AVOID Costa Rica at all cost

by Sharon
(Texas)

we just left CR after being there a week at a very nice, very expensive resort. the problems? driving is HORRIBLE. the roads and other infrastructure are not in place for sophisticated travelers. it is not unusual for you to encounter 15 miles of ROUGH, washboard dirt roads and to get horribly lost. there are no signs; even maps and our GPS was confusing. We were not the only ones to be stopped by the police and ticketed for $480. this is a common scam when you pass someone who is going very slow. it is becoming more like Mexico in that regard. they set up on the roads to the resorts and target rental cars. you must pay the fee at the rental company upon returning the car! the big resorts are built on beautiful beaches but the personnel are not in place to offer the service - it's grossly lacking with 5 knocks on the door a day for one thing or another and 10% room service, 10% resort fee and 13% country tax plus tip on everything. a small bag of chips cost almost $10. go somewhere else until Costa Rica gets their act together and deserves your money.