Belize or Costa Rica?

[Spitz]

So the boss has finally put up with enough hunting trips that I owe her a nice vacation. Looking for something with a great beach, nice snorkeling, other fun/adventurous things to do and of course, some great fishing to be had on a day trip or two. So far I've been looking at Belize and Costa Rica.

Probably looking at going sometime fall through spring of 2012 to early 2013.

Any thoughts or advice?

 

[devon deer]

Great question, although i hadnt thought about costa rica, i had definitely thought about belize, bonefish, tarpon,permit, and the wife gets some time in the sun for putting up with all my hunting times.
My mate went to belize fly fishing for bones (self guided) and had a great time.
Cheers
Richard

 

[noharleyyet]

Compromise and take her to Northern NM for a muley scouting trip.

 

[Dinkshooter]

Probably looking at going sometime fall through spring of 2012 to early 2013.
QUOTE]

You lost me at the mention of fall.

 

[Spitz]

Compromise and take her to Northern NM for a muley scouting trip.

She loves the Chama. We're going there again this summer to our little cabin getaway for a quick outdoors/fishing trip. For some reason she wants more than that this year . . .

 

[Spitz]

You lost me at the mention of fall.

I agree. But I should still be able to get several trips in this year as I've got the vacation time. She's set on ASAP though and she can't take the time off work 'til the fall. I jokingly mentioned I dedicate all fall vacation to hunting and the look I got told me to pursue that line of reasoning no further.

 

[Spitz]

Great question, although i hadnt thought about costa rica, i had definitely thought about belize, bonefish, tarpon,permit, and the wife gets some time in the sun for putting up with all my hunting times.
My mate went to belize fly fishing for bones (self guided) and had a great time.
Cheers
Richard

Bonefish and permit are definitely on the short list of fish I need to catch. Where'd your buddy stay?

 

[Summitthunting]

The family and I went to Costa Rica two years ago, had a blast. There is so much to do it's insane. Zip lines, crocodile/jungle tours, fishing, mountain biking, ATV's etc. We stayed at the Guanacaste Hilton, very nice, beach was ok. I will post some pics later, PM me if you have any questions.

 

[devon deer]

Bonefish and permit are definitely on the short list of fish I need to catch. Where'd your buddy stay?

El Pescador on Ambergris Caye, looks a bit posh to me.
Cheers
Richard

 

[dustinf]

Costa Rica. Spent 3 weeks there last April, I've been all over the world and it's by far the best tropical destination. It's similar to HawaiI with out all the hotels and tourists. The surf and pig hunting are much better than Hawaii.

Language is a barrier. At least broken Spanish is mandatory for non "tourist trap" fun.

 

[the nikster]

I have spent time in Belize, not Costa Rica. I loved the country and the people. another option is snorkling with whale sharks!! I stayed in Dangriga at hopkins bay resort--THE RESORT IS PRICEY!!

 

[Jwill]

Belize is on our list, she likes to dive, I like to fish. It's not on the calendar yet though...

 

[SDHNTR]

Belize is awesome! Wifey and I honeymooned there. Easy flights to get there and English speaking. Stay at the Victoria House on Ambergris Key. I caught bonefish right in front of the hotel.

 

[Amand]

My dad just got back from Costa Rica and had a blast. They caught 18 sailfish over 3 days and are already planning on going back soon.

Belize is also very nice and you really won't go wrong with either choice.

 

[Devil Diver Down]

If you don't mind roughing it and you want to do some diving, take a look at the Bay Islands in Honduras. Some great values to be had.

 

[DBear]

Don't overlook Roatan in Honduras....amazing place to dive and fish. I've been to Belize and I liked Honduras much better. The reef is really close, so no big boat rides and cheaper than Belize.

 

[HUNTMAN]

Me and the wife did Belize for ten days last April. It was a blast with plenty to do and reasonably priced.We did the jungle for 5 days and the beach for 5.Would do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Spitz]

Thanks guys. I hadn't thought of Honduras. Don't mind Spanish only areas either.

 

[Summitthunting]

Here are some pics of the fishing and zipping. The fishing down south is supposed to be better than up north around Guanacaste. Fished 3 full days and caught two sails, three roosters, 2 dorado and a few misc.




I was a little disappointed in the fishing, considering Costa Rica is one of the top places in the world for offshore fish. The people were very friendly and we never felt unsafe being away from the resort. It was allot of fun but I have since caught bones and will probably never fish offshore again, the flats are where it’s at.

 

[ardrhi]

I was fortunate enough to spend 4 months doing biological research through much of Central America before settling down to a real job. Here's my .02.
Belize has the most developed tourist/service industry. It is more expensive, but easy to find whatever service (fishing, hotels, dining, tours, etc.) you are looking for. Costa Rica is the place that I would take my wife. You could do the same things for about 1/2 the cost of Belize. Regardless of where you go, asking the hotel staff for recommendations is extremely helpful, but don't just book the first thing you're offered. There is a lot of under-the-table dealing where the tours and even taxi's will give the hotel receptionist a cut for sending you their way. They usually start off with an offer that they will benefit from, but they have a helpful culture so keep a friendly conversation going and they will start opening up. After a couple introductory expensive offers, I usually say something like "If your friend from the US came down here to go [fishing], where would you send him?"
Nicaragua and Guatemala were way cheaper than either Belize or Costa Rica, but you have to be assertive and create the opportunities that you want and you need to be willing to take risks. It is like the difference between a guided hunt and trying a new over-the-counter do-it-yourself hunt. In Belize it is easiest to buy an all-inclusive fishing package and just go when and where an experienced guide takes you. In Nicaragua you go down to the docks and ask around until you find someone with extra gear that is heading where you want to go. Costa Rica offered everything I saw in Belize, but there were a lot more opportunities to create your own flavor and save money.