Costa Rica is best known Central American tourist destination. Probably cause of expecting too much, but it ended as disappointment. Very hot and humid and way too expensive -- some things cost more than in Canada/US.
Probably the best part was urban capital San Jose with some remarkable Spanish Colonial architecture. World renowned Manuel Antonio National Park left to be desired: Overpriced entrance fee, way too early closing hours and overhyped wildlife -- never saw the sloths! Same can be said for Arenal Volcano which remained hidden in clouds the entire time. This leg was also the worst in respect to Intrepid -- incompetent tour leader, sub-par accommodations and brutal local transport (6 hrs in public bus with 36 degree Celsius temperature without bathroom break and no air-condition).
Still it would be hard to demise Costa Rica - just don't expect what pictures in made-up tour brochures filled with happy tanned bodies zip-lining in rainforest jungles paint. And Sunsets in Manuel Antonio are still very special.
