Job Discussion Forums

LaineK · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: U.S.A.

Well I have decided on going to Maximo Nivel. I am excited and nervous at the same time. I have a few questions

Are batteries & film for cameras really that expensive there that you should bring a supply with you?

Is it true what they say about places not having hot water? I was reading the Rough Guide and they said some of the hostels and alike don't have water that is very hot.

voegelae · Joined: 07 Mar 2009 Posts: 7

I would definitely bring your camera and any accesories for it as things like that are much more expensive there.

In regards to the hot water, it's kind of hit or miss. I stayed with a family for 4 months a few years ago and I had hot water every single day... I also have stayed in numerous hostels where sometimes the water is scorching and the next day you can barely put your toe under the water it's so cold...

Other then that I'm not sure how we go about 'making sure' we can get a place that has hot water..

LaineK · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: U.S.A.

Thanks for the information about cameras and batteries. I will definitely bring extras and the rechargeable ones too.

I wonder why the water temp seems to be an issue, there haven't been anything negative about the amount of water available or bathroom issues.. humm.

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I think the key is to remember that, no matter how well disguised, Costa Rica is a third world country. A very upscale third world country, it's true. Nonetheless, it's lightyears behind e.g. the US and northern Europe in terms of infrastructure. Access to hot water in the tap isn't the norm, it's a luxury that only a handful of places I've ever been to in Costa Rica has. Hot showers are easier to come by because there are electric, relatively safe, heaters that heat the water as it comes out of the pipes. You will, however, come across places, even hostels, that can't afford it or don't bother to install them (especially in lowland Costa Rica where it's ridiculously warm all the time and a cold shower is a blessing).

There are water shortages, too. I remember in 2007, at the end of the dry season, they were rationing water in parts of San Jose due to the water reservoirs being nearly empty. It's not normal, though.

LaineK · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: U.S.A.

This is good to know - think I will start adjusting my shower water now so that it is not such a shock to the body when I arrive. \

Speaking of water and the like - I read that laundry mats are far and few between - my guess is this is true in the outlying areas but in San Jose I wonder if this is true? Anythoughts?

OleLarssen · Joined: 26 Apr 2006 Posts: 337

I was wringing my brain for a while to figure out what a "laundry mat" is - a mat that does laundry for you? A mat you put under the laundry machine?

:) Sorry, just teasing.

Laundromats are all over the place in San Jose, you will have absolutely 0 problems finding one. Also in most tourist destinations there is usually one, and in more remote areas if you speak Spanish and ask nicely you can have someone do it for you for a couple of bucks, I bet.

LaineK · Joined: 04 Mar 2009 Posts: 15 Location: U.S.A.

It is amazing the slang we speak in America and don't even know it. I should have asked about public laundry facilities ..lol

I was out last night with a few Americas and a ESL teacher from Japan. We were attempting to explain two jokes to her when we realized how much slang we used. One of the group is an American ESL teacher who has a business teaching ESL - even she had difficulty expressing things.

Amazing how much we have bastardized the English language in America. I am not saying that as a positive or negative comment - just a comment.