Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia. Even then, this small country, which has become incredibly popular for tourism, offers a vast amount of accommodations. Apart from the staggering quantity of rooms (more than 20,000!), Costa Rica offers a wide range in price and type of lodging. There are cheap pensions, beach cabins, "apartoteles"(efficiencies), hotels, super hotels and seedy motels, which in this part of the world, are mostly used for sexual rendezvous. Whatever your objective or budget is, Costa Rica offers a place where you can stay in almost any part of the country.
The 80's witnessed an explosive growth in the number of hotels and other establishments, which came about when people saw the business's potential. However, these investors didn't realize that the industry had a limit, and the excess in the supply of rooms and the lack of demand for all of them, created a crisis. Also, some hoteliers charged prices for a 3-5 star hotel, when in reality, they were offering a 1 star service. In the late 90's, however, the situation has stabilized, since prices were brought down in order to reenergize the industry, and further expansion was carefully planned.
There are some things to consider when thinking of staying in a hotel or other type of lodging in Costa Rica. The busiest times are: December and January, especially during the Christmas week and New Year's, June-August and most weekends in general. Most places have faxes or e-mail, so that you can reserve from another country; however, it's important to reconfirm your reservation before arriving, and to always bring a copy of the fax or e-mail which confirms it. Some places won't have hot water, but some will have at least an electrical device (shower units) that heat water instantly. Moderate to expensive hotels will, of course have hot and abundant water. Also, as in any place of the world, it's better to pay a safe-deposit box if one is available, than to regret not having done so.
Inexpensive rooms start at around $15 a night, moderate ones go from $30-50 and nice hotels start at $50-80. There are "super" hotels as well, both in the city and in beaches or more secluded paradisiacal areas, and they charge more than $80 a night. There are also cabins or "cabinas", usually in the beach, and they also offer a wide range of prices and of services. Nature lodges are a good option for ecological tourists and they can be austere and close to a camping experience, or they can offer surprising luxuries. Bed and breakfasts abound in and near San Jose and also in the countryside. If you're interested in staying in a youth hostel, you can contact the Costa Rican Youth Hostel Association, which manages twelve hostels (tel. 224-40-85). If you decide for a less spartan or ascetic stay, you might consider staying at a health spa. The Tara Resort Hotel & Spa in the hills of Escazu, is a great option if you don't want to be totally cut off from civilization. It's a replica of a "Gone with the Wind" plantation house, and the surroundings are beautiful. For those who choose to get as far away as possible from civilization, they might go to the Nosara Retreat, situated in the Guanacaste northern province, and surrounded by some of the most beautiful beaches.
Another option for more down-to-earth travelers, is camping. There are some campgrounds near national parks and beaches, but be sure to camp in a designated area, since locals resent improvised campgrounds. Never leave a tent unattended, especially if it has valuables. Also, don't leave the tent open, since everything from crabs, to snakes, to uninvited humans might come crawling in! It's a lot safer to camp in an area with other people or near park ranger's stations.
Whether you choose a humble pension or a moderate facility, you should be familiar with some essential terms: abanico (fan), aire acondicionado (air conditioning), agua caliente (hot water), bano privado (private bathroom), precio (price), impuestos (taxes), sencillo (single), doble (double), hora de salido (check-out time), telefono (telephone),caja de seguridad (safe-deposit box). Service in Costa Rican accomodations has improved tremendously, and the prices aren't as pretentious as before. Remember to make reservations well in advance, especially during the high season. Otherwise, just try to kick back and enjoy your stay at one of the hottest tourist locations of the world.
