My wife and I are thinking about going to Costa Rica for the first time and stay at the four seasons. We plan on going in early April. However I am a little nervous because it is considered a third world country and also I am a bit concerned about catching malaria or west nile virus. All things considered, should I be nervous about planning this trip?

On another note, if we do go, are there towns outside of the resort to go eat dinner or walk around and shop?

Randolph,

I haven't myself been to Costa Rica, but I know several people who have - and more than once. I don't think you have anything really to be concerned about. Just follow the usual cautions you would anywhere unfamiliar.

I know there are people on this forum who have been there and would be able to provide more specific advice. In the meantime, just "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

Ann

I don't consider Costa Rica a third world country....maybe second world, but definitely not third world. Malaria is a concern in only part of the country and you can take anti-malarial drugs (1/week starting a week before you go and ending a week after you return.) Chloroquin is recommended for Costa Rica, if you can find it....it has mostly been replaced with Mefloquin, which is what I got for Northern Brazil and for my trip to Costa Rica...(I was working in some rural areas in Limón province.)

You can catch West Nile Virus in Louisiana.....are you doing anything special there? (I make sure to use mosquito repellant in the summer, here in East Texas.)

The CDC says there is malaria risk in only Alajuela, Limón, Guanacaste, and Heredia provinces, which are the low coastal and rural provinces. The central valley around San Jose is not at risk for malaria.

A couple of cautions. There are VERY few steet signs in San Jose. Using a city map is a coupe of orders of magnitude harder there than it is here. I don't normally need a GPS but if I were planning on driving there, I would get one.

I haven't been there since 2003 but the departure tax ($22 ea) had to be paid for in US dollars and you should not buy the tax sticker from the people in front of the airport...wait until you are inside the terminal to pay the tax and get the paperwork.

Bill

Hi,

I went to Costa Rica a few years ago and found the country to be very hospitable to tourists.
I went to Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio and each had a town, lots of places to eat, cabs to take me from place to place.

When we went there was no need for medicines for malaria or west nile.

Traveling on the roads is a little slower than I am used to but the cab drivers were wonderful.

Regards,
Sheryl