I spent a couple of weeks backpacking in Costa Rica during the rainy season (specifically, August - September). I had a fabulous time and learnt a lot about living on a budget. It is possible to live on around $15-17 dollars a day if you don't mind cutting back on the activities you do. One ... Read review
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Advantages: Scenery, friendliness of people, public transport, beaches! Disadvantages: Cold showers, more expensive than rest of S.America, mosquitoes
I spent a couple of weeks backpacking in Costa Rica during the rainy season (specifically, August - September). I had a fabulous time and learnt a lot about living on a budget. It is possible to live on around $15-17 dollars a day if you don't mind cutting back on the activities you do. One thing you will have to get used to is converting prices from colones to dollars to pounds. Generally, if a price is given in dollars straight away, be wary because ... ...I visted Monteverde, San Jose, Ciudad Quesada (In San Carlos), Montezuma and Tamarindo. Out of all these places, Montezuma was my favourite. We stayed in a hostel called Hotel Lys which I would not recommend at all. It was filthy and the manager was extremely unwelcoming. However, the beach was amazing. Quiet and beautiful with shallow, warm waters. The town itself is tiny and travelling to it on public transport is something of a trek though. more
I spent a couple of weeks backpacking in Costa Rica during the rainy season (specifically, August - September). I had a fabulous time and learnt a lot about living on a budget. It is possible to live on around $15-17 dollars a day if you don't mind cutting back on the activities you do. One thing you will have to get used to is converting prices from colones to dollars to pounds. Generally, if a price is given in dollars straight away, be wary because its probably hugely marked up for tourists.
I visted Monteverde, San Jose, Ciudad Quesada (In San Carlos), Montezuma and Tamarindo. Out of all these places, Montezuma was my favourite. We stayed in a hostel called Hotel Lys which I would not recommend at all. It was filthy and the manager was extremely unwelcoming. However, the beach was amazing. Quiet and beautiful with shallow, warm waters. The town itself is tiny and travelling to it on public transport is something of a trek though.
Monteverde is a huge tourist development, but interestingly enough only really groups together things you can do in any number of other towns. Again, its hard to get to, but the town is large and very tourist-y. I went on an ATV ride and zip lined over the forest, both worth the money I paid but by no means cheap. I paid $20 for a morning's ATV ride, which definitely cured a hangover! The ATV ride wasn't as difficult as I'd expected, I quickly got the hang of it and absolutely loved it. I felt safe at all times as Joe (ATV guide) was always around to pull you out of a ditch. During the ATV ride, we also stopped for a free milkshake at the cheese factory and to play with Joe's monkey friend who posed for pictures and sat on people's heads! The ziplining was again about $20 and physically quite draining. The harness wasn't exactly comfortable, but I never felt like I could fall or be injured. The guys operating it were friendly (I think they enjoyed having a group of young girls to look after...) and the experience was totally worth the money. About half way through the 20 lines the cloud came down and you literally couldn't see more than 4m in front of you, where the cable just disappeared into cloud. It was the experience of a lifetime.
Tamarindo is almost totally Americanized. I stayed in Hostel Playa Tamarindo, which has to be the nicest hostel in existence. I really cannot recommend it enough! The beach is, again, fantastic and there's plenty of nightlife. If you're looking for an authentic Costa Rican experience though, this probably isnt it. Having said that, its a really nice place to spend a few days relaxing, and its good for budget living.
San Jose is a really nice city, I only really stayed there en route to other places. (Generally you have to go into San Jose to get buses to other places). I can recommened the hostel Tranquilo Backpackers, the staff are helpful, it has hot showers and they will store your luggage for you whilst you travel. They also offer free internet access! The best thing to visit in SJ is the market where they sell all the tourist type souvenir stuff - but the prices are controlled so you get a fair deal.
Costa Rica is the most beautiful country I've ever seen, I totally recommend it as a destination for travellers. Even in the rainy season, I got sunburnt - be warned. The sun is incredibly strong!
Advantages: Sun, sea, sand, shopping, nightlife, beautiful scenery, friendly people Disadvantages: Sunburn, variation in hostel quality, travel is hard work, dengue fever
stay if you're young/travelling. Clean, with air conditioning, kitchen facilities and a lounge area with huge television and bean bags. The bathrooms aren't that great and its cold showers only, but its generally so hot that that's a good thing!
Have a great time if you visit CostaRica - you really should! ...
Advantages: Pretty town, not too far from San Jose, with good weather Disadvantages: Not a lot to see in town, and tours can be pricy
served by public busses, but I would recommend a mini tour or hiring a car since said busses are not too comfy (or air conditioned), take various detours, and may be full of criminals, though that's a tale for a later review.
CostaRica is a dual currency country which is pretty darn confusing. In La Fortuna, generally anything cheap, or anything a local might want (like stuff in the supermarket, or in some touristy shops) will be priced in Colones, and anything expensive, like the tours, or spa treatments, will be in US Dollars. However, you can always use both, you just have to ask if the price advertised is not in the currency you want to use. If you can, travel with both since the varying exchange rates mean sometimes one currency represents significantly better value. I only had Colones cash, but I also had a (UK) credit card ...
