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Original poster

Costa Rica info

15 replies

boredsolicitor · 26/05/2023 08:19

We're off to Costa Rica in a few weeks travelling around. I've never been to part of the world before . If anyone has been and has any tips on good insect repellent and whether it's very bitey that would be helpful. Also any info on average meal prices - not super fancy but good nosh. Thank you!

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BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 26/05/2023 08:21

Funnily enough I happened upon a travel tiktok last night and the woman was from San Francisco and she said meal process were comparable to home for her so £££ I'd imagine

But itspossible she was in the main touristy spots. If you are travelling around you may be more off the beaten track so cheaper.

Hopefully someone will be along soon with recent visit knowledge

Silkierabbit · 26/05/2023 12:42

Deet is a good insect repellant. Not very bitey for us but very insecty especially in rainforest. It is worth taking something to cover legs for evenings like trousers.

Food we were AI but on days out the restaurants mainly used by locals serving traditional food were very reasonable but we weren't overly keen on that food. Lots of rice, black beans though was nice fish. You might be able to get menus online for touristy places.

Original poster
boredsolicitor · 26/05/2023 20:57

Thank you so much -very helpful

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FANCHEA · 28/05/2023 10:00

You will need insect repellant. We survived 3 weeks with maybe 3 bites....so I guess what we used worked, which was just basic insect repellant, same as we'd use in Spain!

Food is amazing and in western style restaurants about the same price as home. Big hotels have the full american style buffet. Food from a "soda", a traditional cafe, is really high quality and you could have a main course and a beer or milkshake for a tenner. The fresh food in CR is outstanding, and even the most basic place will he spotless and serve delicious fresh home cooking. Unlike previous poster, we loved the rice and beans. The fruit and milk based drinks are so delicious!

Digestive28 · 28/05/2023 10:06

Lots of rice and beans and fish. It’s lovely and not that expensive in local cafes. If with kids can get chicken and chips most places if needed! And lots of fresh fruit
Insect repellent - you just need to make sure you get a world wide one that includes the tropics and take something to help with bites if you do get them.

musicalold · 28/05/2023 10:13

You need tropical strength DEET based repellent. I forgot to cover a small part of my upper back in clothes / repellent when we did a night time turtle walk in Torteguera. I was EATEN ALIVE just on the little strip of skin!!!
The food is amazing. Stick to local cafes / restaurants and it will be reasonably priced and very tasty.
It is an amazing country, you'll have a ball.

NisekoWhistler · 28/05/2023 10:18

We were there last summer and I got bitten alive in Tortuguero. I'd recommend using Deet.
Where abouts are you going in CR?

I'd say that eating out prices are v similar to America/here. We didn't find it particularly cheap at all.

So jealous, you'll have the most incredible time!

Original poster
boredsolicitor · 28/05/2023 15:42

Thanks for the tips and advice - love fresh fish so hopefully that will be a treat . We're going to San Jose couple of nights then branilo carillo National park , tortoguero, cahuita Nat park , arenal , Monteverde reserve and a few days at beach resort playa conchal at the end . Cannot wait . Will get some deet which I normally try and avoid but I am a mozzie magnet so needs must!

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NisekoWhistler · 28/05/2023 19:50

If you can edit your itinerary I'd totally swerve San Jose, we stayed for 16 hours and couldn't leave quick enough. Felt v unsafe and v little of interest to see

Original poster
boredsolicitor · 29/05/2023 03:38

Thank you - I have checked itinerary and looks like we're only there one night when we fly in late and same on the way home so more of a travel issue than a destination as such. Good to know we're not missing much!

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Original poster
boredsolicitor · 04/07/2023 11:02

Just to say got back from Costa Rica at the weekend - wow!!! What an amazing and beautiful country! I can't describe how wonderful it was and so much to see and do . Niceto wax right that San Jose is a bit of a dull old dump but every where else we went was lovely .
No bites which was a big concern for me as I tend to have a horrible reaction - got 10 bites between the 6 of us but more midge like than mozzie.

I'd recommend it if you're thinking of it as an option

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NisekoWhistler · 06/07/2023 23:00

So glad you had a blast, it's just an incredible place. Love flicking back through my photos and taking in all the greenery.

Original poster
boredsolicitor · 07/07/2023 15:18

Yes so beautiful- I keep thinking about it and wishing myself back there!

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House4DS · 07/07/2023 17:15

@boredsolicitor any top tips / places / activities (particularly low/no cost). We go in 12 days and the choices seem endless!

Original poster
boredsolicitor · 07/07/2023 17:59

I'm not sure how it works in the national parks as DH booked it all . I noticed there were some people in the park without guides but tbh we found the guides to be amazing - we saw so much more as they pointed things out i woukd have missed .
It's not super cheap to eat out but you can get relatively low cost meals in the local cafe / restaurants called 'sodas'
Where about ms are you going?

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