Pura Vida! – Costa Rica

Pura Vida!
Costa Rica

I am writing to tell people about the wonderful country of Costa Rica. I have read most of the inquiries you have posted and I agree with most of it. I want to express that yes, as the other man wrote, there are Columbian prostitutes, and drugs in Jaco etc. It is not something that you will see if you are not looking. I consider it more friendly and safe than most U.S. cites.

When I first went to CR, I landed in San Jose as most people do. Only, I stayed and explored the town. There is a strange yet oddly fun place called “el pueblo” in town that has bars and clubs, live music and food all within what we would call an outdoor mall-like area. Its HUGE, it’s 24 hours and just a taxi ride away. It ranges from small bars with only two barstools, to right next door you have a three story disco. If you are looking for nightlife please check it out. I stayed in an old mansion called “Grano de Oro” on calle 30. It is Victorian, with a rooftop jacuzzi, to watch the lightning from the volcanos. This hotel is worth the trip and money even just to eat there, the food still makes my mouth water! Everything is made with coco milk, yum yum yum.

I could go on and on about the food and fruit in CR!! The pineapples drip down your arm, and the limes are actually orange on the inside. They are so sweet that you can eat them alone. I actually paid a taxi to take me to the caribbean coast. $150 bucks. At the time I didn’t care because I was afraid of the public transportation($6), which I found later is AMAZING! 3 hours or so to a little town called Puerto Viejo, near Panama. It is the cutest town in the world. On our first day there we met about 8 people, who we hung out with and still keep in touch with now. We rented bikes for about $5 bucks a week, and made friends with a “bri bri” indian who took us all over on his horse (for free, and would not accept tips). The people actually let me bartend at restaurants and make my own drinks! This town is very small, and you seem to meet all the locals within a few hours of showing up. The police station had a horse and few chickens running around, you get your money exchanged at a store which is run by an asian man, and all the locals call him “el chino”. There are little shops and small grocery stores. They too have a nightlife, but it is soooo laid back! The tico’s quickly become your tour guide and never once asked for anything other than a beer here and there. I think that the food on this coast is the best in the country! Restaurants called “sodas” are nothing more than knocking on someone’s door, and having them cook for you on their front porch! It is delightful!

On the Pacific side, Jaco is also an adorable town. It’s much more populated than Puerto Viejo, and much more modern. It’s is a fun surfer type town, also with bars and clubs. You can walk everywhere!!! There is shopping, dining, tours…plenty to do. When I was going there, I looked for pictures of the town, and none of them did it justice. I almost planned my trip elsewhere. I highly recommended it! You can still feel like you are on an adventure, with all of the amenities of home, cheaply. A/C, TV, shops, internet, casino, grocery store, yummy food, beautiful people inside and out, LOTS TO DO! Yes, there are sometimes power outages, which are actually very fun! You are forced to light a candle, talk to your partner, read a book, watch the sunset, etc. I love them! In CR, the dogs adopt YOU! I have been there many many times and each time, I meet a puppy friend for the whole time I am there.

I have been in an earthquake, mud slides and even been pick pocketed by an American guy in Costa Rica, trust me it was OUR fault, AND we got our wallet back from the same man who took it!!!The best part? It’s the safe way to have one of those adventures you have only dreamed of. I am actually going back to look at property to buy in Jaco. I am a bartender who lives in NYC, and I have traveled all over. CR is still, by far my most favorite place on Earth. Want to know more details? I would love to tell you, just ask!

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