what should i know about travel to costa rica? (cruise, vacations, airport)

[Tzaphkiel]

What should I know about travel to Costa Rica?

[cb at sea]

We were ther on a cruise last year, and the beggars were horrendous! Here we are, wearing flip-flops, and being badgered by a shoe-shine guy ....WHAT shoes????? We had to give him moeny to make him leave--I guess that was the whole purpose!

[allforcats]

Well first thing is the U.S. State Dept. travel warnings site:
Current Travel Warnings
And happily, Costa Rica is not on the list!

Second, I do a lot of traveling and never plan anything without researching in TripAdvisor.com -- the place where real travelers tell their real impressions of locations, attractions, accommodations, restaurants, etc. etc. for everywhere in the world. It's a wealth of help!
Costa Rica Tourism - Costa Rica Vacation Reviews - Costa Rica Vacations - TripAdvisor
That will open on the general Costa Rica page. The list of links in the left column will take you to all the info.

Another terrific, useful site is Fodor's:
Costa Rica Travel Guide | Fodor's Online

Have great fun planning!

[ji603]

Costa Rica's easy... flights to/from Houston and Miami. Save a few bucks (30) for the airport departure tax when you leave San Jose. No visa needed for Americans. Most people in San Jose and Arenal seemed to speak English and understand Mexican/US Spanish.

Easy enough to fly from the capitol on Sansa Air, Nature Air, or TACA. You can buy those tickets on short notice at the airport, for 50-60 a person if you're flying from San Jose to a place like Quepos.

It's a cool place - have fun.