Hello slow travellers. We're trying to agree on our choice for family vacation in June. My husband and two teen daughters have agreed on Costa Rica but I'm unsure. My vote makes the final decision...

I have never been south of Tijuana...never seen central or south America. I want a destination choice that feels safe to me, and that everyone enjoys. Everyone on this trip will be my husband the biologist, and my daughters, who will be 19 and 18 years old in June.

Frankly I'd rather go to Ireland but although teen daughters would love that husband isn't ready for Europe in June!

I am trying to be open to what is good for everyone. Can anyone help me who has been to Costa Rica in June?

Is the rain a problem in June? What about crime...is it safe, especially for a family with teen daughters? Is the food safe to eat? Is crime associated with drugs a problem in Costa Rica? Are the roads a problem during June, which I understand is the rainy season? Temperatures in June?

Of course husband the biologist is keen to see Costa Rica! Teen daughters interested in seeing Latin America, central or south america, although I'm not sure they really know what Costa Rica is all about but it sounds good to them.

I would also welcome suggestions of other good destinations to visit south of Tijuana where it would be safe and fun for a family with teen daughters to visit!

Anybody know if the drinking age in Costa Rica is 18?

Thanks for any help!

Costa Rica is an excellent choice. Although the usual precautions about not leaving valuables in your car, and locking your room apply, Costa Rica is relatively safe. Street crime, outside of the big cities of San Jose and Limon, is rare. I have not seen any indication of crime related to drug trafficking. I'm not an expert on the subject, but I've read that Colombian drug dealers have been using the Caribbean coast of Nicaragua recently as a way station on the transport of drugs, but I don't think Costa Rica is in any way affected. The food (and water) inCosta Rica are safe to consume. Costa Rica is a series of micro-climates so questions about the weather will depend on where you go. Generally, June is the dry season. Temperatures will range from the mid-90's in Guanacaste to the mid-60's in the higher elevations and cloud forests. The roads won't be a problem in terms of flooding or mud, but driving in Costa Rica in general (especially at night) takes a little getting used to.
I suggest that you go to the Costa Rica forum on Fodors and to Let's Go for more ideas.

rbrazill, thanks for your views on Costa Rica. I didn't know the water in Costa Rica is safe to drink. I have done some very general research on-line for various destinations in Mexico and central and south America, trying to get a feel for where we could go that would feel safe to me, would interest my biologist husband, and would be fun for my daughters.

I will check fodors. Also I didn't know there was a Let's Go forum...I'll check that out.

One of my problems is I have a very sensitive gastro-intestinal system, and I prefer to go places where I probably won't get sick.

Just to clarify: The Let's Go site does not have a forum (at least I don't think it does), but it does have a great layout on Costa Rica, broken down by the various regions.

We just got back. Several times, we commented on what a great family trip Costa Rica would be. The key, stay out of the cities and enjoy the eco-tourism.
Lots of late teens and 20 somethings backpacking around and enjoying the wildlife.
Monteverde, Manuel Antonio....

Livinwell, glad to hear you enjoyed your recent trip to Costa Rica.

I am really struggling with fears as I research this trip to Costa Rica. Usually the way I deal with travel fears is to research the trip, talk to other travellers, and usually I then feel more confident.

But alas it's not working for Costa Rica! I am still afraid of getting dengue fever from mosquitoes, and the thought of malaria and cholera is also frightening. Equally horrifying are the stories on-line of other people finding scorpions in their hotel rooms...big spiders, etc.

Sigh. Did you encounter "bugs" (meaning either insects or germs!) in Costa Rica?

From the research I've done so far I think I'd consider going to Arenal, Monteverde, and Manual Antonio. can't find a lot of people who have been to the Osa Peninsula but my husband wants me to consider that as well.

I keep going back to working on our June 2006 trip to Ireland because I feel more confident about that!

I keep hoping somebody will say something on-line that will help me make up my mind. If I don't resolve my doubts soon I guess my husband and I will have to come up with a new family trip for June 2005. but I do want to make him happy (he's a biologist) because he agreed on Ireland for June 2006 for me, and I do so want to agree to something that will please him for June 2005.

My two daughters will accompany us on both trips...they will be 18 and 19 years old in June 2005.

Thanks for any help.

Melissa,
Relax...take a deep breath...And agree to Costa Rica. As a biologist, I don't see how you can deny your husband the chance to experience this country known for its ecosystems!!
Unless you are on the extreme end of the need for comfort scale, you should be alright.
I can't speak to bugs and mosquitos in June. But I can say that the only bugs we saw were in the lobby of the very, very fancy Hotel Martino in Alajuela. That was because it was an open air lobby. But they were just crawling along minding their own business and not at all interested in us.
I can also say that during our ENTIRE trip, we were did not encounter a single mosquito. We had our deet, and put it on for our first hiking excursion, but realized that we didn't need it.

Now this could have been the weather...cool and moist. Or it could have been the time of year.
If mosquitos are more of an issue in June, just make sure your hotels have screens on the windows.
If I were you, I would compromise with my husband. Stick to the central valley, Monteverde and Manual. From what I understand the Osa Peninsula is much more 'primitive'
In Monteverde, pick hotels that have modern amenities...like a guarantee of hot water in the shower. Ours was the Hotel Finca Valverde. We were completely satisfied with it. But there are others there with more conveniences.
Eat the "typical" Costa Rican food for breakfast. Gallo Pinto, eggs, and corn tortillas. (About $2.00 per person)
Eat the "typical" Costa Rican lunch. Black beans, rice, plantains, slaw, and a meat. I recommend chicken, fish, or pork. We never had a good piece of beef while there. (About $3.00)
Vegetables aren't a significant part of the Costa Rican diet, so you will only find good vegetables in nicer restaurants.
Interestingly enough...the most prevelant non-Costa Rican cuisine is Italian. There is a big Italian presence in the country and you will find good Italian restaurants in every decent sized town.
You can get bottled water everywhere. So you don't have to risk 'bugs' in the water if you don't want to.
You can hire drivers to take you everywhere if you want. We found driving the country side was no more bother than Italy. We avoided driving in San Jose, just like we avoid Rome or NYC.
I recommend renting a car, but then I like the freedom. If you are going to Monteverde a standard shift 4WD is an absolute must. The road up the mountain is like nothing you have ever experienced. We LOVED it. You are going 10KM an hour over 1 1/2 lane wide dirt road. Your choice is either bolders or pot holes all the way. It takes 2 1/2 hours to cover less than 40 KMs on the way up. You think you are headed to the most remote of wilderness. (the only reassurance that civilzation may be at the end of the road is all the huge delivery trucks you meet as they come down the mountain.
Then suddenly, you find yourself in the middle of a thriving town, with banks, hotels, restaurants, and all kinds of stores. Oh, yeah...the streets are still nothing but potholes though!

Deborah, thanks for sharing. I have taken the plunge and committed to Costa Rica, but I'm already having second thoughts (and some sleepless nights!)

I need to put together an itinerary which satisfies my husband-the-biologist's need for exploring the native flora and fauna; and that satisfies my need to be comforted by accomodations with reassuring conveniences; and satisfies the interests of my teenage daughters (age 18 and 19 in June, they like meeting other young people their age; animals and reptiles; shopping; adventures; lounging in the pool or jacuzzi; good food; etc.) My older daughter enjoys snakes and lizards but screeches in terror at spiders! She definitely has both of her parents' genes!

I am thinking that if we stay 3 nights at each destination, that gives us 2 full days...1 day to do stuff together, and 1 day for my husband to take off and do some serious biologizing of his own, while the girls and I find some girl stuff to do near the hotel.

So far I am thinking:
1 night in or near San Jose;
3 nights in Monteverde;
3 nights at Arenal;
3 nights at Manuel Antonio (or is Guanacaste better?);
1 night in or near San Jose again, then we fly home...
That's 11 nights...We can add 1 or 2 more nights somewhere if necessary...Where would I put them?

What do you think? Would that work? Any suggestions for accomodations? Price range 2 rooms for $125 each or less... Would consider paying more only if it includes something very special and worth the price...

This might not sound like slow travel, but it is slower travel...slower than what my husband envisioned! He thought we would just go exploring all over, stopping wherever for only 1 or 2 nights each stop! Eek! Is that vacation or torture?!

Gracias!

Melissa,
First of all...Except for the malls and shopping districts of San Jose, don't expect to find anything to buy in Costa Rica. They still seem to be getting used to the tourist trade and EVERYTHING directed at tourists in all the highly visited areas is labeled "Costa Rica". So you find a really nice wood item and think how lovely it would look in your house...then you see "Costa Rica" painted on the side.
In San Jose, (after I shared this observation with our hosts) they took us to a mall that was astounding. Amazing high-end shops. And some great art and handiwork stores that DIDN'T paint Costa Rica on everything.

About your itinary...
I'm going to assume that you are renting a car.

The 1st night near San Jose is a good idea. Costa Rica is not a big country and the actual KM distances are short. But the roads are so bad that the time to get places is always at least an hour longer than you anticipate. You will have travelled 15 hours or so to get there so even though the time change is only 2 hours, you will be exhausted.

We planned on going to Arenal, but once we got to CR, we learned that the weather in Arenal precluded being able to see the volcano. So we abandoned that plan and added the Arenal days to Alajuela and Monteverde. You will want to get an early start for Monteverde. You don't want to be driving that road in the dark.

If you stay on the outskirts of the north side of San Jose, there are lots of places you can go and see while still enjoying the comfort of some modern hotels.

I'd do:
2-3 nights near the airport. (Hotel Martino is perfect) Day trips to visit the Poas Volcano; the La Paz Waterfall Gardens along with their Humming bird gallery and butterfly garden; Zoo Ave, which is right across the road from Hotel Martino and is not really a zoo. It is more of a sanctuary for rescued and recovering birds, reptiles and mammals; A coffee plantation tour, go for the Doka Coffee Plantation instead of the Brit one. Brit's tour is a very Disney type production. Doka is more authentic.
You will want to get an early start for Monteverde. You don't want to be driving that road in the dark.

In Monteverde do the Sky Trek and Sky Walk canopy tours. Sky Trek is the zip line cables and Sky Walk is the suspension bridges. You can do both as a package, or you can do one or the other. If some of you want to zip and others don't you can do your own things at the same time.
Horseback riding is popular in Monteverde. But be sure to ask for a referral from your hotel and tell them that you are VERY concerned that the horses are healthy, well fed, and well cared for. Some of the operators do not care for their horses. It is sad. If you aren't used to riding, the 2-4 hour rides are probably all you will want. If you are used to riding, you may want to consider some of the more adventurous ... like the all day ride from Monteverde to Arenal.
Other things to see in Monteverde are the Serpentario de Monteverde (snakes), Monteverde Butterfly Garden, Frog Pond, The Cheese Factory.

On the way to Manuel Antonio, plan to visit Rainmaker Preserve. Your husband will enjoy it very much. It's just north of Quepos. In Manuel Antonio you will have all the great naturalist opportunities plus the beach. It is more expensive there because it is one of CR's nicer beach areas. Still no decent shopping, but much better dining than Monteverde.

After this long, long post, the best advice I can give you is:
1- Go spend some time hanging out on the Fodors discussion board about Central America. There are many, many CR enthusiasts on that board who can give you much more experienced advice.
2- Order two books from the English Language newspaper in Costa Rica, the Tico Times. The books are "Exploring Costa Rica, 2004" and "The Tico Times Restaurant Guide to Costa Rica"

Here is a list of web links for you:
http://www.ticotimes.com
http://www.skytrek.com
http://www.vistacostarica.com
http://www.dokaestates.com

Deborah, thanks so much for taking the time to share all the information about Costa Rica.

I've gotten into a nice rhythym now...read a chapter on Costa Rica, read a chapter on Ireland. Check the Costa Rica on-line travel sites, check the Ireland on-line travel sites...I'm planning 2 trips at once!!! (Costa Rica is June 2005; Ireland is June 2006.) Those will be our family trips.

No time right now to decide on our September 2005 trip just for the 2 of us, my husband and I...it will be either Australia or New Zealand.

My husband and I have decided to do a lot more travelling in the next several years, because our youngest daughter is going away to college next September, and we most likely won't have any grandchildren for at least 4 more years...a great time to travel!!!

I have our hotels booked for Costa Rica. We are doing the trip independently. Thanks everyone for the advice and encouragement!

One worry is now on my mind. Will we be safe in San Jose? Specifically, I am planning to spend the first 2 nights in San Jose with my family, at the Hotel Le Bergerac in the Los Yoses area of San Jose. In the day-time we'll see the Jade Museum and the Gold Museum. At night we'd like to try some salsa dancing together (or at least we'd like to see some salsa dancing!) I have in mind the El Pueblo mall on the north side of San Jose, and the San Pedro district, near the university, as my "kids" are 18 and 19 (daughters) and 23 (son). My husband will be with us. So I am wondering, is San Jose too risky, or will we feel safe? It's not too late to change my plan if necessary.

I have read reports of pick-pocketing, robberies, and muggings in San Jose, though they are reported on-line and not verified.

After San Jose, we have 2 nights in Arenal at the new Lost Iguana resort, 3 nights in Monteverde at the Monteverde Lodge, 4 nights in Manuel Antonio at Hotel Si como No, and 1 final night at the Hotel Bougainvillea north of San Jose.

Gracias...

honestly the San Pedro Mall is clean and safe. The girls will have a good time. I personally think three days in Arenal is too long but I'm a beach bum. Manuel Antonio is a GREAT Beach but in Guanacaste Samara and Carillo beaches are even better. In June expect the weather to be sunny in the morning and raining in the afternoon at the beaches. I can't tell you about the Central Valley but it certainly is NOT the dry season in June it is the Green Season so expect showers daily but only for an hour. Dengue fever is not prevalent, use bug spray if you are concerned. The food and water are totally safe. And really really good. The best food can be found at little places along the road called Sodas - sort of like Diner to us.

Thanks for the suggestions, bosco.

The main part of our itinerary is now 3 nights in Arenal, 3 nights in Manuel Antonio, and 3 nights in Monteverde. We aren't going to be visiting San Jose after all, mostly because the family didn't seem very interested in San Jose so we're leaving it out.

June is coming up quickly now, so I'm trying to iron out all the details of the trip! Looking at activities for the family like canyoning, sky tram/sky trek, and maybe white-water rafting or kayaking. But not for me! I'm keeping my feet on the ground.

The airline cancelled one of our flights resulting in me having to shift some hotel dates a bit...Which I'm still ironing out.

Deborah, if you see this message, I'd love to ask you more questons about Monteverde and Manuel Antonio!

One tough decision my 23-year-old son and I had to make was whether he would have to miss either Manuel Antonio, Arenal, or Monteverde, due to the fact that his flight was cancelled and many other flights were full, so we had to get him a flight a day earlier, which messed up our original plan!

He left it up to me to decide, as I've done the research. Because of his age I think he should see Arenal and Manuel Antonio, and miss Monteverde. The rest of the family will see all 3 destinations.

My husband and I went to Arenal for our honeymoon in November/December. Having never seen an active volcano, it was pretty amazing to watch the lava "globules" cascade down the mountain under a star-lit sky. We found where we were in Costa Rica to be a wonderful mix of adventure and relaxation. Definitely check out the volcanic hot springs at Tabacon--beautiful, peaceful, soothing to your soul.
We took a guided tour of the base of the Arenal volcano--our guide was a former park ranger who educated us on: the mineral composition of the lava; the tectonic (sp?) plates which formed the volcano; Costa Rica's history (which, he told us, included the dissolving of their military to focus on the nation's education); the life and habits of leaf cutter ants; on and on and on.
La Fortuna, the closest town, was alive and bustling without being overly "touristy." Merchants offered us zero hassle to purchase their wares. (Can you tell we loved Costa Rica?!)
Beautiful country, lovely and gracious people where we stayed. We'd go back tomorrow--I hope you have adventure and fun on your trip!
Mary Beth
P.S.--we woke up to the hoots and growls of howler monkeys outside our room each morning--on our last day one was right over our terrace in the tree! toucans, too! Tres cool.

BuffaloGirl, I'm getting excited! We'll be in Arenal in just a few weeks! We'll be staying at the Lost Iguana resort, a newer place. Thanks for sharing about your trip.

We'll also be visiting Monteverde and Manuel Antonio.

Hi Melissa, I just noticed today that you revived this thread.
Your trip schedule sounds great. I know you will have a fantastic time.
If I've missed any questions, ask away.
I can only speak from my own experience, and I'm 54, not 23....But we had a similar issue. We had a duty visit to friends in San Jose, so we couldn't do all three of the others.
We chose Monteverde and Manuel Antonio and decided to forego Arenal.
Our reasoning was that the weather around Arenal is very undependable. Sometimes the volcano is visable, sometimes it isn't. We decided that we didn't want to take a chance on having bad weather.
We didn't want to give up Monteverde because it has the best zip line tour in the country (SkyTrek)
We didn't want to give up our vegging out days at Manuel Antonio.
As it turns out, we made the right decision. Arenal was completely shrouded during the days we would have been there.

Melissa Joy -
One of the travel magazines on the news stands right now has a cover story on Costa Rica. I think it's Frommer's Budget Travel, but am not sure. I know you have your trip all planned, but the article may have some helpful ideas for you.

Colleen, muchas gracias for the tip about the magazine with cover story on costa Rica! I'm going to hunt for it.

Deborah, what were your favorite experiences at Monteverde and Manuel Antonio? Where there any activities or tours you felt were disappointing?

I think at Arenal, since my 23-year-old son will be along and he's adventurous, we'll do the waterfall canyon rapelling and maybe the Sky tram/sky trek zip-line. No way will I do either of those! Well, maybe I could do the sky tram but NOT the zip-line. But I organize the trip so the family will enjoy themselves. We have a classic Mountain cabin at El Sapo Dorado...where did you stay?

At Manuel Antonio I'm not sure which activities to include, other than definitely a walk through the Manuel Antonio forest reserve, maybe a night-tour, some beach time, some time relaxing in the pool...Where did you stay? We're staying at Hotel Si Como No. One daughter wants to go horse-back riding. Maybe I can plan this for Manuel Antonio. did you try horse-back riding or any white-water rafting, or even the mangrove tour?

My son will miss Monteverde but my 2 daughters will still be with us (18 and 19 years). Do you think it makes any sense to do zip-line canopy tours twice (we're already doing one in Arenal probably.) Or is there something else recommended for Monteverde? Or is there a good horseback riding tour for Monteverde? I should mention hubby and I have never ridden, but daughters have been to horse-back riding summer camp several times.

Thanks, Deborah! (Or anyone who can kindly give me the benefit of their experience.)

I need to intersperse the activities with nature experiences...hubby is a biologist and herpetologist.

did you do any night hikes? Which ones are best?

Muchas gracias...

Oops, embarassing boo-boo... El Sapo Dorado mountain cabins are in Monteverde, of course, NOt in Arenal! In arenal we're staying at a fairly new resort, the Lost Iguana. sorry!

Thanks for all the encouragement. We have returned from Costa Rica and had a beautiful and safe trip, quite an adventure!

I miss the rich, diverse flora of the rainforests and the cloud forest. I'm suffering from rainforest withdrawal symptoms! Saw a beautiful bromeliad at the fair today back home in San diego. I thought it looked lonely without an entire rainforest surrounding it!

The roads are all bad in Costa rica compared to what we are used to. But it's worth it, it's such a beautiful country. Call me sentimental but when I visited a butterfly garden in Manuel Antonio across the street from the Hotel Si Como No, I actually felt teary-eyed and awed when I saw a brand new Morpho butterfly take it's first flight, opening its beautiful blue wings! We were in a small tour group with a great guide. There were two small girls in the tour group who were just delighted as can be with these butterflies. It makes you think how much we take for granted, and how much we have to lose. Did you know that the use of pesticides kills butterflies? I didn't know that.

My husband and I want to return to Costa Rica again someday.

Welcome back, Melissa Joy -
It sounds like Costa Rica was magical for you and your family. Glad to hear everyone had a wonderful time.