I've been to about forty cities and towns in Mexico, and the only two ugly ones I have found are (most of) Mexico City and (all of) Tijuana. The rest of the country, IME, is gorgeous.
Costa Rica I know more about as a tax haven than as a destination.
It might help if you described what you wanted. What you like to do. How you'd like to spend your time. And so on. posted by rokusan at 2:06 PM on October 9
Costa Rica is awesome but as noted doesn't have a ton in the way of culture or architecture and the food is kind of boring. But the landscape and people are amazing. And I found it to be super cheap. I loved it but what are you hoping to get out of your trip? posted by otherwordlyglow at 2:43 PM on October 9
There are a few nice places in New Jersey*.
Copper Canyon. I've been to Costa Rica (2 days in San Jose, a bunch of days in Monteverde, 4 or so days in Tamarindo, a few days of travel in between each locale). In retrospect, Costa Rica really gets too much press these days. Its getting less and less nostalgic for me every day. Really, every day - I see it as a more and more money grubbing... seriously - just wait till you try to leave the country... the $24(?) fee which must be paid in Costa Rican Cash that they bilk you for was a slap in the face to the couple in front of me that cut their trip short after they were robbed (an exception, but wow... it was amazing to see the govt force them to have cash wired to them - before they missed the plane that they'd rescheduled - in order to leave... the dude was totally ready to blow a gasket).
*I have fond memories of a goose totally attacking some random guy in Mommoth State Park growing up. It was awesome and would have totally won America's Funniest Video if it existed then. posted by Nanukthedog at 2:53 PM on October 9
OP with more input. I like trains so I've wanted Copper Canyon since I heard about it. I was concerned though about the nice places in New Jersey thing... I spent a day in Ensenada so know a little of what it's like.
What I'm thinking of is going with uncommonjourneys.com They make it sound pretty good.
I've heard good things about Costa Rica too.
We've got a horse race here... 2 for CR and 3 for CC.
Thanks everybody, keep it coming posted by notned at 3:08 PM on October 9
I've been to Costa Rica, and I have family who have been to Copper Canyon. I think the main difference will be how rustic you like your vacations. Costa Rica is nice, but it is fully developed for tourists (your trip doesn't have to be touristy, but it likely will be). Copper Canyon is less touristy.
For Copper Canyon, the railroad and the national park are must-see/do places. But, you'll also see the Native Indians still living in that area, in abject poverty, washing their clothes in the creek.
For Costa Rica, you can pick-and-choose several different things (or all): rain forest, beach, volcanoes. Any and all will have a variety of places for you to stay and things for you to do. But instead of seeing poverty, you'll be swinging on a zipline through the rain forest, or whatever.
That's not to say there's no poverty in Costa Rica, or that all of Copper Canyon is poor, but I'd think that's one difference. If it were me, I'd go to Copper Canyon, but mostly because I've already been to Costa Rica. Although, one thing to consider is the increase in drug-related violence and local police corruption in Mexico this year. posted by Houstonian at 3:11 PM on October 9
Copper Canyon is in Mexico, which is like saying there are a few nice parts of New Jersey.
This is a great comparison, because both Mexico and NJ get a bad rep because the parts of them that border their more famous neighbors are both shit, but the rest is very nice.
I love Mexico. If you want something like Costa Rica but less touristy and more foreign, Mexico south of Mexico City is very nice. Oaxaca, San Cristobal, and the beach towns like Puerto Escondido are all great and very affordable. The food is way better in Mexico too. Costa Ricans love their chicken and rice. posted by smackfu at 4:16 PM on October 9
I know Mexico very well and spent a month and 1600 km. driving around Costa Rica, so I feel pretty confident in saying that you need to be a bit more specific about what you enjoy, how much you are willing to spend and how much time you have, if we are to provide any meaningful advice.
Both countries offer a wide array of services, from the ultra-exclusive, wildly-expensive, private-helicopter option to the go-with-the-flow, backpacking, hostel adventure. Both can be very enjoyable, depending on your goals.
Food is much better in Mexico, CR is generally safer, the wrong season can mean horrid, holiday-ruining weather in CR, Mexico has a much greater geographic variety, CR has better eco-tourism, Mexico is closer, CR's Caribbean coast is awful, while its Pacific coast is gorgeous, Mexico has better roads, CR is much more laid back, etc, etc.
[please try again without making this thread about new jersey, thank you] posted by jessamyn at 4:56 PM on October 9
" the $24(?) fee which must be paid in Costa Rican Cash "
You must have been here a good long while ago - you can pay in cash, US dollars or Costa Rican Colones, or with a credit card (it will be charged as a cash advance though - they clearly state this)
The chaos of dodgy "tax stamp" sellers and whatnot of a decade ago is gone - the airport is very organized and straighforward now.
Plenty of other countries in the world also charge airport taxes and/or departure fees - some are rolled into your ticket prices, others can be a surprise. It's by no means limited to the 3rd world.
(Vancouver airport tax? Panama toursit tax? etc...) posted by TravellingDen at 7:21 PM on October 9
with a credit card (it will be charged as a cash advance though - they clearly state this)
The trick is to clearly understand what that means, which is the part I failed at. Minimum $10 fee for Chase. posted by smackfu at 7:36 PM on October 9
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Costa Rica I know more about as a tax haven than as a destination.
It might help if you described what you wanted. What you like to do. How you'd like to spend your time. And so on.
posted by rokusan at 2:06 PM on October 9