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Q: When can I get the cheapest airfare next year to
San Jose, Costa Rica and what is the price?
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A:Unlike last year there are no super cheap deals on
the horizon so I would book in advance. Out of south Florida Lacsa
Airlines or
Taca Airlines tend to have the best fares, so does Martinair and American.
To look for airfare to Costa Rica go to
CostaRicaAirfare.com
which allows you to try many dates whenever you want.
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Q: We are on a cruise ship that docks at Puntarenas
on Feb.6 for the day (8 AM to 6 PM). Our ages are from 60 to 75. We
would be interested in a Canopy Tour (or is it a zip line tour?). Do you
know of any companies offering such tours near Puntarenas that would
also include transfers from, and then to the ship? Where would the
nearest Canopy area be located?
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A:Great Question. The answer is the Original
Costa Rica Canopy
Tour in San Mateo. (http://www.centralamerica.com/cr/tours/canopy.htm).
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Q: What's the best way to get to Dominical? Is there
a cell phone in the US that will work in Costa Rica?
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A:Driving from San Jose I would go via Cerro de la
Muerte and San Isidro. I suggest going in the early morning since it can
fog over and NEVER at night. There are no domestic flights to Dominical.
Cell phones tend to work only around the main cities and are very
expensive. There are many internet cafes that have VOIP phones and most
grocery stores cell phone cards. If you insist then your cell carrier
may have a plan in place.
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Q: We'd like to rent a house in Costa
Rica for a month in May. Suggestions? |
| A:Try Hotel Sugar Beach,
StayinCostaRica or in Manuel Antonio there are several more
options. It tends to be a pricey affair |
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Q: My wife and I will be traveling to
Costa Rica the week of Thanksgiving and will be staying at the Ecoplaya
Beach Resort in the province of Guanacaste. We are interested in
visiting Nicaragua sometime during our stay, but have not seen any day
tours originating in Costa Rica.
We will have a car, but I am not sure
whether traveling to Nicaragua by car is a wise idea. Can you provide
some guidance? |
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A:Nicaragua is a great side trip but
your insurance on the car will not work and the car is not yours to take
out of the country. Take a two night tour that includes Granada and you
will not have to drive. Granada is a walking city that is a must see.
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Q: How important is it to rent a car
ahead of time when going to a foreign country like Costa Rica over
Christmas holidays? Or can I just show up and get a better deal?
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A:Over Christmas a reservation is
absolutely needed since locals rent them as well to go to the beach for
vacation. There are three companies to use. Europcar, Adobe or Mapache
rent a car. There is a lot of confusion on prices and many companies
charge an airport fee, license fee, and insurance of up to additional
$200 a week. Its a real struggle to make sure there are no surprise
charges
http://www.ticotravel.com/costarica/car.htm
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Q: What is the best time of day to see
the Arenal volcano? and are the springs accessible in the morning? Do
you need to pay to see the springs thru the hotel Tabacon? I am planning
a trip with the family to Costa Rica in April 2007, after Easter.
A:Flying
in and out of San Jose. Kids are 6 and 8 yrs. We are planning to stay at
the Marriott Los Suenos for the first couple of days (see Manuel
Antonio) and then go to the Arenal/Springs, staying at Paradisus Play
Conchal. Thank you. Marc
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| To see the volcano spewing lava at
night is a real treat but its up to mother nature, otherwise the early
morning is best before the top has a chance to gather clouds. You need
to pay to go to Tabacon
and there is a limit on the number of people. It
tends to get very crowded.
The Kioro hotel (http://www.ticotravel.com/hotels/kioro.htm)
is new and has their own hot springs. There is a new super resort being
built by the people from La Paz Waterfall gardens that should be open
then and I am sure it will be unbelievable given what they have done so
far. Do not try to do day tours to Arenal from Conchal its way too far.
Stay at Kioro or the new hotel I mentioned if possible. |
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Q: I am researching different tours--one
of them has a tractor experience out of, or into, the rain forest. Is
this advisable for older people--perhaps with back problems? How long is
the ride? |
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A:You are talking about Selva Verde. If
you are having problems with your back there is little they can do for
you once the tractor is in the jungle so I would take that into
consideration. Why not go to Tortuguero? The two night tours are a
great value, you see a lot and its not too demanding. |
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