Wanna Visit?

Is this tempting enough?  Deep sea fishing is VERY affordable here.  

I caught a 25 lb Dorado (i.e., mahi-mahi).   Here's another view, in case you didn't figure out how HUGE this mother was....Eat your hearts out guys.  If you come down, you too can catch yourself a big-ass honking fish like this...maybe.....

I would love for you to come on down.  Here's some helpful things to know:

Accomodations
Mi Casa es Su Casa.  I have a guest room with a queen size bed, and also have a blow-up mattress for extra guests or for kids.  We all share the bathroom.  

Airfare
The government is in the process of building a new international airport about 1/2 hour away from us.  No idea when that will be ready, though.  For now, you will need to fly into San Jose (airport code SJO). The following airlines all fly here from Boston:  Continental, United, American, and Taca.  For a truly Central American experience, try Taca. They fly through neat places like Belize and Guatamala.  Prices are pretty good, too.   

When you come into the country, clearing customs is generally no big deal. However, don't risk getting into trouble -- leave any contraband at home.

When you leave the country, you must first pay the departure tax, about $26.  The desk is just across from the airline ticket counters.  Go there first, pay up, get your receipt, and then go to the ticket line.  There will be one or two customs folks at the front of the ticket line who will verify your receipt & your passport. They will also physically look through every bag you are either bringing on or checking in.  They tend to have issues with weird things. Just smile & nod a lot.  They are really nice people, but it's their job to look rather stern.  You can usually get them laughing over the fact that they are rummaging through a bag full of really stinky dirty laundry.  (They wear gloves.)

Rental Cars
Forget it. Rentals here are way expensive & rather risky (i.e. they can really stick it to you on damages).  Plus you don't want to try driving from the airport to our place, because you have to go through San Jose which is a nightmare.  Let me know when you're coming in & I'll pick you up.

If you really want to rent a car yourself, I recommend that you use Toyota Rent a Car, which is located across from the Hampton Inn at the airport. They are nice people and the rates are the best I've found.  Definately get a 4-wheel drive, you WILL need it.  The cheapest I recommend is a Diahatsu Terios -- it's not a bad little buggy.   

Money Matters
The colone is the standard currency, though most places will take American dollars.  Right now, 515 colones = $1.  This rate has been rather steady for almost a year now.  ISince 15 colones is basically about 2 cents, everyone pretty much works on the 500=$1 exchange because it is easiest to do in your head. So, for example, the colones bills come in 1000 ($2), 5000 ($10) and 10,000 ($20) denominations).  

DO NOT bring traveler's checks. No one will accept them, because any type of foreign check takes a month to clear.  If you have travelers checks you're just going to waste a LOT of time standing in line at the bank because that's the only place you can cash them.  

Best advice is to bring your ATM card.  If you have any of the standard systems (Plus, Sum, etc.) your ATM card is the best way to get money. It'll work at most of banks here and you can get either dollars or colones.   At the bank I use, the ATM even gives instructions in English.  My BankNorth ATM card works fine down here.  

What to Bring
It's hot & humid, especially in the summer (December - March). For clothes, stick with a good supply of shorts, tanks, t-shirts, etc.  When I say good supply, I mean it.  You'll end up sweaty and/or dirty more than once a day.  (I have a washer and dryer -- plan on using it.) Every place is really casual, there is no need to ever dress up.  Don't forget a bathing suit.  You might want one pair of lightweight long pants for horseback riding. You definately won't need a jacket, but you might want a sweatshirt or long-sleeved denim shirt to wear in the mountains, where it is chillier.  

For shoes, bring sandals (especially Tevas or a strap-on sport sandal) and something comfortable like sneakers or hiking boots for horseback riding. Don't buy new shoes to come here, they will get ruined.  

Other handy things to have:

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Umbrella - unless you come January - March, when it almost never rains

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Camera - if you're getting disposable cameras, get at least one with the panoramic view, you won't regret it.

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Small calculator - invaluable for money conversion. Before I learned numbers in Espanol, I used to hand it to the store clerk to show me the price.

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Sunscreen - absolutely necessary, even if you never use it in the US (like me)

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Bug spray - Highly recommended, because it will take you awhile to get immunity to our bugs.  I use stuff called Cactus Juice, which is a natural bug repellant and has 20 SPF sunblock and smells like oranges (instead of that awful sunscreen smell).  You can buy it here or order it online at www.cactusjuicetm.com (get the orange bottle).

What to Bring Me
There are lots of things I cannot get here, so "housewarming" gifts are always welcome. If you are planning on coming to visit, I would LOVE it if you'd bring stuff down.  Give me a call (011 506-8390-8947) or email (linda@ranchotranquilo.biz) to see what I currently need.  The following items are always on the list:

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Horse stuff - I will order it online & have it shipped to your place if you wouldn't mind bringing the stuff down. It's hard to get lots of standard things like halters & bridles.

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Paperback books - English ones are hard to come by. We gringos trade paperbacks like crazy, but new stock is always welcome.

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People magazines, I don't care how old they are.

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Near East Rice Pilaf

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French's Fried Onion Rings (the stuff for green bean casserole)

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Advil Cold & Sinus

Other Good Stuff to Know

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Electricity is standard 110-volt, and uses the same plugs as in the good ol' Estados Unidas.

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People drive on the right hand side of the road (when they are not passing a truck on a hairpin turn).

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Leave your cell phone at home, it won't work here regardless of what they tell you.

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To use pay phones, you need to buy a phone card.  There are two kinds, but most phones use the newer "CHIP" card.  A 500 colone card will probably be more than sufficient, since all calls in the country are local calls.  You can get them at any soda (convenience store). Ask for a "tarjeta telefonica"  and make sure it says CHIP on it.  It will work on any blue payphone with the CHIP logo.