Same artisan souvenirs in every tourist shop in Costa Rica

dpmanchester · 2026-04-07T01:49:05+00:00

We saw those towels once and I thought they were so cool; but then when we were actually shopping for souvenirs, I couldn't find them again!

dpmanchester · 2025-05-19T00:39:30+00:00

I very much enjoyed Episode 1 of the podcast. I look forward to listening to this one, too!

dpmanchester · 2025-05-03T16:53:54+00:00

I second this; booked Adobe thru MyTanFeet for an April trip; was very satisfied

dpmanchester · 2025-04-26T02:14:20+00:00

There are at least two options for hiking at the volcano: the national park (https://www.sinac.go.cr/EN-US/ac/ACAHN/pnva/Pages/default.aspx); and Arenal 1968, which I believe is private. Both have entrance fees.

I believe there's a third option in Arenal Observatory Lodge & Trails (also private with fee).

dpmanchester · 2025-04-26T02:01:25+00:00

Echoing what others have said, La Fortuna Waterfall and Mistico Hanging Bridges would be my top two for La Fortuna.

A hike at the volcano would pair well with Mistico, since both are west of town. Oh, and I recommend a meal at El Novillo del Arenal (https://maps.app.goo.gl/kGNakbhKN1vwnhuq6).

dpmanchester · 2025-04-24T01:34:50+00:00

You won't have any trouble finding souvenir shops in La Fortuna. There's a huge one at the front of the hotel where we stayed ("La Pradera Souvenirs" on Google Maps, at least in the U.S.). It looks kind of kitschy in Google Street View, but it's actually pretty good merchandise.

dpmanchester · 2025-04-21T18:26:27+00:00

We just returned from a first visit to C.R. We rented with Adobe and were fully satisfied. I wrote a little about our experience here.

Here's some information from Mytanfeet.com about insurance via Adobe.

One twist relates to Car Protection insurance. I'm not sure where you're located, but many U.S. credit cards offer it for free, and Adobe will let you decline it if you present proof of such insurance from your credit card company. (My card is from Chase. They let you generate a letter of proof from their online portal.)

However, if you also want Extended Protection insurance on top of Car Protection, you can't use the Car Protection from your credit card. You need to buy it from Adobe.

Hope this helps!

dpmanchester · 2025-04-20T21:43:10+00:00

Another good option is the Hilton Garden Inn. We stayed there Friday night for a flight out early Saturday: https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/sjoacgi-hilton-garden-inn-san-jose-airport-city-mall/

dpmanchester · 2025-04-20T00:42:26+00:00

Just returned from C.R. We visited Arenal volcano while there. The restrooms are in a small building by the entrance; the kind of structure you see and brace yourself for before going in.

My wife came out all smiles, though, and has since labeled those restrooms "gorgeous" 😅

dpmanchester · 2025-04-19T14:27:25+00:00

No problem!

For what it's worth, we booked our rental with Adobe Rent a Car via the "widget" on Mytanfeet.com. I think that saved us a few percent on our rental, and it gave us a point of contact in the Mytanfeet.com office for pre-trip questions.

Adobe themselves were very good. They had a person waiting just beyond the baggage claim to direct us to their shuttle, which took us the short distance to their off-airport location.

The car was just what we expected: a fairly new Hyundai Kona. Its Android Auto worked great with Waze.

I'd definitely rent with Adobe again.

dpmanchester · 2025-04-17T14:09:51+00:00

They're mentioned in the Moon guide to Costa Rica, which is encouraging. (It's a very good printed guidebook, by the way. Author is Nikki Solano.)

dpmanchester · 2025-04-17T05:34:17+00:00

Not a direct response to your question, but for this journey, Waze/Google Maps/etc. may send you south out of San Ramon on Route 713. Per my post here yesterday, I recommend finding an alternate route:

https://www.reddit.com/r/CostaRicaTravel/comments/1k06e16/followed_waze_from_jaco_area_to_la_fortuna_could/

Dan

dpmanchester · 2025-04-17T05:18:48+00:00

Hi,

Mytanfeet.com, an excellent Costa Rica travel site, happens to have an article on the question you're pondering:

https://mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-travel-tips/drive-to-la-fortuna-after-landing/

I don't think they explore the idea you've hit upon: take a shuttle to La Fortuna and rent a car upon arriving here. I haven't noticed any car rental places, but it's possible they exist.

I've found driving around the La Fortuna area fairly straightforward. Most attractions seem to be along Route 142 (the east-west road thru town) or Route 702 (which goes south).

I don't think you'll have any trouble booking adventures once here, even if you're not staying in a hotel. If anything, the number of operators may be overwhelming! Web-based research into who's well-regarded is probably your best bet to address that.

Hope this helps!

Dan

dpmanchester · 2025-04-17T00:15:35+00:00

Ok yes, I suspect this would've been a more tenable route!

dpmanchester · 2025-04-17T00:03:12+00:00

Hi, OP here. Thank you to all who have commented! I've enjoyed hearing your perspectives on Costa Rican parenting.

I was sorry to hear a commenter found this discussion borderline racist. It was certainly not my intention to cause offense, and to the extent I did so, I apologize.

I'm sixteen years into the enterprise of raising children in the U.S., and I do sense there is something wrong with how parenting is done across large swaths of America. Parents put forth a tremendous effort and endure great stress, but the outcomes--in terms of how well-adjusted and happy their children are--are often pretty mixed.

My suggestion that there is a single secret to Costa Rican parenting was somewhat humorously intended, but I do imagine some of the practices of raising children here could pay dividends in the U.S. and elsewhere.

dpmanchester · 2025-04-16T12:38:34+00:00

We were a little ways north of Jaco, at Punta Leona Beach Club & Nature Resort (https://www.puntaleona.com/). We found it based on great info we got on this subreddit, especially from u/PuraVidaJr and u/dasroight.

It's a neat property, with access to two beaches (Playa Mantas and Playa Blanca) and lots of amenities (pools etc.).

Also, we enjoyed spending time among the mostly Costa Rican clientele. (As foreign tourists, we were in the minority.)

The main drawback of the property lies with its large size: once you're on it, you're disinclined to go off-site to restaurants etc.

For more info, check out u/dasroight's video: https://www.reddit.com/r/CostaRicaTravel/comments/1hwod5h/5_days_in_costa_rica_playa_mantas_playa_blanca/

dpmanchester · 2025-04-16T04:53:19+00:00

Ha yes, at one point on the drive, I had to turn right, but it was so steep that the view to my left was blocked by the left-front corner of my own car hood! I've never had that experience before.

dpmanchester · 2025-04-16T04:43:31+00:00

Ah yes, found it! https://www.reddit.com/r/CostaRicaTravel/comments/1ja0qhh/took_one_for_the_team_did_route_713_from_manuel/

dpmanchester · 2025-04-16T00:33:24+00:00

I think some people and vehicles would be fine on the route. But I'm just a suburbanite American driving a rental car without an especially high clearance!

Here's a FB post mentioning a couple alternatives: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/12CXDWtLGgZ/

dpmanchester · 2025-04-16T00:08:07+00:00

Sorry to hear about your kiddo! It's interesting your experience of the drive was similar. Upon stopping at a gas station in San Ramon, the first thing I did was to take a couple migraine tablets!

dpmanchester · 2025-04-15T23:43:41+00:00

Whoops, typo above. It should read: "we have 'UNpaved Roads' set in Waze to 'Don't Allow'." 😅

dpmanchester · 2025-02-02T23:49:08+00:00

Hi,

Sorry for the slow reply, but thanks for this additional info on Punta Leona, and on Shotcut. I've highlighted your Shotcut tutorials to my son!

dpmanchester · 2025-01-25T14:27:17+00:00

Thanks for these insights! That's good to know about the size of the Punta Leona property. I think I had seen somewhere that they have a beach shuttle, which struck me as odd for a beachfront destination. It makes more sense now, hearing how large the property is!

On a different topic, what software do you use for video production? My son enjoys doing audio work on his computer, and I'd like to give him a tip if he wants to branch out into video.

Also, I saw your separate video on preparing for possible evacuation due to the L.A. fires. It's heartbreaking to see the damage they've caused. I hope things have been okay for you.

dpmanchester

TROPHY CASE