Can someone PLEASE give me a reason to be EXCITED! about this port!?

[rucruizin]

I have been to Costa Rica before, and we did the whitewater rafting. It was great, but I don't want to sit on the bus again, do the same tour over again.

We have looked at all the tours, and quite frankly...they bore me to tears. I've looked at the beach, but understand it is for surfing, not swimming. Plus...sand fleas...YUCK! The zipling, other than the ride itself...nothing to see. Everyone says,"it's not safe so take an organized tour, don't walk around town."

 

What else is there?

[rucruizin]

Wow! ALL THAT!??

 

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

 

No wonder I'm not excited about Costa Rica.:(

 

24 people have looked at his thread and not even one can offer any kind of pep talk?

[Qualicum 1st timers]

No wonder I'm not excited about Costa Rica.:(

 

24 people have looked at his thread and not even one can offer any kind of pep talk?

 

We did the Carribean/Panama Canal two years ago. When you get off the boat pass the tour drivers within the compound and ask the guys at the gate entrance if they can find Ricky for you. He has an air conditioned van and the best personality you will find in Costa Rica. He will ask you where to or what you want to do but we just asked for a tour of the area and perhaps a stop at a beach and maybe to see how the locals enjoyed their time. He took us to his friend's banana plantation where we swung on the hooks they transport bananas. The plantation was closed but kids that lived there brought their dog and followed us around like we were gods. He was able to give us the royal tour with all the info you will ever need to know about bananas and the stages of growth etc. We also went to the house of a friend of his and he brought his "pet" sloth down from the tree. We were actually able to hold him and have our picture taken. Next stop was a local beach where the water was beautiful and you could sit in a little bar on the beach and have some snacks and nice cold beer or whatever. They also sold fabulous wood carvings and jewellry. He also took us to a resort high up on a hill where we took photos of the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. On the return trip he stopped and picked beautiful flowers for all the ladies to put in their hair. He was the best part of our cruise "Oh Ricky, you're so fine" was all our daughters sang for days. Truly a fabulous day spent for about $50. I think we gave him $100 (three families sharing - 9 people) because he was so GREAT! The local beach we went to was actually recommended by the cruise staff and many of the waiters were there when we arrived. BEST DAY OF THE CRUISE.

 

PS: On return to the port we had a pedicure (don't let them use blades on your heals) complete with tiny flowers etc. painted on the polish by hand by one of the ladies. I think it was around $20US

 

We actually leave from San Diego in a week for an 8 day Mexican cruise on Carnival Spirit and I can only hope we find our "Mexican Ricki" who will be so fine...

[rucruizin]

Qual, thanks...that is exactly what we like to do. Hire someone we trust for the day, and have them show us THEIR country. I'm practicing up my my karate skills just in case...hehe:p

[Sue L]

I would have posted earlier but I am doing the excursion you did all ready with the White water rafting and I can't wait. I know it is a long bus ride but I am looking forward to seeing everything along the way.

 

My sister went to CR for a week but I think she was on the other side of the country where beaches and resorts are more abundant.

 

Hope you find something wonderful to do!!!

[palmtre2]

Costa Rica is wonderful - we took a tour with Charlie Soto and had the a great time - his escorts are awesome and he is very careful with his charges. I found the people we came in contact with terrific and any big city anywhere you will have to keep your eyes open - it's not just Limon. Get some 1820 coffee, you'll be happy you did. My family wants to go back and do a land based vacation here - beaches & volcanoes. No worries!!!

[nybumpkin]

Costa Rica is wonderful - we took a tour with Charlie Soto and had the a great time - his escorts are awesome and he is very careful with his charges. I found the people we came in contact with terrific and any big city anywhere you will have to keep your eyes open - it's not just Limon. Get some 1820 coffee, you'll be happy you did.

I'd go back just for the coffee:) . We had a great time two weeks ago and did the train/canal tour, but it does involve a fair amount of sitting (which was fine for us, since DH is recovering from a bout with cellulitis and was told by his doc to staf off his leg as much as possible).

[gizmo]

There are a number of tour guides recommended on this board. I used Oscar a couple of years ago and had a wonderful tour, which was similiar to the excursion mentioned earlier, including the sloth.

Oscar very accomondating. He was pointing out some lime trees and I mentioned the ship ran out of limes. He drove to a friend's place and picked me at least 50 limes !!! I shared them with others on the ship that liked lime in their drinks.

 

The vendors at the end of the pier have beautiful wood carvings at VERY reasonable prices. You can also buy some coffee there.

[bkozer1]

Qual, thanks...that is exactly what we like to do. Hire someone we trust for the day, and have them show us THEIR country. I'm practicing up my my karate skills just in case...hehe:p

 

This is what WE do on most of are cruise ports.

I find out what we would like to see and do and then we find a taxi to guide us around and the price is pre cab NOT per person.;)

[bububr]

simply for the LACK of American influence.

 

Its refreshing to go to a port that is authentic.

 

Great local beer, great local food. Good shopping.

 

And I thought it was PERFECTLY safe to walk around town with no fears.

 

Dave:eek:

[whale-watcher]

Costa Rica was our favorite stop on the Coral Princess (and our favorite destination for land based vacations as well...we have been there 4 times), BUT... we really enjoy seeing wildlife and birds and being in the rainforest. What I find exciting, you might find boring...and what interests you might not appeal to me.

 

We thought the tortugero canal tour was fantastic, and we always stock up on coffee whenever we are in CR.

[rucruizin]

Please see my review

[kernow]

We just returned from an 11 night cruise on the Constellation and Costa Rica was our favourite port. We did the Tortugero canals tour with Oscar Brown and had a great time, we went back into town after and had a drink in a bar with our driver and then went to the supermarket. The locals were very friendly and we felt as safe as anywhere else. We'd love to go back and stay for a longer holiday.

 

Julie

[kapeppy]

We stopped in Costa Rica last month and had a wonderful visit. We felt very safe with Lester from Oregon Tours and enjoyed the Tortuguero Canal, a stop at Playa Bonita and some coffee shopping. Check out my pictures by clicking on the link below.

[Jazzbo]

We were on the same cruise as Kernow and we did a tour with Charlie Soto. Jose was our guide and we had an absolutely fantastic day. We stopped briefly at a banana plantation, toured the Tortugero Canal by small boat (outstanding -- we saw sloths, monkeys, all sorts of birds, even a small iguana eating a brilliant red hibiscus flower!), went zip-lining for the first time (would do it again!), ate lunch at a beach restaurant, and shopped at a downtown supermarket for coffee and vanilla. Charlie has two atndard tours on his website (we did the A-2), or he will arrange whatever custom tour you would like. okeydokeytours@hotmail.com