#Costa Rica Car Rentals

[vamosrentacar]

Experience Convenience with Vamos Rent-A-Car: Your Trusted Partner for Costa Rica Car Rentals

Experience Convenience with Vamos Rent-A-Car: Your Trusted Partner for Costa Rica Car Rentals. Discover top-notch car rental services in San Jose and throughout Costa Rica. Visit us at VamosRentACar.com to book your perfect ride today.

[divicr]

Rent the Toyota Rush| Explore with a 5-Seater SUV

Introduction

Embark on a journey of boundless excitement with the Toyota 5 seats SUV, where every drive transforms into an unforgettable adventure. Offering a harmonious blend of power and comfort, this SUV from Toyota is your quintessential companion for exploring uncharted territories. Let's delve into why the Toyota 5-seater SUV stands out as the ultimate choice for your upcoming escapades

Powerful Performance

Experience the thrill of the open road with the Toyota Rush's impressive performance capabilities. Powered by a robust engine, this SUV delivers a seamless blend of power and efficiency, ensuring a smooth ride no matter the terrain. Whether you're cruising through city streets or navigating rugged landscapes, the Toyota Rush is equipped to handle it all with ease.

Cutting-Edge Technology

Step into the future with the cutting-edge technology featured in the Toyota Rush. From advanced safety features to innovative entertainment options, this SUV is designed to keep you connected and protected on every journey. With intuitive controls and smart functionalities, you can enjoy a seamless driving experience that puts you in command of the road.

Spacious Cabin

Say goodbye to cramped quarters and hello to comfort with the spacious cabin of the Toyota Rush. With ample legroom and storage space, you and your passengers can stretch out and relax during long drives. Whether you're embarking on a weekend getaway or a cross-country adventure, the Toyota Rush ensures everyone travels in style and comfort.

Affordable Prices

At Divicr, we believe that adventure should be accessible to all. That's why we offer the Toyota Rush SUV at affordable prices, allowing you to experience the thrill of exploration without breaking the bank. With flexible rental options and competitive rates, renting a Toyota Rush has never been easier or more budget-friendly.

Call: +506 6380 7816

E-Mail: reserve@divicr.com

[awanderingcanadian]

Costa Rica for Newbies

After arriving at YVR to discover that our ongoing flight from Mexico City was “delayed” for 2.5 days, and the staff at YVR didn’t have access to options, we arrived in Mexico City around 4am local time, (2am Vancouver time), and immediately made a beeline for the AeroMexico customer service desk. You may be shocked to read that it wasn’t busy at that time of the night. When I booked the flights, I saw that we could go in Business Class for $200CDN more, (I’ve never seen a price that close to a domestic price before), so I booked them. In hindsight, this turned out to be a great decision. Not only were we a priority for rebooking, we also had use of the AeroMexico lounge. The wonderful representative found us seats on the next flight out, (albeit it 12 hours after our original flight, and in an exit row, not Business class, for which she apologized profusely), and off we went for a record 14.5 hours of lounge time. We napped, ate, and drank water, lattes, and even a glass of wine. Arriving into San Jose, Costa Rica around midnight, we weren’t out of the airport until closer to 1am. Our car rental representative was still waiting there for us. We had booked a last minute inexpensive hotel near the airport and had said we would be arriving around 1am, (as this was a small family run hotel we worried about a late arrival). We pulled into the gated parking at 1:30am and crashed hard into our bed. Awakening to this view though, made it all okay:

The next morning we set out for our treehouse accommodation in Cocles, (a few kms south of Puerto Viejo). I had read that it would take just under 4 hours, but almost 6 hours later, we arrived. Our limited experience of roads in Costa Rica, (the ‘highway’ over the mountains to the Caribbean coast and subsequent side roads), have thus far confirmed the opinion that the roads here are terrible. The highway is under construction, moving from 2 to 4 lane constantly, but with very little notice. One moment you’re driving on a 4 lane divided highway, the next, the two lanes over the median are empty, and there are large trucks coming toward you in your ‘fast lane’. In an interesting twist, there are often 2 lanes going down the hills, and one going up the hill?? We quickly understood why our AirBnB host said not to make the drive at night. The ‘road’ to our AirBnb is a 2 km gravel road…with huge rocks and not gravel. It’s quite a workout for the Suzuki Vitara, (probably the most common vehicle we’ve seen here).

Car rentals here are also interesting, as most places insist that you take out the full insurance, regardless of the fact that your credit card company might provide secondary insurance. I called our credit card company and they said to take the minimum required and they would cover the rest. They sent us something to print and take with us specifically stating we were covered in Costa Rica. So, we booked with the “full insurance” package. When we picked up the car, they then informed us that the “full insurance” had an $1800USD deductible if the accident was our fault, and get this…a 20% deductible on the total damage if the accident WAS NOT our fault. WTH?? We’ve declined this extra insurance, on top of our “full insurance”, and hope that if we are actually involved in an accident, our credit car will honour its word. Because of these dire warnings, we took a video of our car at pick up, (as well as some photos…remember it was after 1:00am and we had had very little sleep in the past 2 nights). Two days into our rental, we discovered that we are missing a lug nut from the front and back tire on the passenger side. We looked back at our pick up video and yes…they rented us a car already missing two lug nuts.

I tilted this post “Costa Rica for Newbies” because, although we are fairly seasoned travellers, there’s always something new to learn when you go somewhere new. I’m not writing this to complain, just to maybe help other newbies to Costa Rica!

[mikeodden01]

https://vamosrentacar.com/

Vamos Car Rentals Costa Rica | Affordable & Reliable Car Rentals

Explore the beauty of Costa Rica with Vamos Car Rentals. Your trusted choice for affordable and Reliable car rentals in Costa Rica. Visit us at https://vamosrentacar.com to experience Vamos Car Rentals Costa Rica today.

[seanivan241998]

Rent a Car in Costa Rica for Unforgettable Journeys

Renting a car in Costa Rica opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to venture off the beaten path and discover hidden gems that may otherwise remain undiscovered. From pristine beaches and lush rainforests to charming towns and awe-inspiring volcanoes, the diverse natural beauty of Costa Rica awaits your exploration.

[viking-raider]

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT > PART THREE

Summary-> Alexa and Henry leave their villa to explore the beauty of Costa Rica, with an unblinking eye trailing behind them.

Pairing-> Henry Cavill/OFC (Alexa)

Word Count-> 5.7k

Parts-> I II

Warnings-> PG: Arranged Marriage, Language, Banter, Anxiety

Inspiration-> Nick and Vanessa Lachey’s Love is Blind on Netflix.

Author’s Note-> I hope you enjoy! Line divider by @FIREFLY-GRAPHICS!

-> If you would like to get notifications for my writing! Just follow my Tag List blog, @VIKING-RAIDER-TAGLIST as well as my @VIKING-RAIDER-LIBRARY and turn on the notifications for it! It’s that easy!’ Ao3-> Dragon_Dweller

– The Hike –

Alexa pulled her loose cotton, deep arm-hole tank top over her bikini, while Henry packed a day bag for them to take on their hike.

“Right, we're all packed.” He smiled, coming to stand in the bathroom doorway. “Figured we could stop in town for some lunch items, and if we need anything else before we head to the start of the trail.” He informed her, watching her tug on a pair of short, board shorts with a print pattern on each hip, over her bikini bottoms.

“I love the sound of that. We can also browse the local life.” Alexa smiled, a tingle in her stomach knowing Henry was distracted by seeing so much of her body.

“That sounds like a great idea.”

“Great.” She nodded, patting him on the chest as she breezed by him, into the bedroom; mentally reminding herself not to look at the camera that was there filming the whole thing.

With their little hiking bag packed and a rental car for them waiting in the drive, Henry and Alexa loaded up. Jesse followed them from a car in the back, having mounted a couple cameras in ideal places on the rental car to film them.

“Wow, this place is so gorgeous.” Henry commented, looking out the window as he drove them into town.

“Just wait until we hit the trails.” Alexa smiled, lounging back in the passenger seat. “It's a whole other world. It feels like you've been lost in some 18th Century adventure book; deep in the forest as you look for the coveted and cured gold of an ancient God, that the natives warn you not to go near.”

Henry looked over at her, smirking. “Bookworm?” He chuckled, teasingly.

“The word is, Bibliophile.” She corrected him, with feigned offense. “Thank you very much.”

“Oh, my apologies, Bibliophile.” He laughed, amused. “But, I can see it, this place does give you an enchanted feeling.” He sighed, as the town of Tamarindo came into view.

Tamarindo bustled with life, an assortment of shops, brightly colored and close together, showed their wares in windows, balconies and sidewalks. Signs announcing what each shop and pop-up cart was selling to whomever stopped by to look, from fellow tourists to locals.

Henry found a place to park and got out with Alexa, the both of them casting their eyes around, taking everything in and trying to pinpoint the place, or places, that would help them achieve their goal for a picnic on their hike.

“Something smells amazing.” Alexa commented, taking a deep breath and closing her eyes.

“Could be anything.” Henry chuckled, noting the several street vendors and restaurants.

“I need it.” Alexa said softly, her blue eyes slightly out of focus.

Henry looked down at her, cocking a brow at the almost manic look she had on her face. “Do you?” He asked, a soft smirk tugging up one corner of his lip.

“Yes.” She nodded, looking up at him with an eye twitch.

“You little gremlin.” Henry laughed, his whole body vibrating with its mirth.

“You best get used to it, Bowser.” She giggled back, before skipping forward in search of what she smelled.

Henry watched her skip off, his head cocked to the side as she paused at a stall with trinkets displayed on it, giving the woman running it a sweet smile as she did. He felt the embers of passion for her heat up even more, forming a teeny flame that Henry couldn't deny was the start of him really falling for her. Recalling himself, as Alexa looked back to see where he was, Henry moved to join her, nodding to the vendor.

“Hola, cómo estás?” She greeted him with a sweet smile.

“Hola, estoy bien.” Henry echoed with the limited amount of the language he knew, making her chuckle at his accented Spanish.

“These are so beautiful.” Alexa cooed, examining a black skirt with bright and colorful, intricate patterns along the bottom hem and inside. She looked up at the woman, holding up the hem for her to see. “You?” She asked, hoping the other woman understood what she was implying with her minimal knowledge of Spanish.

The woman smiled wide, understanding, and nodded with clear pride. “Sí.”

“How much?” She asked, brows raised.

“Treinta colón.” She answered, signing three and zero with her fingers in emphasis.

Nodding, Alexa dug into the little bag she had resting on her hip, retrieving the colónes that Riah had supplied her and Henry before leaving the house, supplying the woman the right amount of money for the skirt she had handmade herself. Taking the curled notes from Alexa's hand, she stashed them away in a locked box somewhere behind her stall, before motioning to Alexa to pick one of the skirts. Alexa peeked through them, admiring her craft and amazing needlework with the fabric. None of it lacked color and all of the patterns were unique in their own right, fascinating and awing her.

“What do you think?” Alexa asked, looking up at Henry for his opinion between the two skirts she was conflicted on.

“Hm.” He hummed, looking between them with a cocked brow. “They're both very beautiful.” He commented, reaching out to touch the cotton fabric. “Personally,” He said, finally. “I like this one. It's super colorful and seems like it would be...light and free. It makes me think of you.”

Alexa blushed, biting the inside of her lip at his comment, as she looked up at him, before looking down at the skirt he was referencing. It was red with a kaleidoscope of circular patterns, and blue top and bottom hems. Smiling, she picked that one out of the bunch, motioning to the woman that she had made her choice, and she nodded her understanding. Alexa and Henry moved on, observing the other stalls that lined the street and peeked in the windows of the shops, before they finally found the local grocery store and popped inside.

Grabbing one of little metal baskets, Henry and Alexa browsed the modest aisles, plucking up a couple things that caught their eye for their picnic. Something else grabbed Henry's attention as they reached the back of the store.

“Hey, I'll just be one second.” He said, resting his hand on the small of her back. “I'll meet you at the register.”

“Okay.” Alexa nodded, holding his gaze for a moment, before continuing on, grabbing a couple more things off the shelf, before she headed to pay for everything, tossing a glance over her shoulder to look for Henry, but only found Jesse following her instead.

But Henry appeared as she bagged their items, offering her an apologetic smile. “Sorry, I just wanted to check something out.” He told her, grabbing a few items and helping her put them in the plastic bag. “I'm looking forward to this hike with you.” He admitted, taking the bag and heading out with her. “Part of me wishes this was happening around the time the Durrell Challenge occurs.”

“When does that happen?” Alexa asked, curiously.

“It happened in May.” He told her, holding an arm out to stop her from crossing, as a car appeared up the street. “So, we missed it.”

“There's always next time.” She replied, watching the car go by. “Not like we won't be together.”

Henry looked down at her, struck. “That's more than true.” He answered softly, crossing and following her along the street, observing the shops as they made their way back to their vehicle. “So, wife, where is our trail?” He asked, reaching into the back, for the pack he had their stuff in and tucked their lunch inside.

“Right here.” Alexa answered, leaning over the center console to show Henry the map of the trail head. “It's part of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park.”

“Looks beautiful.” He commented, getting the address for the trail head and situating his phone on the dash mount. “So, our first day as husband and wife!” He grinned, navigating the road that ran parallel to the coast on one side.

“Yeah.” Alexa giggled, taking a photo of the gorgeous white sand and glittering, azure water. “How's it feeling?” She asked, shifting her camera's view to snap a shot of Henry, catching him off guard.

“It feels good.” Henry replied, giving her a shy and boy-ish expression. “It was a bit strange waking up to another person, and not either alone or to Kal snoring in my face.”

A laugh bubbled out of Alexa, her body scrunching up. “No, you just had me snoring in your face this morning.”

“Well worth the morning breath!” Henry chuckled back, teasing, watching the coast fall away the more inland they got.

“I don't have morning breath!” Alexa gasped, shoving him in the shoulder.

“Are you sure about that?” He smirked impishly, cocking a side brow over at her.

Alexa gasped again in outrage, mouth ajar. “Uh! How dare you accuse me of such things! I'll glue the toilet lid down from now on!”

“That's fine.” Henry replied, his smirking shifting into something even more devilish. “I have great aim.”

Alexa's cheeks colored, understanding his suggestion. “Naughty!” She cooed, batting her eyes at him, before glancing quickly over at the recording camera on the dash.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Shoot!” Alexa nodded, twisting sideways to look at him.

“Do you have any nicknames you do or don't like going by?” Henry inquired, rubbing his palms over the steering wheel. “I don't mind being called Hen, Henners or Hank, but I loathe being called Harry.”

“Who calls you that!” She asked, outraged at the notion of someone calling him by that name, eyes twitching.

“I had a teacher at boarding school that did and sometimes, one of my uncles would.” He explained, shaking his head. “No matter how many times I told them I hated it and asked them not to.”

“I don't blame you! You don't have a Harry aura about you. Hen, yes. Hank yeah. But-” She took a deep breath and let it out in a huff. “Good grief. As for me, most of the people in my social circle call me, Alex or Lexi, which I'm totally cool with. There are people that call me, Lex, which I'm not really here nor there about. However, I don't like being called, Allie, it makes me think of alleyways, or one of my roadies desperately tried to make a thing of calling me, Lexus.”

She met Henry's eye. “I'm not a car.”

Henry snorted, laughing softly. “A car, you are not.” He agreed, smiling. “So, Alex, Lex or Lexi are cool to call you.”

“Yep.” Alexa nodded, liking the sound of her name rolling off his tongue, as she noticed the sign announcing the turn off for the National park just around the bend. “Almost there!” She declared, rather excited to go exploring and hiking on the trails with Henry. “This place is so beautiful.” She commented, as they got out of the car, the warmth of the beach was replaced by the cool, but humid, air of the forest around them.

“Yeah, it is.” Henry agreed, clipping their bag secure across his chest.

But not as beautiful as you. He thought, fleetingly.

“Are you going to be able to hike this, carrying that camera?” Henry asked Jesse, who was getting his own gear set up. “According to that park sign, the trail is seven kilometers in length. One way.” He informed the cameraman, concerned for his well-being as much as he was Alexa and his own.

“I'll be fine, bud.” Jesse replied, shouldering a bag that rattled with various filming equipment and a couple of things he brought for the hike, water bottle, food, bug spray and so on. “I've done wildlife documentaries in Antarctica. I'm sure a four mile hike around the volcano will be cake.”

“Making sure.” Henry said, before turning to Alexa, who was patiently waiting at the trailhead. “You ready, short-stuff?” He asked with a smile.

Alexa snorted and rolled her eyes. “More ready than you are, Bones.” She answered, then held up a trail guide pamphlet. “I scanned the QR code they have on the back, but just in case our mobile service goes nutty, I thought we'd bring the booklet with us too.”

“Sound idea, love.” He nodded, gave the trail ahead a look over.

She leaned in close to Henry, before whispering loudly. “If there's any spiders, I'm leaving Jesse to get eaten first.”

“I heard that!” Jesse barked behind them.

Alexa flashed him a sweet smile, then took the first step onto the trail. One small step on our hike, one giant step into the rest of our life. She thought, continuing with the assurance that Henry was right behind her.

“A bridge!” Henry announced as he rounded a bend in the trail, coming upon a rope bridge, just wide enough for one person to cross at a time, single file. “You think it's sturdy?”

“It looks like it.” Alexa answered, looking around Henry's arm. “I'm sure they wouldn't have it accessible if it was dangerous. Unless they have a thing for making their visitors feel like they're having an Indiana Jones experience.” She commented, half-jokingly.

“Fair enough, you go ahead first.” He said, stepping sideways on the trail.

“Oh, how gentlemanly of you, to let me plummet to the river below first.” Alexa quipped, moving by him, only to have Henry catch her wrist, his expression stony.

“Don't say that.” He snapped, his eyes glassy with horror.

Alexa's stomach churned at his expression, leaving her speechless for a moment, before she caught Jesse moving closer to them out of the corner of her eye and she scrambled to pull herself together again. “I was just kidding, Henry. I'm sorry.” She squeaked, gulping thickly as she pried his fingers from around her wrist and stepped onto the bridge.

That was so stupid! Why did I say that to him! She berated herself. Riah's going to juice her panties when she finds out. With how good it'll look, when the show airs. Stupid me creating an angst-y fuss, like some teenage drama.

The bridge wobbled a little bit as the three of them moved across the weathered slates at a steady pace, Alexa gripping the rope sides and daring to take a glance over the side, before quietly squeaking at the steep distance to the valley bottom and shooting her eyes forward, not looking down again. Henry's own eyes were on the back of Alexa's head, the whole time they crossed, taking slow, deep breaths and pretending the bridge wasn't as high off the ground as it actually was. In an attempt to control his fear of heights.

“Right, so!” Alexa sighed, after their feet touched solid ground again. “According to the app, the hot spring is this way and it's just before the waterfall.” She said, tracing the red line on the screen of her phone with her fingertip. “Do you want to see the waterfall first or do you want to hit the spring?” She asked, looking up at Henry, who craned his head over her shoulder to see the map, his hand gently resting on her side.

“Hm.” He hummed, eyeing the outlined trail, before looking up ahead of them. “Why don't we hit the waterfall first and have lunch there, so we can have a nice dip in the spring before we leave?” He suggested, looking back to Alexa. “That way we can have a nice rest period.”

“Sounds like a good plan.” Alexa nodded, pocketing the device and hooking her arm with his. “It's so gorgeous here.” She said, looking at the tall canopies above their heads, her ears picking up the sounds of the forest surrounding them. The call of birds, frogs croaking deep in their throats and insects buzzing in the humid air, with the occasional howl of a monkey deep and far off the beaten trail.

“It really is.” Henry agreed, drawing in a deep breath of the fresh, fragrant and cool air.

They pointed out sights to each other, plants and animals. Alexa became excited at one point, thinking she saw a little squirrel monkey, before it vanished in the trees. They snapped a couple of photos over the hour and a half it took them to go from the head of the trail to the rushing waterfall at the end.

“Oh my—Odin.” Alexa gasped softly, standing on a large, flat river rock as she gazed up at the fifty foot waterfall, the spraying mist at the top glittering in the sunlight, casting a rainbow-like halo at its drop off point. “I've never seen anything quite so magical.” She mumbled to herself, following the water into a basin of crystal clear water, surrounded by rough cliff walls covered in creeping vines and moss, slick algae and small trees that somehow managed to take root and grow out of cracks.

There were a couple of people around the edge of the pool, resting on rocks or clear, flat spots of the ground, with several others swimming in the water itself. Both Alexa and Henry looked at each other, then tossed at glance at Jesse, who hadn't stopped filming once, knowing they would attract attention the moment they got close. So, they moved around to the far side of the waterfall, where there were no people and found a decent spot to sit down and relax.

Henry set his pack down in front of him, unhooking his water bottle from the loop on the strap, while Alexa sipped at her own water, staring out over the pool with a whimsical and thoughtful expression.

“What are you thinking about?” He asked, before taking a big gulp of his icy water.

“Hm?” Alexa hummed back, blinking and turning her attention to him.

Henry chuckled at her. “What are you thinking about?” He repeated himself, unzipping the main compartment of the bag.

“I'm wondering how cool that water must be.” She confessed, her face giving away her interest in going for a dip.

“Hmm.” He purred back, narrowing his eyes at the water and considering the sweat running down his back, causing his tank top to stick to his skin as well as his curls to his forehead. “That's a good question.” He replied, closing the backpack and reaching for the back of his tank, pulling it off over his head and dropping it on the bag, before standing.

“Let's go find out.”

Alexa grinned, taking off her top and stood to wiggle out of her shorts, kicking them over to their bag as Henry's arm hooked around her waist. “Henry!” She cried out with laughter, breaking out into a massive grin as he carried her over to the water.

“You can go in with your insulin stuff, right?” He asked, as the water reached his calves.

“Yeah.” She assured him, squirming and wrapping her arms around his neck. “All water-proof.”

“Perfect.” Henry smirked devilishly, shifting his hands to Alexa's hips, hoisted her up and launched her into the deep end of the water.

Alexa gasped as she splashed into the water, disappearing under for a moment, before she pushed off the bottom and broke the surface again. “That's unfair!” She huffed, splashing Henry in the face as he moved towards her.

“Absolutely.” He nodded, carding his fingers through his dripping hair, pushing his curls off his forehead.

The two of them looked up at a cry that echoed down to them, finding a group of guys that had climbed to the top of the cliff by the waterfall, screaming their heads off and throwing their arms up, showing off to their group that had stayed down below, and who were returning their rowdiness. Alexa chuckled and looked at Henry, hooking an arm around his neck to support herself in the water and be close to him.

“Those guys are wild.” Henry commented, watching one of them take a running jump off the edge, feeling his stomach lurch as the guy plummeted and splashed into the water, heart clenching for a moment, waiting for him to resurface safely.

“And probably drunk.” Alexa giggled, gently pressing her lips to Henry's collarbone, as she held herself against his chiseled torso, feeling his palms squeeze and massage her hips. “If you try tossing me again, I will bite you.” She whispered against his skin.

Henry glanced down at her, cocking a brow with interest. “Is that a promise or a threat?” He asked, his own lips brushing the top of her head. “Cause, I'll gladly find out.” He said, a chuckle rumbling deep in his chest.

Fuck, I hope I'm not being too forward with her.

“Oh, you like that kind of thing?” Alexa teased him, smirking. “Superman likes getting nibbled on?”

His body reacted to her flirting, his throat bobbing as he swallowed thickly, and his blue eyes laser focused on her face. “I just might.” He purred, voice deepening as he leaned his head in close.

“Mmm.” Alexa hummed back at him, a sparkle in her eye while meeting him, feeling her heart skip a beat, knowing he was going to kiss her again. But she caught sight of Jesse wading into the shallows of the pool, camera poised on his shoulder and a soft smirk on his face, clearly understanding the moment. “You know what?” Alexa gasped, pulling away from Henry and treading in the water to keep herself up.

“I want to jump off too.” She told him, an impish smirk crossing her lips.

“Oh?” Henry frowned, confused by the mood change and sudden disconnect from her. “Is that safe?”

Alexa chuckled, splashing him. “They did it!” She called over her shoulder, swimming away to get out of the water and head up the small trail that led up to the top of the cliff.

She's crazy. Henry thought, debating if he should follow her up, to make sure she didn't get hurt on the way to the top and perhaps try and stop her or to just watch her jump from his spot in the water. She'll be fine. He tried to reassure himself, keeping his eyes fixed on the spot the group of men had been, when they jumped.

His heart calmed down slightly, seeing her pale head pop up among the lush greenery at the top of the waterfall, gazing down into the water below and waving at him with a huge smile. Henry smiled and waved back, hoping he didn't look too horrified for her well-being. Alexa surveyed the landscape from her vantage point and wished she had brought her phone up to snap a couple of photos, before jumping.

Taking a deep breath and taking a couple steps back, before taking a running leap off the edge, plummeting feet first into the water. Henry swam over, meeting her halfway back to where they had been.

“That was wild!” She giggled at him. “You should try it.”

“I don't know.” Henry chuckled, looking up at the spot. “It's pretty high.”

“I'll go with you!” Alexa said, trying to embolden him. “We could jump together!”

Henry bit his lip, then shook his head, flicking droplets of water from the ends of his curls. “Nope.” He declined, pressing his lips together. “No can do, darling.”

“Aww.” She cooed, before clicking her tongue at him. “All right. Fair enough, Sötnos.” She smiled, her eyes gentle and understanding.

“Sötnos?” Henry echoed, causing Alexa to giggle at his pronunciation of the word.

“Swat-noss.” She pronounced the word for him, slowly. “Sötnos.”

“What does it mean?” He asked, shaking his head as he tried to wrap his mind around it.

Alexa giggled, resting her hands on his shoulders. “It means a couple things.” She smirked, amused at the pet name, as she pressed herself against him, making him feel their size difference as they floated in the water. “Sweetheart. Sweet cheeks.” She explained to him, chuckling. “But the direct translation is, sweet nose.”

“You think I got a sweet nose?” Henry teased, leaning in to rub noses with her, making Alexa giggle even more. “I like it.” He told her, pulling back to look her in the eyes. “Would you teach me more?”

“Ja, of course.” She nodded, touched and excited that he wanted to learn more of her language and background. “You're going to need it, min mannen.”

“Great.” He smiled, before noticing the slight shake in her hands. “Are you all right?” He asked, taking one of them in his, pressing it between his palm and chest to seep some warmth into it. “Are you cold?” He inquired, the water was cool, but not chilly.

“No.” Alexa replied, shaking her head. “I'm just getting the shakes from my sugar starting to dip a little bit. I need to get out and eat.” She explained to him, her brow pinching as it hit her all at once.

“Let's go then.” Henry urged, wrapping an arm around her waist and guided them out of the water, back to where their pack and clothing was. “Here's water, I'll get our lunch out.” He said, opening her water bottle for her, before opening their backpack and started pulling out all the food.

Sipping her water, Alexa caught sight of something, as it fell out of the pack in Henry's rush to get their lunch ready, and reached for it. Picking up a short, plastic wrapped tube, the words printed on it were all in Spanish, but she had seen this type of container enough times in her life to know what it was.

“Did you buy glucose tablets?” She asked, looking up at Henry with a crease between her brows, holding them up for him to see.

Henry paused and looked at the tablets, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Ye-ah.” He answered, slowly gulping. “I-” He floundered to vocalize why his brain had told him it was a good idea to head towards the chemist aisle he'd seen at the store in town, to buy the capsule of ten, Raspberry flavored, glucose tablets.

What if you needed them, while we're on our hike or on the drive back to our Villa? He thought, still struggling to voice his fear that her blood sugar would drop to an unsafe level. What if they were the only thing that kept you from-- Henry forcefully shook the last thought out of his head, refusing to manifest it.

“I just—I just thought-” He took a deep, hard breath and looked back down at his task. “I don't know what I thought.” He mumbled under his breath. “It was stupid.”

Alexa's face fell at his words, closing her fist around the tablets, wanting to say something to him about how thoughtful it really was, but couldn't find the words. “What do we have for lunch!” She said instead, changing the subject for both of them.

Henry set out their wrapped sandwiches, along with the little containers of fresh fruit, slices of mango, watermelon and oranges, as well as a small cluster of grapes. They sipped their water and nibbled on their food, Alexa gazing around the forest that surrounded them, fascinated by the towering and knotted trees among the lush green plants, the sound of the waterfall behind them was so soothing and peaceful. She sighed softly, reaching out for another piece of fruit, her hand coming into contact with Henry's, as he did the same.

Their eyes met and Alexa felt Henry's fingers caress and trace her hand, like the touch from a ghost. It made her skin tingle and the breath in her throat caught. She didn't understand. They'd known each other for less than forty-eight hours and when Henry touched her, it was like nothing she'd felt before. Not with the boyfriend she'd been with for five years or a couple of attempted dates she'd been on since breaking up with said ex-boyfriend.

What is it about him? She thought, turning her palm up to his touch, her shoulders shuddering faintly as he stroked his fingertips over the heel of her palm to her fingertips. Why does his touch light my nerve-endings on fire and send sparks into my mind? What magic is he casting over me? Alexa reflected, swimming in the azure ocean of his eyes and trying to reach the tawny island at the top.

Henry in-turn was lost in her gaze, a gentle smile twitching and curling up one corner of his lip as he drove ever deeper into the arctic landscape he found there, mapping out the small flakes of minty-green that was close to her pupils. He was besotted with her, and it only dragged him down deeper as the seconds ticked past them. Henry had no answer to it either. Though, he was sometimes prone to falling in love quickly, and that sudden realization stabbed him in the stomach, like a red-hot knife.

Am I falling too quickly? Is this just a sudden flame, that'll burn out in a week or by the time our honeymoon is over?

His fingers faltered against her skin and Alexa noticed, a wrinkle forming between her brows as she watched the bright light in Henry's eyes fade and his expression panic, pulling his hand away from her.

“I'm sorry.” He whispered, waving to the food they'd intersected at. “Go ahead.” He said, patiently waiting for her to take what she was reaching for, before grabbing his.

“Henry--” Alexa started, wanting to know if she'd done something wrong.

“Do you still want to go to the hot spring?” He asked over her, clearing his throat, knowing how rude of him it was, but couldn't bear her asking him what she intended to. “I know we went swimming here.” He said, waving to the waterfall behind them.

Alexa licked her lips and glanced at the rushing water for a second. “I would still at least like to see it.” She replied, biting her lip. “If that's all right with you?” She added, looking at him with a conflicted expression.

“That's more than all right.” He answered, popping a grape into his mouth. “I'd like to see it as well.” He confessed, offering her a half-hearted smile, hoping to bring some peace back into their outing.

“Cool.” She rasped, picking up her shorts and stood up, pulling them over her damp bikini bottoms, not bothering with her tank top, and instead stuffed it into their bag. “I'm ready, when you are.” She told him, looking at her Dexcom app, making sure her levels were in an appropriate range.

“I'm ready.” Henry replied, packing what was left of their food away and stood with her, shouldering the bag and glancing at her phone. “Is that a good level?” He asked, looking at her.

“It's a hundred and fifty, now that I've eaten.” Alexa explained, turning the screen towards him. “So, that's a pretty decent range. Especially for me.” She said, before pointing to a number beside it. “It was a hundred and ten, before I ate, which is middle to low-ish side, before a meal. But, I'm perfectly fine now. So we can head to the hot spring and likely make it back to the Villa, before I need to eat again.” She told him, closing the app and pulling up the map to the hot spring from where they were.

“So, we need to get back on the trail we arrived here on, for a short while, until we reach that fork and turn left.” She showed him their route and Henry nodded, motioning for her to lead the way.

Alexa glanced behind her to Jesse, who frowned at her, clearly annoyed she kept staring into the camera lens, before moving forward. Henry took a deep breath, glancing above them as he reached out to hook his arm around Alexa's shoulders, pulling her a little into his side as they retraced their steps over the trail.

They reached the turn, branching out in the three different directions and headed towards the hot spring, and the closer they came to it, the more they could hear the rush of the thermal waters.

Coming through a thicket of trees and brush into the clearing, they discovered the steaming, volcanic-formed pool. Not quite so populated as the pool at the foot of the waterfall, but was still dotted with people. Some stood waist deep in the warm waters, while others sat on the rocks that surrounded it, their feet dipped in, admiring the multiple, little volcanic rock waterfalls that supplied the water for the spring.

“This place is so gorgeous.” Alexa commented, as she and Henry found a spot to sit and slip their feet into the heavenly warm water, with a soft moan.

“It truly is.” Henry agreed, slowly gliding his feet through the water and watching it gurgle down one of the falls.

Alexa gasped suddenly, grasping Henry by the arm and grew animated. “Henry!” She insisted, blue eyes round with wonder and surprise as she pointed into the tree tops across the spring, just as a sound filled the steamy air, like a high-pitched, song-bird-like call. “It's a Toucan.” She grinned at him, giddy for spotting the yellow-throated toucan.

“Oh wow, it is!” Henry nodded, narrowing his eyes at the small, long billed bird of paradise.

“When I was little, I wanted one as a pet, after seeing George of the Jungle with Brendan Fraser, cause Tookie-Tookie was my favorite.” She confessed, taking her phone out to snap a photo of it. “Other than Shep the elephant.”

Henry smirked at her, touched that she shared that teeny bit of information and memory with him, and was amused by it. “Is that so?” He asked, his eyes going back to the little black and yellow bird as it took flight off its branch.

“Yeah, I love animals.” Alexa nodded, a little deflated that the toucan flew off, before looking at the photos she'd taken of it. “I had considered becoming a Zoologist before becoming a musician.” She confessed, pressing her shoulder against his and lifting her phone again, its front camera open and showing her and Henry. “We haven't taken a single photo together.” She answered the startled and confused expression she saw on Henry's face through her phone.

“I'd like at least one photo with my husband, during our honeymoon.” She smirked at him. “If he'd indulge me?”

“Why would I not?” He cooed, his expression softening and posed with her to take the photo.

[stoked2surf]

Today we deep cleaned and worked on making a shade net for the field. Cleaning took priority though bc the outdoor kitchen and bathrooms desperately needed it, two spaces i personally like to have pristine.

After work we were looking for something to do so we decided to head to Montezuma beach about 20 minutes down the road opposite of santa teresa. The roads were much more winding and far less steep, but possessed many potholes so traveling slow was key.

Once in town we were greeted by colorful building and hand painted signs about happy hours and menus along with the welcoming smell of a wood fired stove. the town is fairly small and positioned right on the water with a beautiful cove.

first things first we grabbed an iced americano at a beautiful cafe with tons or outdoor seating and welcoming beach signs all hand painted. we took out coffee to go and walked through town and found ourselves at a beach entrance with a trail walk. we decided to walk it for a little while and see where it led. there is a much longer route but we did what we had time for before the sun set.

Plenty of lavarock like formations along the beaches provided for many fun side quests to look in tide pools and shell beds. shell collecting is frowned upon in this area so we stuck to seaglass and tile if we found it.

We wondered all the way to a beautiful beach with a waterfall and many rock piles that people have stacked on top of eachother. we couldn’t quite explain the feeling but this place felt spiritual in a way.

on our way back into town we wanted a cocktail and came across a place on the water that claimed “the best fucking view in montezuma” so naturally we checked it out but were a little stunned by the prices, (gringo prices), so we left and went to a place we saw on the way in that had a happy hour special.

Upon arrival the setting is magical, very laid back open environment with a wood fired stove that the food is all cooked in (what we smelled on arrival), and the decor was on point. the best way to describe it was a Costa Rica “dive bar”.

the staff was incredibly personable and you felt at home and very welcome. (we do believe that everyone there was very very drunk). We had the best cocktails that we’ve had while here and they were two for one! i had a white russian with about 3oz of liquor in it haha and Annagrace has a passion fruit margarita which she said is the best margarita she’s ever had!

We spent some time there and headed back to camp but in the parking lot we were approached by a german woman and a teenager she claimed to be her son, they asked if we spoke english and then told us there predicament.

They said they had no service or wifi and needed to get to their hotel with all there bags and they taxi wanted to charge them $100 usd (which is ridiculous) but my gut feeling felt off. They asked for a ride before telling us anything about themselves or their trip. from the start of it it felt fishy and i knew i was not going to be providing any rides as the facts continued to not line up.

we could not even give them a ride as my surfboard took up the back of the rental car the way it had to be slid in eliminating two seats, leaving only one open. we told them this and provided them with a location across the street that had free wifi and two numbers for local taxis that were given to us by a local restaurant owner, and they were both very reliable and would not rip you off. but they refused and moved on very quickly once we said no, like who wouldn’t want this valuable information in this situation?? fishy.

overall trust your gut and you will be okay. pura vida.

[tinytourist]

Eat, Pray, Love, Jacó

Stacia and I reunited in the Houston airport on Tuesday afternoon for a brief layover before our flight to San José, Costa Rica! We spent the entire plane ride attempting to watch a movie but couldn’t stop talking. Upon arrival, we picked up our rental car and stayed an an Airbnb near the airport for our first night where we spent our time continuing to catch up and laughing until we cried.

On Wednesday morning, we packed up and headed to Jacó, a beach town on the Pacific less than 2 hours from San José. We parked our car at our Airbnb and went straight to lunch at Public House where we got our first jugos of the trip (strawberry watermelon) and Mahi salads. After a bit of searching, we located la playa and got ourselves two beach chairs with an umbrella to protect our blanca skin.

Stacia and I played in the big waves, relaxed in our chairs, and got massage samples. We cleaned up at the Airbnb and then walked back into town for dinner at Morales Street where we had bebidas muy grande, ceviche, y más Mahi. We got another drink at Beach Bar where we played a very competitive game of Jenga and hitched a ride home on a golf cart.

First thing in the morning, we SPFed ourselves for about 45 mins and then went back to la playa, this time with ca$h. We relaxed in our chairs and got intense full body masajes.

After packing up the Airbnb, we stopped for lunch at Sabress, a Mediterranean & Moroccan restaurant. The restaurant was connected to Izu’s Place - a kosher hotel and Jewish center. This, our first meal of the day, happened at 2 PM so we went alllll in.

With fully bellies and hearts, back to San José we went. There, we watched Eat, Pray, Love while waiting for Frances to arrive. Finally, the trio was back together, and the Vibes were complete.

[travelloverr]

A Comprehensive Guide to Airports in Southern California

The Big Leagues: International Gateways

Southern California’s international airports are the lifeblood of its tourism and economy. These behemoths handle millions of passengers annually, offering a vast array of domestic and international flights.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): The Colossus of the Coast

LAX is the undisputed king of Southern California airports. It’s one of the busiest airports in the world, serving as a major hub for numerous airlines.

Pros: Extensive flight options, numerous international destinations, a wide range of amenities, and ongoing modernization efforts.

Cons: Congestion, traffic delays, large size can be overwhelming, and parking can be expensive.

Key Features: Nine passenger terminals, a dedicated international terminal (Tom Bradley International Terminal), numerous lounges, a diverse selection of dining and shopping options, and a growing network of transportation options, including the upcoming automated people mover (APM).

Travel Tip: Arrive early, especially during peak travel times. Utilize ride-sharing services or public transportation to avoid parking hassles. Familiarize yourself with the terminal layout beforehand.

San Diego International Airport (SAN): Coastal Convenience

Located just a few miles from downtown San Diego, SAN offers a convenient gateway to the city and surrounding areas.

Pros: Close proximity to downtown, efficient layout, relatively easy navigation, and beautiful views of the bay.

Cons: Limited international destinations compared to LAX, can get crowded during peak hours, and runway limitations due to its location.

Key Features: Two terminals, a growing number of international routes, a variety of dining and shopping options, and easy access to public transportation and ride-sharing services.

Travel Tip: Utilize the free cell phone waiting lot if picking someone up. Take advantage of the airport’s proximity to downtown by exploring the city before or after your flight.

More Read

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Things to Do in London with Teens

The Best Florida Souvenirs

Costa Rica Flowers: A Colorful Paradise

Things To Do in Monteverde, Costa Rica

Top 12 Fun Facts About Costa Rica

Top Places for Snorkeling in Costa Rica

Ontario International Airport (ONT): The Inland Alternative

Serving the Inland Empire, ONT provides a less congested alternative to LAX.

Pros: Less crowded than LAX, easier parking, shorter security lines, and growing number of flight options.

Cons: Fewer international destinations compared to LAX, limited public transportation options, and less frequent flights to some destinations.

Key Features: Two terminals, a focus on domestic flights, a growing number of international cargo flights, and a reputation for efficiency.

Travel Tip: Consider ONT if you’re traveling within the United States or to select international destinations. Utilize ride-sharing services or rental cars for transportation.

Regional Airports: Serving Local Communities

Beyond the major international hubs, Southern California boasts a network of regional airports that cater to local communities and specific travel needs.

John Wayne Airport (SNA): Orange County’s Gateway

Located in Santa Ana, SNA serves Orange County and surrounding areas.

Pros: Convenient for Orange County residents, efficient layout, relatively easy navigation, and a focus on domestic flights.

Cons: Limited international destinations, noise restrictions due to its location, and can get crowded during peak hours.

Key Features: One terminal, a variety of dining and shopping options, and easy access to major freeways and attractions.

Travel Tip: Be aware of noise restrictions and plan your flight accordingly. Utilize ride-sharing services or rental cars for transportation within Orange County.

Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR): The Entertainment Hub

Located in Burbank, BUR is a popular choice for travelers visiting Hollywood and the surrounding entertainment industry.

Pros: Convenient for Hollywood and Burbank, smaller and easier to navigate than LAX, and a growing number of flight options.

Cons: Limited international destinations, can get crowded during peak hours, and parking can be expensive.

Key Features: One terminal, a variety of dining and shopping options, and easy access to major freeways and public transportation.

Travel Tip: Consider BUR if you’re visiting Hollywood or Burbank. Utilize public transportation or ride-sharing services to avoid parking hassles.

Long Beach Airport (LGB): A Historic Gem

Located in Long Beach, LGB offers a charming and historic atmosphere.

Pros: Smaller and less crowded than LAX, easy navigation, and a focus on domestic flights.

Cons: Limited flight options, limited public transportation options, and can get crowded during peak hours.

Key Features: A historic terminal building, a variety of dining and shopping options, and a focus on domestic flights.

Travel Tip: Enjoy the historic charm of the terminal. Utilize ride-sharing services or rental cars for transportation within Long Beach.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP): Desert Getaway

Serving the Coachella Valley, PSP is the perfect starting point for a desert vacation.

Pros: Easy to navigate, relaxing atmosphere, close to resorts and attractions.

Cons: Fewer flight options, especially internationally, can get very busy during peak season.

Key Features: Open air design, easy access to rental cars, and growing flight options.

Travel Tip: Plan ahead during peak season.

Smaller Airports and Executive Options

Southern California also features a network of smaller airports that cater to private aviation, cargo flights, and specific local needs.

Van Nuys Airport (VNY): A Hub for Private Aviation

One of the busiest general aviation airports in the world, VNY is a hub for private jets, charter flights, and film industry aviation.

Key Features: Numerous fixed-base operators (FBOs), a variety of aviation services, and a focus on private aviation.

Riverside Municipal Airport (RAL): Serving the Inland Empire

RAL serves the Riverside area and offers general aviation services, flight training, and charter flights.

Key Features: General aviation facilities, flight training schools, and charter flight services.

Santa Barbara Municipal Airport (SBA): Coastal Charm

SBA provides service to the Santa Barbara area, and is a smaller, easy to navigate airport.

Key features: Regional flights, and easy access to Santa Barbara.

Navigating the SoCal Skies: Tips for Travelers

Plan Ahead: Book flights and accommodations in advance, especially during peak travel times.

Arrive Early: Allow ample time for check-in, security, and potential delays.

Utilize Technology: Download airline apps, use online check-in, and track flight status.

Consider Transportation Options: Explore ride-sharing services, public transportation, and rental cars.

Pack Smart: Follow TSA guidelines for carry-on and checked baggage.

Stay Informed: Monitor traffic and weather conditions, and be aware of potential delays.

Be Patient: Airports can be crowded and stressful. Maintain a positive attitude and be patient with airport staff and fellow travelers.

Southern California’s airport network is a vital part of its infrastructure, connecting the region to the world. Whether you’re flying into LAX, departing from ONT, or exploring the regional airports, understanding the options and planning ahead can ensure a smooth and enjoyable travel experience. From the large international hubs, to the smaller regional airports, Southern California has an airport that will fit your travel needs. Continue reading

Here are some FAQs about Southern California airports

Q: What is the busiest airport in Southern California?

A: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

Q: Which airport is closest to downtown San Diego?

A: San Diego International Airport (SAN).

Q: Is there an airport in Orange County?

A: Yes, John Wayne Airport (SNA).

Q: Which airport is best for visiting Hollywood?

A: Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR).

Q: Which airport is located in the Inland Empire?

A: Ontario International Airport (ONT).

Q: How many terminals does LAX have?

A: Nine passenger terminals.

Q: Is there an international terminal at LAX?

A: Yes, the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

Q: What is the best way to get to LAX from downtown Los Angeles?

A: Ride-sharing services, public transportation (FlyAway bus), or taxi.

Q: Is there long-term parking at LAX?

A: Yes, there are multiple long-term parking options.

Q: Is LAX currently undergoing construction?

A: Yes, there are ongoing modernization projects, including the APM.

Q: Does Long Beach Airport have international flights?

A: Primarily domestic flights, with limited international charter services.

[fourboxfour]

Rent a 4x4 in Costa Rica – The Ultimate Off-Road Adventure Awaits

Planning an adventure in Costa Rica? Make the most of your trip with a reliable 4x4 rental from 4Box4, your go-to provider for off-road capable vehicles. Costa Rica’s breathtaking landscapes, from rugged mountains to hidden beaches and lush rainforests, require a vehicle that can handle any terrain. Our 4x4 car rental service offers well-maintained, high-performance SUVs and trucks designed to navigate the country’s diverse road conditions with ease.

Whether you're heading to the stunning beaches of Guanacaste, exploring the cloud forests of Monteverde, or driving through the remote Osa Peninsula, our 4x4 rentals provide the safety, comfort, and reliability you need. Enjoy flexible rental plans, competitive rates, and hassle-free booking, all while experiencing Costa Rica on your own terms.

Don’t let road conditions limit your adventure—book your 4x4 car rental in Costa Rica today and explore the country with confidence!

Website: https://4box4.com/category/4x4-car-rental-costa-rica/

[transunshinetransport]

Costa Rica Airport Transfer: The Ultimate Guide to Stress-Free Travel

A smooth Costa Rica airport transfer can make a huge difference in your trip. Whether you prefer private transfers, shared shuttles, or rental cars, choosing the right service provider is key. With Tran Sun Shine, you can expect reliable, affordable, and hassle-free transportation. Book your airport transfer today and enjoy a worry-free journey in Costa Rica!

[vamosrentacar]

Is it Safe to Drive in Costa Rica? Insights from Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela

When planning a trip to Costa Rica, one of the questions that may cross your mind is, "Is it safe to drive in Costa Rica?" This concern is entirely valid, as road conditions, traffic, and local driving habits can vary from what you're used to. However, with the right car rental company by your side, such as Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela, you can explore the beauty of this Central American paradise with confidence. Here, we'll address the safety of driving in Costa Rica, focusing on the city areas of San Jose.

Safety in Costa Rica: A Snapshot

Costa Rica is known for its stunning landscapes, lush rainforests, and pristine beaches. Traveling by car is an excellent way to experience this natural beauty up close. However, it's essential to be aware of some unique aspects of Costa Rican roadways.

Road Conditions: In Costa Rica, the quality of roads can vary. While major highways and roads in city areas like San Jose are generally well-maintained, some rural areas may have unpaved or rough roads. Renting a suitable vehicle from a reputable car rental company like Vamos Rent a Car can help ensure a smoother ride.

Local Driving Habits: Like any other country, Costa Rica has its own driving habits. While you'll find courteous and patient drivers, you may also encounter some aggressive or unpredictable behavior on the road. Staying alert and patient is crucial.

Traffic Congestion: In city areas, especially San Jose, traffic congestion can be common during rush hours. Planning your trips to avoid peak traffic times can make driving more pleasant.

Safety Tips for Driving in Costa Rica

To ensure a safe driving experience in Costa Rica, consider the following tips:

Choose the Right Car Rental Company: Opt for a reputable car rental company like Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela. They can provide well-maintained vehicles and valuable local knowledge.

Navigation Tools: Use GPS or mobile apps to help you navigate. Familiarize yourself with your routes before setting out.

Check Road Conditions: Prior to your trip, research the road conditions of your intended routes. Some areas may require a 4x4 vehicle.

Stay Informed: Stay updated on local traffic rules and regulations. In Costa Rica, seatbelts are mandatory, and speed limits are enforced.

Avoid Night Driving: If possible, avoid driving at night, especially in rural or poorly lit areas.

Why Choose Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela

Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela is a reputable car rental company in Costa Rica, known for its commitment to customer safety and satisfaction. They offer a variety of well-maintained vehicles, including 4x4s for more challenging terrains. Here's why Vamos is the preferred choice for many travelers:

Local Expertise: The team at Vamos is well-versed in Costa Rica's road conditions and can provide valuable tips and recommendations.

Well-Maintained Fleet: Their vehicles are regularly serviced and maintained to ensure a safe and reliable ride.

24/7 Assistance: Vamos provides around-the-clock support, so you're never alone if you encounter any issues on the road.

Transparent Pricing: Their pricing is clear and competitive, with no hidden fees or surprises.

In conclusion, it is safe to drive in Costa Rica, especially if you are well-prepared and choose a trusted car rental company like Vamos Rent a Car in Alajuela. With a reliable vehicle, local knowledge, and adherence to safety tips, you can confidently explore the city areas of San Jose and beyond, experiencing the natural beauty of Costa Rica at your own pace. Plan your trip, rent a car from Vamos, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in this tropical paradise. Visit their website at https://vamosrentacar.com/ to start your journey with peace of mind.

[pharmahub]

Is Costa Rica Expensive? A Complete Expense Guide for Visitors

Is Costa Rica expensive? Many travelers ask this question when planning a trip to this tropical paradise. Known for its stunning beaches, lush rainforests, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica attracts visitors from around the world. However, the cost of travel can vary depending on accommodation, food, transportation, and activities. In this guide, we’ll break down the expenses and provide tips on how to enjoy Costa Rica without overspending.

Cost of Living in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is considered one of the more expensive countries in Central America. Compared to neighboring Nicaragua and Guatemala, prices can be higher due to tourism, import taxes, and eco-friendly policies. However, Costa Rica remains more affordable than destinations in North America or Europe.

Accommodation Costs in Costa Rica

Budget Lodging Options

Hostel dorm beds: $10 - $30 per night

Budget hotels: $35 - $65 per night

Affordable Airbnbs: $30 - $55 per night

Mid-Range Accommodations

Boutique hotels: $85 - $160 per night

Well-rated Airbnbs: $80 - $130 per night

Eco-lodges: $110 - $210 per night

Luxury Stays

Upscale resorts: $260 - $650 per night

Private villas: $350 - $1,100 per night

All-inclusive stays: $420 - $1,200 per night

Staying outside major tourist areas or booking in advance can help reduce accommodation costs.

Food and Dining Expenses

Budget Meals

Local sodas (small restaurants): $6 - $12 per meal

Street food: $4 - $8 per item

Groceries for self-catering: $35 - $55 per week

Mid-Range Dining

Casual restaurants: $12 - $30 per meal

International cuisine spots: $18 - $45 per meal

Cafés and bakeries: $4 - $10 per visit

High-End Dining

Upscale restaurants: $55 - $160 per meal

Gourmet seafood or steak dinners: $35 - $80 per plate

Private chef services: $120 - $350 per meal

Opting for local sodas and markets can significantly lower food expenses.

Transportation Costs

Budget-Friendly Transport

Local buses: $1 - $4 per trip

Long-distance buses: $6 - $25 per route

Shared shuttle services: $35 - $70 per trip

Rental Car Expenses

Compact car rentals: $45 - $85 per day

4x4 SUVs for rough terrain: $90 - $160 per day

Gasoline: Around $5 - $6 per gallon

Taxi and Ride-Sharing Costs

Short taxi rides: $6 - $18

Uber (available in select cities): Often cheaper than taxis

Private drivers: $110 - $220 per day

Using public transportation instead of renting a car can save money on travel expenses.

Activity and Entertainment Prices

Free or Low-Cost Activities

Beach access: Free

Hiking national parks: $6 - $18 per entry

Visiting waterfalls: $4 - $12 per entry

Snorkeling (with personal gear): Free

Moderate-Priced Experiences

Zip-lining: $55 - $110

Wildlife tours: $45 - $90

Surfing lessons: $35 - $75 per session

Hot springs admission: $12 - $55

High-End Adventures

Private boat tours: $220 - $550

Deep-sea fishing trips: $320 - $1,200

Helicopter rides: $350 - $1,300

Exclusive jungle retreats: $550 - $2,200

Booking group tours or exploring nature independently can help keep activity costs low.

Estimated Daily Budgets

Budget Travelers ($45 - $90 per day)

Staying in hostels or budget hotels

Eating at sodas or cooking meals

Using public transportation

Participating in free or low-cost activities

Mid-Range Travelers ($110 - $220 per day)

Staying in boutique hotels or Airbnbs

Dining at mid-range restaurants

Renting a car or using shuttles

Booking guided excursions

Luxury Travelers ($350+ per day)

Staying in luxury resorts or private villas

Dining at high-end restaurants

Hiring private transportation

Enjoying premium activities

Money-Saving Tips for Visiting Costa Rica

Travel During the Off-Season – Prices for accommodations and tours drop between May and November.

Stay Outside Tourist Hotspots – Lesser-known towns offer lower prices than places like Manuel Antonio or Tamarindo.

Use Public Transport – Buses are significantly cheaper than private shuttles or car rentals.

Eat at Local Sodas – Small family-run restaurants provide affordable and delicious meals.

Book in Advance – Early reservations for hotels and activities can lead to discounts.

Consider Volunteer Work – Work exchanges through programs like Workaway can provide free lodging.

Travel with a Group – Splitting costs on accommodation, car rentals, and tours makes things more affordable.

Conclusion

So, is Costa Rica expensive? The answer depends on your travel style and budget. While Costa Rica is pricier than some Central American countries, it remains accessible to budget travelers, mid-range vacationers, and luxury seekers alike. With careful planning and smart choices, you can experience the beauty of Costa Rica without overspending.

[awanderingcanadian]

First Days in Belize

For the past few winters we’ve been looking around various places for our new ‘winter address’. We started when our Progreso, Mexico property was up for sale, and over the course of 3 winters we have spent a month touring Costa Rica, and a week to two weeks in various locales in Mexico: La Paz, Mazatlán, Puerto Escondido, the Oaxaca area, and Mexico City. This year we opted for 2 weeks visiting friends back in Progreso, then onward to Bacalar for 6 days, before heading for a month in Belize.

We have never been to Belize before, and my husband was attracted by the fact that English is spoken here. We decided to spend a month in one location to get a real feel for it, and chose to use public transportation to get around, as car rentals here are ridiculously expensive, (I’ll be writing a post later about our busing experiences). We foolishly thought that the public transit options would be similar to Mexico, where the buses are lovely, frequent, easy to book, basically they’re very efficient overall, along with “collectivos”, (12-15 passenger minivans), that run continuously back and forth between the villages.

However, despite my best efforts over several months, I seemed unable to pin down the bus route from Bacalar, Mexico to Placencia, Belize. Just a few days prior to our departure, we settled on taking a shuttle from Bacalar to Belmopan, then getting the 2:45pm bus from there, (as shown on the website, see below for a screenshot). We had to change shuttle buses at the border, and were driven to the Belize City bus station to await our 3rd, and final shuttle bus to Belmopan. It was the lunar new year, and there was small celebration with a million firecrackers in an enclosed space. We were trying to duck into shops so we could breathe, as covering our mouths meant leaving one ear open. It was crazy. We also spent some time trying to use a nearby ATM to get Belize dollars, but it was out of commission.

We reached the bus station in Belmopan about an hour before the 2:45 bus was to depart, but there was no one at the bus line’s counter selling tickets. We patiently waited until someone arrived, only to be told that particular bus didn’t run anymore, and the next bus would leave at 5:00pm. We had some time, and the Belmopan bus station ranks up there with the best sketchy bus stations I’ve come across, so we took turns staying with our luggage, and tried again unsuccessfully to find a working ATM.

Eventually, after travelling for almost 12 hours, we arrived a few blocks from our Airbnb. Fortunately, the bus stops right at a bowling alley/restaurant/bar/billiards place and right after finding our way down a sandy road in complete darkness to find our new home, and dropping off our stuff, we walked back for a good meal and a couple of drinks.

The first few days continued in a similar bumbling fashion, we paid $60USD round trip for a taxi to the nearest stocked grocery store, because there didn’t seem to be any public transportation to town. Our nearest store, about 4 blocks away, has mainly empty shelves, and until 3 weeks in we had no vegetable stand nearby. (Grocery stores here don’t really stock fruit or vegetables, and the few they do have often leave a LOT to be desired). Most things are closed on Sundays, (bakeries, fruits and vegetable stands, etc), and we had arrived on a Saturday night. The nearest ATM is a 30-40 drive, and a very expensive taxi ride away. There seemed to be a lot of challenges facing us, and we were starting to wonder what we had done in spending a month in this location.

Lest you think that Belize is all downhill, I need to reassure you that it is not. We have since found affordable ways to get to town, although given our first experiences, we now walk to the the road at least a day before trying to go to any new destinations, to confirm the bus with our own eyes. There are collectivos, called busitos here, but they are few and far between during the heart of the day, frequent in the morning running in one direction and in the late afternoon in the other direction, helping people get into town to work.

We’ve settled in, and our accommodation is lovely. The Belizean people are so friendly. The food is amazing! We’ve found our way around, and while that hasn’t been easy, making friends here has been. I’ll write more in another post about our fabulous experiences on tours, making friends, and some recent transportation adventures!

[johnandtracyslittleones]

Liberia, Costa Rica

Our first full day in Costa Rica turned out rough.

The front desk startled us all awake with a phone call that the rental car agent had arrived…90 minutes early. It went downhill from there. On our way to eat a (mediocre at best) breakfast, Daddy got a “Site Down” text that meant he had to spend the next hour and change hunched over his laptop trying to sort out what happened.

We checked out of our room and hit the road, scrambling to find a place to stop for water and snacks to take on the 2 hour car ride to our river tubing excursion. After three stops we finally found what we were looking for…aaaand Daddy got a text from Jaclyn that he needed to check back in on some persistent issues. So we turned around and headed back to the hotel we had just checked out of so he could use the lobby wifi. When it became clear we weren’t getting on the road any time soon (and thus would not make it to our reserved tour), I pivoted. The kids hopped into swimsuits and we snuck back into the pool to kill another hour while Daddy tidied all the loose ends.

We made our way to a good restaurant for lunch, which turned out to be the bright spot in our day. The food was good and they had swings.

Eventually we did start our drive, this time skipping the stop for tubing in Rio Celeste (hopefully to be rescheduled), and made our way on a long and winding drive to Arenal.

We arrived at our next hotel and made our way to the swimming pool and hot springs, just in time for a torrential downpour. The hot springs became lukewarm springs, and the energy of defeat fully settled on us.

It feels like we have had two travel days and have yet to do anything fun. Hopefully tomorrow turns out better 🫤

[seanivan241998]

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