ReaderGirl

Looking for some helpful info on lodging and food options at BdC. We will be 4 ladies taking a trip in early June (Moms Getaway!!).

The rate difference between the Deluxe Cabinas and houses are pretty close (per person):

Deluxe Cabina (incl Food Pkg) = $140/night
Casa Blanca = $81.25/night or with Food Pkg $146.25/night
Casa Miramar = $100/night or with Food Pkg $165/night

Is there a marked difference between the 2 houses and even the Deluxe Cabinas (location, views)? The deck at Casa Blanca caught my attention!

Does anyone know how much the meal items are à la carte? I don't usually eat breakfast (or if I do, will skip lunch) and am wondering if I can save some $$ by bypassing the meal plan and paying for each meal separately. Could come in handy if we stay in the house and hit the grocery store in Puerto Jimenez before checking in.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

1bhcrashman

We love the accomodations at Casa Blanca! You would have a lot more room to spread out; two bathrooms and the deck & view are fantastic.
The kitchen was pretty sparce for cooking utensils when we were there last year but if all you would want to do is have cereal & fruit for bkfst & maybe make sandwiches for lunch, there is a fridge and it could save you some money by just paying for dinner. Sorry I don't know the ala carte prices but you could send them an email.

volcanogirl

The two houses will have a lot more room than the deluxe cabinas. Some of the deluxe cabinas have lofts that could work for you - a king bed downstairs and two smaller beds upstairs, but if you want more privacy, I'd go for one of the casas.

ReaderGirl

Thank you for your responses! I think we're leaning towards staying at Casa Blanca, esp since it has a kitchen. We've sent an email to BdC for more info on the cost of individual meals. Thanks again!!

hipvirgochick

I think you should go for Casa Blanca too. Especially if you want to skip some meals at the lodge. I suggest at least trying breakfast once if you can though...delicous! I stayed in Casa Miramar for a week a couple years ago and staying a week again next year. The plus there is having your own plunge pool but it is a bit of a walk from the main grounds. Any of your options though will give you great views as they're all on the edge of the bluff. Perfect mom's getaway!

javafan1

We stayed in Casa Blanca recently too. We only paid paid for dinner. They charged $30 pp for dinner when not eating at the lodge the other meals. If I went back, I might just get all the meals at the lodge, since by the time you stock up at the grocery store in town, you probably don't save that much. But it all depends on how many people you have staying, how long you are staying, how many meals you might miss due to activities, etc. Loved Casa Blanca, BTW.

ReaderGirl

Thank you all again for your help. Looks like BdC is not in the cards for us this time. Just not in the budget, so we're gonna do Manuel Antonio. But I definitely plan on coming here with my husband!

volcanogirl

Mango Moon would be a nice spot for a girls' trip.

hipvirgochick

Not sure what your budget is, but maybe the upper unit of Villa Mot-Mot fits your needs. Nice little beach there on the property, one of the few you can access from a hotel that's calm enough to swim, with free kayaks and boogie boards.

ReaderGirl

We hadn't realized how far Manuel Antonio was from the airport, so we're considering BdC again! Yippee!! There may be another friend or 2 coming along, and that would help with the expense greatly. I'm crossing my fingers, but will look at Villa Mot-Mot and Mango Moon as well. Thanks for those suggestions.

One friend thinking about coming is concerned about the humidity at night since there isn't any A/C to cool off the room. She's happy to deal with it while adventuring, but wants to know that it will be comfortable enough at night to get some sleep. We're looking at traveling sometime in the first half of June during CR's Green Season. Has anyone traveled there at that time? Is it miserably hot and humid at night?

Deb15July

We (hubby and me) were at BDC in May 2010. I am always burning up...that lovely age, but I was comfortable at night. It is extremely hot and humid during the day, but if you turn on the small fan in the cabinas, the temp is bearable. You definitely need to set up the mosquito nets at dusk to avoid those pesky critters invasion into your bed space. I would love to return and can't imagine anyone being disappointed!

TiltedFlipCurves

http://www.weather2travel.com/climat...to-jimenez.php

PJ June avg nightly low 24 C = 75 F

BdC on bluff facing Pacific, so cooler than PJ

hipvirgochick

I'm pretty wimpy as far as humidity goes (live in Seattle) and I've managed fine there in May, June, July.

hipvirgochick

I should clarify I was referring to at night. During the day it's often very hot and humid, I always carry a bandana for cooling off with stream or ocean water, and keep well hydrated.

ReaderGirl

Thanks again for all your help!

I've sent the link to this friend to my friend to help reassure her. The link to the climate guide is very handy too. The water is 84F?! Awesome!

Any tips on vitamins or supplements to take to deter the bugs? Garlic pills? I went to Belize last December and came back looking like a potential Malaria victim. It was UGLY!

TiltedFlipCurves

Personally, I go heavy on topical DEET. But if you want to avoid --

Topical pyrethrum is made from crysanthemums, essentially a long-used organic product, and as such quite safe. Haven't yet used but have seen (available on Amazon etc.) a product that is added to washing machine tub and impregnates fibers with insect repellent (DEET, I think, and I think sold by Sawyer or Cutter). I doubt it's any more effective that repeated applications in the field, but is an option. As are clothes now sold by REI etc. with repellent built in.

1bhcrashman

mosquitos etc. Try using www.dontbitemepatch.com Vitamin B1. We use it all the time before resorting to Deet on rare occasions.

ReaderGirl

Many thanks for your tips! Looking into the patch now.