Costa Rican drivers will seem terrifying if you're prone to terror, but are unremarkable in the context of Latin America. Roads are pretty good, which means don't let your attention wander because anything is possible. I rode there twice with a KLR, but if I'd not been on a yearlong trip something smaller would have been preferable. I'd skip the camping gear, because why? I ***always*** bring my own helmet when renting away from home, because (IMO) it's the most critical piece of gear, and rates ahead of jacket, gloves and boots (which I also usually bring, but not always). You'll have a good sense of whether to book ahead after your week w/ g.f.--just ask the places you stay and other travelers you meet. Since you don't say when you'll be there, a more specific answer is as likely to be wrong as right.
"What else should I know?" is pretty vague. Answers depend entirely on what you already know, where you're going, what you're doing there, and more like that.
Hope that's helpful.
Mark
|