This page is where anyone can ask me questions. Ask about traveling or moving to Costa Rica. Ask me what my favorite color is. Whatever…. Anything you want.

I’ll post the questions that are of interest to most people. (Probably not the one about my favorite color.)

Please email your question to me here:

Contact me!

QUESTIONS BELOW.
FOR EASE IN READING, EACH QUESTION IS SEPARATED BY A PHOTO.

QUESTION:
CherryAnn asked: I am visiting CR in April. In my haste and excitement about visiting I didn’t realize the hotel was 4+ hours from the airport. The hotel is quoting $180 for a private shuttle from the airport but that seems a bit steep. Is that the going rate? I wouldn’t mind taking public transport but I’m concerned about any transfers and drop-off.

Many people ask how to get to the Caribbean from San Jose. I give you the step by step below:

A. BY BUS – $40.00 Total cost
1. Look on my web site at the airport page.
On your way out of the airport you’ll see a taxi window. Go there and tell them you want to go to Los Caribeños bus station. Pay them right there and they will get you a driver. It will cost you $22.00 plus tip ($1.00) is fine. They will take dollars. Move quickly, the last bus leaves at 4:00 p.m.
(By the way, don’t go to the airport money exchange to change your money. Just use an ATM – there is one at the bus station – and take out colones from your U.S. account. Then when you get to Puerto Viejo you can go to the bank for the best rate, to change more money if you want.)
2. When you get to the bus station, walk to the left and go inside. Up the stairs, you’ll see ticket windows for different places. Go to the last window near the far end of the building and look for the window that says Puerto Viejo. Ask for a direct ticket to Puerto Viejo on the next available bus, (una billeta para el proximo bus, directo por Puerto Viejo). It will cost about $12.00 dollars.
There are two Puerto Viejos in Costa Rica so you want to be sure to go to the right one. Your Puerto Viejo is in the mountains of Talamanca and in the Province of Limon. The sign may say Puerto Viejo de Talamanca or Puerto Viejo, Limon. I don’t remember which but it is the same thing. There is also a city of Limon, which your bus will go through on the way to Puerto Viejo.
3. Go back to where you saw the buses in the parking lot. Your bus will be one of the first you come to, I think. But look for a sign for Puerto Viejo and then ask those already waiting or ask the bus driver. Have a nice ride. It will be about four hours and fifteen minutes. You’ll have a fifteen minute stop, after about three hours, in Limon, to use the bathroom and get a snack.
4. The bus will stop briefly at a station in Cahuita. Just stay in your seat. Soon, you’ll be dropped off in the center of Puerto Viejo. There will be taxis ready to take you to your hotel or you can tell your hotel to come pick you up if they offer that service.

B. BY PRIVATE SHUTTLE – $85.00 Total cost
1. At least three days before you leave, email Isabel at Vida Tropical (see my web page about Vida Tropical) and make a reservation. Tell her you will want to leave the next morning for Puerto Viejo and ask her to make a reservation with Interbus or Grayline. Tell her I sent you. (I get no commissions.) The hotel will cost you: for 1 person $35, for 2 people $50.00 and $10 for an extra person in the room. Up to 2 children under 12 free if sharing room with parents. The cost of the shuttle is 39.00.
2. When you are leaving the airport, go to the taxi window and tell them you want to go to Vida Tropical in Alejuela. The hotel will give you directions for the driver. Pay them at the window. I will cost about $5.00 – a five minute ride.
3. Enjoy a lovely evening at Vida Tropical. Alejuela is a nice little town. Isabel can give you a map and you can take a walk in the afternoon.
4. Have them wake you up in time to leave to get the 7:30 shuttle. These shuttles only leave early in the morning and only from a few major hotels. The desk clerk will call you a taxi. The taxi ($5.00) will take you to the big hotel across from the airport (which you could have stayed at if you wanted to spend more – lots more). Have a nice breakfast (included) at Vida Tropical and get your taxi.
5. The bell boys outside the hotel are used to the shuttles picking up people that are not staying at their hotel. Wait there for the shuttle and if you have any questions they will gladly help. Have a nice comfortable, air conditioned ride in the shuttle van, with a few more people headed out to Puerto. You’ll stop to eat in Siquerries, at Restaurant Ellis, a very nice place, after about two hours. Any time you need to stop for the bathroom or to take a picture, the bus driver will gladly accommodate you. These drivers are really nice, especially if you try to speak Spanish to them. They will take you right to your hotel in Puerto Viejo.

QUESTION: Caroline, from Sand Point, Idaho, has questions about what to do while visiting the Puerto Viejo area:

1. We are thinking of staying in the town of Cocles. Would it be best to stay in one place and do day expeditions from there?

Cocles is a nice little place. You can do lots of things from this area – by bus, by bike, walking or taxi. I think staying in one place is best.

2. We would love to do some guided tours like Bird watching, water falls, wildlife and a canopy tour. But I have heard that it is more an amusement thing and you don’t really see much wildlife going on the canopy tours. Will we be able to see much wild life on the Caribbean side? What is the best way to do that? Guided tour?

One never knows how much wild life you will see. But there is just as much a chance here as other parts of the country, probably more. I have seen the most when I stayed in a place that was surrounded by jungle.

My daughter’s boyfriend can take you on a great waterfall tour that includes a visit to the local indigenous tribe. There is a chocolate tour and a sloth rescue center tour, too. And I can take you horseback riding if you like. I went on a zip line tour once and saw no animals, but it was fun. In Cocles you’ll see and hear howler monkeys. In Manzanillo you can take a guided tour of the jungle in the Gandoca nature preserve and learn all about the flora and fauna. It’s beautiful. You can also take boat rides there.

3. We also would like to spend about four days on Osa Peninsula Do you think that would be doable?

Since you have two weeks, you should have time. A week on each coast would be great. And you will see wildlife in Osa.

4. Do you know if there would be a way to go from there to the Caribbean side over on the Panama side? Or do we have to go all the way back to San Jose to be able to come over to “your” side? Do you know of a shorter way?

To get to the Pacific from here you have to go back to San Jose, switch buses and then go out to the Pacific side. I can help you get that figured out if you like. The only other way to the Pacific side is through Panama. I took a bus to David, which took 9 hours. From there you’d have to go back up into Costa Rica and it would take at least half the day to get to Osa. The San Jose route is faster. By bus you can get to the Pacific from here in a day, but only to the northern part. It would take the next morning to get down to Osa.

QUESTION about traveling around the country, from Susan:
What is the best way to get to Uvita, Costa Rica from San Jose?

Hola and happy new year. Uvita is a town on the Pacific coast. I have not been to Uvita myself but I have a Tica friend who’s mom lives there. She tells me it is just beautiful – and quieter that the more northern coastal towns.

This answer also applies to the other towns in the Osa Penninsula area.

To get there from San Jose, you have several options.
1. Take a shuttle service. That is the easiest and often most convenient, especially if you have luggage. You know your luggage will be secure and you’ll ride in air conditioned comfort. The shuttle service that leaves from San Jose to Uvita is called Easy Ride.
The cost is $50.00 and they will pick you up at your hotel in San Jose or in Alajuela. The trip takes 4 1/2 hours and they leave twice a day – 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. If you need a ride from the airport, check with them on their web site, I think they do that, too. This will cost a bit more than public transportation, but the small difference is worth it.

Public Transportation:
It can be a fun way to get to know the Costa Rican people and culture. I prefer to use it when I have minimal luggage (just a backpack I can keep with me at all times). The buses are efficient and comfortable.

2. Public Bus – A direct bus leaves at the Coca Cola bus station every day at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Any taxi driver can take you to that station from the airport or from your hotel. (Taxi fare will be about $20.00) The driver will load your luggage in the outside lower storage compartment. Keep your valuables (laptop, camera…) with you on the bus and well within sight, preferably on your lap.this bus will go west to Jaco and then go down the coast.

3. Public Bus – Indirect – If you want an amazing drive through the mountains, take a bus to San Isidro de General. You get this bus at the Musoc station (ask a cab driver). When you get to San Isidro
you’ll have to get on another bus to Uvita.

If this is your first time to Costa Rica and you don’t speak Spanish, I highly recommend option #1. If you know your way around Costa Rica a bit and are up for an adventure, try option 3. It will be easier if you speak some Spanish.

QUESTION from Sharon in Canada, who may want to retire in Costa Rica:
I am struggling with my destination for retirement in 11 months. I currently live in Toronto with my son….I am 64 and Andrew is 21. He will be heading to College next September and as I turn 65 and will be receiving the pension, I am trying to make up my mind where I can best spend about $1200. a month guaranteed income. I had kind of ruled out the coastal areas after talking with other expats who have chosen the interior around San Jose. I would love to be close to water but heat and humidity are not my thing….had a sun stroke two years ago and wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. The muggings which you too refer to, are a source of concern…and so I gave thought to Panama.
Panama is even hotter, so I’m told unless you move into the mountains.
What do you know of life in Panama or Ecuador? Are you happy with the decision to stay in Costa Rica.?

Hi Sharon,
Let’s see…. first of all, I was never mugged. Mugging implies an assault. The first time I was robbed it was in the Central Valley in the sweet little town of Orosi. I stayed overnight at a hotel that told me my car was safe on the street. I have a convertible. The top was stolen and the contents inside. I detail the whole experience in my book. The second time I was house sitting for someone who had very little security measures in place on their home. While I went for a walk in the early evening, someone came in and took some things. They did not get much because by that time I had learned to keep my valuables in a safe place. (I had a security trunk made for my car that nobody can get into.) The third time someone came to my house at night and looked around for things but only got the CDs in my car because I had left it unlocked. They did not get in the house. There is a bit more to this story (in my book, also). Actual muggings and assaults are more likely to happen in a big city like San Jose and then it is usually only if you are in a bad neighborhood or have put yourself in a vulnerable situation. Certainly theft is as likely to happen in the mountains, the valley and on the coast. Where there is poverty, there is theft.
It can be hot here. Panama is much hotter, except in the mountains, as you said. Many people like Boquete. I once read that it was number five on the list of best places to retire in the world.
All of Costa Rica is humid. It is a bit more so in the Caribbean but everywhere you have to work constantly to prevent and remove mold. I like the humidity. Coming from Montana, where it is very dry, my skin relishes the humidity. This time of year the Caribbean does not get too hot, in fact it is quite pleasant. And even when it is hot, we always seem to have ocean breezes.
Ecuador is very interesting to me. I would love to go there to visit. Don’t know if I would want to live there. It is so much further from my family and home in the States. I have heard that the coastal towns are like Costa Rica was 20 years ago.
I am very happy I chose Costa Rica. I think it is the best place in Central America for someone from our culture to transition. It is still a very different culture, but there are similarities. It is not so primitive as many other places. I think Panama is a good second choice. It depends on what you are looking for. As a single woman, I want a social life. Upon my visits to Panama, I didn’t feel I would it there, other than with Expats. For that I could have stayed in North America. Here (in this part of Costa Rica) there are people from all over the world. I enjoy meeting people from other cultures. In addition to that there is the Afro Caribbean culture, which is unique to this part of the country. I have been here for two years and have grown to love the area and its people.

QUESTION from Bob in Colorado:
My wife and I are thinking of coming to Costa Rica after April 15 and before May 3. We will probably spend eight days there. I have no clue where to go. I have talked to friends who have been to the Pacific coastal area, but it appears you prefer the Caribbean. Do you know much about Montezuma area? We generally like to relax the first day, then travel every other day to see parts of the country. We would like your suggestions and maybe even hire you as a guide for one, two or three days. What do you suggest?

Dear Bob,
I have lived here in the Caribbean – the Puerto Viejo area – for two years. That is the area I know best. I have been to various places in the mountains and the Central Valley but only twice to the Pacific (which is where Montezuma is).
I love the Caribbean. I would highly recommend a visit here at the time of year you’ll arrive. The weather is beautiful in Spring. It gets a bit more rainy as you get into May and June, so I would suggest coming earlier than later. It rains often in the Caribbean but there is always sun, too. Frequently in the same day and the rain often comes at night. At that time of year you may get a week of full on sun. I am not sure about the weather in the Pacific at that time but I have been told that the dry vs rainy times are the opposite of the Caribbean, so it will most likely be more rainy there at the time you’ll be here.
Aside from the weather, my (limited) experience of the Pacific concurs with everything I have heard about it, and believe me, I ask around. I have talked to many people who have been there.
The northern parts of the Pacific are the most developed. They are the closest beach and easiest access to San Jose. There is where you will find the biggest and fanciest hotels and the most amenities. It is more developed and commercialized than other areas. In that part of Costa Rica I expect you would interact more with other tourists than locals. I plan to take a trip down the Pacific coast to check it all out one of these days. I haven’t been to Montezuma, but I have been told that the town of Samara, which is nearby, is a very nice quiet beach town. I will be making my trip before you get here so I’ll keep you posted.
The mid to southern part of the Pacific is a bit less developed. I was in Tamarindo and Manuel Antonio. Although the scenery is lovely everywhere in Costa Rica, I did not particularly care for either place. Tamarindo is similar to Jaco (don’t go there) with it’s high rise condos and hotels. In Manuel Antonio the locals were fairly friendly but the tourists were not, at all. For me the ambiance of a place, just like a person, is not only the physical beauty, but the “feel” of it, which includes the temperament of the people. I’m spoiled. I come from a small and friendly town in Montana and I live in an extremely friendly place in Costa Rica.
The least developed part of the Pacific coast is the far south, specifically the Osa Penninsula. I’ve been told it is the most beautiful part of the country. It is a wild, primitive and untouched kind of beauty. To get to the Penninsula you have to take a plane or a boat. I believe there is only one hotel there. I know there are all kinds of tours and excursions available.

Now for the fun part. I get to tell you why I love the Caribbean! So many reasons…..
The beaches are incredibly beautiful! The main road in this area runs south, along the beach, from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo. There are a number of little towns in between, all with their own unique beaches. You can drive, take the bus or ride a bike from one end to the other stopping at different beaches and sampling various restaurants and hotels. Accommodations run from primitive and cheap to five star, elegant. There are some excellent restaurants with typical Costa Rican food served by locals or French, Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese and more provided by expats from those countries.
The jungle is intriguing and mysterious. The sweet little town of Manzanillo is in the great Gandoca nature preserve. You can get a guide to take you through the jungle and tell you about the many plants and their myriad of uses. You’ll often see monkeys and sloths, sometimes snakes. (I have not seen one and frankly, that’s just fine.) There are magnificent mountain waterfalls you can hike into, swim and spend the day. I love horseback riding out in the open mountain pastures, with colorful birds in fragrant wooded groves and magnificent vistas.
There is so much to do, from a relaxing jungle spa to white water rafting or zip line canopy tours! There is an interesting Sloth rescue center where they take you out in a boat on the river between the jungle and the beach. It’s fun to see the peaceful and intriguing creatures up close. My daughter’s boyfriend, a local Afro Caribbean, gives a waterfall tour that includes a visit to the indigenous Bri Bri and a talk with their tribal leader. You get to meet their families, see their crafts and often they will sing and dance for you, too. They are warm and welcoming.
For a nice overnight trip, north of here, visit Tortuguerro. (Another place on my list of places to see in the near future.) This part of the coastline is made up of mangroves and must be toured by boat, there are no roads, except the one you come in on. On the beach, in the huge, sea turtle sanctuary, you can watch the turtles come in from the ocean and dig down and lay their eggs. Then you’ll see babies crawl out of the sand and head down to the water.
The best part of being in the Caribbean is enjoying its people! They are some of the most hospitable I’ve ever met. Easy going, good natured, helpful and friendly, the people of the Caribbean are the strength and character of this place. The population is comprised of Afro Caribbean – descended for Jamaica, Latin Costa Ricans, workers who come from Panama and Nicaragua, some Chinese and expats from everywhere in Europe and North and South America. There is lots of English spoken here. It’s really quite cosmopolitan. In the evening there is always live music to enjoy and fire dancers in the street. Even a stroll around town, people watching, makes for fun entertainment.
Since you only have eight days, I would recommend deciding on a place and exploring the surrounding area, rather than trying to get to see the whole country. It’s true that Costa Rica is only about the size of West Virginia, but it feels much larger. It’s mountainous regions and sometimes bad roads make travel quite time consuming.
I would love to guide you and your wife, show you around and do whatever else I can to help. If you would like me to recommend some accommodations and activities, just let me know more specifically what you are looking for (beach or jungle, amenities, price, preferred walking distance activities and if you will be renting a car.) Travel from San Jose to Puerto Viejo takes about four hours. I can help you with your choices and arrangements of how to get here, too.
Lisa

QUESTION from Nadia in France:
My boyfriend and I are 32 years old and we live in Paris but we don’t look for a hotel because we are already invited to my house’s friend during our stay because they will go on holidays in Ecuador and we will stay at their home at San Jose. But we will rent a car and so we want to discover the country. I read that the best beach is in Carribbean coast. Do you have some name of a beautiful beach ?
Where could we go out by night ? To eat or to take a drink? To dance?
Thanks a lot for your reply.

Hi Nadia,
San Jose is a big, bustling city. You can get the feel of the Costa Rican culture there and find lots of night life (for night life in San Jose, ask any taxi driver to take you to El Pueblo) but other than that, you may prefer to spend much of your time elsewhere.
The Caribbean does indeed have beautiful beaches. The jungle comes right up to the water in some areas. There is always a place for shade if it gets too hot for you. I suggest you come out to Puerto Viejo and see what it is like. Cocles beach is my favorite. It is just perfect for a romantic walk, with no one in sight. Punta Uva has the most popular beach for swimming. You have to be careful, in the Caribbean the ocean currents are strong and can be dangerous.
If you want a fun and inexpensive place hostel type to stay and socialize, Rocking J’s attracts young people from all over the world.  From there you have a taxi ride into town to go out to Johnny’s Place (Ladies night is Wednesday) and Baba Yaga (Ladies night on Tuesday) for all night music and dancing. There is a cool new restaurant called Koki Beach that you would really like and for breakfast there is no better place than Cafe Ivon.

There is so much to do here and the people are just lovely, very friendly. You will also run into people from France who live here and there are several French restaurants. It is rainy season now (November). We have been getting a mix of sun and rain, but still plenty of sun for time on the beach. If you email me before you come out, I can tell you what the weather is like that day. Enjoy and Pura Vida.
Lisa

QUESTION from Mario, who wants to know all about starting a new life in Costa Rica. He says:

I want to start a new life. I need advise about money (I will get half my pension – $500.00 a month) and medical (I will have insurance and dental). Do I need vaccinations? I speak English and need to work on my Spanish. Can I get a furnished apartment? I spoke to someone who was born and went to school in Costa Rica. They said people are so friendly and helpful that it spooks Americans who are not used to trusting friendly people. What’s their angle? Why are they so friendly? I have my passport ready and can’t wait for an adventure. I was the guy who raised my family and never took chances. Thank you.      Mario

Hello Mario,
Well, you have lots of questions. I will answer what I can and try to direct you to places where you can find more info. The first thing I’ll say is that I have so much of the information you are looking for in my book, “If She Can Do It, So Can I.” It is all about my experiences moving to Costa Rica from the States. I also wanted to start a new life – and I did. You can find out more about it on my home page. My first suggestion is to buy my book.
Have you visited Costa Rica? If so, where? My next suggestion is to visit Costa Rica and see various parts of the country. Here you can talk to many expats who have moved here and find out about their experience. It is good you are interested in learning Spanish because talking to locals will help you understand the culture better. There is a very good book I have read, called The Ticos – Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica. I would highly recommend it to you. And when you come here for a visit, I can help you. I offer a Costa Rica Guide Service for just your kind of situation.
I live in Costa Rica on $500.00 a month but I have managed to create a unique situation. Most people would tell you that you need at least $1000.00 a month. You can see my living situation (photos and description) in my most recent web site journal entry, called Trip to San Jose. Furnished apartments are not difficult to find. My first two years here, I lived in one that was a short walk to the beach. It cost me $400.00 a month. Of course the cost of rent in Costa Rica depends on what part of the country you live in.

I have no health insurance so I can’t tell you anything about that. I can tell you that Costa Rica is reputed to have excellent medical care and although I have not needed to use it, many friends have reported a positive experience. You don’t need any special vaccinations to come here. I never had any. However the U.S. government does recommend a few. Contact your local government health care agency. There are some mosquito born sicknesses that one can get if you are living on the coastal areas. I’ve known people who have gotten dengue and papalomoyo. They are extremely unpleasant but survivable. I have managed to avoid the jungle illnesses.

Regarding your statement:“Someone who was born and went to High School there said people are so friendly and helpful that it spooks Americans who are not used to trusting friendly people. What’s their angle? Why are they so nice?” I love the Costa Rican people. They are very friendly and helpful. It never occurred to me not to trust someone because they are friendly. However I do make it an overall policy not to put myself in vulnerable situations where I need to trust someone I do not know. In places where there is poverty, you will find crime. You just have to use common sense. As for their angle? The Costa Ricans as a whole, don’t have angles and ulterior motives. Individuals may have them, as in any culture. I believe that in life, we get what we look for. If one goes around with a suspicious and fearful attitude, it is likely that their fears will be realized. On the other hand, if one chooses an attitude of friendliness, respect and concern for others, along with prudent behavior, positive situations will abound. I was afraid of everything when I first came here as a woman alone. And I was robbed. (The whole story is in my book.) I lived through it and became a better person for it. I look at it as almost a kind of initiation rite. It happens to most everyone once and then you learn to be more careful.
So you are the guy ” who raised my family and never took chances.” Well I say it’s about time for an adventure for you! Continue to research and talk to others as much as you can. ARCR is a wealth of information – the organization and it’s forums. And keep a positive attitude. My adventure in my vida nueva (new life) has been the experience of a life time. And it’s not over yet!
Pura Vida and Buena Suerte
Lisa

QUESTION from Mary, who plans to explore Costa Rica to see where she might like to live and raise her family. Where to go and how long will it take?

HI Lisa,
I am trying to somewhat narrow down my itinerary. I have so much that I want to do. I am thinking of going to Escazu for discovery, to see if I can set up a business around there. I am wondering about a place to stay in this area?
I think I’d like to go to Turrialba to visit the Expat community. And on day two, I hope to stay in or around Mattina, if I don’t make it to Tortuguero. {What do you think? I plan to leave each morning at 7:00 am.} I don’t have enough time to research the Caribbean and the Pacific. If I want to get a good look at the Caribbean, and only had say, one day— where would you recommend going?
Next: Travel toward Arenal and Guanacaste– stay in San Carlos??
From there,I would actually like to go down the Pacific Coast.
Your travel log has you around the “Caribbean” and its wonderful people- I am more familiar with the “latinos”, so all will be new and enlightening for me. Do you find the Caribbean more to your comfort/liking??
Thanks for your help,
Mary

Dear Mary,
You are trying to fit quite a lot into one visit. In my opinion you need at least two weeks for a trip all over the country like you are thinking of. You may be able to do it faster but then you will have not time to get to know each area at all, you will just be passing through. And is it not your goal to get to know some areas so as to decide where you might like to move?
Please remember is that even though Costa Rica is small, it takes quite a while to get from one place to another. It is not like the States. Some roads are good, others are terrible. Often you get stuck behind a slow truck and drive 45 MPH for hours. There are huge mountains and jungles with no roads going through them so you have to go around, take the long way and often drive slow. The weather and traffic also have a big influence on how long it takes to get somewhere. Frequently a car accident on a busy highway stops everyone in their tracks for two hours or more. Plan for twice as much time as you would imagine and then you might be close.
I’ll tell you what I can of each place you asked about.
Escazu has a huge expat community, much of it gated living, with people who have brought their world here instead of immersing in the Latin world. I don’t know where to stay in Escazu. I know of a great little place in Alejuela that I talked about on my web page called Trip to San Jose. Alejuela is a nice town and the owner of Vida Tropical knows lots about the country and is more than willing to advise.
I don’t know if there is much of an expat community in Turrialba but maybe there is. You can take the beautiful drive from San Jose to Cartago and then on to Turrialba, in one day. Then stay in Turrialba for a night or two to get to know the area. Tortuguero is a nice place to visit but it is all mangroves – no roads, just rivers to travel on. Not the place to live and raise kids. I would suggest after Turrialba you go to Puerto Viejo. That is the area to check out if you want to see the Caribbean. Plan to spend a night or two here to get to see the surrounding little towns and beaches. Let me know if you’d like me to find you a place to stay. (Tell me which nights, what kind of accommodations, how much you want to pay.)
How much time do you have? So far, if you start with your first night in Escazu, you’ll probably need to spend a second night there, too. To get to see the place. You will need to get an early start to drive from Escazu to Turrialba in a day. Then if you want to get to know Turrialba, you can spend the day doing that but you’ll need another night there. I really enjoyed staying at Hotel Herza, when I was there. (hotelherza@gmail.com) It was cheap, comfortable and we were treated like royalty. Start early the next morning and you can get to Puerto Viejo in two hours. Now you are on your fifth night. You need at least two nights in Puerto Viejo to get to know this area (preferably more, there is a lot to see and get to know. You know, I provide a guide service as one of the ways I make a living. I would be happy to show you around and really give you the inside scoop on the Caribbean. But if you don’t want that, I will still do whatever I can to help you (at no charge) and see if I can find a place for you to stay).
So now you are on your seventh day if you have stayed in Puerto Viejo for two nights. You have to go back through San Jose to get to the Pacific or to Arenal. You can get to either place by car in a day but it will be a long day. It will take you four hours to drive to San Jose (taking the highway, not the road you came in on through Cartago) then another three or four to get to Arenal. If you drive all the way to Arenal (La Fortuna is the town) then you will have to stay there for the night. It will be late by then. If you want to stay in San Carlos, which is just a farming / cowboy town, then drive there instead of to La Fortuna (I was not crazy about La Fortuna, at all. The surrounding country side is lovely, as it is all over Costa Rica, but the town is very commercial and expensive.)
You’ll get in at night so you’ll need the day to look around, that means another night spent there. Now you are on your ninth day. From La Forutna, you have to go south toward San Jose to pick up the highway to the Pacific. If you go further down the coast you will be staying a few more nights. I don’t know how far you plan to go but I can tell you that you can drive from San Jose to Manuel Antonio in about four hours.

You asked about the Caribbean culture. It is somewhat different than other parts of Costa Rica, due to the Afro Caribbean / Jamaican influence. More people speak English here but Spanish is still the main language. The people are very friendly and helpful, with a relaxed and casual attitude. In general, it is pretty rustic. There are some very nice hotels, but for the most part, the feeling is primitive and undeveloped. I love it!
Keep in touch and let me know when you finalize your plans.
Lisa

In a previous email, Mary expressed an interest in visiting churches in Costa Rica. This church in Cartago – The Basilica de Nuestra Señora de los Angeles, is one that should not be missed. The beauty of the alabaster sculptures on the outside and the amazing craftmanship of wood and stained glass on the inside gives one a feeling of breath taking awe.