Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Random Thoughts

 

 

I have been to Costa Rica many times now and have a few thoughts I would like to share.

·         For a first time international traveler, other than Europe, Costa Rica is a great place to start.

·         It is very easy to get to Costa Rica from the US. There are many flight options from many cites into either San Jose (Capital) or other airports like Liberia. I specificly take Taca Airlines out of San Francisco. It leaves SFO at 12:30am and arrives in San Jose at 9:30am. With the time difference it is a 7 hour total trip with a short layover in El Salvador. If you can sleep on a plane you land in Costa Rica in the morning, refreshed and ready to have a full day ahead. Flights from SFO range from $600 to $800 round trip.  

 

·         The temperature is about the same all year round. They have a rainy and dry season. The dry season is close to our winter with the rainy season around our summer. Even in the rainy season it is still warm and the rain shouldn't bother you from going out.

·         The power is the same as it is in the US so you won’t need an adaptor.

·       They will take either the local currency (Colon) or the USD. ATM’s will give you the option of USD or Colonies. I usually get USD and take the change in Colonies.

·         English is spoken almost everywhere.

·         In San Jose you will not only find American fast food but also American restaurants such as Denny’s, Applebees, Outback and even Hooters.

·         You can drive but the roads and city streets are not clearly marked making it difficult to find a specific place. To get around most people refer to landmarks instead of street names.

·         Most major hotel chains can be found in Costa Rica.

·         Most people in Costa Rica are very friendly.

·         There are a lot of expats living and retiring in Costa Rica even in the smaller towns.

·         The coasts have beautiful and clean beaches.

·         The inland has rainforests, cloud forests, mountains and volcanos.

·         If you want an adventure vacation this is the place for white water rafting, zip lines, hiking, surfing, etc.

·         If you want to relax this is also the place with hot springs, beaches and spas.

·         Be aware that you will have to pay a departure tax at the airport before you can even check in for your flight. You can do this at the larger hotels, check with yours, or at the airport.

·         San Jose is a large vibrant city. It is also dangerous at day and night depending on where you are. Be careful, take taxis to get around and be aware of your surroundings.   

·         Unless you have a reason to stay in the center of San Jose I wouldn’t stay there.

·         Outside of the heart of San Jose I felt pretty safe.

·         The touristy cites like La Fortuna and Jaco are pretty safe but still be careful.

·         The resorts are safe, fun and beautiful.

·         Shop around for excursions, prices vary greatly. I mostly used the hotel I was staying at.

·         The Ceviche is the best I have ever had.

·         You can’t beat a Mojito with a beach view.  

If you have questions on anything I didn’t cover or want clarification on something I mentioned feel free to contact me.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Occidental Grand, Papagayo Gulf

On my last trip to Costa Rica I decided to try an all-inclusive resort in the Papagayo Gulf. The Papagayo Gulf is in the Northwest corner of Costa Rica along the Pacific Coast and not far from the Nicaragua border. The gulf is home to many resorts including Hilton, Occidental Grand and a Four Seasons. I also heard that Michael Jordon has a house on the mouth of the gulf.

For this stay I picked the Occidental Grand. This resort is an all-inclusive with access to a nice beach along the gulf. They have a buffet style restaurant for all meals and also Italian, Japanese and Mexican restaurants where they take reservations for dinner. There is a disco and bars throughout the property. The lobby bar and the pool bar were my favorites. Before I arrived I read that the drinks were watered down but I didn’t find that the case. The pool area is very nice and they have planned activities throughout the day. If you like wildlife then you won’t be disappointed. I saw birds, monkeys and something that looked like a raccoon but a lot larger. On the beach there is non-powered watercraft to use. They also have a very nice spa if you want to take advantage of that but the price is extra.

 

The resort is vast and spread out over the hills. I don’t mind walking but if you don’t want to walk they have shuttles that will take you anywhere in the resort. The staff there is all very friendly and will do anything to please you if possible. That was the biggest plus of the resort.

 

You can book a shopping trip to Coco Beach or take day trips to Arenal Volcano and other destinations.  

 

 

All in all I had a very nice time. I spent most days at the pool and beach and most days and nights at the bar. I would give it four out of five stars. My only complaints were trivial. The room was beautiful, clean and large with a view of the ocean. It had a refrigerator that they stocked with two beers only. When you finished them they would replenish them with the required two beers. Even though they have plenty of bars to get drinks it is a trek to the bar and with the rooms so nice and the view it would have been nice to not have to go to the bar every time you want a drink. The other complaint is when you check in they try to upsell you into a better package. The first few days was spent telling the person no.

Other than that I would recommend staying there again.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Limon

On my last trip to Costa Rica my son and I drove from the capital of Costa Rica to the Atlantic Coast to have lunch. Limon is a port on the Atlantic Coast of Costa Rica and is a departure port for the fruit that is grown in the area. You’ll see familiar names such as Dole there. Stretching along the Caribbean Coast, Limon is considered to be one of the most pristine and lush regions of Costa Rica. Roughly 125 miles of shoreline between Nicaragua and Panama boast picturesque white-sand beaches lined with coconut trees for an ultimate tropical paradise. As one of the country's most geographically diverse regions, Limon features everything from mangrove wetlands to towering mountains. Take in the endless scenic landscapes throughout Limon, which was first "discovered" by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Despite this, Limon remains as one of the least traveled regions in Costa Rica, allowing for exploration of untouched prehistoric rainforests and unmatched beauty compared with the rest of the country.

 The drive from San Jose will take you through a cloud forest and beautiful mountain landscapes. On the way back we hit a traffic jam and we thought there must have been a terrible traffic accident ahead. We sat parked for about a half hour. We then saw a cow run by us and right behind the cow was a man trying to catch it. That’s what caused the traffic jam.

To the north of Limon along the coast are some nice beaches and that is where we had lunch. The surf was beautiful and the beach was both rocky and white sand.

It is a lot quieter but also very industrial with the produce grown in the area and the many plantations.  Limon is also a destination for cruise lines. They offer excursions in the area. You’ll get another flavor of Costa Rica by going to the Caribbean Coast but I still prefer the Pacific side. I would recommend going to check it out and then you can make your own decision.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Quepos

An hour’s drive south of Jaco is the beautiful beach city of Quepos. Quepos has beautiful beaches, and plenty of hotels, bars and restaurants. When in Jaco I like to drive down the coast and have lunch in Quepos. In particular I like to go to the Mariposa Hotel. There you can sit outside enjoying a Mojito and Ceviche while enjoying the view of the hotel’s pool and the beach below. The Ceviche always tastes better in Costa Rica. It’s because the fish is so fresh. Another restaurant is in an old airplane up on the hill by the Mariposa. Try that one out also.   

Manuel Antonio National Park is a small national park in the Central Pacific Conservation Area located on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, just south of the city of Quepos. It is the destination of as many as 150,000 visitors annually and well known for its beautiful beaches and hiking trails. In 2011, Manuel Antonio was listed by Forbes among the world's 12 most beautiful national parks.

I have only been to Quepos for a day trip but on one of my trips I would like to stay a few days and explore the city a little more.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Jaco Activities

When in Jaco there is so much to do that you won’t have time to do it all. Some of the highlights are, zip lines, sunset cruises, booze cruises, ATV adventures, crocodile river cruise, fishing, and surfing. You can book most of these at your hotel but if you want to plan in advance of your trip I would suggest visiting the Jaco 360 site.   The site is http://www.jacobeach360.com/ . There you can get a feel for what is out there and the price.

 

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is in Costa Rica on the Central Pacific coast. It is a typical beach town during the day and a wild time at night. Jaco was made famous by the 1966 movie Endless Summer which tracked a couple of surfers as they surfed their way around the world. Now Jaco attracts surfers from all over the world.

The beach is 2.5 miles long and lined with hotels. After breakfast I like to walk from one end to the other and back. The beach is beautiful and as you are walking you can watch the surfers. If you are a beginner there are a number of surf classes. Here is a sample of the reviews:

“Jaco is a great base for surfing in CR. Its only 10 minutes from Hermosa and has a lot more going on. Playa Jaco itself, aka Jaco beach, has smaller waves than nearby beaches. The best peeling waves are a little north of Bohio. Best beginner waves south end. Jaco is a great base because you can hit 10 beaches within 20 minutes on a great highway, its got all the amenities and nightlife, and if you want peace and quiet plus jungle plus five minutes to beach and best nightlife in Costa Rica, you can stay at Hotel DoceLunas, a real four star hotel that charges three star prices and is surrounded by jungle one mile from the beach.”

 Jaco is where one of my favorite places to eat can be found. “The Taco Bar” is just off the main street and has the best atmosphere for a lazy day at the beach. The Taco Bar is an outdoor restaurant featuring tacos, burritos and such. The food comes in steak, chicken, fish or vegetarian.  You can sit at the bar or at tables around the bar. What I like about it is the seats at the bar are swings. You order and pay for your food and then find a swing. There are always a lot of people there and while you are eating don’t be afraid to talk with the other people. You’ll meet people from all over the world and a lot of surfers from places like South Africa, Australia, the US, and Europe. It is a great atmosphere. They don’t serve alcohol but they don’t seem to mind if you bring your own beer from the store across the street.  

During the day you have zip lines, ATV’s, surfing, swimming, horseback riding, fishing and the booze cruise. In town there are the typical beach town shops and many restaurants. If you want to just relax Jaco is pretty quiet during the day.

At night it gets pretty wild as there are many night clubs and casinos to go to until early morning. If you aren’t staying at the Villa Caletas or Los Suenos I would recommend at least going to both for dinner on two of the nights. At the Villa Caletas you should also go to watch the sunset. Read my previous post for more information.

In Costa Rica this is one of my favorite places. Try it out and you’ll like it also.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Booze Cruise

When in Jaco a fun thing to do is to take the catamaran cruise from Puntarenas to Tortuga Island on the Calypso.  I call it a booze cruise but it is really for the entire family. This is an all day trip where they will pick you up at your hotel around 7am and drop you off about 7pm. When you get to the cruise office they provide a typical Costa Rican breakfast of eggs, rice and beans with fruit. After breakfast you board the catamaran for a fun filled day. On the way to the island, which takes a little over an hour, they serve drinks and fruit trays. They’ll make a stop along the way to buy fresh fish from a boat in the middle of the sea. You’ll also have a tour guide pointing out things of interest along the way. I would recommend sitting in the front of the boat, get a drink and enjoy the ride.

Once you get to the island there is plenty to do. Tortuga Island is preserved so everything is packed in and removed at the end of day. Included in your price are snorkeling, a banana boat ride, and lunch with entertainment. I have done this twice with the last time taking my son.  We paid to each have a jet ski for an hour which was very fun. For the snorkeling they take you to a smaller island where you can snorkel around the colorful fish. After snorkeling lunch is ready and you are eating some of the fresh fish bought from the boat you met in the middle of the sea. After lunch you have the afternoon to lie in a hammock, Jet Ski, swim or explore. Later you are back on the catamaran and on your way back to the mainland. Drinks are also served on the way back. The whole day is a party atmosphere.

Everyone from the older people to the little kids have a very good time. This is a must do activity when in Jaco. The hotels will help you book the tour.

Pops’ Costa Rica Travel Guide, Jaco Beach Area Hotels

The weather outside is frightful, but down there it’s so delightful (a play on the Christmas song). When I say down there, I mean Costa Rica. In Costa Rica this is their dry season. The weather is sunny, warm and with an occasional shower. My favorite place to go in Costa Rica is Jaco Beach. I have two hotel recommendations for you.

 

The Los Suenos Marriott Ocean and Golf Resort is just a few miles north of Jaco. Los Suenos means “The Dream” and that is just what it is. It is part of a larger Marriott property which includes condos, a village, yacht harbor and the golf course and hotel. I stayed there for a week a few years ago and the following year it was named one of the top ten resorts in Central and South America. The resort has everything you need and is for both adults and children. You have the golf course and the beach right there. They have a tour desk where you can book sport fishing, zip lines, ATV’s, car rental and day cruises. If you want to just stay at the resort the pool area is fantastic with a swim up bar. They also have volleyball and ping pong tables for you to play outdoors. Some of the hotel packages include the spa which is world class. If all you want to do is relax then why not grab a hammock by the beach and kick back. Jaco is close by if you want to try the night life. The rest of the property is beautiful. I would best describe it as like La Jolla in the San Diego area. The village has a yacht harbor and restaurants and shops. For restaurants they have a sports bar, Italian, Japanese and coffee shop. I have been to the Italian restaurant many times and you have a choice of sitting inside, outside by the yachts, or upstairs in the bar. I like to sit upstairs in the bar area but am really on a balcony outside with a view of the yachts. The stores sell resort wear and there is a bank on premise. The yacht harbor is where the fishing excursions leave for the day. You can walk along the beach from the hotel to the village. This is one of the top resorts I have stayed at.

The Villa Caletas is my little secret and also just a few miles north of Jaco. I have stayed there a few times and I would never have tried it if it wasn’t recommended by a friend. The Villa Caletas sits on top of a very high hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It is fairly new but was built to look like it is old. The resort is spread out up and down the hill. Most rooms have a fantastic ocean view. The layout of the resort is clusters of buildings with maybe four rooms per building. I even stayed in a room one year with my own private pool. If your room doesn’t have a pool, don’t worry because the main pool is an infinity pool looking down on the ocean. The restaurant and bar also have a fantastic view of the ocean. I have sat there and watched Macaw and Toucan’s flying around in the trees. The other cool thing about this resort is it has it’s own private beach. To get to it they have a four wheel drive that shuttles you down the hill and back up on a regular schedule. At the beach is a bar with food. Take a walk along the beach, it is very relaxing.

 

Now for the really cool thing. The hotel, bar and restaurant sit pretty high and have a view you can’t imagine. In the bar area they built an amphitheater into the hill. Just before sunset people come from all over to watch the sun set into the Pacific. The hotel has it’s own mellow music and you just sit there with a drink and enjoy the most beautiful sunset you’ll ever see. Also, you can get the same view from the restaurant. Either at sunset or at breakfast the view is the main feature of the hotel. They also have weddings in the amphitheater.

If you are in the Jaco area these are my recommendations for a place to stay.

Pops’ Monte Carlo Travel Guide

If you want to see how the upper crust lives then Monte Carlo is the place to see. From watching the people, cars, and yachts to the casual attire of the palace guards Monte Carlo is like no other. It is a principality sitting on the Mediterranean coast inside the French border and not far from the Italian border.

I go there whenever I visit my relatives in Bardino as it is about an hour away. Off the autostrada  you drop down a fairly steep grade to get to the city. There is ample parking and traffic is not that bad to maneuver. Another way to get there is by taking the train. The station is right in the center of the city and is very convenient. That’s what we did when we went to the Grand Prix race. I wouldn’t even consider driving that day. The trains run very often.

Some of the things I would do when I go:

Go down to the harbor and look at the yachts up close. You’ll be amazed at how large they are. Some have helicopters and boats on board that we would consider our big boat.

Sit down at a café along the harbor outside to grab a bite to eat or drink. As you are sitting there you will see the most expensive cars driving by.

Up on top of the hill is the Royal Palace. Take a walk up the hill. From the top you can look down on the entire harbor. One of my favorite views is on the back side of the hill is another harbor. The view is fantastic. From the palace take a stroll in the park toward the sea. You can make the entire circuit that will end up taking you back down to the main harbor.

If I could sum up Monte Carlo in one word it would be simply “Beautiful”.