The way you spend your money on vacation says a lot about your travel style.
I'm the type who:
*Will suffer a few hours of an airport layover for a cheaper flight. I look at it as time to catch up on reading, journaling and browsing in the bookstores.
*Seeks out lodging that is basic and clean with only the things I need (hot water, decent water pressure, doors that lock, private bathroom, decent mattress) After all, the only time I plan to spend there is bathing and sleeping.
*Usually prefers public transportation over pricey tours and cab rides because it's cheaper and gives you a window into the local culture. (Although there are definitely cases when I think it's better to ditch this philosophy -- such as when traveling long distances rather than within a single city)
*Tends to splurge on food and activities. When else but on vacation can you walk on hanging bridges through a rainforest canopy, soak your weary bones in hot springs or stuff your face with fresh seabass and passionfruit juice?
Here's the spending breakdown for my week in Costa Rica:
Roundtrip airfare from Baltimore to San Jose: $303
Seven nights lodging: $120
(In retrospect I would rather have paid more to stay at places that actually delivered on what they advertised in terms of hot water, private bathrooms and free breakfast and Internet access. The problem was we changed our itinerary at the last minute and had to go on recommendations that I didn't have time to check out. The price-versus-quality balance wasn't quite the same as I have found elsewhere)
Food and drinks all week: $217
Transportation: $152 (this includes a $90 taxi ride split in half between us on a day we were at the end of our rope, as well as the $26 exit fee they charge you to get out of the country at the end of your trip)
Tours/activities: $136
Stuff I couldn't help but buy to take home, including coffee beans: $112 (See related entry about my artesania addiction)
Things I bought as gifts for others: $40
OK, so by now maybe you think I'm a little obsessive, keeping track of money while on vacation. Here's why I do it:
*It's easy because I always have a reporter's notebook with me to jot things down in and then just add it up at the end.
*I think it's interesting to see what you spend your money on.
*I wanted to keep the trip to a $1,000 budget. (OK, so I went a little over. I blame it on this country's tendency to gouge in the tourism sector compared other places I've been in Latin America, not to my inability to leave beautiful handmade items on the shelf)
hi,
I was reading about your experience in Costa Rica and I loved it! Was wondering if you can send me your itinerary? How many days did you spend there?
What places do you recommend going?
Thank you
Egle
Hi Jen,
I was looking for anyone in York, PA with any records of my VOGLESONG family ancestors, from John Voglesong, born in 1783 in York, PA. His father was Henry Voglesong, a US Revolutionary Soldier of the US Continental Army-Pennsylvania Regiment. Henry was born in Germany according to his military service record in Penn Archives.
Thanks for any further information.
Daniel Voglesong in Breitenbrunn, Bavaria