I finally broke out of my vacation-planning funk this morning and began paging through Costa Rica guidebooks at Barnes & Noble. (I think having to get up early to drop a friend at the airport for a trip to L.A. might have had something to do with it!)
Anyway, I was a little bummed to learn that the Costa Ricans don't have a very rich artisan heritage. I love watching artisans work at their craft and then purchasing a finished product I know was made by hand. I always feel good about putting money into the community I'm visiting and knowing I have a souvenir that wasn't made in China for sale at a tourist trap.
I was also kind of disappointed to see that the base of the national diet is rice and beans and beans and rice and even more rice and beans served a zillion ways. Don't get me wrong -- I like rice and beans. It's just I was hoping there would be some special dishes to seek out and sample.
I think I'll be OK though -- the variety of fresh fruit and staples such as empanadas, maduros and ceviche that I love but rarely get to eat at home -- should more than make up for it.
As should the amazing natural diversity. There's so much to do outdoors. Horseback riding. Kayaking, Canopy tours. Hot springs. Hiking through the rainforest. Waterfalls. I can't wait.
I also hope to visit a coffee plantation and bring back enough Costa Rican brew to keep me caffeinated for a few months post-vacation.
Anyone been to Costa Rica? I could use some advice and suggestions...
I have never been to Costa Rica, but man would I love to go right now. Nate and I are trying to get out of the cruise vacation rut we've been in and pick a place to really go and see. I would love to be some place warm right now, sitting outside eating FRESH grown food.
It was pretty inexpensive as far as international vacations go, and that's what I was looking for this year -- along with being not as far away since I only had one week.
We got roundtrip tickets for $320 (total with taxes and fees) and lodging will probably be about $40/nite, but Stacy & I will split that. (It's not a resort or high-class, but a homier, b&b-type place, clean and simple with breakfast included)
Food is cheap, but some of the tours can be pricey. It depends what we end up doing.
I can't wait to hear all about the trip!