1) General changes and remarks
Costa Rica is developping very quickly its eco-tourism opportunities, sometimes
spoiling wonderful places by uncontrolled building activities along the
shore.
Taxes increased a lot to finance this growth, and make all prices much
higher everyday. The first consequence (deliberatly decided by local authorities)
is that it gets harder for budget travellers to spend time and money (for
local handcrafts) in Costa Rica. For instance, on the 1st of September
1994, the entrance fee to visit any national park changed : from US$ 1
(allowing backpackers to visit many parks), this entrance price became
US$ 15.
Coming from the north of Central America, you might be surprised that
people are very smiling if you talk to them, and will really take time
to help you find your way, but this friendliness is finally much colder
than in other countries, and probably inspired by the fact that tourism
is now deeply essential for the local economy : it looks more like a national
discipline than like a natural warmth. This is specially true in the capital.
2) Specific changes and remarks
San José :
Prices did increase. And for many reasons, I ran away…
The Hotel TICALINDA was not friendly at all (but maybe I arrived on
a bad day, or maybe the contrast with other countries was too crual), but
was crowded with young american backpackers. The Hotel Nicaragua were I
finally stayed was a poor better solution. I was told (afterwards) by locals
that there are 2 good and rather cheap hotels in San José (used
by people coming from Panama) : one is Hotel Johnson (mentionned in the
book, but I did not check this one by then), and the Hotel Gran Imperial
(also close to the central market). It seems that the best deals will be
found in the central market area!
Tamarindo (Nicoya Peninsula) :
This place is no longer a desert beach hard to reach. It turns to be a
big resort, but the beach is still wonderful for surfing, and if the sight
is not so wild now on the shore, wild nature is not far.
If you come from Liberia, and if it is "late" in the afternoon, you
might have to finish your trip hitch-hiking if you do not find a direct
bus. But it is easy (many american tourists use rental cars on this road,
and locals have pick-ups).
Contact : 
or www.metey.com
CENTRAL
AMERICA - COSTA RICA (also check my expenses
data)