Costa Rica - Travel Advice

[Beconn Reconn]

Last week, I met a couple guys who say that Spirit Air has a good deal for travel by using their credit card and frequent flyer miles. They claim to be traveling for $20-$30 without checking baggage. Not sure completely how they do it, but I am going to look into it. I thought that I had a good deal coming out of Orlando on Jet Blue for $264, but if I can improve on that, then it is worth it. If anyone is familiar with how this works, please share or pm me. Thanks.

They have that "$9 fare club" you can join, have to pay a fee, but then they let you know when special fares come up. Sometimes they have real low rates, but they sell out quickly. Also Spirit charges A LOT to check or carry on even 1 bag, you have to travel really light basically just wear some shorts, two 2shirts, and sweatshirt with your toothbrush and blue pills in there!

[Qncterra]

Last week, I met a couple guys who say that Spirit Air has a good deal for travel by using their credit card and frequent flyer miles. They claim to be traveling for $20-$30 without checking baggage. Not sure completely how they do it, but I am going to look into it. I thought that I had a good deal coming out of Orlando on Jet Blue for $264, but if I can improve on that, then it is worth it. If anyone is familiar with how this works, please share or pm me. Thanks.

[Nixonbd]

I have always rented a car in San Jose. If you shop around you get a cheap rate. It is fun taking your honey to Arenal and other sightseeing places. We had lots of fun at the hot springs, very romantic.

Having a car beats the sitting and drinking at bars. I have travelled lenghth and breadth of Costa Rica. It is a small country. Have gone to pacific as well as atlantic side, always renting a car for a week. I used to stay at Presidente and they have secure parking inside. As for the girls many would just go with me with no demands of money for the day. For these girls it is an experience. Many have never gone sightseeing. Their only sightseeing is looking at the ceiling it seems. Many a times even went to local carnivals. Locals were very friendly. One time it was raining cats and dogs on the way back from Puerto Limon on the mountain pass. Drivers were very cautious.

Never had problems driving in CR.

The girls I was with never had anything bad to say about the ceiling in my room!

[Sammon]

Renting a car in Costa Rica is OK. But the mass transit is so good and plentiful and cheap. Why bother with a rental car. Plus rental cars in CR are rather expensive. Much cheaper to get a rental car in Panama. For example. The rates there are lots cheaper than CR.

A decent rental car in CR will set you back perhaps $ 300-400 a week. But you can take taxi's or buses anywhere and they are dirt cheap. And there are literally thousands of both. The Cabs and buses go almost everywhere.

Another consideration is the traffic on the roads. The drivers in CR. Are a "wreck waiting to happen". And if you are involved in a wreck you will wish you never, never even thought of renting a car, and driving in CR. As the police will cause you a lot of anguish.

My advice. Take a taxi or a bus and leave the driving to the locals. You will know what I mean once you arrive and see how they drive. It's just a guess-timate but I would say- there has got to be a 1, 000 fender benders a day in San Jose, CR. And probably 5, 000 or more near misses.

That is something that you do need to subject yourself too. With the plentiful, cheap and easy mass transit.

I have always rented a car in San Jose. If you shop around you get a cheap rate. It is fun taking your honey to Arenal and other sightseeing places. We had lots of fun at the hot springs, very romantic.

Having a car beats the sitting and drinking at bars. I have travelled lenghth and breadth of Costa Rica. It is a small country. Have gone to pacific as well as atlantic side, always renting a car for a week. I used to stay at Presidente and they have secure parking inside. As for the girls many would just go with me with no demands of money for the day. For these girls it is an experience. Many have never gone sightseeing. Their only sightseeing is looking at the ceiling it seems. Many a times even went to local carnivals. Locals were very friendly. One time it was raining cats and dogs on the way back from Puerto Limon on the mountain pass. Drivers were very cautious.

Never had problems driving in CR.

[Benefit]

Hey guys been to SJ back in 97 and had a ball. Arrived Halloween night Stayed for 10 days at the SL. Did it all. Three of us looking to return for about ten days Jan Sixth 12. Between us we will cover all. However would like info on party life during that season.

I know there were fears of a crackdown but that seems to have supsided. We know most of the spots unless some new hot ones have opened. I am just trying not to get caught in a down time when things are slow. Would appreciate any direction you can give me.

[Lusifer69]

Thanks Stevewxly and Iddfs for the info. I guess I will rent a car for the 2 days that I will be out of San Jose and then turn it in.

[Iddfs]

Hello, everyone I will be in Costa Rica from the 26-30 of this month and I'm planning on moving around a lot (going to the Volcanoes, sip lines, beaches and from Alejuelas to San Jose (we have friends in Alejuela but we are staying in San Jose) so my friend and I are planning on renting a car. I would like to know if renting a car in Costa Rica is a good idea or not?

I agree with Stevewxly, I only rented a car in San Jose the first time I went, after that, I realized that it was mostly useless. Not just the driving, but at night you are better off with a taxi and not walking to a parking lot.

I do rent a car when I am going outside of San Jose, specially at the Arenal, where taxis are few and expensive.

[Stevewxly]

Hello, everyone I will be in Costa Rica from the 26-30 of this month and I'm planning on moving around a lot (going to the Volcanoes, sip lines, beaches and from Alejuelas to San Jose (we have friends in Alejuela but we are staying in San Jose) so my friend and I are planning on renting a car. I would like to know if renting a car in Costa Rica is a good idea or not?

Renting a car in Costa Rica is OK. But the mass transit is so good and plentiful and cheap. Why bother with a rental car. Plus rental cars in CR are rather expensive. Much cheaper to get a rental car in Panama. For example. The rates there are lots cheaper than CR.

A decent rental car in CR will set you back perhaps $ 300-400 a week. But you can take taxi's or buses anywhere and they are dirt cheap. And there are literally thousands of both. The Cabs and buses go almost everywhere.

Another consideration is the traffic on the roads. The drivers in CR. Are a "wreck waiting to happen". And if you are involved in a wreck you will wish you never, never even thought of renting a car, and driving in CR. As the police will cause you a lot of anguish.

My advice. Take a taxi or a bus and leave the driving to the locals. You will know what I mean once you arrive and see how they drive. It's just a guess-timate but I would say- there has got to be a 1, 000 fender benders a day in San Jose, CR. And probably 5, 000 or more near misses........

That is something that you do need to subject yourself too......... with the plentiful, cheap and easy mass transit.

[Lusifer69]

Hello, everyone I will be in Costa Rica from the 26-30 of this month and I'm planning on moving around a lot (going to the Volcanoes, sip lines, beaches and from Alejuelas to San Jose (we have friends in Alejuela but we are staying in San Jose) so my friend and I are planning on renting a car. I would like to know if renting a car in Costa Rica is a good idea or not?

[Keeper50]

Anyone stay at the Morazon recently? There were reports of the elevator not working and water shortages, have they been taken care of? They have a nice 3 day deal going, and I would like to stay there. TY in advance

[CultureShock]

You should just eliminate the middleman and mail your credit card and PIN to Nigeria.

I don't use my state-side debit cards anymore in Costa Rica, expect for maybe an ATM transaction. Its better to bring cash anyway to Costa Rica and get a hotel room with a safe. Paying for the hotel with a credit card is fine, but I would not risk my debit card with attached checking account.

A friend of mine got a Walmart Money Card after getting burned in Costa Rica and spending hours with his bank. You have to wait a week in the mail for the final card, but its any easy way to transfer some cash onto a card that won't turn into an ongoing nightmare if it gets compromised.

[Dickhead]

Hey any body knows that I can use credit cards in new fantacy, pirate club and idem for services. Let me know thanks and if yes what are the charges

You should just eliminate the middleman and mail your credit card and PIN to Nigeria.

[Dickhead]

I went to Quito, Ecuador last year . Prostitution is not out in the open

I guess you were not in the Mariscal Sucre area on a Friday or Saturday night, then.

[Love Bite]

Hey any body knows that I can use credit cards in new fantacy, pirate club and idem for services. Let me know thanks and if yes what are the charges

[Iddfs]

If the cash is flowing, they are going and if you are paying they are staying.

Some of the way out there spots in jaco the girls will whine but going from SJ to escazu should not cause much hassle.

Thanks, a couple of my friends are married and they are going to use the "I am staying in the suburbs" excuse.