Pros/Cons and Things we Learned in 12 days in Costa Rica

Beach at Manuel Antonio, Quepos, Costa Rica

  Now that the dust has settled since getting back I thought I would post a few things we learned while away.  Overall the trip was absolutely amazing!  We crammed so much stuff into 12 days, I think it was a little bit overwhelming at times.  Highlights include: catching the biggest Dorado of my life :), zip lining through the rain forest, and surfing in Jaco (definitely on my bucket list).  I have intentions of posting a day by day of our trip but that's after I unpack my backpack- yes I still haven't unpacked it. Whoops

Pros:
- Most parts- with the exception of San Jose were pretty. I say most because a couple of the places we walked around were flat out gross and smelled like shit.  BUT on the flip side, some places took my breath away, they were so pretty.

- Transportation was cheap.  We opted to steer clear of renting a car, considering its completely legal to drink and drive (although not be drunk while driving), there are no clearly marked roads, and the drivers are absolutely nuts.  Taxis were readily available and usually only a couple bucks.  Our bus back to San Jose was only $10 bucks for a 4 hour trip- that same trip in California would be 4x that (albeit alot faster)

- The rainy season was the best time to go.  I love going to places on the off season!  There were so many times that it rained, but it was pretty predictable and really only one thing got ruined because of the rain.  All the parks we went to weren't packed, the hostels were cheaper, and it was the green season- everything was gorgeous!

- All places take $USD and Colones.  It was easy to convert (500:1), and it was easy to just ask if they take US.  Plus Jeremy was excited because some money had monkeys and jaguars on them.

Jeremy enjoying our freshly caught Mahi Mahi

- The food was tasty and cheap!  I remember reading somewhere that people were complaining about the food not tasting good...they're an idiot.  Each meal usually consisted of rice, beans, potatoes, salad and a meat or fish.  Did I mention the beer was cheap...it was crappy (think Coors Light) but cheap.

- Everyone was really nice and spoke English, well kind of.  Anything we didn't know- Charades took over...lots of pointing and nodding.  Jeremy knew "Donde esta el pantelones?" which pretty much got us nowhere.  I do wish I would've paid a lot more attention in Spanish 3!






Cons:

Chacos in Jaco

- I want to punch the taxi drivers in the face!  Getting off the plane in San Jose was overwhelming.  I was used to it when I traveled all around Europe, but it was still very annoying.  We both stuck out like a sore thumb with our backpacks so we had people all over us trying to give us a ride.

- Same thing goes for the tour guides.  In La Fortuna, they were everywhere and every time you walked by them they wanted you to come inside.  They were a lot cheaper than the hostel, but I heard of some shady operators in town that will take your money and leave you hanging.

- No TP in the toilet!  So gross!  I definitely could've lived without that...especially after Jeremy, and really especially after eating 12 days of rice and beans!  Surprisingly though the bathrooms didn't smell too bad and were pretty clean.

- $28 exit tax :(.  After spending money for the last 12 days, I really didnt want to spend more just to leave.

- I completely underestimated the humidity!  It literally sucked all the water out of you...but then again we were hiking the majority of the time.  I regret not getting rooms with A/C.

Things we learned:
- First class was eh.  Dont get me wrong it was amazing...especially sneaking into the First Class Lounge at Dallas/Fort Worth!  But we were so delayed on the way back that we didn't get to eat dinner, we basically just slept the whole time.  Other then the flight attendants being a little nicer, we basically paid twice as much (or would have if we weren't given the miles) for more leg room.

- Jeremy should not eat rice and beans for every meal!  Its just bad news!

- When hostels give you the option for A/C rooms, pay the extra money.  Ugh.

- Jeremy should not be in charge of carrying a bag of eggs and broccoli on the bus.  Its like those eggs they give you in high school that's supposed to teach you to be a good parent.  Jeremy is gonna be a bad parent!

- A trashcan can make a great refrigerator! Well Sorta

- A hammock can fit into a 70L bag!

- The bugs there are twice as annoying, twice as big, and hurt twice as much.  Case in point:  Jeremy sticking his hand on some creepy bug that literally made me cry it was so scary looking, my (literally) knee jerk reaction to a mosquito that bit me in the back of the leg during the middle of a walking tour...I think the other couple thought I had turrets.

Things I regret not doing:
- Seeing the baby turtles hatch.  Sept/Oct is the best time to see them, but it was mainly on the the Caribbean  side and we didnt want to pay $300 per person and spend all day on a bus to see them.

We pretty much did everything we wanted to while we were there, and I wish it would never end.

Pura Vida


Here are some of my favorite pics from the trip:

Packing List for Costa Rica - 12 days

Its been a daunting task to fit two week of your life into a 70L backpack!  But after some space bags and careful planning I was even able to leave room for some coffee and souvenirs for the return trip.  So heres the plan:

My day bag consists of:

- First Aid kit

- Passport/wallet

- Journal/Itinerary

- Binoculars (so Jeremy can find his monkeys)

- Cards and games

- Guide book

- Eye cover

- Neck pillow

- Water bladder

- Umbrella

Geocache stuff:

Were planning (well at least me) on doing some geocaching while were there, and also start our own!  Im so excited.  I downloaded about 15-20 caches last night and some look pretty bad ass!

- Container: painted by yours truly!

- California Geocoin- Challenge: to bring back to Sacramento

- Two trackables, both attached to CHP patches:

        - challenge: bring back to CA and take a picture with a CHP officer

        - this geocache will be the one we start- no challenge

        - log book

- Pelican: found in a geocache in Tahoe.

Toiletries:

- TP                                        - Brush
- Shampoo/Conditioner           - Plastic Bags
- Soap                                    - Contacts Stuff
- Toothpaste/brush                  - TIDE
- Razor                                   - Sanitizer Wipes
- Deodorant                            - Mirror
- Sunscreen (I burn easily)       - Dramamine
- Lip balm                               - Ear plugs
- Clippers
-  Flat Iron (I know it was my one girly item)

Misc:
- Surge protector: I found out the easy way while travelling Europe it is the most efficient way to charge  many items fast!
- Camera/camera accessories: I ended up bringing 42 Gigs (yea overkill I know)
- Day hikers: I dont know if Ill ever use them, Im bringing and planning on wearing my Chaco's alot.  I just felt weird not bringing any sort of closed toed shoe.
- Food for a couple lunches and dinners (Jeremy becomes a gremlin after a while without food, so its like travelling with a child and we much bring food everywhere we go)
- Hat/Headbands

Clothes:
- Okay let me say this...I feel like I totally overpacked, but since I wasnt crammed for space, I packed a few more things I probably should've.

- Jammies: gotta represent CHP!
- many pairs of undies (you can never pack too many)
- pair of wool socks (for hiking in)
- two cotton socks
- bra
- sports bra

Tops: I absolutely love Athleta stuff, and brought along many items from them.  They pack amazingly well (little to no wrinkles) and look super cute for travelling in!
- Dress
- Sarong, which doubles as skirt, top, blanket, towel, table cloth!
- 4 tops

Bottoms:
- 1 pair of pants
- 1 pair of shorts
- 2 capris
- 1 skort

So when you cram that all into a space bag what does it look like!

Things I am looking forward to:

- Fishing next Tuesday!  Ive never gone deep sea fishing before, plus they let us keep some of the fish we catch and cook it for us.

- Flying first class!  I really hate to rub that in, but man Im excited

- Geocaching!  The geocaches there look like they have a lot of cool trackables in them, Im looking forward to bringing them back stateside.

- Surfing!  Enough said.

Things I might regret:

- Flying first class:  I have a feeling once we do first class, we'll never want to go to coach!

- Bringing pants:  I really think I wont need them, but I just feel weird not bringing at least A pair.

- Bringing day hikers:  Im sure Ill be living in my Chacos the whole time.

I havent traveled since I went to Europe in 2008 for a month.  Its been too long since Ive gone anywhere, and my god I deserve it!  Costa Rica here we come.