Travelling alone in Costa Rica?

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Travelling alone in Costa Rica?

Postby Annika » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:26 am

Hi!

I'm planning a 5 month trip to CR in November and therefore hoping someone could give me some (serious) feedback on what a woman travelling alone needs to consider and watch out for (if anything at all!). I have tried surf forums in my country, but not many girls have done the trip. Oh yeah...I do speak close to fluent Spanish...if that makes a difference.

Thanks!!

Aloha,
Annika
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Postby intenso » Tue Aug 01, 2006 12:19 pm

My friend (girl) just got back from a solo trip to CR and loved it. No hassle, although she wrecked her shortboard.

She did complain that it was all very comercial though!
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Postby Annika » Tue Aug 01, 2006 4:40 pm

Thanks!!

Oh yeah...planning to stay in Mail Pais/St Teresa and explore from there. The way I understand it, that part of CR is not so commercial...

Also plan to try to get a job for about 15-20 hours a week while I'm there. Any contacts? Hope to get something in a bar/restaurant/hostel.

/Annika
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Postby jennie » Tue Aug 01, 2006 6:28 pm

I would also be ineterested if anyone has advice about travelling alone in CR....as most of you i will be off to Costa Rica in September for 3 months......*gloat gloat gloat*
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Postby Phil » Thu Aug 03, 2006 12:03 pm

how much is your flight costing you jennie and where you flying from/to?
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Postby pat42 » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:15 pm

Phil. I was looking last night, and flights start from £650 going from LHR to San Jose
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Postby kitesurfer » Thu Aug 03, 2006 6:26 pm

So, we any idea what time of year we'll be going yet and how long for? I can probably manage 4 weeks.

KS
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Postby pat42 » Thu Aug 03, 2006 9:39 pm

I'm easy, but would prefer to go end of August begining of Sept, just so I can get the money together. I'm going to be away until March.

If you and anyone else who's interested in going want to go earlier, I'll meet you out there.
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Postby IdRatherBeSurfing » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:08 am

costa rica next summer? hmmmm is this a private party or can anyone join in?
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Postby Phil » Fri Aug 04, 2006 2:50 am

i think end of augest begining of september sounds good gives me a while during summer break to scrape together the cash, might be worth booking the flights a little earlyer for best deals?

we can also get a flight from san jose to tamarindo for $120 return, any ideas on how cheap accomandation is out there that time of year? maybe natty can help with that one, id be up for camping on the beach at whitches rock for a week :D :D :D :D i just watched endless summer 2 as well today just to see that barrel pat gets at witches rock

just trying to get a ruff idea of the cost im thinking about £1500 should cover it easy
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Postby kitesurfer » Fri Aug 04, 2006 3:18 pm

That's what your student load is for isn't it! I feel a bit of credit card bashing going on.

KS
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Postby JP1 » Thu Aug 10, 2006 5:58 pm

I hate to re-direct but

For info on CR go to
www.elride.net click on forum then click upper coast and re-ask your question.
A lot of guys travel regularly down to CR and a couple who frequent the board actually live and work their.
Just a suggestion no offense to the admins on this sight.

Youll have a great time.
I would suggest trying to link up with a hotel prior to your trip. You might have to stay close to civlization like tamarindo but work a week travel a week.

Get out of San Jose as soon as possible and head west.
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Postby Annika » Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:01 pm

JP1 - Thanks!! Will do...

Was hoping for something useful soon. :wink:
/annika
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Postby JP1 » Fri Aug 11, 2006 2:39 am

Annika,
Sorry about not forewarning you about the ribbbing you might get. I checked your post and saw that the guys let a little loose on ya.

I know most the guys on that bb and for the most part there harmless.

Unfortunatley sometimes someone will come into the forum and post bogus info about being a foreign female looking for...

If you stick with it I guarantee you could get all the info you need if not meet soemone possibly even female that would be willing to meet you down their to show you around.

Give the post a day or two and I guarantee you will have atleast 200 posts regarding your question, if not more.

Just give the forum a bump or continue to ask direct questions to keep your question alive and towards the top.

Once again sorry and enjoy your trip

A big Mahalo, Aloha from Texas
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Postby Annika » Fri Aug 11, 2006 8:26 pm

No problem. :wink:

Should have though about it before I posted...

Just didn't think the response would be so quick, colorful and numerous.
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Postby Natty » Thu Aug 31, 2006 8:22 pm

Phil wrote:we can also get a flight from san jose to tamarindo for $120 return, any ideas on how cheap accomandation is out there that time of year? maybe natty can help with that one


Phil you can get from $10 the night in hostels at the beach less than a block away.. or $20 if you want a room for yourself , in the city you can get it even cheaper
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Postby costaricasurf » Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:42 am

Hi Annika,

There is very little to worry about in Costa Rica for a woman traveling alone, besides the usual concerns for a woman traveling alone anywhere in the world. Stay away from drugs (most serious problems that I have heard of concern cocaine, which is cheap and available everywhere). Obviously, don't put yourself in any situations you don't feel completely comfortable with.

I see you are from Malmo, Sweden. My sister was playing for Malmo F.F. for the last few years and I visited her in February. I really enjoyed the visit. The city is charming and the people were very friendly, but way too cold at that time of year.

I will be heading down to Costa Rica in late October. I am planning a road trip this time from San Diego, California. I have been visiting Costa Rica several times a year since 1998 and I love the country, the surf and the people.

I have traveled from Panama to Nicaragua along both coastlines in search of surf and have been documenting the experience for a guidebook I am writting.

Regards,

Colin
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Re: Travelling alone in Costa Rica?

Postby danzar1972 » Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:45 am

Annika wrote:Hi!

I'm planning a 5 month trip to CR in November and therefore hoping someone could give me some (serious) feedback on what a woman travelling alone needs to consider and watch out for (if anything at all!). I have tried surf forums in my country, but not many girls have done the trip. Oh yeah...I do speak close to fluent Spanish...if that makes a difference.

Thanks!!

Aloha,
Annika


Hello Annika,

I have lived in CR for a year. It is a very nice place and I do not think you should worry much. CR is a quite save place. I would suggest to avoid the Caribean Coast though.
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Postby danzar1972 » Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:47 am

Phil wrote:how much is your flight costing you jennie and where you flying from/to?


Check and compare online from airlines sites and travel agencies
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Postby glisserscrew » Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:34 pm

hey Annika, sounds like very nice trip :) I can't help you with advise... but was actually hoping that you could help us at glissers.com build our directory of surf accommodations, since you'll be traveling and staying at so many different places, I'm sure you'll have tons of experiences to share. You could also have a chat with the Swedes at SurfAkademin, they have a camp in Costa Rica.
Ha det gott :)
Nils
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