If you’re looking for big city life and culture, but still want a friendly atmosphere and you’re in southern Costa Rica, you should drop on down into Neily and get to know and love the people. Neily is on the west bank of Río Corredor, on the north side of the Interamericana, and is the second largest city in southern Costa Rica. But if you’re going to go to Neily, you’ll need to remember to bring a water bottle, a personal fan and lots and lots of sunscreen. The people in Neily may be friendly but the sun and the humidity can be brutal—the city is just 50metres above sea level. The city is covered with banana and palm plantations—palm oil is crucial to the financial success of these communities and the mountain scenery is spectacular. You’ll also want to make a pit stop at the pulperia for more information about places to go and sights to see.

Around and closeby
Just 15km north of Neily you’ll find the Cavernas de Corredores—these caverns are on a banana plantation and although they’re not usually open to tourists, your hotel or other lodgings can and probably will schedule a couple of group tour visits to the caves while you’re there. If not, you can always ask about it.