volcanogirl

I have no experience with earthquakes - what should you do if you're ever in one? Is it better to stay inside or go outdoors? It's so scary - seems like if you're inside that you can be trapped in rubble and outside has landslides. So sorry for anyone this has affected.

JBX

janenicole,

On the US State Govt website >>> http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/...tion_1186.html
<<< there's a link to register yourself & your trip if you want the US Embassy to be aware of where you're going. In the past, I've tried to register, however encountered difficulties with the site .... maybe it's been corrected since then.

I never gave this issue any thought until my trip to Ecuador a couple years ago. We were in Quito and supposed to leave the next day to travel to Banos; that very night, the Tungurahua Volcano erupted and consequently, we had to find a Plan B for the rest of the trip.

Also, I'm assuming that because the epicenter of this Costa Rican quake was several miles away from Poas it eminated from a fault line? I'm guessing it's that, versus an earthquake that's due to magma on the move and/or an indicator of a volcanic eruption. Has anyone looked on any websites focusing on earthquakes/volcanoes to check if that's the instance here?

I know Costa Rica is very seismically active because of the volcanoes and Central America sitting astride a tectonic plate.

colibri

Good grief - AM Costa Rica is now reporting a blast has the command center for emergency response commission in flames. It's at Tobias Bolanos airport and is where the earthquake relief efforts were being coordinated.

Report said the president was on the scene and had just finished touring the devastated areas.

Domestic flights are being affected.

Enough!

rnman

THE TICO TIMES SAID IT WAS NEAR THE PAVAS AIRPORT, AT THE EMERGENCY COORDINATION OFFICES. A FIRE BROKE OUT IN A STORAGE ROOM WHERE SUPPLIES FOR QUAKE VICTIMS WERE STORED.

gannetmusic

Very sad. Thank God that the epicenter wasn't a few miles to the south in Alajuela or San Jose or the death and destruction could have been many times worse.

One of our favourite places in CR is a little restaurant /lookout in Cinchona that was on the very edge of the valley. Apparently that area was hard hit so I fear for the lives of the friendly Ticos who owned the place and welcomed us so many times. Our prayers are with everyone near the quake area.

Check out Road Advisor's post on the Tripadvisor forum for some first-hand reports.

Jerry

dmcnama

Volcanogirl, the best thing to do in a quake is to get under something sturdy and hang on. Running outside exposes one to falling debris. I did just that during a quake here in California and was lucky nothing fell on me. Unfortunately, a couple of women who did the same were not so lucky and perished in an avalanche of bricks. Believe me, it is instinctual to want to get out of the building. Quakes are VERY sudden and take one so off guard.

Given that, ay dios mio for CR! My prayers are with all those in that beautiful land. I'm heading there in a little more than three weeks and heading from SJ to Arenal for a few days before heading to the coast. I'm just hoping the roads are o.k. and things are a bit more calm. Wondering how this will affect the lava flow and eruption at Arenal. Anybody know of any changes there?

rnman

I found a link on the US state department website. The only closures are in the Poas areas. The volcano and rafting trips on the Sarapiqui are closed. All airports are open. They were moving tourists to a hotel in SJ. It seems that the most damage is north of SJ.

HLester3

I just found this link online, when I was trying to find more information on the fate of Peace Lodge. It is from a travel agent that appears to contract with the lodge.

http://www.vacationcity.com/costa-ri...gs/earthquake/

Not sure how accurate the information is.

My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in the area.

volcanogirl

Thanks, dmc. I just thought if I'm ever in this situation, I need to know how to handle it. That makes complete sense.

bridetwobe

I just heard from Cindy Banks of the Peace Lodge. She told me that the earthquake hit there and caused major damage. She called because we were supposed to be married there at the end of February and says that they don't belive that it will be possible. Many of the employees homes were damaged or destroyed. She said that no one there was killed which is wonderful news. She has suggested that we find another location to get married.

dariow

VolcanoGirl:

The two best places to seek shelter during an earthquake are under a heavy desk or in a door way. The goal is to shelter yourself from falling items.

The news is Costa Rica is horrible. It brings back memories of the 7.1 earthquake we had here in the San Francisco Bay area in October of 1989.

Hopefully the major infrastructure items there, such as clean water, roads, electricity, and hospitals are not severely impacted.

RAC

Most of the damage seems to be in the area between San Miguel and Varablanca--San Jose is okay as is the Chilamate area.

volcanogirl

Thanks dariow.

Bride, I'm just so sorry about your wedding plans. I had even mentioned to my husband that I hope no one had their wedding plans set for PL. I'm very glad no one was killed and hope they are eventually able to set their business back up. Do you have any idea where you'd like to go instead?

bridetwobe

By the way Cindy talked(although she is her in the states) it may be a long time before they are up and running. As for other places I am at a loss. I have been offered by Cindy to change the venue to their hotel in Arenal. I know nothing about the hotel. The plan was to be married by a waterfall but I don't know if that will be an option. Trying to coordinate the reservations for the others traveling may be daunting. If you have any suggestions I will entertain them. I am hoping for something closer to the San Jose area since that is where I have set the photographer to stay. He is on a short stay as are a few of the other guests. I am counting my blessing as many have been hurt and I am saddened by the deaths. Even if the hotel was up and running I think that the day my be saddned by the thought of the tragedy. We had planned a 3 day stay with the wedding on the Saturday. Then we have reservations up in Arenal. Please let me know if anyone has suggestions.

jgoebel

It's a totally different setting than Peace Lodge, but the Buena Vista Villas at Tulemar (Manuel Antonio) would be a beautiful place to get married. When we were there a couple had a small ceremony on their private beach at sunset. It was magnificent.

RAC

The people who own Peace Lodge have just opened up a place near Arenal called The Springs.

Xandari in the Central Valley has a waterfall on site, and is supposed to be very nice.

One place where we've stayed that would make a great wedding location is Ylang Ylang, but it's in the Nicoya Peninsula (about 5 hours or so from San Jose).

volcanogirl

The Manuel Antonio area has a beautiful beach and is known for great sunsets. It would be convenient for people because there are a lot of restaurants and hotels in the area.

bridetwobe

Thank you for your recommendations. My only concern with the Manuel Antonio area is the time to get there. I have a few guests that are arriving on Friday and Leaving on Sunday. It might be too far for them to go on such a short trip. This is one of the reasons we were planning in the central region. I have contacted Xandari and Finca Rosa Blanca and hope to hear from them soon. It looks like there may be limited availablity at Finca Rosa Blanca around our timeframe. Our travel arrangements are as such, get married some place in the central valley from Feb 26- Mar 1, travel to Arenal area from Mar 1- Mar 4, then off to Dominical from mar 4- mar 8, then back to San Jose area for early flight on the 9th. I have my photographer staying at Buena Vista Hotel in Alajuela and although this isn't the fanciest hotel, I'm wondering if it might be a viable alternative. Has anyone ever stayed there? Again I appreciate all your help and advise. Also how easy will it be to change my transportation? I have a reservations with Costa Rica Shuttle and will need to change that as well. So much to do and so little time

volcanogirl

shillmac stays at Buena Vista and likes it. Orquideas Inn is another popular spot. If you go over to tripadvisor.com you can check out pics to see if they appeal to you. I do always hear good things about Xandari.

dariow

If it was me, I'd choose a different country other than Costa Rica for my honeymoon given potential infrastructure problems that might be occuring there at this moment.

Have you considered Panama (Boca del Toro) or Guatemala (Antigua)? Both of these are also wonderful places to visit.