Linehantravelers

Our family of four loved our time in CR in '05, and couldn't wait to get back! This time we only have 7 days in the country, so we plan to rent a house. Our last trip was 16 days; one week for adventure, and one week for leisure. Last time, we visited Monteverde, Arenal/Fortuna (adopted a dog there)for adventure and then spent a week relaxing in Playa Ocotal. This time, as we only have 7 days in early August, we were thinking of renting a house in the Dominical area. Is this a good idea? Any suggestions about where we should look for accommodations? How is the drive from SJO to Domenical. We aren't wimps; loved the drive to Monteverde! We do have children aged 7 and 9 who love swimming and animals.
Thanks for any suggestions!

glover

Doesn't sound like you've been to the Osa. Don't know how much lux you need or don't (you said you're not wimps, but we spent 5 nights in a rustic, but comfortable house 25 yards or so from the beach, with monkeys and scarlet macaws in the yard every day.
Google "Casa Bambu." U.S. owners have 4 houses down there. We stayed in Casa Linda. You'll need to fly to Puerto Jimenez (or a VERY long drive), then take 45 min. taxi ride to Matapalo area. Part of the adventure. Off the beaten track but not scarily remote. The well known Bosque del Cabo and Lapa Rios resorts aren't far from there. Hmmm. .. just looked at your message again and you mentioned August though - could be very rainy down there then . ..

hipvirgochick

glover -- Were there any people around when you were there or is it deserted? I assume there's no phone and your pretty much on your own as far as if you need to get to town for tours or anything? Did you just stock up on food in PJ? We stayed at BDC, which I believe is fairly near. Does this mean there's nothing within walking distance of the houses?

Thanks!

glover

Hey hip, I've got a fairly long trip report posted somewhere on the board from the trip in late April.

If you picture the road to BDC, maybe more than halfway from PJ - there's a turn off toward the water that says Matapalo. Along that "road" are a fair number of houses/small hotels/inns/hostels. So there are people around sure. Casa Linda is I don't know - 30 yards to beach? Next door - though you can't really see it - is a nice house (tico owned I think) - large lot there. Across a big grassy yard from Casa Linda on the other side is the house where the property staff (one young man and a mother/daughter team) live. That house, Casa Linda, and Casa Bambu are one 3 side of the "yard." The other side is the beach. Lots of lovely vegetation surrounding to provide feeling of privacy. Up the hill from there are two more similar houses owned by same folks. You can walk the road toward Cabo Matapalo some distance. Small hotels, houses, a ranch or two along the road. (Near the end of that road is a trail up to Bosque del Cabo.) We tried walking up there - but it's obviously more than an hour or so. We did, however, walk up to the closer Lapa Rios for lunch (just 15 min walk). We could have, but didn't, had a meal at "Encanta ..." (blanking on name) a small lodging area with restaurant on the Cabo road. On the main road going the opposite direction to PJ, there's a cool little casual restaurant called Esperanza. (maybe a 10 min walk). Other than that, yep, you need to stock up in PJ - which is part of the transport - they stop at that little grocery store. Though it seems Willem, the Casas prop mgr, goes to town frequently, and will shop for you. He picked up a few things for us a few days into our stay. Owners do a great job of preparing you for being there - down to a suggested food shopping list that includes what you might want to buy at the PJ store.

glover

Hip, forgot to add - no, there's no phone - but a radio - which works just fine to call the local restaurants, prop mgr, etc. Also someone told us that some cell phones will work from out by the beach in places (we didn't have one so can't vouch for that). As for tours, we chose not to have a car there. Willem will take you to Corcovado park (for a reasonable price). We did that, but it's a slog - about 1 1/2 hr drive (way beyond BDC) and then a 45 min walk on beach to park entrance. Interesting drive though - and quite bumpy of course. We also went on a walk with Willem (a very sweet guy - not much English though if you need it) to a waterfall. He would also take you out fishing in his large rubber raft in the am if you wanted. And there are kayaks there. And horseback riding can be arranged nearby as well. But for other more elaborate tours you'd need to go back to PJ. There was more available to do than we ended up doing in 5 days . .. but then we're geezers and got pretty comfortable on Casa Linda's most excellent porch too.

Linehantravelers

Hi glover and hip! Thanks for the great info. When all is said and done, we're spoiled for choice. We are going on an adventure in sublime CR; who could ask for more?

4explore

June 2005 we took our kids 13 &15 to Dominical after Arenal and on the way to OSA. It was our rugged "surfer shack on the beach" experience, literally. Water was rough for swimming. Very friendly people, mostly surfer young people. Tortilla Flats is a fun bar/grill where the kids got $1 fresh smoothie all day long and the staff knew them by name after 1 visit. Kids loved it, I was a bit nervous of the environment for my kids ages, but all was fine. Serious surfers go to bed early! We only lasted 3 nights, though had booked 4. Nice accomodations are up in the hills, not in town. We purposely wanted the town and beach, enjoyed it very much but 3 days was enough. Headed south to PJ and BdC. Hope that helps

4explore

Sorry, forgot...the drive to Dominical is easy and beautiful with some interesting places to see on the way.