Comments on: Get the Hell Out of Downtown! http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/ Travel tips and stories for backpackers, budget travelers, and those wanting to discover the world through something more than a simple vacation. Fri, 09 Jul 2010 03:44:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Leigh http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-3276 Leigh Thu, 24 Dec 2009 18:50:12 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-3276 You have a great point there; I think it's a shame so many people never leave the tourist trap and miss out on all the great views places like Costa Rica have to offer. Still, I think your rant implies staying in downtown in a city centre means you're not seeing anything. Sure there's more to Amsterdam than Schipol, but there are a number of good reasons to, say, stay by the airport. I love the urban experience, but I'm also an avid backpacker, so when I'm being a jetsetter, I like to be right in the middle of everything. You'd be a fool to travel to Japan and not even lay eyes on Tokyo, and for all the amazing natural wonders Chile has to offer, you're missing out if you don't partake in the beautiful but incredible touristy Valparaiso and spend some time ambling Santiago. On my rail tour through Italy, I found lodging near the train stations was not only cheaper, but more convenient for early-morning departures. I've been to New York City several times and my best memories are from being super touristy and never leaving Manhattan. Is it the only way to travel? No, and sometimes you do miss out, but not everyone has the same taste as you, and you don't always have to get the hell out of downtown. You have a great point there; I think it’s a shame so many people never leave the tourist trap and miss out on all the great views places like Costa Rica have to offer. Still, I think your rant implies staying in downtown in a city centre means you’re not seeing anything. Sure there’s more to Amsterdam than Schipol, but there are a number of good reasons to, say, stay by the airport.

I love the urban experience, but I’m also an avid backpacker, so when I’m being a jetsetter, I like to be right in the middle of everything. You’d be a fool to travel to Japan and not even lay eyes on Tokyo, and for all the amazing natural wonders Chile has to offer, you’re missing out if you don’t partake in the beautiful but incredible touristy Valparaiso and spend some time ambling Santiago. On my rail tour through Italy, I found lodging near the train stations was not only cheaper, but more convenient for early-morning departures. I’ve been to New York City several times and my best memories are from being super touristy and never leaving Manhattan. Is it the only way to travel? No, and sometimes you do miss out, but not everyone has the same taste as you, and you don’t always have to get the hell out of downtown.

]]> By: Brendon http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-2984 Brendon Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:55:37 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-2984 It is always important to get out of town and I have seen a good majority of Costa Rica and loved it. But I wouldn't throw San Jose to the wolves. It's a town struggling to become modern and with that has pitfalls, but I have never had a bad or boring meal and I found the people very friendly in both my visits. In fact, my first day in SJ, my first meal (and beers!) were bought for me by a stranger who wanted nothing more than to welcome me to his city. Sure I was ripped off by a taxi 3 weeks later on my way to the airport, but overall my experience was great. I love cities, there is so much life there, explore the jungles, the beaches, the mountains, but don't forget that most of Costa Rican life is inside the city. Cheers! It is always important to get out of town and I have seen a good majority of Costa Rica and loved it. But I wouldn’t throw San Jose to the wolves. It’s a town struggling to become modern and with that has pitfalls, but I have never had a bad or boring meal and I found the people very friendly in both my visits. In fact, my first day in SJ, my first meal (and beers!) were bought for me by a stranger who wanted nothing more than to welcome me to his city. Sure I was ripped off by a taxi 3 weeks later on my way to the airport, but overall my experience was great. I love cities, there is so much life there, explore the jungles, the beaches, the mountains, but don’t forget that most of Costa Rican life is inside the city. Cheers!

]]> By: Shane Brown http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-2969 Shane Brown Wed, 25 Nov 2009 02:16:39 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-2969 Great post Jeff, I think we've all come across people like this and it's flabbergasting that they don't think to sometimes even leave the transit lounge at the airport (though admittedly some of those can be pretty cool.. (Amsterdam's Schiphol being on of them) I had similar (though much more tame) experiences in San Jose.. was glad to get out of the city and see some more of Costa Rica, but having said that I'm so glad I did get a few days there so I could make up my mind about it! Great post Jeff, I think we’ve all come across people like this and it’s flabbergasting that they don’t think to sometimes even leave the transit lounge at the airport (though admittedly some of those can be pretty cool.. (Amsterdam’s Schiphol being on of them)
I had similar (though much more tame) experiences in San Jose.. was glad to get out of the city and see some more of Costa Rica, but having said that I’m so glad I did get a few days there so I could make up my mind about it!

]]> By: Tweets that mention Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel -- Topsy.com http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-2966 Tweets that mention Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel -- Topsy.com Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:27:20 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-2966 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Have Pack and Trisha, Travel Industry. Travel Industry said: RT @HavePack: Get The Hell Out of Downtown! #travel #traveltuesday #lp #m http://su.pr/7e4fTx [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Have Pack and Trisha, Travel Industry. Travel Industry said: RT @HavePack: Get The Hell Out of Downtown! #travel #traveltuesday #lp #m http://su.pr/7e4fTx [...]

]]> By: Trisha Miller http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-2965 Trisha Miller Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:25:21 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-2965 I totally agree with you Jeff - I do understand that often people who travel for business (or a friend's wedding) simply don't have time to get out and explore, but I don't understand those travelers who are on a vacation and who go to all the trouble to go to a foreign country - especially one that is known for much to see and do - and just spend their time in a fancy hotel or maybe shopping. I try not to judge, because everyone has the right to travel however they like, and at least they are getting out and traveling, but I just don't get it - I don't see the point in that type of travel. You may as well stay home, and check into a nearby hotel, and save a bundle of money. I totally agree with you Jeff – I do understand that often people who travel for business (or a friend’s wedding) simply don’t have time to get out and explore, but I don’t understand those travelers who are on a vacation and who go to all the trouble to go to a foreign country – especially one that is known for much to see and do – and just spend their time in a fancy hotel or maybe shopping.

I try not to judge, because everyone has the right to travel however they like, and at least they are getting out and traveling, but I just don’t get it – I don’t see the point in that type of travel. You may as well stay home, and check into a nearby hotel, and save a bundle of money.

]]> By: Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel | Costarica Today http://www.havepack.com/get-the-hell-out-of-downtown/#comment-2964 Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel | Costarica Today Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:15:16 +0000 http://www.havepack.com/?p=1540#comment-2964 [...] More here: Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel [...] [...] More here: Get the Hell Out of Downtown! — Have Pack, Will Travel [...]

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