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Costa Rica Trip April 2017
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Mar 27, 2017 14:54:00   #
RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA
 
In about a week we will go to Costa Rica for the first time, for two weeks. After reading through earlier topics on this Forum and a stack of books from the library, I thought I would ask if any members have been there recently and would share some current insights.

After flying in to San Carlos and being there for two days we'll spend time in Tortuguero, the Arenal Volcano area, Hanging Bridges, Ecotermales Hot Springs, Monteverde, Manual Antonio and back to San Jose.

My general questions are:
Should I take a mosquito net to put over the bed at night?
Do hotels typically have a hook above the beds from which to hang a mosquito net? I will email the ones where we know we are staying.
How much trouble are mosquitoes in the daytime in any of those area this time of year?
Would you take plastic bags to cover all luggage/packs to keep them dry? We will be in boats part of the time.
Are ticks a problem?
Do you have any other advice for this time of year?

Here are a couple of other thoughts:
I will be taking an SX50, a travel tripod, half a dozen 64gb SD cards, a card reader, a Dell XPS10 tablet and an unpowered 1TB external hard drive that plugs into the tablet to back up the cards. I tried it out and it works. I do not plan to format the cards after use.

I also plan to take a 3TB "My Passport Wireless Pro" with which I am attempting to become familiar.
How do you know when an SD card has finished being backed up to the device?
The related "My Cloud" application does not recognize my email or password. I will call them today to see how to reset that app. Has anyone had that problem and got a workaround? I will Google to see if there is info online later today.

So.... If anyone has helpful input, please share it.

Thanks,

Rich

Reply
Mar 27, 2017 15:09:48   #
PCL92
 
Take bug spray. I would imagine in a hotel that is air conditioned bugs will not be an issue, but if you are out in the rain forest especially dusk, bugs will be an issue. Take plastic bags as well just in case it starts to rain in the forest:). I did not need a tripod except on Volcano Arenal for night shots of the hot rocks. Not aware of a tick problem but I did wear long pants and shirts with sleeves with bug spray as a precaution when trekking the rain forest.

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Mar 27, 2017 23:16:45   #
RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA
 
Thanks for the comments, PCL92. I will take your advice.
Cheers,
Rich

Reply
 
 
Mar 28, 2017 06:51:03   #
Fkaufman1 Loc: Florida
 
I was there a month ago, no real prob with bugs, all the hotels except ones in tortougera are a/c bug spray is sufficient monopod is preferred your camera is good has long reach, I carried way too much stuff, you will be on boat in river most of tours. I think we did exactly the same tour with gate 1. I would not take netting. It's gonna be warm except in Monteverdi where elevation makes it cool. The Manuel area is hot and humid, drink lots of water. Keep lookout for birds and monkeys, and just enjoy.

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Mar 28, 2017 06:59:07   #
Fkaufman1 Loc: Florida
 
Some pics to go with my reply to Costa Rica trip, enjoy the trip


(Download)


(Download)

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Mar 28, 2017 08:10:07   #
bajadreamer Loc: Baja California Sur
 
RichJ207 wrote:
In about a week we will go to Costa Rica for the first time, for two weeks. After reading through earlier topics on this Forum and a stack of books from the library, I thought I would ask if any members have been there recently and would share some current insights.

After flying in to San Carlos and being there for two days we'll spend time in Tortuguero, the Arenal Volcano area, Hanging Bridges, Ecotermales Hot Springs, Monteverde, Manual Antonio and back to San Jose.

My general questions are:
Should I take a mosquito net to put over the bed at night?
Do hotels typically have a hook above the beds from which to hang a mosquito net? I will email the ones where we know we are staying.
How much trouble are mosquitoes in the daytime in any of those area this time of year?
Would you take plastic bags to cover all luggage/packs to keep them dry? We will be in boats part of the time.
Are ticks a problem?
Do you have any other advice for this time of year?

Here are a couple of other thoughts:
I will be taking an SX50, a travel tripod, half a dozen 64gb SD cards, a card reader, a Dell XPS10 tablet and an unpowered 1TB external hard drive that plugs into the tablet to back up the cards. I tried it out and it works. I do not plan to format the cards after use.

I also plan to take a 3TB "My Passport Wireless Pro" with which I am attempting to become familiar.
How do you know when an SD card has finished being backed up to the device?
The related "My Cloud" application does not recognize my email or password. I will call them today to see how to reset that app. Has anyone had that problem and got a workaround? I will Google to see if there is info online later today.

So.... If anyone has helpful input, please share it.

Thanks,

Rich
In about a week we will go to Costa Rica for the f... (show quote)


Just got back from 6 weeks in CR. Wonderful country. Yes, mosquitoes were a problem, mostly outdoors. Long pants and bug spray is sufficient. Do not need netting. Plastic bag to protect camera is a good idea. Especially on the Caribbean side, "dry" season is relative. You will get rained on. I disagree about tripod. Yes, on the trail you do not always need one, but it surely is nice to have. At the best times of day to see birds and wildlife, it is DARK under the canopy. To shoot with ISOs under 3200, you will often be at 1/30-1/60 SS. Also keeping the camera on a tripod while you at hotels (many of which have bird feeders) is nice; shoot your picture whenever a good one presents itself.
A polarizing filter is nice if you are going to shoot any pictures in the butterfly gardens, reptile gardens,etc. Often you are shooting through glass. Even some of the hides or blinds at the hotels have glass panels to shoot through.
We did many boat tours and I never had a problem with spray on the camera. Very flat, protected water so waves and wind never were an issue; just rain at times.

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Mar 28, 2017 08:36:10   #
ediesaul
 
No problem with mosquitoes. When it rains, it POURS, so protect your camera. Humidity outside vs. air conditioning inside is sometimes a problem for lenses.

Reply
 
 
Mar 28, 2017 10:04:22   #
Cykdelic Loc: Now outside of Chiraq & Santa Fe, NM
 
RichJ207 wrote:
In about a week we will go to Costa Rica for the first time, for two weeks. After reading through earlier topics on this Forum and a stack of books from the library, I thought I would ask if any members have been there recently and would share some current insights.

After flying in to San Carlos and being there for two days we'll spend time in Tortuguero, the Arenal Volcano area, Hanging Bridges, Ecotermales Hot Springs, Monteverde, Manual Antonio and back to San Jose.

My general questions are:
Should I take a mosquito net to put over the bed at night?
Do hotels typically have a hook above the beds from which to hang a mosquito net? I will email the ones where we know we are staying.
How much trouble are mosquitoes in the daytime in any of those area this time of year?
Would you take plastic bags to cover all luggage/packs to keep them dry? We will be in boats part of the time.
Are ticks a problem?
Do you have any other advice for this time of year?

Here are a couple of other thoughts:
I will be taking an SX50, a travel tripod, half a dozen 64gb SD cards, a card reader, a Dell XPS10 tablet and an unpowered 1TB external hard drive that plugs into the tablet to back up the cards. I tried it out and it works. I do not plan to format the cards after use.

I also plan to take a 3TB "My Passport Wireless Pro" with which I am attempting to become familiar.
How do you know when an SD card has finished being backed up to the device?
The related "My Cloud" application does not recognize my email or password. I will call them today to see how to reset that app. Has anyone had that problem and got a workaround? I will Google to see if there is info online later today.

So.... If anyone has helpful input, please share it.

Thanks,

Rich
In about a week we will go to Costa Rica for the f... (show quote)



Yes on the nets! Also, be aware there are something like 22 species of poisonous snakes there....some so small they actually rest ON leaves at the end of branches.

Reply
Mar 28, 2017 10:06:58   #
Fkaufman1 Loc: Florida
 
Saw one very slow coral snake, run over, otherwise did not see any, did not need netting, spray was good enough. Skin so soft does not work

Reply
Mar 28, 2017 10:22:08   #
PCL92
 
If you want the locals to laugh at you bring the nets. Rich, if you are with a tour the guides make sure you are not put in harms way. There are also Caymans along the rivers and canals, I guess you should bring steel shoes also :)) Mosquitos, yes they are there, perhaps you should take malaria pills also. Oh, and don't look up at the monkeys, some of them (howlers) will pee on you. The frogs some are poison us. People make it sound so dangerous, perhaps you should stay home in a bubble?? I have been 3 times to Costa Rica, it is friendly to Americans, most speak English and they accept the US dollar everywhere. Last but not least the places you are visiting are beautiful each in their own way. Enjoy, don't overthink the trip. Take many pictures.

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Mar 28, 2017 10:30:28   #
RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA
 
Fkaufman1 wrote:
Some pics to go with my reply to Costa Rica trip, enjoy the trip



Thanks for your comments and pictures, Frank.

Rich

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Mar 28, 2017 10:32:10   #
Fkaufman1 Loc: Florida
 
Malaria not a problem there

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Mar 28, 2017 10:36:45   #
RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA
 
Cykdelic wrote:
Yes on the nets! Also, be aware there are something like 22 species of poisonous snakes there....some so small they actually rest ON leaves at the end of branches.


Thanks, Cykdelic!

Reply
Mar 28, 2017 10:40:51   #
PCL92
 
Fkaufman I was being sarcastic.

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Mar 28, 2017 10:44:39   #
RichJ207 Loc: Sammamish, WA
 
ediesaul wrote:
No problem with mosquitoes. When it rains, it POURS, so protect your camera. Humidity outside vs. air conditioning inside is sometimes a problem for lenses.


Thanks, ediesaul. Do you keep a camera in a ziplock until it warms up when going from AC to the warm outdoors?

Rich

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