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My BF and another couple and I are planning to come to CR in August for a week or so. BF and I are checking out areas for a foreign retirement (as the list gets narrowed down, we’ll spend longer periods of time in each) and this will be our first trip to CR.
We plan to spend most of our time around Arenal, but we also want to visit a beach for 2-3 days. We’re in our 50s-60s, not surfers, but do want to get wet and do some wading.
We don’t want the “American tourist” sterilized beach experience with zero interaction with locals, overpriced food and no semblence of reality.
In retirement we’d be living frugally, so we want to get as close to a realistic view of CR as possible. But we also want to be as safe as possible, both from crime and riptides.
I know crime and riptides happen everywhere, and to be vigilent, etc, but I don’t want to plant us in the middle of a beach area where those chances are marked/increasing.
My first thought had been Manuel Antonio, but the deeper I dig online it’s looking like drug traffic is increasing in that area and crime is getting worse. The more research I do the more confused I get.
Again, I know no area is safe, petty crime happens everywhere, be aware of riptide conditions and all that.
But does anyone have any recommendations of beach areas that balance out somewhat safe “swimming”, no rampant crime and still not be an over-condo’d, charmless tourist trap? Thanks for any advice!
Karen
Hi Karen,
If you want an “unsterilized” beach community/town, I would suggest Playa del Coco or the neighboring town of Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste area.
My wife and I own two condo’s in this area and love it first for the people, second it’s a working harbor/fishing town etc.
You mix heavily with the locals and there is a good mix of tourists from just about any place in the world.
It’s also a short 20 minute ride from the Liberia airport. Further, during Jan-April it’s guaranteed sun, no rain and no humidity.
Crime is low and you can feel safe walking just about anywhere.
Bottom line, we love it there and it sounds spot on for what you might be looking for.
Check it out for a couple days and it won’t take long to get the feel for the place. If you want more info, I would be happy to provide.
Good Luck!
Rick
Here is a link to the publication of [url=http://qcostarica.com/edition/2013/03/24/how-safe-are-costa-ricas-beaches/]the safe and not so safe beaches[/url]. Take this info with a pinch of sea salt.
If you want to mix with the Ticos the first thing I would ask is how is my Spanish. While many of them understand a little English some hesitate to use English because of pronunciation issues but others welcome the opportunity to use what English they know and improve their skills.
I spoke no Spanish when we moved here and communicated with a young lady by using an internet translator. My Spanish is still poor after 5 years here and when they hear my Spanish they tend to smile and open up with what English they know.
With few exceptions Ticos are among the friendliest and most helpful people you will ever meet and there always seems to be someone close by who is willing to help translate.
Enjoy your trip, it is a wonderful country.
I know the important words like cerveza and baño. 😉 But the other couple going with us is slightly better, able to string together basic sentences and limp though casual conversations.
Thanks to all for the suggestions/help. I was afraid the entire Nicoya peninsula was just all tourists and Ticos only working the hospitality industry, not much “real life” going on. It’d definitely be an easier area to get to than the southern part of CR, I’m not sure yet if we’ll have a car or not. Anyway, any other suggestions are definitely appreciated!
Karen
[quote=”3dogsrule”]I know the important words like cerveza and baño. 😉 But the other couple going with us is slightly better, able to string together basic sentences and limp though casual conversations. Karen[/quote]
Baño or Bañarse will get you a shower but servicios will let them know directly what you need. 😆
Please check your “Inbox” for a Private Message (PM) I just sent to you. The “Inbox” link is at the top of this page, just under the orange banner line.
Good Hunting![b]3dogsrule[/b] living here legally requires residency, which requires unmarried couples to apply sererately. You may want to check out the [url=http://www.costaricalaw.com/residency-general-information-and-summary.html]requirements[/url]
Thanks again everyone for the tips! Where I was initially avoiding the whole Nicoya peninsula because I was scared it’d be wall-to-wall faux touristy crap, y’all have convinced me that there’s some “real life” to be found there. I haven’t discussed it thoroughly with the others yet, but I’m thinking we’ll spend a couple of nights in Samara and probably one night in Playa del Coco or Hermosa on our way back to the airport.
Thanks also Costaricafinca about the marriage tip. My BF and I have been together about ten years, but we’ll probably bite the bullet and tie the knot before we seek residency (or buy property) in a foreign country. Great link to the most up-to-date info I’ve seen on residency info, thanks for that!
As our plans firm up I may be asking for some more tips, I appreciate everyone’s hospitality!
😀Karen
Keep in mind that living at the beach can mean hot, humid and higher electricity costs due to the use of A/C.
[quote=”costaricafinca”]Here is a link to the publication of [url=http://qcostarica.com/edition/2013/03/24/how-safe-are-costa-ricas-beaches/]the safe and not so safe beaches[/url]. Take this info with a pinch of sea salt.[/quote]
costaricafinca is 100% right to say – [b]”Take this info with a pinch of sea salt.”[/b]
If you read the accompanying narrative it has little to do with “crime” and more to do with proximity to medical facilities! To wit:
[i]”Some of the conditions taken into account in the report are the proximity to medical clinics (known as EBAIS in Costa Rica), access to emergency services like ambulance and fire and police protection. Gutiérrez explains they took into account “real potential dangers”, like if the beach has a defined evacuation route.”[/i]
I’m sure that others will chime in to defend their areas, but as far as our neighbor, Playa Carrillo, is concerned I can assure you that both Samara & Carrillo have EBAIS clinics, a police station, ambulance service (like anywhere else in CR, be prepared to wait a while) and both communities have a defined evacuation route: It is simply stated – If a tsunami warning – “GO UP!”, if an earthquake is happening “GO OUTSIDE!” Both worked well on Sept 5th during one of the top 5 earthquakes in the world last year!!!!
I would suggest that this article and listing is seriously flawed. A couple of the “safer” beach areas are only accessible by boat, so how is there any “defined evacuation route” in the face of a Tsunami? Sure, some of the more developed, more populated, more “condo’d”, more touristy areas may have better medical and a “defined evacuation route” (for what the study doesn’t say), but please read what the original poster is asking about and looking for.
I would recommend Playa Hermosa, where I currently live, and Playa del Coco, were my boat is moored. The area consists mostly of Ticos, Ticas, expats, and very few tourists. If you like the beach-town feel, only a handfull of people on the beach, these two areas would be worth a visit.
[quote=”3dogsrule”]Thanks again everyone for the tips! Where I was initially avoiding the whole Nicoya peninsula because I was scared it’d be wall-to-wall faux touristy crap, y’all have convinced me that there’s some “real life” to be found there. I haven’t discussed it thoroughly with the others yet, but I’m thinking we’ll spend a couple of nights in Samara and probably one night in Playa del Coco or Hermosa on our way back to the airport.
Thanks also Costaricafinca about the marriage tip. My BF and I have been together about ten years, but we’ll probably bite the bullet and tie the knot before we seek residency (or buy property) in a foreign country. Great link to the most up-to-date info I’ve seen on residency info, thanks for that!
As our plans firm up I may be asking for some more tips, I appreciate everyone’s hospitality!
😀Karen[/quote]
Playa Hermosa is beautiful…I loved it there. The one big drawback for me…the extreme heat. If you love it hot, hot, hot, that’s the place. Keep in mind that a/c costs will be very expensive at the beach.
The Lake Arenal area is beautiful…more temperate weather, more rain so more green and it’s not that far from the NW coast if you wanted to go to the beach for a weekend. Lots of sun but also lots of rain to keep it green.
My favorite beach is Playa Preciosa in Puerto Jimenez on the Osa. It’s a very long way but, in my opinion, it is the most beautiful beach area I have ever seen in CR. So unspoiled, so vast with beautiful macaws flying all over. It felt like the end of the world.
There is no perfect place in CR or anywhere else. You just have to find what speaks to you. Have fun!
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