Costa Rica, a country that brings to mind a tropical paradise by the Caribbean. It's true this country is beautiful, but it isn't called the Switzerland of Central America for nothing.
Behind Costa Rica's beauty lies a nation battling problems like most countries in the world. Costa Rica exports almost nothing and imports just about everything, and the country as a whole is suffering from housing and food inflation. Combined with a thuggy street culture and below average food at above average prices. Costa Rica does not rate well on my travel rating scale from 1-5.
Travel Score = 2.5
Affordability= 2
Food= 2
Culture = 2
Safety = 3
Activities = 4
Hotel Value= 2
Transportation = 2.5
Sticking to my budget of 20 dollars a day I found impossible. Just a large pizza was on sale at Pizza Hut for 22 dollars. You better be prepared to spend if you plan to visit this heavily touristed nation.
Costa Rica has a lot to offer when it comes to attractions and activities. The Arenal Volcanic National Park is a big attraction as well as bird watching, pristine jungles, gorgeous beaches, surfing, diving, snorkeling and more.
Hotels range from about 30 dollars and up for anything decent. There are some dorm options for about 20 dollars a night. But there were no deals to be had like in neighboring countries.
Culturally I didn't see a high moral standard. The big thing to watch out for in the capital of San Jose is Taxi scams. There is a high population in their twenties and thirties and they seem to have adopted a more street look and attitude. Compared to Hindu Bali, Indonesia I was not impressed.
Costa Rica has a problem with food inflation. The average worker makes 600 dollars a month yet food prices are that of Europe. A litter bottle of water is two dollars. In neighboring Nicaragua it's 30 cents. Everyone here especially the locals complain about how expensive the food is. The country occasionally has labor strikes. In the supermarket I saw an 8oz package of provolone cheese for fifteen dollars!
The food itself was nothing to write home about. Rice, beans, plantains, a little piece of grilled meat, and maybe a little salad common in most Central and South American countries. But in Costa Rica you pay two to three times as much. There are no 60 cent tacos like in Mexico. No 3 dollar almuerzos like in Ecuador, no 2 dollar quarter chicken and potatoes like in Colombia.
Another let down is the public transportation. Getting around the country is best done by bus during the day. They charge more than neighboring countries, the seats are smaller to cram more people in, and often many end up standing in the isle for as long as 6 plus hours!
I found myself in a Pay More Get Less Country. I wanted to leave rather than rip a whole through my savings. After checking out Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side I stayed one night in San Jose and took a bus to neighboring Nicaragua. There I scored a great studio apartment for 8 dollars a night in the beach town of San Juan Del Sur. You can read more about this place here.
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Thank you,
Photo credit Arenal.net