Re: costa rica and thailand
Costa Rica can be great if you stick to the west coast. The east coast has more than it's share of gang activity, and San Jose is a cesspool.
The nicest part of the entire country is the Manuel Antonio National Park region in the southwest. Between the town of Quepos and the park is a small but nice motel called El Mono Azul. It is run by an American woman who used to teach at Berkley, but she had hippy tendencies......so, she built a motel in the jungle. The Pizza (?) is the best I've ever eaten.
Anyway, it's a short walk to the beach and National Forest or a short bus ride to Quepos (Casinos, Drugs).
White water rafting outfit is right across the street. You can see all of the wildlife in the national forest, about a mile away.
Oh, and don't leave your bags unattended. The locals won't take anything, but the monkeys will.
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