My family and I just returned from a marvelous trip to Costa Rica. One word of caution about Manuel Antonio National Park--do not park with anyone other than the official park employees. Before reaching the official parking lot, there is at least one scam operation in which parking "attendants" wearing some sort of official looking vests attempt to part you with your money. I realized it was a scam when they attempted to sell us tickets into the park. Tickets can be purchased only online. The parking is approximately a 30-40 minute walk from the actual park--uphill and hot!
Now, if you go to the official parking lot, beware of the tour for just your group. It is not a scam, but is poorly run. We paid for a private tour for just our family of four which cost $60 more. We did not receive a receipt and were handed off to a tour guide who then handed us off to a different tour guide. When four others joined our "private" tour, I objected to the guide. He claimed that he knew nothing about us being private. I explained to the other four that it wasn't their fault, but I had paid extra and expected to receive what I had paid for. They were supportive. In the end, we did not receive a private tour and were not reimbursed the $60. The other four were delightful and we didn't let it ruin the tour. Our tour guide actually allowed another who had not paid for the tour to look into the telescope without telling her that she may not--not much with boundaries. She then attempted to have her entire family look but they declined. I would have stepped in at that point. This is a word of caution that the operations, at least for us, weren't so smooth and authorities did nothing about the scammers even though they were well aware.
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23281 posts
Welcome to Costa Rica. I am not sure it was a scam or just the way it was. We have found Costa Rica to be so laid back. Time means nothing and everything is so loose. Once booked a half day tour at a national park that took all day. Every time we thought the tour was going to end, the guide would add another hour or so. On same trip son and dil booked a full day tour and didn't return to the hotel until 11 pm. Same experience. We found everyone to be very friendly and accommodating but if you expected something to start on time and end at a set time. Good luck -- probably not going to happen. We thoroughly enjoy Costa Rica but it does require a whole different mental approach. If you tend to be a little rigid, then CR is not your place. The stories we could tell !!!
Posted by
OP
904 posts
I don't call expecting a private tour but not receiving one, rigid. Nor did I mention anything about tours starting and ending on time. The MANP ranger told us that the parking I mentioned was a scam. Receiving more than I paid for was the opposite of what occurred.
My comment was not directed toward all of Costa Rica but as a heads up. As I said, we did not let it ruin our tour but had a good time.