dfarmer

Thanks Brent, for your water taxi info. Since you have just returned - any additional info you would like to share? This will be our first time for this area. We are staying at the El Sano Banano Beach Bungalows.
Planning to do the horseback riding, Tortuga Snorkeling, R & R and explore the Cabo Blanco Reserve.
Any Must do's or Must avoids?
Thanks
Donna

Brent

Donna:
We are also stayed at the beach bungalows. Absolutely beautiful. The sound of the waves crashing on the beach can be soothing, though at times very loud. If you are a light sleeper, bring earplugs. You are literally steps away from the pacific ocean on a beautiful, pretty well secluded beach.

Must Do's:
Tortuga Snorkelling - I would rate the snorkelling at mid range, but it was still a great day. Isla de Tortuga is nice, though not much to do there except lay on the beach, maybe get a game of beach volleyball, and some swimming. We did the tour through Cocozuma Tours - pretty good, nice lunch (cooked marlin on an open fire). There are several companies that offer the service, though El Sano Banano will recommend and arrange through Cocozuma Tours.

Horseback riding - never did it, but looked great, and I heard great things about it.

Cabo Blanco - plan a full day for this hike if you want to get to the Cabo Blanco beaches, which are the highlight. We didn't see as much wildlife as in Monteverde or Manuel Antonio, but it was still very beautiful. The trail is very strenuous in places - bring lots of water, snacks, and wear hiking boots or good shoes (definitely not for sandals). It will take you 2 - 2 1/2 hours to walk to the beach. So it's a five hour hike.
Waterfall - go to the one just outside of town (20 min walk). The other one (el chorro I believe) is the one that the horseback riding takes you - not an impressive waterfall at all. I certainly would not hike to it.

Places to eat: El Sano Banano (try the Mocha Chiller - yummy), Les Artistas, Cocoflores, and Iguana Cafe - we had good meals at all of these.

The staff at El Sano Banano (Adan is great) will be very helpful in providing info and advice. Montezuma has lots of young travellers, just hanging out, partying a bit. Great local jewellry and handicrafts as well. Very very quiet at the beach bungalows. You'll see lots of wildlife on the premises, especially monkeys and iguanas. The pool is awesome. And you got to get up at 5:30 in morning and check out the sunrise. It comes up right in front of the bungalows.

We did the Snorkelling and Cabo Blanco, and other than that just total R and R. And it was a fabulous place for that.

Have fun. Any other questions?
Brent

dfarmer

Brent, Thank you so much for the wonderful information, you paint a very good picture.
As for the sound of the surf, exactly my reason for choosing this location. I am sure it can be loud at times, but so soothing.
Our trip starts in San Jose, white water rafting, the Tortuguero Canals, Montezuma and ends at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens.
Although the entire trip is going to be fabulous, I personally do not feel I have been on vacation unless I hear the surf!
In reading many of the post concerning Montezuma, I continuously read "small, hippie type place". We are not hippies and will probably be the oldest people there! But I felt it offered me many of the things I require on vacation.
Not at all scared of the creepy crawly night creatures! We have a weekend cabin in the woods on a river, so I get that at home.
Thanks for all the information.
Donna

LA_FadeAway

Brent, if you're still around, how is the walk to and from the resort? I've heard you cannot drive to it. Do you have to carry you're own luggage? Where do you park if you brought a car? I've also heard it's a long walk to the restaurant. Not that I mind a nice walk, I just want to make sure it's not straight up hill or anything. I'm debating between Samara and Montezuma. Can you offer any comparisons between the too if you've been to Samara? Still in the info gathering stage of planning our trip. Thanks!

KatieS

I'm not Brent...but I stayed at Sano Bonano a few weeks ago so I thought I'd address your questions about the walk. You park your car in town by the restaurant. The staff drives you and your luggage along the beach to your room. They don't allow any other cars in order to keep the exclusivity of the hotel in tact. And it works! You really do feel like you're in an oasis.

The walk along the beach to town takes about 15 minutes. It can feel long and hot, but the view is fantastic, so its easy to forget about the slight discomfort. At night, the walk home was great - when we were there, the moon was full and bright and lit our way. The walk is flat, not uphill or difficult at all.

I recommend Montezuma highly. It was our favorite location by far.

Brent

This is Brent, and Katie is dead on on her reply. We spent 3 weeks in CR, in 6 different places, and Montezuma was a favourite with us as well (along with Monteverde).

Sorry, I have not been to Samara, though I've heard good things about it, especially from the Thorn Tree on Lonely Planet website.

have fun.
Brent