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A friend and I a planning on a trip to CR in the fall or early winter.
I speak Spanish fairly well (Peace Corps – Venezuela, 1973-1976). Should we take a tour or wing it on our own? The tours seem to be a good value and I think may save time and effort in trying to figure where to go and when. Winging it might be more interesting though. Any comments?When one person in the group speaks the language, always wing it. That’s my creed. Tours are hit and miss. Additionally, you will be grouped with others most of whom have never lived in a foreign country and are clueless in that regard. You, on the other hand, have both lived and served in Venezuela for 3 years. Your point of view is completely different. The Ticos are mostly very nice people who are more than happy to help with directions, advice, etc. Go for it.
Yes, I would have to agree with the previous post you should just wing it. Too much to see and this is a very safe inviroment compared to Ven. Most of the hotels can point you to the car rentals and if you are planing on doing the tourist rout you won’t have any problems.
Most of the young ticos do speak some english so you won’t have problems any ways.fhmoroz is right. Wing it. If you have 10 days I always recommend renting a car and driving the following circuit:
La Fortuna: Arenal volcano & Tabacon hot springs
Guanacaste (Beaches): Flamingo, Tamarindo & others more off the beaten trail
Monteverde (Cloud forest)
Manuel Antonio (Beaches & lowland jungle)
The road to Manuel Antonio is a little rough, but you don’t need a 4X4. Others on this site may be able to tell you about the road from Arenal to Liberia (Guanacaste) around Lake Arenal. You used to need a 4X4 for that, but it might be better now.
If you have 15 days and more energy, check out the Atlantic side – Cahuita, Puerto Viejo – for a more Caribbean taste.
This tour will give you the country’s highlights. There’s much more to see, but maybe next time…
I’d wing it, too, except . . .
If the purpose of your trip here is to see if you want to relocate here, then I strongly recommend you spend four days on George Lundquist’s all-inclusive tour of the Central Valley. You’ll see more and learn more about Costa Rica in George’s care than any other way.
David and All,
Thank you for the response. The trip, for me, is partially to see if I would like the country well enough to retire there. From what I have heard from people who have visited and have read, I would not see any reason why I would not love to retire in CR.
The only drawback right now is the fact that I am only 55 and my pension would only pay me a little over $1,000/mo right now. I have heard that that would be sufficient, but am skepical even though my needs are few and I have learned to live very simply. However, I am of the mind that chucking it all here in the States may be the best option for me.
PhilPhil, if you’re thinking seriously about retiring here, and if you’ll be limited to spending $1,000 per month or so, then you’ll probably be best off planning to settle in the Central Valley. With that in mind, I think George Lundquist’s four-day tour is a must. Not only will you see every type of environment available, but George is a wealth of practical information about virtually every aspect of making Costa Rica your home.
Phil,
If after visiting CR you do decide to retire here I have a perfect house for you in a nice Tico neighborhood in Atenas. This house is a ‘steal’ and the owners have been trying to sell it for quite some time. They might even agree to a rental with option to buy at this point. Let me know and I’ll give you details.PS. I am not a realtor, just someone going househunting one day.
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