Any concerns roughly speaking traveling to costa rica or belize?
Answers: I just get back from a 9 afternoon tour in Costa Rica on an EF Tour beside 34 folks aged 14 through adult. We have the best time and it will be certainly concrete to top this trip. There were no incidents during our trip. We be warned of possible hazard such as pick-pockets or thieves. If you enjoy travelled anywhere, you know that it is possible to get into trouble regardless of where on earth you go. Some direction, (mostly common sense stuff)
1. Have a plan and research the map and schedule ahead of time so that you are not looking confused or distracted.
2. Travel in groups or pairs at a minimum.
3. Keep your zippers on your oodles closed and straps tied up so that people can't see what is contained by your bag or own something to grab onto.
4. Travel contained by well lit areas. Bring a pious flashlight in bag you have to travel at darkness. We had a power outage that last an hour at night.
Generally, the Costa Ricans are some of the nicest populace that I have ever met.
It's a elegant country
I was near and just soak up it! I was surrounded by Costa Rica (and Panama) for 2 weeks around Christmas 2005. These would be my suggestions:
1. Costa Rica makes an outline of a cheap but developed and orderly country. It does not make you look over your shoulder and suspiciously scrutinize everyone around you like, e.g., Guatemala or El Salvador. However, I get robbed there at a gunpoint outside Orosí surrounded by Central Valley at about 10 am on a tourist trail to local hot springs. A chunk of the problem was that I be a "gringo" and walked alone (it be also too early within the morning), but the lesson is - BE CAREFUL. I was worried various times in Guate and El Salvador - but never have any incident, luckily. In Costa, I did not worry at adjectives and this was the result.
2. Getting around is a bigger affliction than in other CentAm countries, similar to Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador or Panama (no experience with Nicaragua or Belize). The buses run smaller quantity frequently, especially between seaside resorts (e.g., there are a short time ago three or four buses a day within each direction from Puntarenas to Jacó or Parque Nacional Carara). If you want to move around, put together sure you plan your trips in credit - otherwise you may end up getting stuck and wasting time.
3. Tourism is an income source for Costa Rica - and, apparently, the Ticos do not want their "currency cows" move from taxis and tours to subsidized buses for locals. Therefore, bus stops are not dotted, bus schedules are not printed and the frequency of services is repeatedly as described above. However, schedules are pretty stable and locals know everything - so product sure you ask frequently, it is always a accurate idea to ask up to that time wasting hours waiting at wrong places or wasting money on American-oriented travel services. For example, you may not know that you can take a bus from Alajuela Santamaria International Airport to downtown San José for merely about 310 colones (0.63 USD, prices valid surrounded by December 2005) while a taxi would cost you in the order of 10 - 12 USD. However, the buses are nowhere advertised! You hold to ask, say "no" to taxicab drivers lined up, find out of the terminal building, walk in the order of 100 meters to a major highway and skulk there for one (runs frequently). It depends on your expectations of comfort vs. jaunt, but getting around this Costa Rican anti-marketing of subsidized services for locals was moderately enjoyable for me!
Some specific recommendation - San José is quite a secure city, but do not walk to the North (and possibly even much more West) of Mercado Central after pitch-black; it is dodgy there. The countryside is supposedly OK, but pay attention - see point 1. Otherwise, do not get discouraged and savour the place - the amount of tropical wildlife to be seen is amazing!
Someone else may answer something like Belize ... never been in attendance.
If you come to CR, just form sure you have some fitting condoms that wont rip, cause you will obligation them. Too much booty here ! It seems similar to the person above handle Costa Rica so I will give Belize a shot.
I am from the States and hold lived in Belize for something like two years. We have found Belize to be a incredibly safe place and if nearby is a place to worry nearly it would be Belize City. However, we go to Belize City on a regular principle and as long as you stay in areas where on earth there are those around there should be no problems. Also, the biggest control with Belize is that it is English speaking so it is much easier to return with around and communicate with others. We come through Mexico on our way to Belize and it a constant taunt to communicate with individuals and everything was tons times more difficult because of the language rail.
This is all to say-so that Belize is great. Come and there are several great things to see and do.
The truth be had - you are probably profusely safer in Costa Rica - consequently what you are in the USA on any given year!
Sure - there are purse snatchers, etc. who victimize unsuspecting tourist - but to be exact evident surrounded by any society - just close to the States!
In Belize you have to take care of their dam little poisonous "Red Tree Frogs"!
These frogs are so poisonous that if you even look at them, - and they look subsidise at you - you die!
very nice freshly dont wear anthing expensive on the streets if you want to acquire back within one peace
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