Dominican Republic vs Costa Rica

[KenoshaChris]

Been There Done That

Been to CR 5 times and to DR over 25 times so that answers alot of questions. CR is great. Some of the best bill fishing in the world can be had there. They seasonally move up and down the coast so you need only go where the fish are. CR has the incredible rainforests and cloud forests and its the only place in the world where I've stood on top of a volcano. Other than a few areas, San Jose is a dump but the Blue Marlin Bar at Hotel Del Rey has to be my favorite bar in the world. What a place to just sit and watch people!! CR has no military so money that would ordinarily go into such a black hole is otherwise diverted into health care, education and other social programs. National Geographic Magazine chose Athena, outside of and above San Jose to have the best climate in the world. My problem with CR? It takes me two days and three flights to get where I like to go. I can leave my house at 3:00 a.m. and be where I want to be in DR at 1:00 p.m. my time, 3:00 p.m. DR time. DR has so much to offer. The tourism people in the government should take a lesson from the CR people and they would attract alot more Americans. Now that I think of it, I met my first Dominicana in CR. And oh, I forgot to mention. Dominicanas are the hottest women in the world.

 

[andy a]

Fantastic post KenoshaChris

If DR1 ever collects a few posts from the archives to inform the would-be visitor what its like, yours should be one of them.

I was unaware that National Geographic (or anyone else) had rated the world's weather, but having been there (and many other places) and seen the (nearly) constant 72 degrees, I knew that the area around San Jose couldn't be beaten.

Of course, some things are even more important than weather - reference the last sentence (your opinion only, of course). BTW, black widow spiders are very hot, too - everything has its consequence.

 

[joey]

I have been to Costa Rica six times in the last two years and many comments on this board are valid. I stay at the Presidente Hotel and pay $45.00 per night plus tax and that includes a great breakfast. You must ask for the TSM rate. Speak with Maria if you can.

The Blue Marlin Bar in known throughout Costa Rica as a place for single men and questionable women to gather; however, there are other spots for those inclined within four blocks of the Presidente including IDEM, Arte Sauna, VIP's, etc. Spanish speaking always pays dividends, but if you can't get by in the native language, negotiate, negotiate, negotiate.

Jaco is expensive this time of the year, but it is worth a look if you're heading to Quepos. In Jaco and Quepos the beaches have white sand. I would recommend finding a traveling partner in San Jose. The black sand beaches according to my Costa Rican
friend were formed due to the volcanic activity. The temperatures on the west side of Costa Rica in the beach communities can be very hot and humid depending upon the time of the year.

I took a side trip to Granada, Nicaragua and it is a quaint old town, one of the oldest cities in the western hemisphere. The border crossing was time consuming, but it was due in part to the Xmas season.

I have been to Sosua once and I liked the DR. I am curious about Punta Cana on the east coast as I have read a lot of the action has moved there.

Enjoy Costa Rica.

 

[andy a]

Very informative post Joey...

but you don't tell us which is better overall.

Is the Presidente Hotel downtown, and how good is it?

One thing that helps keep the DR affordable is the abundance of small, plain, cheap hotels.

By the way, your style sounds suspiciously like someone I know, but he is married to a Dominicana and probably wouldn't be going to CR.

 

[AZB]

When I went to jaco and quepos beaches (8 years ago), they were dark brown to black sand. The water was not clear and muddy in jaco. The beaches were not in the same class as sosua. Just no comparison.

 

[Golo100]

AZB

I can only imagine how bad CR beaches are if you say they are worse than Sosua, considering that Sosua beaches are not even half as good as the white sand and clear blue water beaches at Bavaro. Can they be as bad as Palenque beaches?

TW

 

[Escott]

Man, great info guys. What bars/Restaurants are recommended in San Jose when traveling with a woman not of the working variety?

How about restaurants and hotels in Arenal and Monte Verde and Guanacaste?

Is it worth it to go to the OSO pennisula and Drake bay?

You guys rock!

 

[Old_BUFF_Driver]

Last time in Costa Rica, we stayed at Los Lagos "resort" It is really great, you can literally look out your patio door and see the volcano erupting!

We paid $55.00 per night this past November for a "superior" room. the resort has a giant hot tub (Heated by nature), 2 pools, water slides, crocodile farm and who knows what else

Click on the Los Lagos name on the map

http://arenal.net/arenal-costa-rica-map.htm

Monte Verde is beautiful, but a long drive from La Fortuna. You really need to try one of the "Canopy tours" if you get up this way or west toward Limon (From San Jose)

http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/canopy/tour.htm

I think you once asked about a 4x4, YES if you can afford it, well worth the extra, AND try and get one with sufficient power to pass on winding mountain roads, those RAV4's and other "wannabee" 4x4's just don't cut it

 

[Chris]

The Oso (I remember Osa but it is a while ago) peninsula to me was the last great unspoilt paradise. Grab a boat from Sierpe and let some local tour operator take you down the river. It is worth sleeping over at Poor Man's Paradise - a little pricy I remember, family style meal, very small, when we were there they had only two cabanas and two being built, but worth it if you want "the great get-away". If not, stay away. There is nothing there excepting beautiful coastline and jungle. The head of the family at Poor Man's Paradise, Don Choncho, escorted me for a ride on some mountain ponies. Took me on the wife greeting tour - he has about 7 wives if I remember correctly.

 

[goneglobal]

One week is not enough time.....

to hit Oso, Drake, Arenal....the Pacific, and the Caribbean sides unless you are on the road every day to the break of dawn...and are prepared to 8 + hours driving.....

The 4x4 you have reserved is in the previous poster's 'wannabee' category but only lacks speed-power......I found the main reason a 4x4 was better was it's high clearance meant I could roar down the dirt roads with fear of bottoming out in potholes...I wouldn't upgrade....if you can conceal all your luggage in the little 'guy'

And yes.....do the Canopy tour but it's near impossible to buy tickets on a walk-up basis in-season....get your tickets from a travel-tour operator in SJ.....before you head out....

In our last 11 day tour there, my wife wanted to do two things
1) the Canopy Tour and 2) see Arenal. We bombed on both counts! Evidently Arenal is covered by clouds most of the time and the Canopy Tour was sold-out.....

Yeah, SJ is fun for the single dude but unless you two are into three-somes...give it a miss and see the country! and spend an extra few weeks if you can!

 

[KenoshaChris]

Restaurant with a Woman

Jazz: If you take her to Ram Luna restaurant outside and above San Jose, she will love you long time. The view is simply fantastic and the food and wine are excellent.

 

[Old_BUFF_Driver]

Scott

Another incredible restaraunt/hotel/casino is Tara in the Mountains of Escuza (sp) overlooking San Jose, about a 30 minute drive from downtown


If you drive up into the mountains surronding San Jose you will find many small restaraunst with the most incredible views that the meal will be secondary.

Another place I found fantastic is the Raddison on Thursday nights, $35.00 fixed fee for 4 hours of lobster, fixed every way you can imagine, buffet style all you can eat.

La Hacienda Steak house in San Jose had grat Sea Bass and my friend had tongue, which despite myself I found it to be excellent. Dinner for two with two bottles (Hey, its vacation) of wine was only $60.00

The del Ray and it's restaraunt Blue Marlin (Men often tell their wives they are "going fishing" at theBM) would not be to yoru liking, it is a wild casino and attarcts most of the hookers in San Jose.

If you could be specific as to what you were looking for and what parts of CR I might be able to be a little more informative.

Though CR is a small country, the lack of high sped roads makes travel by automobile slow

 

[hansbert]

Costs of living in Costa Rica

Could anybody who has recent accurate information on the costs of living in CR give me an idea ?
I refer to a normal life including rent of a house and having a car.
How much per month (in local or better US currency) would a couple need to have a decent life ? Dcent not with a lot of luxurious extras.
Thanks in advance for any reasonable information on that topic.

 

[joey]

Regarding the costs of living in Costa Rica, buy a book by Christopher Howard. I am unsure of the exact title but it is something like "Living and Retiring in Costa Rica." I found the book to be an excellent primer and I'm confident it will answer the questions you have posted here and many more. Mr. Howard lives in San Jose and has lived there for quite some time. His book should be available at most book store. It is also sold at the Blue Marlin where I met him. He is a very nice guy and very knowledgeable. He has written similar books about living and retiring in Cuba and perhaps Panama. Good luck.

 

[hansbert]

I would like to have as up to date figures as possible preferably from someone who recently has been there.

 

[Escott]

Okey Dokey guys... First night we are staying at Cacts Hotelaria. Next day heading to the Volcano in Averil? Then to the Rain Forrest and then to the beach. Man I hate being a tourist. I am better off leaving the girlfriend at home I think

Fill me in guys on what to do and where to go along these lines and I will be forever in your debt. I hope I get through this.

 

[joey]

I may have made a mistake regarding the author's last name. It may be Baker. I don't know for sure as I no longer have access to the book. Sorry.

With regard to making a judgement about which country is better Costa Rica or the Dominican Republic, I just can't do it because I've only been to the DR one time. I hope to return soon and I am going to try the Punta Cana area. I do know that I love the women from both countries!

 

[hansbert]

It would be so nice if somebody familiar with the present costs of living in that country could just give me a rough idea on how much a European person living a normal way would spend there monthly. Thanks in advance !

 

[Criss Colon]

$2000.00 US!

Hope that helps!CRIS

 

[Escott]

How much is a car?

How much will it cost to live like a European in CR??

Sounds just as unanswerable...

Escott