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Whew. We’re down to our last week in Costa Rica, having travelled more then 1800 kM so far. Some interesting things I’ve seen and met lots of nice people.
– After a week stay in Escazu, we went to Lake Arenal (La Fortuna). The roads to this tourist destination is great. Very foggy most of the time, but we were able to see lava flow during one of those nights that it cleared up. Early morning (6:00AM) offers a very clear view of the volcano and its smoke stack.
– I saw a very interesting, but somewhat offending scene. There was this gringo (very dorky looking and spoke english) accompanying a tica and a helper. At the caja (cashier), he saw the latest issue of national geographic and he took it and placed it in the shoulder of the helper. The cover of the magazine was a chimpanzee in an evolution like stage (I think). He then asked his girlfriend (maybe) or wife to take a picture. I hope its not these types of gringos moving here.
– The road to Monte Verde is one of the roughest there is. Basically its about 15 kM of really bad roads. After reaching Santa Elena, we decided to stay close to town and rented a villa (room with kitchen and living room) at the Los Pinos. Its a very nice looking place, but the first night, we stated noticing bugs, that looks like small cockroaches, moving on the floor. When I lifted my baby’s car seat, there were probably 10 bugs hiding and that just freaked me out. So late in the night I had to shake out all out stuff and put them all back into the car so it does not get infested. After stomping on a hundred bugs so, we went to bed worried its going to start coming into the bedroom. In the morning, the living room floor had probably a few thousand dead bugs. When I looked outside the house, the side of the villa was covered with dead ones. My guess is, they sprayed to kill these bugs before we came (I asked but they said they haven’t sprayed anything).
– I also saw the next Coronel Sanders of CR. This guy just has a small store that just sells fried chicken. Its the best I’ve tasted ever. So next time you’re in St. Elena, try to find this super pollo store, right next to chunchill bookstore. He’s open till 10 PM. Mil colones gets you a 2 piece meal (slightly less than $2).
– Our next stop was Playa del Coco. My impression is the place is not that nice looking, but they are building lots and lots of condos. I rented on condo unit and before leaving, the owner was aking me if I was interested in buying one. Apparently he has like 15 units in three different condos for sale. Lots of se vende signs, and lots more for sale without signs.
– We took a short cut route to Playa Conchial. Crossing the river the first time was a bit nerve racking, but afterwards it was just like any bad road. I would definitely recommend a 4×4 if you are taking this congo trail. The beach was nice but I had something sting me in the back and an itchy rash broke out all over my arms, legs and torso. Not very nice. I still have it and will try to see a doctor today. Its funny how you can also see a doctor (sometimes) at the pharmacy and he would give you a quick look over for free. No prescriptions needed at any pharmacy. Anyway, his advice didn’t work, allegra didn’t take the rash and itch away.
– On the way back to Manuel Antonio, we took a side trip to Guaitil, where they make nice ceramic pots. Got to see how they make them, haggled a bit on the price ($7 – $10 typically for vases, etc.) since they were so nice showing us how they do the ceramics.
– We didn’t reach Manuel Antonio from Playa Del Coco, because it was definitely a long drive. But staying at Jaco was not that bad. So much development there too. Manuel Antonio was a bit of a dissappointment, or maybe I was just really tired. One good tip is, pay for the entrance at the park. This gives you access to the nicest beaches in MA, plus since there is an entrance fee, its much less crowded.
– So we’re back now in Santa Ana. I had a nice chat with local Tico that went to college in the US. He recently moved back here with his wife to start a family and run a business. He was very encouraging about starting businesses here, there’s just so much more opportunities (from his point of view). He also recommended a few schools to check out.
– The toughest part to navigate so far is downtown SJ. We went and visited the Gold Museum and the National Theater. Somebody warned me that parking costs a lot. So when the guy asked me for tres mil colones, I gave him 30000 colones. He just smiled and said that’s too much, only 3000 ($6). The mercado central is just okay. You have to really know your way around to find what you’re looking for.
That’s about it so far. I’m beat. Today, we’re just going to rest.
Kim,
If you are still looking at schools, take the time to visit Talarke School in San Ramon de Tres Rios (East of San Jose). Call Susana Cabezas at 506 273 3353. Tell her Jerry Thompson referred you. Learning about Talarke made all the difference for us in deciding to move to Costa Rica with our three very young children. I have personally visited with four different sets of parents that have or have had their children there and all feedback has been extremely positive.
Jerry
thanks again for the insight and travel tips….are u looking forward to returning home, or are u sad to leave CR…? i always felt so sad,,,,and count the days for returning,,,,
we’ve had a few disappointments in our travels but mostly wonderful ones…such is life…we live in San Diego, CA which has the most perfect climate with no bugs but it is so crowded and expensive, that we have been on the search for a place similar to it to retire in….we found Nosara area to be to our liking,,,,not yet developed….we loved La Fortuna…but have a need for the ocean…we hope to ck out Santa Ana on our next trip….looking for a small place to live ….
again thanks for your sharing…
dThat “offending scene” you refer to is truly obscene and makes me bloody angry but, when you consider the overall situation, it’s the Gringo that’s acting like a prehistoric man, not the humble supermarket bagger.
Unfortunately there are many people who consider themselves superior to others simply because they have more dollars in their bank account than others. The possibility that they might be culturally, morally and intellectually inferior and in this case, incredibly ignorant never occurs to them…
I share your concern and like you, hope that that is not the kind of person – Gringo or otherwise – that is now coming to Costa Rica.
Scott Oliver – Founder
WeLoveCostaRica.comIn some ways I am a little eager to get back to the US. Not because I don’t like it here, but doing all that driving and travel can truly drag anybody down. I have to tell you, the most I enjoy here is when I do daily tasks of going to the groceries, cooking, watching TV, etc.
Yes, that offending scene was a display of bad taste. Although I would just assume the guy just had truly bad social skills rather than doing it for the sake of being mean.
Yesterday, I decided to see a doctor for the severe allergic reaction I had after swimming in Playa Conchial (it might be the water, or a sting on my back I got from something). Anyway, I went to CIMA and had to use their emergency service because all the doctors offices were closed on Saturday/Sunday. The attending doctor gave me a shot and pills to counter the allergy. ANyway, I have to say that CIMA is just as good as most of the hospitals in the US. Very impressive. The total bill came to $84 which included the doctor fees, shot, blood test. Not bad considering that in the US, even with my PPO coverage, it would have cost me close to that amount: $20 co-pay, $30 blood work. Medical costs int he US is really going out of control.
last summer my son had to go to a clinic for vomiting, fever,diahrea, etc….he was seen in 10 minutes, got a shot of anitbiotics, blood workup, pills,etc,,,and was done in an hour, feeling so much better and at the cost of $100….that is his emergency room co/pay in the US and u’d have to wait a few hours before being seen,,,,
i’m sure others have had experiences in CR both good and bad…but …
like the offending scene u saw with the Gringo….wait until u see the news in the states….it is all bad….and the good stories are the lamest ones a reporter can find to fill air time…oh well ….no place is perfect besides heaven….and i’d like to wait awhile before cking that out
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