Inmates in Costa Rica

[daveg]

Hi,
I'm going to be hanging out in Costa Rica for a week or so while my riding buddy hangs out at an expensive resort with a friend and am wondering if any of ya'll want to meet up for a beer or go for a moto ride.

I'm on an F650gs and am currently near Liberia heading south slowly.

That being said, even if you don't live in CR, anyone have any ideas what I should do here? Also, what can be done on the cheap. I did the Luxary beach all-inclusive thing for the last two nights and it really isn't my gig. I'm going to resume the backpacker/trucker type places.

Is solo camping safe here? Is it practical? I'm looking for some good hiking/riding/scuba diving.

Thanks,
DAveg

[Capotourer]

Hiking, riding, biking and scuba can probably all be done around Jaco beach area and Manuel Antonio. Jaco is also known for surfing. There is a small national forest park by Manuel Antonio where you have access to all of the things you want to do.

[GuateRider]

hi daveg ,
check this out
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...=343871&page=4

saludos

[Lone Rider]

I'm told the Montezuma coast is still nice, and can be done cheaply.

[Mischa]

Man i´m in san jose. As you have seen you won´t b able to esacpe the rain but it´s a bit drier on the carribean side.

cell 88-97-05-05

Rgds
Mike

[alejandro_gp200]

Hi, I´m new in the forum and glad to joining this web site. Congrats to all riders in this forum.

I live in Costa Rica and rode almost all of it, if you need any advices, routes or anything I can help mail me or post here, I´ll be glad helping you or anyone who wants to ride this country.

Sorry if there are spelling mistakes, i´m not a 100% english speaker.

[Mischa]

eso Alejandro
soy poarte de un grupo q hacemos rides todos los domingos mas q todo en asfalto por algunos compas q andan psiteras. cualquier cosa me pega la llamada.

tuanis
Mischa

[stickfigure]

I prefer a backpacker vibe to the luxury hotels too, so I was a little disappointed with Costa Rica. I stayed in a number of places in San José while I was waiting for bike repairs and found the best vibe was at Hostel Bekuo in San Pedro.

I would recommend going to Puntarenas, getting on a ferry, and riding out to Montezuma via the coastal road. It's a lot of mud and dirt but it's super-fun and easily doable on a bike:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=305
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showp...&postcount=306

Montezuma was reasonably cheap and full of fun people, plus getting there is exciting. If you find another rider you can go out and explore the torn up coastal roads on day trips.

I wouldn't recommend Manuel Antonio - it's mostly expensive hotels and ludicrously expensive restaurants.

If you're willing to leave your bike behind somewhere and take boats, I've heard Tortuguero in the northeast is beautiful.

If you like diving, get off the Pacific side. If you're willing to leave Costa Rica and wait for your friends in Panama, go to the eastern border crossing and go out to Bocas del Toro. There are awesome backpacker-vibe hostels (some actually over the water) and the water is super-clear. As a bonus this area has the best riding in Panama - twisty roads with pristine pavement.