Only 4 days to vacation: Costa Rica or Puerto Rico?

<p>Hello Folks,<br>

I have a 4day window (not counting travel days) for a vacation and I'm trying to make up my mind whether to go to Costa Rica or Puerto Rico. This would be in the 1st week of June.<br>

Can you kind folks tell me which destination is better and what are the photogenic spots? I'm aware that 4days is gonna be very tight and therefore would like to concentrate on a small area in either place. Please throw me some suggestions/ideas and what places are better to stay. Primary interests are some landscapes/nature/old towns.<br>

<br />Thanks much!</p>

<p>My mother loved Costa Rica when she visited, as did the founder of photo.net, which used to have a whole section on travel there, which has been moved to http://philip.greenspun.com/cr/ .</p>

<p>I have friends in Puerto Rico, but sadly I haven't been able to visit and don't know enough about travel there to help.</p>

<p>Hi Ravi. I'm not been to Costa Rica and I'm hoping that those familiar with it weigh in soon because that's one of the destinations we have on our "soon" list. We have spent a fair amount of time in Puerto Rico though due to working there on a project. PR is a very developed island. The rain forest, especially the El Yunque park is very nice, and worth a visit. But for the most part the island is touristy resorts, well-developed beaches and a very industrial city in San Juan. Old Town San Juan is nice, but it focuses on the cruise-ship and tourist trade. The city of Ponce is a little more authentic but travelling there on the freeway feels a lot like driving around California.</p>

<p>I have the perception of Costa Rica of being somewhat more rustic and less developed at this point, and that's why I'd like to hear from those who have visited that country.</p>

<p>Thanks Hector & David!<br>

Hector, The link you shared was priceless. Lots of valuable info there!<br>

David, I did some more research on other websites and came to a similar conclusion.<br>

I've decided to go to Costa Rica and have begged the boss for more vacation. Now, I'm looking at 7days. Will be researching P-N for more info or will start another thread if no info exists here. :)<br>

muchos gracias!</p>

<p>I have taught a couple of classes to Costa Rica (in May) and know the country fairly well. I'm a biologist so there are obvious reasons why I adore CR. I cannot comment too much on Puerto Rico only to say that it may offer more general colonial and other cultural richness, but outside of one famous rainforest park I doubt the natural richness can match CR. That's no dig on PR, it's just CR is just that spectacular, biologically speaking<br>

Four days isn't a lot of time. If I were going to CR for just 4 days I would recommend one of two areas: Montaverde/Santa Elena area (think ziplining, beautiful birds like hummingbirds, Trogans (Quetzels), Toucans, cloud forest),posion dart frogs, OR Manuel Antonio National Park (beautiful beaches, sloths, monkeys, other bird life). Both assume you are flying into San Jose; Manuel Antonio is the closer location.<br>

Think "La Pura Vida" and you're in Costa Rica!</p>

<p>Hi I'm From Puerto Rico, Check out My website, <a href="http://www.vacationandenjoy.com/hello-puerto-rico/">http://www.vacationandenjoy.com/hello-puerto-rico/</a> maybe it could help you take a better decision and give you some ideas of points of interest.</p><div></div>

<p>Thanks Douglas & Jonathan!<br>

I went to Costa Rica this time and it was fabulous. However, Puerto Rico is still on my list and the info above is quite valuable. Thanks for your time. </p>