Costa Rica?

[divegirl]

Hi, anyone ever been? I'm looking for some where a bit different to go to..... any stories or thoughts on this destination.

Lisa x

[campbellking]

Went in 2004. Loved it.Went on a horse riding holiday, so was in the middle of nowhere, with a very lovely guide flailing a machete around on horseback to clear the trails so we could ride on them. Incredibly laid back horses not at all bothered by this, or by the fact that when you rode past a farm entrance, a pack of dogs would come out and snap at their heels. Lots of beautiful wildlife including iguanas, 'Jesus Christ' lizards (these run along the top of the water), and monkeys sitting over your head in the trees as you go along. Also some incredible cows, which were a cross between Jersey cows and the Indian cows with the long ears, hence had beautiful Jersey type faces and long ears. Loads of bird life too.
Only boo boo I made was to go in August, which is rainy season, hence got very wet on a couple of occasions (it doesn't rain for long, but it rains blooming hard).
Also, if you don't like rice and beans, don't go, as breakfast lunch and tea are all rice and beans. Have to say I was quite fond of it when freshly cooked by the locals, but the hotel version on the last morning was a bit naff,
Didn't really go in the areas that attract lots of tourists, so I'm afraid I can't help you on those bits.
I say go, loved it to bits, very nice people and a fascinating country (enormously high literacy rate, well over 90%, and it has no armed services)

[divegirl]

Thanks for the answer....could I ask you where you stayed?

[campbellking]

Sorry it's taken a while to get back. As I said, not particularly tourist areas (in fact I was a one person group!). Place called Maravilla, and a hotel in the middle of nowhere in the Central Pacific Slope , and then spent last night in hotel on the Pacific Ocean. Am failing to be precise, and looking at the brochure for this year, they've slightly altered the content of the ride and where you stay.
As usual, I kind of womble along in a daze, I have enough trouble finding my way round my home town. Sorry I can't be more useful.