Panama/Costa Rica

[fidelcastro]

I started a thread a while back about possibly visiting Dubai.

After careful thought, and taking comments on here on board, I have decided to look elsewhere at a destination.

Has anyone on here visited Panama or Costa Rica?

I'd appreciate your thoughts. Thanks in advance.

[4midable]

Whats the issue with dubai

[dsr]

I've been to Costa Rica twice, once on each coast, on a cruise. Nice place, friendly, the most trouble-free of the central American countries. I didn't spend a night there and I just went on ship's excursions, so I can't be detailed, but it looked like a good place for a holiday if you like it warm. (It was either end of May when I was there. Supposedly the wet season, if I remember correctly, but we got lucky.)

[ClaretDiver]

Costa Rica is fantastic, been twice in the last 12 months, awesome wildlife and people….no armed services either!

[fidelcastro]

Whats the issue with dubai

The cost, the time of year I was taking my holiday, and the fact that the majority of posters on that thread were saying it was either overrated or they wouldn't go again has made me look at alternative destinations.

[ClaretDiver]

Just at work will post more later!

[Tricky Trevor]

My niece and family moved to Panama last year. Lots of other family have been over to visit and all have loved it. Prices similar to Europe was general concensus.
Daughter did a trekking holiday in CR and loved every minute. As said above the scenery and wildlife were exceptional.

[ClaretDiver]

Got a bit of a lull at work so here goes. It depends on what you want. We stayed all inclusive at the Riu Palace in the Guanacaste province. Excellent hotel, food and drink (even a gourmet steak house all inclusive). We are both divers so that was our primary focus but we also did some wonderful rainforest treks, wildlife spotting treks (sloths especially) and we also did a day trip to Nicaragua to visit an active volcano and traditional towns etc…great trip.

I think it was in the 60’s that CR disbanded their armed services and decided to plough the money in conservation and education instead.

I would highly recommend CR for at least one visit…we are planning to go back in 2025 after Australia in 2024…

[CaymanClaret]

I've never been to Costa Rica, but it's one of my wife's favourite places to go.

Been to Panama though, we went up to Gamboa and into the rainforest which I'd highly recommend.

[dandeclaret]

Had a few weeks of work there, maybe 12 or 13 years ago, and got the weekends, and a few bank holidays to explore. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been, and some of the friendliest people.

Visited the area near Arenal volcano a few times, and it was amazing. Zip lined through the first, visited the massive thermal rivers, hiked to find amazing wildlife and chilled out in nice hotels.

I Would have it so far ahead of Dubai as a destination you'd struggle to measure it.

[PWBFC]

I'd highly recommend spending a few days on the Osa Peninsula if you're into wildlife. Bit of a journey to get there but we'll worth it.

[Taffy on the wing]

Highly recommend!.........Some of the nicest people you'll ever meet.
We stayed on the Pacific coast side in Manuel Antonio national park. Toucans, Sloths, Monkeys, Caymens, Butterflies galore!
We were there over New year 2017........ Sod the Arabs!

[Taffy on the wing]

P.S. Warmest Ocean water i've ever experienced.

[Pickles]

My brother worked there, he works in conservation, and was surveying nesting turtles. His photos were brilliant and he says good stuff about his time over there.

[jsclaret]

I went on a 15 day wildlife tour with Explore Holidays in March. Probably a bit too much travelling but thoroughly enjoyed it and got to chill out at a small beach resort at the end for a few days.
Stopped in some quite remote places, saw Resplendent Quetzals when we stayed at a lodge in a cloud forest, over 3,000 metres high.
Accommodation varied from excellent to basic, saw loads of exotic wildlife, people were great, food varied, loads of fruit but kept away from their traditional rice and beans for breakfast.
Tried white water rafting for the first time
Weather varied from very hot to very humid to very wet.
Never been to Dubai but would imagine it is the complete opposite so can't be compared.

[bfcjg]

Been to both of them numerous times, however mine ended in Joes and Coffee.

[ClaretLoup]

Costa Rica is amazing. Wild scarlet macaws in the trees in the motorway service station! If you like wildlife it’s one one of the best places to go. Make sure you have or hire a guide on any trips as they know where to look, can recognise the bird calls and even smell monkey poo. We booked our trip via Sunvil, they set up the itinerary and transit. They put us in a hotel in the capital on arrival with its own wildlife garden of about two acres.

[dougcollins]

Shouldn't you be off to Cuba?

[mdd2]

Travelled on a coach through the west when on a cruise.
After the 2nd WW the Government transferred most of the Defence Budget to Education
I think as other have said is the most peaceful of countries in the area

[mdd2]

On 1 December 1948, President José Figueres Ferrer of Costa Rica abolished the military of Costa Rica after achieving victory in the Costa Rican Civil War that year.[2][3] In a ceremony in the Cuartel Bellavista, in the capital San José, Figueres broke a wall with a mallet symbolizing an end to Costa Rica's military services.[4]

In 1949, the abolition of the military was introduced in Article 12 of the Constitution of Costa Rica.[5] The budget previously dedicated to the military is now dedicated to security, education and culture. Costa Rica maintains Police Guard forces.

[fidelcastro]

Shouldn't you be off to Cuba?

Strangely, I've already been there.

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

I’ve been to both whilst on a cruise. Sailed down the Panama Canal, through the locks and out into the pacific at Panama City. It is amazing and I’m glad that I’ve done it but it is something that you just need to do once.

In Costa Rica we went zip wiring through the rainforest, ridiculously high and great fun (considering I don’t like heights). I’d definitely do that again.

[Pearcey]

I spent a couple of nights in Panama in 1997 whilst serving on HMS Norfolk. The canal was an incredible experience but I can’t remember much about the City unfortunately. I enjoyed it though.

[whentheballmoves]

I've not been to either. CR is quite expensive, by central American terms, I'm led to believe.

I personally fancy going to Nicaragua and Guatemala. Not sure if either of those tickle your fancy, or if anyone's been them from the messageboard?

[whentheballmoves]

Oh, and I agree about Dubai. I sort of enjoyed it, but wouldn't bother going back. Had two or three days there on the way back from a trip to Thailand and Malaysia.

[dsr]

I’ve been to both whilst on a cruise. Sailed down the Panama Canal, through the locks and out into the pacific at Panama City. It is amazing and I’m glad that I’ve done it but it is something that you just need to do once.

Or twice if you want to sail home again.

[PaintYorkClaretnBlue]

Or twice if you want to sail home again.

It was a cruise excursion on a small ferry type boat so we sailed through it then got a coach back to the cruise port.

[ClaretDiver]

I've not been to either. CR is quite expensive, by central American terms, I'm led to believe.

I personally fancy going to Nicaragua and Guatemala. Not sure if either of those tickle your fancy, or if anyone's been them from the messageboard?

We went into Nicaragua from Costa Rica on a day trip, from the small snippets I have seen it had definitely gone on my ‘to go to list’!

[Elder statesman]

Done both. Two fascinating countries. As previously mentioned, Costa Rica is expensive for Central America, but the wild life is amazing. We enjoyed the Panama Canal, but the highlight for us was a 3 day trip to the San Blas Islands. Highly recommend both countries.

[SydneyClaret]

I visited Costa Rica and Panama in 2019 just before Covid. Stayed in Sam Jose and spent a week in Arenal national park. Very easy for me to get to from Sydney. Costa Rica was pretty special, seemed fairly safe and had amazing scenery. Panama was a bit meh. In Panama the old city was nice, too many American expats thought for my liking. Walking through El Chorilla to get from the causeway to the old city was downright dangerous and Colon at the other side of the canal was like stoops estate in steroids.

[SydneyClaret]

Interesting fact. When you cross the bridge of the Americas in Panama you actually trace South to cross into North America and North to travel into South America.

[ArmchairDetective]

Enjoying this thread. Very helpful. We've just booked Philippines start of next year but Costa Rica and potentially other Central American countries is next on our list. What I've heard about the wildlife, culture, conservation etc. is the main draw.

[AfloatinClaret]

Interesting fact. When you cross the bridge of the Americas in Panama you actually trace South to cross into North America and North to travel into South America.

But only by a few degrees; the canal itself runs more significantly in the 'wrong' direction - from the Caribbean to the Pacific you're travelling NW to SE.
Costa Rica I liked, but of 80+ countries and territories we've been to, I'd rate Panama second only to Bangladesh on the list of places I wouldn't rush back to. The canal is spectacular, but go on a cruise ship/tour boat, going through the locks on a yacht is just ferkin scary. As for Guna Yala (the San Blas), I can easily believe that they were fantastic twenty or even ten years ago, but save for a few heavily commercialised holiday/backpacker islands, the rest seem nowadays to be giant rubbish tips.
Panama was OK and the 'Old' City was being restored in 2018 when we went through and may well be looking good by now, but Colon at the Caribbean end of the canal is just downright scary! For many years I pontificated that 'nowhere I've travelled in the world's scared me, but then I used to drink in/around Newcastle Bigg market on a Friday night in the 1970s'... then I went to Colon.

[SydneyClaret]

But only by a few degrees; the canal itself runs more significantly in the 'wrong' direction - from the Caribbean to the Pacific you're travelling NW to SE.
Costa Rica I liked, but of 80+ countries and territories we've been to, I'd rate Panama second only to Bangladesh on the list of places I wouldn't rush back to. The canal is spectacular, but go on a cruise ship/tour boat, going through the locks on a yacht is just ferkin scary. As for Guna Yala (the San Blas), I can easily believe that they were fantastic twenty or even ten years ago, but save for a few heavily commercialised holiday/backpacker islands, the rest seem nowadays to be giant rubbish tips.
Panama was OK and the 'Old' City was being restored in 2018 when we went through and may well be looking good by now, but Colon at the Caribbean end of the canal is just downright scary! For many years I pontificated that 'nowhere I've travelled in the world's scared me, but then I used to drink in/around Newcastle Bigg market on a Friday night in the 1970s'... then I went to Colon.

Yes Colon really was something else. And I’ve travelled right through Africa too.

[Bosscat]

Yes Colon really was something else. And I’ve travelled right through Africa too.

Yes the way the Farmers water their crops in Colon is something to behold.

The Colon Irrigation is definitely a sight to see.

[jsclaret]

Just to add to how serious Costa Rica is about wildlife and conservation, they are the first country to ban all photographs of people and wildlife together on the same photo. Even a selfie with wildlife in the background is an offence. The guides take it all very seriously as well.

[aggi]

I spent a few weeks working in the Colon Free Zone, as others have said the area round it is pretty grim.

[AfloatinClaret]

When they built the canal a hundred odd years ago the Canal Company provided free passage from the eastern Caribbean Islands for the labour but once it was built the labourers who had already spent or sent all their earnings home, discovered there were no free boats back home again. Overnight Colon gained tens of thousands of unemployed Afro Caribbeans and they and their descendants have been sat there and unemployed ever since. It's got worse recently as the Government are trying to improve Colon by demolishing their Barrios and displacing the population to new towns outside, of course these new towns are miles from anywhere, have no services/transport connections and the capacity to house only about 50% of them.

[Loyalclaret]

Costa Rica now on my travel list