Richard Bexon Ramblings of a mad man in Costa Rica

Cheap Costa Rica hotels

So I was recently searching for a cheap hotel in Costa Rica as everyone likes a good deal and I came across this website called JungleBid, it essentially  allows you to bid or buy out Cheap Costa Rica Hotels.

I thought it was a great idea because I am sure that many hotels have availability during their low seasons and especially with the world economic crisis probably in their hgh seasons.  I remembering personally working in hotels and we would actually sell $160 room nights for $30 to some people.  As we said, it was better to have a room at $30 rather then $0. (continue reading…)

So with World economies up in the air and people being more conservative with their money and looking at value v’s cost, Costa Rican Hotels have had to be proactive, or reactive it depends on how you see it.  A lot of hotels have gone crazy and offered 3 for 4 specials, 30% off their rates, low season rates all year.

The problem with Costa Rica was that demand was so high that the hotels were essentially squeezing the market for every $$ they could.  People had the money to spend and when they have money a $300 a night hotel room does not sound too expenive.  However if you have seen your income decrease or your job not as stable as it was before then $300 a night could seem expensive.  Therefore people looking for a Costa Rica Vacation have been looking at cheaper hotels, which has thus meant the more expensive hotels are looking rather empty.  The only way to combat this is either to reduce the rate per night or add value so the value v’s cost balance tips towards value. (continue reading…)

So, you are coming to Costa Rica, a country 9-10 degrees North of the Equator that is famed for its abundance of wildife, over 250 volcanoes and holding over 6% of the worlds biodiversity, a truly amazing country.  One of the first questions people ask about is immunizations required while in Costa Rica?  Typically as long as you are up to date in the UK or the US then you are fine.  All this talk of Malaria and getting rabbies injections (you ahve to pay on the UK NHS for this) is over rated and just a way for the pharmaceutical companies to make extra $$$.  My suggestion is get everything apart form the Rabbies and Malaria preventions, the Rabbies injection gives you another 24 hours to seek medical attention on top of the suggested 24 hours.

One of the biggest questions is what type of sun tan lotion to bring with you, what sun factor, well this what any normal person would ask.  It is pretty common sense that if you are close to the equator ina  tropical country then sun tan lotion is vital.

My mate from Ireland had one of his friends come to this fine country, and to cut a long story short, his friend decided to sit in the sun between 11am-2pm in just his boxers.  Now in Ireland this is fine as the sun strength is not too strong, however if you are 9 degrees above the equator then you will probably fry like bacon, and fry like bacon he did.

He has turned purple on the latest reports from the ‘Galway Sunshine Times’ and has yellow pussing blisters all over his legs and feet.  What a great start to a holiday in Costa Rica.

Essentially the lesson behind this story is that the closer you get to the equator the stronger the sun is, therefore wear some bloody sun tan lotion!!

I would suggest factor 30 and above if you are English and sunblock if you are Irish!!

So I live in Costa Rica and am orginally from sunny old blighty, that is England FYI.  I am married to a Tica (Costa Rican) just in case you wondered how I got here.  SoI was walking out of the restaurant the other week and then I heard screeming and people running, my first thought was that it was Ricky Martin or Juanes in town, but no it was a very strong earthquake.  The cars were rocking backwards and forwards and people were running out of buildings left right and center.  personally I did not see what all the fuss was about however I was outside and I am sure if I was inside I would be the first one out screaming.

Turned out to be one of the biggest and most damaging earthquakes Costa Rica has seen in years and the epicenter was close to the Poas Volcano and the beautiful Peace Lodge Hotel.  It has placed the hotel out of business while they repair and I hope that Lee gets it done soon as clients love this property, it is a gem.

It is reported that around 30 people have died however I think the number could increase.  Michael Schumacer of all people came and gave $1m for the roads here in Costa Rica to be repaired as they say over $120m of damage was done.  I also heard that Costa Rica could have electricity problems in the coming months as one of the power stations was hit quite bad as well.

Anwyay if you want to give any donations to the victims who have lost their houses and everything tehy own the details are below:

CNE is receiving donations in the following bank accounts:

Banco de Costa Rica: 91100-3 (colones) and 118281-1 (dollars).

Banco Nacional: 911-8.