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Independent Travel in Costa Rica: What You Should Know

© Colleen Kaleda

When people think Costa Rica, they also think eco-tourism. Eco-tourism, for the most part, is only sometimes a good thing here, however. A great deal of "eco-tourism" going on in Costa Rica is not eco-tourism at all, but the exact opposite of it. Many tourists sign up (and pay a lot of money for) a forest hike and instead of the idyllic quiet walk through a natural area, they're thrown into a crowded line of other people. They're loud and disrupt the wildlife. A case in point: advertisements are everywhere for a high-tech aerial tram ride through the rainforest canopy. How, I ask, can a machine chugging along a heavy-duty cable attached to virgin rainforest trees be good for the environment?

This brings me to the point of this article: To truly have an eco-friendly experience in Costa Rica, go independently. No big budget tours. No frills. Just you (and maybe a friend or two) should aim to quietly observe what natural wonders Costa Rica has to offer. The best thing about independed travel is that it's not difficult to do once you get started. Especially in Latin America, a big dose of patience, a healthy sense of daring and a guidebook you can trust go a long way. Oh yes --- and a little bit of Spanish language skill can't hurt, either.

So, here are a few things to think about before hopping the next plane.

BEFORE YOU GO, THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT

* Get vaccinated and buy medication for tropical diseases. You'll inevitably be in the jungle almost everywhere you travel.

* Buy a good guidebook. I recommend the Moon Handbook for Costa Rica because it details the historical and environmental issues facing Costa Rica, plus has great facts on transportation, where to stay and eat, and what sights to see.

* Realize that Costa Rica is a developing country and allow LOTS of time for everything. Plan your trip with only as many "sites" as you can reasonably fit in, plus add at least five days as padding for nearly certain slowdowns.

* Buy insect repellent, sunscreen and a good book for LONG, HOT bus rides.

* Pack your Spanish-English dictionary. You will use it.

* Resign yourself to being damp and dirty for most of the trip. It's unavoidable.

PLAN AN ENVIONMENTAL ITINERARY

While everyone should take into account their personal interests when planning a trip, my research led me to the following itinerary, free of resorts and generally free of other tourists. Feel free to use it - I enjoyed it immensely. Plus, other independent travelers I met liked my "plan" so much they jumped on my route with me. The itinerary takes four weeks to complete.

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