Let’s Just Stay Home: - (good advice from a "great AMERICAN," Charlie Daniels!)

CHARLIE DANIELS.COM ^ | JUNE 27, 2005 | CHARLIE DANIELS

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Humans are everwhere, and the line between good and evil lies through every human heart.

Agreed, although I think corruption in government (Mexico, for example) has a direct effect on how law abiding individual societies are.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

I would be interested in hearing your recommendations re: Costa Rica.

[gimme1ibertee]

Right.I think we should spend more of our money here. There are some beautiful and interesting places right here in this country that i'd love to see,and hope to,someday soon.

[Just another Joe]

Actually, I think our foreign aid ought to be tied to who likes us and who doesn't. If you're anti-American, you get zero, zip, nada.

HEAR HEAR!!!!!

[tnlibertarian]

Our politicians continue to pour American dollars down the bottomless abyss while the world at large just doesn’t seem to like us. And do you know something? That doesn’t bother me a whole lot.

This surprises me a great deal, coming from C.D.

It bothers ME a great deal that we waste our money on the rest of the world.

I read that a couple of times, too. I think he was ambiguous in what 'That' in his last sentence referred to. I think he was talking about the world not liking us, not our throwing our money away. I could be wrong, but I think it was just a poorly written sentence.

[tnlibertarian]

Well… I've never been to Boston… but I've been to Oklahoma

Did they tell you you were born there?

[Dog Gone]

You should definitely visit the Arenal Volcano at La Fortuna. Staying at the Arenal Lodge or at Tabacon Springs is better than staying in town simply because the accomodations are nicer (fantastic, actually) and the view of the volcano erupting at night from your room is something you'll never forget. Sometimes you don't get lucky, though, and the top of the volcano is engulfed in clouds so you might not get to see it flickering like a roman candle.

Tabacon Springs is like a manicured park at the base of the volcano where streams of hot water mix with streams of cold water and they've created a series of tiled ponds and some real swimming pools where you can choose your temperature and lie on your back in built in lounges and stare up at an erupting volcano basically a few hundred feet away. Awesome. There are plenty of other activities to do in the area, as well.

There are a lot of nice resorts in Guanacaste province especially on the Nocoya Peninsula, many of them offering all-inclusive meals and booze for remarkably low prices. Further south along the Pacific Ocean there is the surfing beach at Jaco and a bunch of destinations in the Manuel Antonio/Quepos area. Great parks, great people, most of whom speak english. The fishing, both in Arenal Lake and in the Pacific is world class. A lot of windsailing on Lake Arenal as well.

The Caribbean side is less developed and has the Caribbean flavor. I wouldn't recommend it as a destination on your first trip to the country.

Watch out for the Howler monkeys in Guanacaste province. If you get too close and they're not used to much human contact, they might make a handful of poop and throw it in your general direction. It makes for a great Kodak Moment.

[pa mom]

I was on a Backroads tour which was great. I think Dog Gone has better hints, though.

Have always wanted to see the BVI. It's on my list!

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

It can be a very quiet vacation VERY quiet, depending on where you go. On one of the best beaches there, there might be 10 people total in the water and on the shore.

[Tuscaloosa Goldfinch]

Thanks for the advice! Is this an area you would feel safe exploring by yourself, or would sticking with a group be a better idea?

[azhenfud]

I've never thought it a good idea to continue financial aid/support with countries/people that don't afford us mutual respect.

[Dog Gone]

Last year when I was there, my wife and I had a rental car and we drove around the entire country looking for the ideal place to buy a home. Not once did I feel threatened in any manner by anyone, although the crocodiles at the bridge leading into Jaco Beach did discourage any thoughts of taking a quick swim.

Go with a group if it makes you feel more secure, but it's not necessary at all. Americans tend to think of all central american countries as being like Mexico, but they couldn't be more wrong. There are no gangs, the place is spotlessly clean, the people are genuinely friendly, and I never have seen a beggar there even once.

I see beggars in Houston everyday.

You can drink the water out of the tap and it's good. If you want a travel agency that specializes in Costa Rica at incredible prices, freepmail me. You can't vacation here in America for twice the cost.