Costa Rica is one of the Western Hemisphere's
top travel bargains. Rooms at even the fanciest
properties rarely cost more than $200 nightly,
and quite pleasing accommodations can be secured
at a number of hotels, inns, and guest houses
for between $40 and $80 per night. Dinner at a
nice restaurant costs from $15 to $30 per
person, and most other goods and services cost
less than they do in North America and Europe.
Many but not all businesses in tourism-driven
areas accept credit cards, and virtually all
businesses in Costa Rica accept both U.S. and
Costa Rican cash.
Direct flights to Costa Rica's main airport,
just outside San Jose, are available on most
major U.S. carriers - flying time from Houston,
Dallas, Atlanta, or Miami is about three to four
hours.
Of the several guidebooks about the country,
Moon Handbooks Costa Rica, by Christopher P.
Baker, is easily the most informative and
well-written, and it includes sections on the
gay scenes in San Jose and Quepos.
10 Days in Costa Rica
By Andrew
Collins
Verdant, mountainous, and unspeakably beautiful, Costa Rica might just be
the gay-friendliest nation in Latin America. In fact, Costa Ricans are
resolutely cheerful and helpful toward all visitors. This small tropical
country, which lies about 1,300 miles due south of the Florida
panhandle, makes for a diverting vacation locale - it's close enough to
the United States for a long weekend visit, but has enough to see and do
to keep travelers entertained for a couple of weeks. Accommodations that
enthusiastically welcome gays and lesbians abound in Costa Rica's most
appealing destinations, and there are active gay scenes in the capital
city of San Jose and the resort town of Quepos, which hugs the central
Pacific shoreline.
High season in Costa Rica spans roughly December through April - this is
generally when you can expect the driest and sunniest weather, but also
quite a lot of crowding in the more popular areas, so book well ahead
and expect more traffic on the roads. The less-touristy rest of the year
is known as the "green season," but it's still a great time to see the
country. It does rain more, but most days still see sunshine in the
morning and sometimes again later in the afternoon, and rates on
everything from hotels to rental cars drop precipitously. Many fans of
Costa Rica actually prefer this lush, less-crowded time of year.
Most major roads in Costa Rica resemble the small, country lanes of much
of the United States or Western Europe - they're generally narrow,
two-lane, and unevenly paved, sometimes pocked with deep potholes. And
to get to some of the country's most interesting places, you'll need to
travel on unpaved and especially tortuous roads.
It can easily take an
hour to drive 15 to 20 miles, even on principle roads. With this in
mind, it's extremely prudent to rent an SUV, and to plan for long drives
between places, even when they appear relatively close together on the
map.
As you plan a trip here, factor in how you intend to get around (renting
a car, flying, or taking buses), and whether you're seeking rest and
relaxation, outdoorsy adventures, gay nightclubs and resorts, or some
combination. Or better yet, use the following 10-day itinerary of Costa
Rica's must-see areas.
Days 1 and 2: San Jose
Spend your first couple of nights right in San Jose, which is just a
20-minute drive from the airport, where you can rent a car. Costa Rica's
capital city has a handful of attractions, plus some excellent
restaurants and lively gay nightclubs, such as La Avispa and La Metro.
It's also home to several gay-oriented accommodations, including the
outstanding Colours Resort, which is in a safe, residential neighborhood
on the west side of the city, convenient to the airport and beautiful
Sabana Park. This handsomely furnished Spanish Colonial-style property
has rooms in many sizes and configurations, from cozy standards to
lavish suites complete with full kitchens and private terraces. Guests
enjoy easy access to a pool, secluded garden hot tub, and inviting bar
and lounge where a full breakfast is served each morning. The
professional staff goes out of its way to ensure everybody's comfort and
can suggest plenty of things to see and do around town.
Other worthy, gay-friendly options in San Jose include Hotel Kekoldi
(which also has an outpost in Quepos) and the Canyon House, and there's
a perfectly nice and handy Hampton Inn right by the airport. Continue to page
2>>>
It can easily take an
hour to drive 15 to 20 miles, even on principle roads. With this in
mind, it's extremely prudent to rent an SUV, and to plan for long drives
between places, even when they appear relatively close together on the
map.
The Hunk
