costa rica, from what i've been told by friends who have been there, is truly a mixed bag. many of the beachfront communities are near-idyllic: beautiful weather and scenery, extremely cheap living conditions, great food, and inimitably friendly people. i have also heard fantastic horror stories about banditry and thievery at gunpoint being a daily reality for all travellers in the moutain coffee-growing regions. in fact, i have heard it said that travellers in the coffee regions are advised to pack two sets of valuables - a set of expendable jewelry and cash for the robbers to take, and your actual stash of money and valuables hidden more carefully, with the expectation that at least once per day you will be held up. i find this astonishing, if true. in any case, you should check three diverse sets of information before travelling in costa rica: (1) talk to someone who has been there, and not just for a holiday, but who has actually stayed long enough to learn the ropes; (2) read the Lonely Planet Guidebook; (3) check the federal government's Traveler's Advisory DAILY for updates.

i have some good friends, with kids, who lived down there for a couple of years and almost didn't come back, they loved it so much.