[Craig T]

I go to Costa Rica once or twice year to surf, fish, and visit a friend who lives in Dominical, but have only been to the Caribbean side once. We stayed at the Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero, just north of Limon. It was a nice self contained resort with jungle, river, and wildlife tours right out of the hotel.

When we were there it was super humid and HOT, and too windy to surf. I wouldn't go back, but we had fun. If you're going to stay in a resort on that side of the country you might like it, but I wouldn't go to that side to cruise around and explore. Limon is NOT a safe city. We drove through Limon on the way in and the way out and it has some rough areas. The crime rate in Limon is similar to Belize City and not a great.

I much prefer the Pacific side, as its less humid, a little cooler, and MUCH safer. I would avoid the dryer Tamarindo (Tamagringo) area. Arenal volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest, and Manuel Antonio are fabulous vacation spots. I could live there. My wife...not so much.