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I just returned from el Cajon. Spent the month of February there.
It is the first time we did not rent a car and found getting around by bus was very easy and inexpensive. Once you figure out the bus schedule you can go anywhere in Costa Rica.
The market on Friday and Saturday is wonderful with all the fresh fruits and vegetables. The market at the bus station in Grecia has all kinds of meat, fish, fruits, and vegetable also on a daily basis… besides the normal grocery stores in Grecia.
Depending on where you are staying in el Cajon you may just want to hop on the bus to Grecia to warm up. The higher you are the cooler it gets so often a sweater is worn.
Love the area and with the weather we are getting in Maryland right now…I think I came home a week or two, too early.
The Caravan Tour is a great introduction to Costa Rica. The hotels are first rate, the food good. You see top tourist spots with a knowledgeable guide. The buses are comfortable with drivers who know what they are doing. It is structured but with enough time to do your own thing if you want. There are no additional costs except for drinks and tips for driver and guide. And of course your airfare. I have done the tour three times and recommend it as an introduction to CR if you are thinking about moving there or to see the country you are living in if you have already moved there. After the Caravan Tour you will have an idea of the area of Costa Rica that you might be interested in. Once narrowed down then George’s tour or another tour in the location of your choice. You will not beat the price.
To add a little to what Dave has said…HSBC charges an 890 colones fee for using the ATM machine…yesterday when HSBC had a computer glitch, I walked up the street to the Costa Rica bank and made my withdrawal with no 890 colones fee mentioned. My bank back home has fees for international withdrawals that have just been increased but still within reason.It is worth the fees to be able to get money so easily. Of course you have to have the money in the bank to take it out:D.
What is holding me back is the fact that I do not speak the language. I have spent time in Costa Rica and will return yearly for a month or two at a time, but I am not willing to give up the ease of living in the States. I am uneasy when in a crowd of people and not understanding the language around me. Yes, it happens here in the States but I can control my exposure to that, in Costa Rica it is anytime I am shopping, dining, or sight seeing. In reading this forum, many bring the same wants from the States wishing to change those around them. I love the Ticos and would not want to change them. The ones I have met have been wonderful and thankfully spoke English. To be fair to them, and because I think all those who come to the States should speak the local language, I will not be moving to Costa Rica full time but enjoying the country as a warm weather get-away from cold, damp, Maryland winters.
I have been traveling to Costa Rica for the past 5 years. I will be down again in February for a month. I love my dogs enough to leave them at home. The only way I would expose them to the dangers (dog dangers) of Costa Rica would be if I moved there on a permanent basis. Our dogs build up immunities to the germs they are constantly exposed to…not tropical ones. Think of how the Indians died in North America when exposed to the European germs. For me it is not worth the risk to expose my dogs to the possibility of bug bites, snake bite, water germs, and even the sudden temperature change. I look forward to leaving my 19 degree weather here in Maryland, but I do not look forward to leaving my dogs at home. But I will, as I think it is best for them.
I have two dogs that I love dearly. It is very hard to leave them home when I spend time in Costa Rica…but for their own good – they stay in the states. I have a wonderful friend that looks forward to dog sitting them in her home. I weighed the pros and cons for bring them to the beautiful country of Costa Rica but thought that the risk out weighed the benefits. If I ever move there on a full time basis, of course then it is a different issue and they will be with me from the start. When I am in Costa Rica, I make sure there are dogs around that can give me my dog fix.
Hold on AlbertoB. I am retired and enjoy coming to CR for longer than two weeks. This year I am going to be there for two months, spending money – enjoying myself. CR is a great escape from the cold US. I am so ready to visit again and see some great people that I have met on previous trips and make new friends both Tico and expats. If limited to two weeks, I would be looking elsewhere as I hate airports.
Jeanne
I am quite aware that China is donating the stadium…donating the stadium means local laws can be ignored? There is no free lunch…what other strings are attached? Oh yes, cut ties with Taiwan, no visit from the Dali Lama, “manana” is part of the charm of CR As far as corruption, China is no angel – just ask someone who lost a child or a pet due to the food contaminations exported by China.
Tracy, Dave is right. You do not need to bring a lot of cash with you if you have access to your bank account through the ATM machines. My husband and I spent a month in CR using the ATM machine getting colones until we were ready to head home then got dollars. Worked really well. When we got our bank statement the exchange rate was very favorable with only a small transaction fee for each withdrawal. Most ATM machines were enclosed in a locked area where you had to use your card to get inside. Use the same caution that you would use in the states and do not leave your brain at the airport. This goes not only for the ATM machines but for getting around CR. CR drivers are no worse or better than New York City or Boston drivers. The roads in the countryside are narrow with drop off on the sides. Between cities it is much like our own freeways, except people are allowed to walk across, bicycles are allowed and once in a while you will see a person on horse. You just stay aware. It is a great country with kind people and beautiful landscapes that can lull you into thinking you are in paradise. Just do not be foolish and you will have a wonderful time. Check with the hotel for tours in the area where you are staying. I highly recommend the Caravan tour group that is all inclusive for 10 days traveling highlighting many sites, but you can do much of the same on your own. Zip line and tram through the rain forest are high on my list of things to do. Enjoy your stay. The Caravan tour should be arranged before you leave the states as can other sightseeing groups.
It took several days to adjust to Tico driving but both my husband and I did. We had a wonderful time exploring the Central Valley area. Whereas the drivers are a little crazy, there is reason to be driving down the middle of the road. The road surface could be a little rough at times. The drivers always got on their own side of the road when it was necessary. Watch out for the motorcycle riders all the time, but really at night when they like to ride without their headlights on. The only close call we had was while following a truck with cement blocks on the way to Arenal, and he lost the load on a curve just ahead of us. All was well but the road was tied up for a bit. The only problem with the trip was that it only lasted a month…next year I will be visiting for 2 months. By the way we do appreciate the road in Maryland much more now than we did prior to our trip.
