Costa Rica

[Nueces River Rat 5,539]

On 4/3/2019 at 7:13 PM, 4th and 5 said:

FYI if you do Arenal (and you should) here is one of the best hotels in the world to bring your lady friend, same company and next to each other, I've stayed in both and had an extraordinary experience

https://www.arenalnayara.com/index.html

http://www.nayarasprings.com/index.html

 

Did you fly into Liberia?    And how did you get to the resort?    The site says it's a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours from either Liberia or San Jose to the resort.

I'd be tempted to rent a car, but not sure about the quality of roads.    The good thing the Southwest flight from Houston arrives at 1:00 PM , so that leaves plenty of day light.   Also are  taxis readily  available  for La Fortuna? 

[Dbeasy 15,066]

Flew into San Jose and rented a driver. Perfect. Take a side trip on the way to a well known nature preserve. Can’t remember the name. It was fantastic.

[justhookit 4,191]

Worn out. Leaving to fish again early in the morning. If it was a little calmer we would have spent the night offshore to save some fuel and travel time. The good news is that the sailfish are here in large numbers the bad news is they are close to a 50 mile run. May be extending our trip to get some extra fishing days in.... stay tuned. Also found the tuna early this morning and had some great sashimi.

[Chopper 17,236]

14 hours ago, ernest_t_bass said:

I have a friend whose wife had a stroke while in Mexico.  Buku bucks to get her to a Florida hospital, etc.  Not sure if they had insurance.  I think $132 could be worth it.

Besides credit cards that offer coerage, if you have aaa you may already have some travel insurance maybe some travel medical coverage. I don't know for sure though. I purchased travel medical through medjetassist. Their coverage was comprehensive, the rates were competitive, and the policy is good for a whole year so if you are going on more than 1 trip, it's cheaper than a one-use policy.

[ernest_t_bass 1,196]

7 hours ago, Chopper said:

Besides credit cards that offer coerage, if you have aaa you may already have some travel insurance maybe some travel medical coverage. I don't know for sure though. I purchased travel medical through medjetassist. Their coverage was comprehensive, the rates were competitive, and the policy is good for a whole year so if you are going on more than 1 trip, it's cheaper than a one-use policy.

This is great advice!  I'll check with 1) my credit card company  2) my home+auto broker  3) our medical insurance through work.  

[4th and 5 4,914]

18 hours ago, Nueces River Rat said:

Did you fly into Liberia?    And how did you get to the resort?    The site says it's a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours from either Liberia or San Jose to the resort.

I'd be tempted to rent a car, but not sure about the quality of roads.    The good thing the Southwest flight from Houston arrives at 1:00 PM , so that leaves plenty of day light.   Also are  taxis readily  available  for La Fortuna? 

Flew in to San Jose.  It’s it is much cheaper and same distance. To the hotel in Arenal in a van arranged by the hotel. It was a no brainer. I don’t recommending driving there. We then took another van to Tamarindo for a few days. Then flew out of Liberia. More expensive but much closer to where we ended our vacation and a better departure time. 

[midtown 3,346]

3 weeks out.  Scored a room at the Parador for $190 a night and was even able to knock it down a bit more with a $75 rewards credit at hotels.com.   My understanding is that Tulemar and Parador compete for the top spot in MA.  Will report back.

 

We decided not to go to Fortuna due to the approximate 8 hours in bus rides.  I would have been fine with it but my travel partner hasn't been to CR and wanted more time in MA and isn't a big intl traveler but more of a fly to the resort and take a 20 mins bus ride.  In fact the only intl trip she's ever been on was with me a year ago to Belize.

[justhookit 4,191]

Parador, Mariposa, Si Como No, and Tulemar are roughly all on the same tier if you are comparing the one bedroom options. Tulemar has more extras but Parador is walking distance to Playa Biesanz which is nice. Parador is also my moms favorite place to stay but it’s been about 4 years since she stayed there.

There is definitely a tier above those and then there are the super high end condos/villas/houses but there is no reason to do those options unless you just want to blow money or have a large group.

im in Villa Caletas now near Los Suenos and head to the airport tomorrow. I’ll get a full trip report up soon.

Edited April 9, 2019 by justhookit

[Walden Ponderer 12,639]

Some friends of ours (Rosie is actually a Costa Rican native, teaches bellydance; her husband is a soon-to-retire economics professor at aggy) just completed construction on Finca 360, a pretty impressive resort in the interior mountains.  I can't wait to visit.

 

[midtown 3,346]

Today's view from the Parador. Nice place. Some Aussies are here for the tournament

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[justhookit 4,191]

Looking at going down to fish the full moon in mid July. Most of my regular fishing partners have schedule conflicts so I thought I’d post this up here to see if anyone is interested. Looking to find 2 or 3 people. My boat is in Quepos so we would fly in to San Jose and then have our driver come pick us up to take us to the marina.

It would be a multi day trip out to the FADs which are over 100 miles offshore. You leave the dock late in the afternoon and slow boat out. Fish all day the next day, spend the night out there, fish all day the next day, then spend another night to fish the next day or you can run in. So 2-3 days of fishing, likely 3 unless the weather is bad. This is blue marlin fishing and it’s not unreasonable to expect to catch about 10 a day. It’s by far the best blue marlin fishing in the world.

This kind of trip is not for everyone - it can get a little rough out there and stormy but it’s usually decent weather. We troll lures, run teasers to pitch to fish, and live bait with yellowfin tuna which makes for nice snacks and dinner.

Cost of trip would be roughly $4000 which would include fuel, bait, food/drinks which we would split by however many people go. Since we stay on the boat the only other expense would be airfare. 

Here’s a video a friend of mine did from one of our previous trips

 

Edited June 9, 2019 by justhookit

[Chewbacca 7,780]

4k each, or 4k total?

[justhookit 4,191]

8 hours ago, Chewbacca said:

4k each, or 4k total?

4K total. Almost all of that is fuel.

[conVINCEd 21,469]

4 minutes ago, justhookit said:

4K total. Almost all of that is fuel.

How much is allocated to hookers?

[SimonBolivar 10,958]

25 minutes ago, conVINCEd said:

How much is allocated to hookers?

You dont need hookers. Any woman you get on the boat will work...because of the implication. 

[midtown 3,346]

One of the the best sunnys

[ernest_t_bass 1,196]

When is the best time to book a flight to Costa Rica?  How far out?  I could have booked a trip for 4 people for $1600ish two weeks ago, but now up to $1800ish.  Should I monitor and jump when it's back around $1600?  I'm not a frequent flyer. 

[midtown 3,346]

Where are you going and where are you located? Completely affects the cost

[ernest_t_bass 1,196]

Flying out of Chicago.  Flying into San Jose.

Not leaving until March 21.  Returning March 27 or 28.

Edited June 18, 2019 by ernest_t_bass

[midtown 3,346]

9 minutes ago, ernest_t_bass said:

Flying out of Chicago.  Flying into San Jose.

$400 per ticket seems like a great price from CHI..I'd hang on and just set up an alert.  You have plenty of time.  I assume that's direct non-stop.  It's more expensive to fly into Liberia

Edited June 18, 2019 by midtown

[wood 11,226]

OK, so we've been to Manuel Antonio, Jaco, La Fortuna, Tabacon etc & now we're planning a trip to take our boys. Someone told my wife the prettiest area near the water is Tamarindo. I'd always heard that Manuel Antonio is the prettiest, & that seems to be backed up here. For y'all that have been to both areas, which is nicer? Also, in Tamarindo, is there a lot to do aside from the beach, surfing, etc ... rafting, hiking, atvs, etc?

[justhookit 4,191]

Yeah I cant imagine you are going to ever see anything under $400 from Chicago. But I’ve only flown out of Texas.

@wood From everything I’ve ever heard, MA is nicer but I haven’t been to Tamarindo in person. I would guess you’ll find the same activities in both places. Tamarindo is getting up into the drier area of the coast so not as much in the way of rain forests.its also windier up there so if fishing is on the menu, it can get really rough up there in the winter and spring.

[midtown 3,346]

This popped up on my twitter feed today.  I know it says NY to CR but there might be others deals from Chicago since its such a large hub

https://www.theflightdeal.com/2019/06/24/copa-327-new-york-san-jose-costa-rica-roundtrip-including-all-taxes/

[troph 24,811]

Looking at going down to fish the full moon in mid July. Most of my regular fishing partners have schedule conflicts so I thought I’d post this up here to see if anyone is interested. Looking to find 2 or 3 people. My boat is in Quepos so we would fly in to San Jose and then have our driver come pick us up to take us to the marina.
It would be a multi day trip out to the FADs which are over 100 miles offshore. You leave the dock late in the afternoon and slow boat out. Fish all day the next day, spend the night out there, fish all day the next day, then spend another night to fish the next day or you can run in. So 2-3 days of fishing, likely 3 unless the weather is bad. This is blue marlin fishing and it’s not unreasonable to expect to catch about 10 a day. It’s by far the best blue marlin fishing in the world.
This kind of trip is not for everyone - it can get a little rough out there and stormy but it’s usually decent weather. We troll lures, run teasers to pitch to fish, and live bait with yellowfin tuna which makes for nice snacks and dinner.
Cost of trip would be roughly $4000 which would include fuel, bait, food/drinks which we would split by however many people go. Since we stay on the boat the only other expense would be airfare. 
Here’s a video a friend of mine did from one of our previous trips
 

HOLY FUCK. That’s awesome!

[Jograves 357]

Saw $289 for flights from Houston to San Jose on Escape Houston. 

[justhookit 4,191]

Yeah unless you can direct link me to that, I’m not seeing it.

[Jograves 357]

Here ya go! Have to work around the dates but it's still a great price. 

https://escapehouston.com/15857/cheap-flights-houston-to-from-san-jose-329-351-r-t-american/

[midtown 3,346]

Get on that like any kid on a cupcake

[Jograves 357]

Yeah, I'm going back in September. Think I'm going for NYE too.

[JimmyHoffa 1,188]

FYI-

At least 19 people have died in Costa Rica after consuming alcohol contaminated with toxic levels of methanol, officials said.

The victims, who ranged from 32 to 72 in age, consumed the tainted alcohol in various cities across the country dating back to early last month, the country's Ministry of Health revealed over the weekend.

They each died from what appeared to be methanol poisoning. The fatalities occurred in San José, Cartago, Limón, Guanacaste and Heredia.

Government officials confiscated more than 30,000 bottles of alcohol suspected to be tainted, the ministry said in a statement on Friday, warning residents to avoid several brands that tested positive for contamination.

 

https://www.yahoo.com/gma/least-19-dead-drinking-tainted-alcohol-costa-rica-023448991--abc-news-topstories.html

[midtown 3,346]

Buy you're own bottle(s) in the duty free shop...drink Imperial or what you brought.  Profit by not dying

[ernest_t_bass 1,196]

Good thing I'm a member of the "I'm an Alcoholic" thread and lifestyle. 

[HookEm 2,467]

I'm headed out this Thursday to stay at the Andaz Papagayo in Guanacaste.  Hopefully they won't kill me with bad liquor. Looks like I picked the wrong time to negotiate an all-inclusive package with them.

We are planning on renting a car for a day to explore somewhere in the region.  Any thoughts on Rincon de La Vieja, Tenorio or Palo Verde National Parks?  Or any other day trips that are <2 hours away?  We have been to the region several times, but this will be the first time driving around ourselves.  

[Kyrie Eleison 9,312]

fiancé and i booked flights for our honeymoon this Jan for $189 via SWA.

and while i’m a member of the recovery class like ETB, my soon-to-be betrothed is not. she’ll be duty-freeing when we get there. so thanks for the tip.

[justhookit 4,191]

So I asked the Tico mate that works on my boat about this, and he said this was all locals dying and drinking in poor, working class dive bars and that there’s almost no way any tourist would even come across those brands of liquor anyway.

but yeah glad I’m mostly an Imperial guy

[Born to Run 6,569]

My called me yesterday " too bad I guess you can't go to Costa Rica again"

Yeah, no mom this happens all over the world, including here.


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[midtown 3,346]

I figured that was the case

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[Jograves 357]

I'm leaving for CR on the 14th. Can't wait. 

I'll stick to Imperial. 

[spystud13 2,371]

Definitely don’t drink any of these. 

Quote

The ministry said Wednesday that it searched a facility that belonged to Pinares de Heredia, one of the suppliers of the alcohol, and confiscated boxes of liquor suspected of containing methanol.

Since the investigation, authorities have seized 30,000 bottles of alcohol from brands including Guaro Montano, Guaro Gran Apache, Star Welsh, Aguardiente Barón Rojo, Aguardiente Timbuka and Aguardiente Molotov, according to the New York Daily News. 

https://www.aol.com/article/news/2019/07/25/costa-rica-officials-confirm-20th-death-related-to-tainted-alcohol/23778514/

 

[justhookit 4,191]

So, word is they are building a resort roughly halfway between Quepos/Manuel Antonio and Jaco. It’s been tried before and was a spectacular failure so we’ll see. I might know a guy who knows a guy if anyone is looking to buy a place down there. It’s definitely a cheap area of the country to invest in.

[justhookit 4,191]

Oh, and one of the latest fishing reports. This is from the FADs which are 80-150 miles offshore and are almost always fished on overnight/multi-day trips.

https://mobile.twitter.com/i/web/status/1174141063650582528

https://twitter.com/BillfishReport/status/1174141063650582528?s=20

Edit -ok I obviously have no idea how to embed a tweet

Edited September 21, 2019 by justhookit

[spystud13 2,371]

 

 

[justhookit 4,191]

Gracias

[midtown 3,346]

So, word is they are building a resort roughly halfway between Quepos/Manuel Antonio and Jaco. It’s been tried before and was a spectacular failure so we’ll see. I might know a guy who knows a guy if anyone is looking to buy a place down there. It’s definitely a cheap area of the country to invest in.

Is the failure that huge 6 story white building that looks like it belongs in chernobyl

[justhookit 4,191]

1 hour ago, midtown said:

22 hours ago, justhookit said:

So, word is they are building a resort roughly halfway between Quepos/Manuel Antonio and Jaco. It’s been tried before and was a spectacular failure so we’ll see. I might know a guy who knows a guy if anyone is looking to buy a place down there. It’s definitely a cheap area of the country to invest in.

Is the failure that huge 6 story white building that looks like it belongs in chernobyl

Ha, no that one is in Jaco

[GottaB 594]

I'm headed out this Thursday to stay at the Andaz Papagayo in Guanacaste.  Hopefully they won't kill me with bad liquor. Looks like I picked the wrong time to negotiate an all-inclusive package with them.
... 

How did it go? Thinking about this for our trip?

[GottaB 594]

On 7/25/2019 at 4:09 PM, Jograves said:

I'm leaving for CR on the 14th. Can't wait. 

I'll stick to Imperial. 

report?

[HookEm 2,467]

On 11/25/2019 at 2:14 PM, GottaB said:

How did it go? Thinking about this for our trip?

The Andaz was great.  It was our second time there.  We definitely got our money worth going the all-inclusive route.  The food - especially in their best restaurant - was tremendous. I also had zero worries about drinking anything at the Andaz.  The liquor is top-shelf.

We rented a car for 24 hours (~$100 all-in including gas) and drove up to Rio Celeste, a beautiful river in the rain forest.  It was about 2 hours each way of mainly country driving.  We stopped at a huge waterfall on the way back.

If renting a car, the best thing to do would be to rent it around 5:00 p.m. and then drive to Play Cabayul for the sunset.  It is about 10-15 minute easy drive in the countryside.  The beach is fantastic and mainly locals.  Then you will have the car for the whole next day to do an excursion and be back in time for dinner.

PM me if you have any questions.  We have lots of tips for the Andaz.  It is a great property.  Damnit now you are making me want to go back.

[tbone_ 14,128]

In

[GottaB 594]

The Andaz was great.  It was our second time there.  We definitely got our money worth going the all-inclusive route.  The food - especially in their best restaurant - was tremendous. I also had zero worries about drinking anything at the Andaz.  The liquor is top-shelf.
We rented a car for 24 hours (~$100 all-in including gas) and drove up to Rio Celeste, a beautiful river in the rain forest.  It was about 2 hours each way of mainly country driving.  We stopped at a huge waterfall on the way back.
If renting a car, the best thing to do would be to rent it around 5:00 p.m. and then drive to Play Cabayul for the sunset.  It is about 10-15 minute easy drive in the countryside.  The beach is fantastic and mainly locals.  Then you will have the car for the whole next day to do an excursion and be back in time for dinner.
PM me if you have any questions.  We have lots of tips for the Andaz.  It is a great property.  Damnit now you are making me want to go back.

Thanks for the report. Sounds awesome.