Costa Rica

[Victoria4363]

We are looking for a place to live aboard and put our two 8 yo boys in a local school to learn Spanish. We've never been to Costa Rica but have heard it is a safe and friendly place. We will be living aboard and are looking for a destination that is safe during hurricane season as we will plan to be somewhere by June '08. We are open to other options (Panama, Columbia, etc.). Ultimately our plan is to cruise the South Pacific in the Spring of '09. Your advice would be much appreciated.

[Latitude9.5]

There's aren't a lot of Marinas on the east coast and the couple that are there are a total mess. Last I was there, which was over two years ago they had planned on putting a new marina and resort in Limon, but things go slowly in Costa Rica so that may still just be a plan

On the west coast there are several, banana bay is the only one I can remember off the top of my head, but i am sure a good google search would give you some other options, to be honest i haven't spent much time on the west coast of costa rica so I can't give you any first hand experience.

Panama I am told is much more "cruiser friendly" as far as facilities go. Costa Rica is beautiful, the Tico's are amazing people, extremely nice and just plain cool, but they take out their aggression on the road Theft is high, or at least the expats that live there feel it is, pretty much all their houses are compounded in and you'll see most communities pitched to expats as "secure". They are huge into the environment, an extremely high number of Tico's own homes (not necessarily to our standards however), they have great healthcare, good food and pretty much everything you could want is available if you have the money to buy it. The roads are terrible, there are no street signs even in big cities. I don't know how prices as far as importation have changed since the CAFTA agreement, it was quite expensive to import things like cars permanently last I was there, but again that was before CAFTA.

[GordMay]

I don’t know of any marinas, along Cost Rica’s Caribbean coast.

The Costa Rica Marina Guide:
The Costa Rica Marina Guide

[Rick]

Forget the Caribbean side for your boat in Costa Rica. There are some places to check out if you don't mind being moored or anchored out. Before going to Puntarenas when rounding from the north pacific you'll pass a small bay called Bahia Ballena. Check in with the local ex-pats there who have been around since '81 and had children there. You'll get good info. Check out Golfito as well. It all depends upon just how into the local mode you can get comfortable with.

As your Spanish goes so goes your envelopment into the local culture and they will look after you.

[Charlie]

Look at joining the yahoo southboaund group for info on Costa Rica and places south of the US mostly on the West side. Lots of people in the area who can give yo answers.

[mauiboy86]

Bocas Del Toro is just accross the boarder from Costa Rica and has good facilities but I am not sure about the school there.

[Hud3]

You might check with Lancercr (Roberto). He's a member here and lives and sails in Costa Rica (west coast). http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ercr-4192.html

[Falcon 767]

Try http://www.welovecostarica.com hosted by Scott Oliver. Lot's of information on Costa Rica.