Costa Rica,Panama and Colombia

jocefella

hey guys,

Just looking for advise on things to do in these 3 countries? heading over for 5 weeks in November.

goose06

I was in Costa Rica last October/November went to Arenal, La Fortuna, Monte Verde, Manuel Antonio. We took the easy option and travelled with

http://www.intrepidtravel.com/costa-rica/costa-rica-express-75802

for 9 days and then headed up to the Turtle Beach lodge in Tortuguero National park for 4 days (which was probably a bit long, 2 nights would cover it).

San Jose is a bit of a kip so I wouldn't stay too long there, one day would cover it.

La Fortuna is a lovely town and plenty of things to do around it, spelunking, waterfall rappelling other adventure sports. The Cano Negro Reserve near the Nicaraguan border is pretty good for wild life spotting but a bit of a drive to it.
Arenal the Volcanoe is off limits for hiking up which is a shame seeing as it has been dormant for 3-4 years now but very impressive looking at it from La Fortuna.
Monte Verde has the Cloud Forest which is pretty cool, a mist rather than rain provides water for the forest and the Tarzan Swing you do on the Zip line tour there is probably the highlight of my holiday, look it up. The night walk in the Cloud forest is pretty cool, lots to see got close up to tarantulas, sloths and snakes.
Manuel Antonio is a small beach side town and the national park on a head land but has plenty of Monkeys,Sloth Deer & Raccoons and a stunning beach.

Hope this helps.

jocefella

Goose that's brilliant info cheers, So Mount Verde was the highlight and the Tarzan swing is a must ? What beaches did you visit and which were the best Manual Antonio ? oh and what was the weather like ? and what were the locals like friendly ?was it dangerous at all ?

goose06

Locals are lovely and while San Jose is a kip and looks a bit rough there are police everywhere and I didn't see or have a bit of hassle and we where they at least 3 or 4 days and completely stuck out as tourist, pasty white Irishman.

Monte Verde was good alright really enjoyed it and you get a lovely Costa Rican massage on the way to it, which is basically being bounced around on the dirt pack road as it doesn't have paved roads and the locals are fighting to keep it that way, keeps it from becoming too main stream.

We went at the end of the rainy season and we found as long as we got up and about early and planned to chill out for the early evening weather was great, about 28 degrees most days.

We were only at 2 beaches in Manual Antonio, the one in the town and the one in the national park which is the better of the two, just watch out for the racoons robbing you bag, cheeky buggers. I've attached some pictures

dealhunter1985

goose06 wrote: »

Locals are lovely and while San Jose is a kip and looks a bit rough there are police everywhere and I didn't see or have a bit of hassle and we where they at least 3 or 4 days and completely stuck out as tourist, pasty white Irishman.

Monte Verde was good alright really enjoyed it and you get a lovely Costa Rican massage on the way to it, which is basically being bounced around on the dirt pack road as it doesn't have paved roads and the locals are fighting to keep it that way, keeps it from becoming too main stream.

We went at the end of the rainy season and we found as long as we got up and about early and planned to chill out for the early evening weather was great, about 28 degrees most days.

We were only at 2 beaches in Manual Antonio, the one in the town and the one in the national park which is the better of the two, just watch out for the racoons robbing you bag, cheeky buggers. I've attached some pictures

Hi Goose,
Would you be able to share some input on spending money and the cost of things there ..

goose06

I found it reasonable cheap but it's not super cheap. Like any where you can go to expensive places or you can be frugal if you want. Spending money is really down to how you live and how you are travelling, are you with a group with meals included or as individuals who will want to eat out for every meal or someone who will make packed lunches, etc. to cut down on costs.

They take dollars so have a look at this for a rough idea.

http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Costa+Rica&displayCurrency=USD

jocefella

Thanks Goose,Great info heading on the 25th of October cannot wait!

goose06

Enjoy you'll have a great time. Are you going with a group tour or just making your own way around?

jocefella

cheers Goose, just making are own way around.

susanlinda823

Surfing! Diving! Are you back packing?