Cool. I appreciate all of the advice. I'm thinking Costa Rica too. How's the nightlife scene in San Jose? Are there some pretty safe areas for us gringos?

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Posted by Larry Gooseman

Houston

Member since Mar 2014

2659 posts

Posted on 1/12/15 at 7:11 am to Scoobahdoo

You could do Belize for under 5k and eat local food the whole time, ie no all inclusive.

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Posted by Mung

NorCal

Member since Aug 2007

9054 posts

Posted on 1/12/15 at 7:56 am to Scoobahdoo

I liked Costa Rica. You fly into San Jose, then it's a 4-5 hour drive to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula, or at least to Tamarindo. It's nice, but very rural. Certainly cheaper than Napa. Good food, decent beer.

If you go to Napa, you have innumerable wineries and superb restaurants to visit, plus you can stop in San Francisco, go to Muir Woods and up the PCH. Much more expensive, but more to do, plus you are in the US.

Ultimately, women do not seem to be as adventurous as us, so Napa has way more amenities designed to satisfy the ladies.

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Posted by lsunurse

Member since Dec 2005

129047 posts

Posted on 1/12/15 at 9:03 am to Scoobahdoo

quote:
Cool. I appreciate all of the advice. I'm thinking Costa Rica too. How's the nightlife scene in San Jose? Are there some pretty safe areas for us gringos?

Yeah from what had I researched on San Jose before our trip .....don't venture out after dark, esp their downtown areas

I felt safe in CR but remember it is a third world country. Theft is the biggest crime there so just be a smart tourist. Don't leave anything valuable in your rental car and don't be flashy in what you wear (tell your wife to leave the expensive jewelry at home) and make youself a target to be robbed. We stayed in San Jose only for the first and last nights of our trip(don't stay in one place.....go to many to experience all the different climates).