9708-1.jpg

100 degree hot springs with howler monkeys jumping around the trees above us!... we were the only ones there for about an hour!
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_9946-1.jpg

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_9619-1.jpg

Sorry for the dust.:o

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k162/nickandaline/IMG_9985.jpg


I've been to a few other vacation destinations "down south" but Costa Rica would be the only place I would go back to! I was blown away by how friendly everyone was. (still watch your back ;) )

[Billginthekeys]

Hey, ive been in those hot springs! real nice too.

Anyway, i love Costa Rica and have been there three times to a variety of locations. I too (as mentioned above) would really recommend if you can get down to the Osa peninsula in the far south it is a beautiful and unspoiled place. great fishing, beautiful beaches, an amazing rain forest system with wildlife seen nowhere else on earth. I love it so much there i am going for a week or so over my spring break just to go out in the jungle and shoot. Costa Rica is great and there are photo opportunities everywhere, a good wide angle (at least 17mm) is definitely a must as there are beautiful views everywhere. If possible a lowlight telephoto (200 2.8 at least) is recommended for the rainforest, since it is very often dark as evening under the canopy. 200 may be too short for birds and such, but it will work for monkeys, plus any other wildlife you might see un close (dart frogs). it also does not hurt to have a long (300+) lend to shoot all the birds there if you are a bird shooter like me. Non-photographically remember to bring a good light windbreaker/raincoat/parka that you can keep stuffed in your bag, because you never know when its going to rain. Also bring layers! Costa Rica can be fairly chilly in the morning and evening, especially when the wind picks up, but is really hot in the day out in the sun. also a extra pair of socks comes in handy, along with a good pair of hiking shoes. The (good) rain forest trails in the country are very rough and open, and often include crossing or following streams, so you want good grip, and should be ready to get them wet. In large cities like San Jose definitely watch your personal effects carefully, i lost a pair of pretty expensive sunglasses in the city, but most of the people are very nice, especially the tour guides and bus drivers and such. Also, it you have any sort of motion sickness problems, and i mean ANY, bring some triptone or other sickness remedy for you, because the long bus rides through curvy and uneven hills can make the most iron stomach turn. And speaking of stomach turning, i know these days it goes without saying in latin american countries, but i cannot stress this enough, DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. Bottled or nothing, i got REALLY sick from the water there, and do not wish that experience on anyone. Thats about all i can think of right now, but for sure, more than anything else, be prepared to have the time of your life!

ps if you want to see some shots browse my site in my sig.

[Nick_b]

nice Arenal Volcano shots you lucky bugger! I went but it was so foggy that day we couldn't see three feet in front of us!
Great shots though, I want to go back now. hehe

[Billginthekeys]

nice Arenal Volcano shots you lucky bugger! I went but it was so foggy that day we couldn't see three feet in front of us!
Great shots though, I want to go back now. hehe
you are right, it was foggy 99% of the time i was there, but one evening for about 20 minutes you could see the top with the rocks coming down, i made the most of it while i could!