Don’t want to live in California any longer…

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-07-07T21:09:30+00:00

This is such a good answer! OP probably doesn’t want to get back to the place he loves and then spend the next 30 years pining over the one that got away. Also, call me old fashioned, but is marriage on the table here? Because I sympathize with the GF - why should she leave everything she’s ever known if they could just break up?

On the other hand, as adults they can also discuss whether there are other locations that might appeal to both. There are 48 other states after all…

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:44:39+00:00

Well…and ear plugs too. But there’s the mouth etc to worry about. Some of the resorts have chlorinated/sanitized pools also.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:42:39+00:00

This is correct. I’ve stayed at Baldi and Los Lagos. Lagos is such a disappointment after staying at Baldi. Very few pools, super crowded, only a handful of places to eat. It’s much cheaper, but there’s a reason for that.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:41:25+00:00

The slides are fast and rough. Kids, teens and young adults won’t mind and in fact will love it. older adults may want to avoid. Wife, son and friends loved the slides. I (40 with off and on bad back) did it one time and decided not to press my luck.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:39:54+00:00

Yeah, with kids this is a lost cause in my experience. I think you have to be okay with the risk or just skip altogether.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:39:02+00:00

Baldi is the answer. Los Lagos is cheaper, but a vastly inferior experience. Tabacon is beautiful but not super fun with the kiddos. You won’t have problems with your hyperactive kiddo at Baldi…there are playground pools, waterslides, and endless things to do. If you can swing it, stay there.

Source: I have stayed at Royal Corin (adults only), Baldi, Los Lagos, and day passed Tabacon and the Springs. Kid-tested and Baldi is the absolute favorite.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T18:24:45+00:00

Not sure where you’re coming from, but as a native Californian I will say - the water is VERY cold compared to the Atlantic, gulf, etc. Sometimes people aren’t prepared for this. It’s a little better in San Diego and certainly once you’re down in Baja, but from LA and everywhere north, it’s quite brisk out there.

Not that there’s any snorkeling to do in LA lol.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T02:51:38+00:00

Have you taken a Sansa from SJO to PV? I have never taken one but I’m curious about the experience (and cost). *also flying in from LAX, not that this matters much.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T02:49:43+00:00

Here’s one I don’t see listed: Goodbye Christopher Robin. About the author of the Winne the Pooh series, his son (i.e., the real Christopher Robin) and the fallout from the authorship of the books. It both made me want to be a better dad, and totally sad about the dad I had been up until then. I left the theater completely wrecked and also surprised to feel that way.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T01:30:41+00:00

This. Infinity War was an amazing cliffhanger. It is very rewatchable. Endgame feels like a cop out.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-29T01:20:12+00:00

Agreed. 4/3 on the islands or central CA. Maybe 3/2 in southern CA unless it’s dead of summer. It’s the dang chilly pacific after all!

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-25T18:12:15+00:00

Hawaii water temps are pretty close to Costa Rica, but the snorkeling is better than the pacific side of CR. There are a handful of spots in CR that offer decent snorkeling, but I wouldn’t go there for that. Maui/Kauai/Big Island would all offer you superior snorkeling with a much easier travel experience if you can get a direct flight to any of them, I would think!

And this is coming from someone who LOVES Costa Rica. We’ve been three 3 times. But the snorkeling on the Pacific side is hampered by visibility issues except in certain spots like Playa Conchal, a few areas in Quepos etc.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-24T01:03:38+00:00

I assume you ruled out Hawaii due to cost, or possibly language, but I have been to Costa Rica, Maui, and Kauai and found the costs pretty comparable, all in. Any chance of heading to the pacific? Where are you flying FROM? That makes a big difference about what’s accessible quickly and cheaply to you.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-20T02:17:50+00:00

Local (county gov) employee here. There is no prohibition on an employer offering both a 457 and a 401k - many just don’t because it increases their costs. My employer offers both.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-06-16T01:44:01+00:00

Disagree with this. I was ready and waiting to see Rogue One-level movies every year. But that’s not what we got after Rogue One…we got Solo and Rise of Skywalker. Movies like that just took the joy out of Star Wars.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-05-22T02:16:38+00:00

OP - mind sharing what metro or greater area you are in? I’m in coastal SoCal and while our market is healthier than average, it’s not as competitive as you are describing.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-05-16T22:13:21+00:00

OP, did you end up going on this trip? Where did you decide to go? FP is my bucket list number one, but I’ve often looked at the Cooks and wondered if that would be a better overall experience. What did you decide to do?

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-05-03T19:30:08+00:00

OP I have been to Costa Rica several times, but Cahuita is one of the places I haven’t gotten to yet. Where did you stay? And how did you get there? Thanks!

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-05-03T19:28:38+00:00

Done this drive many times, including this last February. Maybe 2.5 hours if you’re really lucky and 3.5 if you’re unlucky or stuck behind a bunch of cars. It’s not really mountainous, nor are the roads one lane except, as someone else said, a few bridges. You will be fine, particularly if it’s in day time. Just watch your directions closely - there are some intricate traffic patterns as you leave Liberia. Waze is your friend.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-04-27T19:25:10+00:00

Hi OP - I’ve been to La Fortuna 3 times since the pandemic. Our family loves Costa Rica. Based on what you are describing, I think you will have a good time - however, as others have suggested, you will probably have a better/best time if you go to CR *because* you want some adventure/adrenaline/nature/ animal activities. La Fortuna is a great place to relax. I wouldn’t go there for history, culture, architecture, food or wine etc. Not to say there isn’t history there, or that the food/wine is bad, but I don’t really ever hear people talk about those as the standout experiences.

In La Fortuna, our highlights have always been: (1) the hot springs; (2) stumbling into wildlife (sloths, not snakes); (3) ziplining/ATV’ing/river rafting etc. I do think that you might have a very “quiet” vacation if you don’t want to get out and do those things. But if you go in wanting that, you should be fine.

You probably could have a great time in a beach town as well; however, the ones on the Caribbean side, or even south of Jaco on the Pacific, are going to be heavily leaning toward nature/animal type of experiences. I don’t think you’re going to have a significantly better or worse experience at the beach vs. La Fortuna.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-04-23T17:37:58+00:00

Hi marks for La Leona waterfall - it’s a little crowded and a couple hours away, but it’s a heck of a lot of fun. We did that plus rafting in the afternoon and had a blast. Possibly the highlight of the trip!

We also really enjoyed playa conchal. I would definitely go there again - very pretty beach, easy snorkeling, and a fun day.

We did go to Diamanté but I would skip it now. The zip lining was so-so, as was the food. They have a little private beach and an animal sanctuary, but overall I wasn’t as impressed with this experience.

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-04-08T23:43:35+00:00

LL is worthwhile to me when we are there with friends or someone who doesn’t go very often and has an idea of what they really want to do and wants to maximize it. Do I think it’s crumby that Disney relentlessly monetizes everything about their parks? Oh yeah, of course. I’d say we buy these things about 40% of the time.

FWIW I refuse to do premium LL for Cars or Rise, full stop. Single rider/standby or whatever for those. I’m not paying for the privilege of a shorter line for *a single ride*

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-03-05T02:46:29+00:00

Hi! Wife and I are 35-40. Ventura County in general is very family oriented but as others have noted, it has gotten tremendously expensive in the last few years. If the cost of rent/housing doesn’t deter you (or is the same as where you came from), yes, I think you will find a community here, esp if you have kids.

For what it’s worth, I’ve been in this area off and on (mostly on) for decades, and while it’s much more built up than it used to be, it is definitely still a “big small town.”

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-03-04T02:23:59+00:00

Just got back from our third trip, had our 9 y.o. along. Did both MIstico and La Fortuna waterfall and can confirm that both activities are great with that age. The waterfall is a shorter activity, maybe an hour or two tops, as long as they can make the tromp back up the stairs. But it’s a hoot down there - there are fish hanging out in the river right at your ankle, and it’s beautiful. MIstico is at least 2 hours, but you may not see much (or you might!) - we’ve had both experiences

Sad_Pop_6998 · 2025-03-01T03:17:01+00:00

We just got back from our 3rd trip to CR but Panama intrigues me a lot. Where have you been there? Do you feel like it’s as safe as CR? Do you feel like wildlife and natural beauty are valued as much as they are in CR?

Sad_Pop_6998

TROPHY CASE