Hello fellow travelers,
I'll be making my first trip to Costa Rica in January. I've worked out most of the itinerary; will be in San Jose; Chirippo NP/San Gerardo de Rivas; Osa Peninsula (Pto Jimenez; Carate; Corcovado NP if I can; Playa Carbonera); San Isidro de El General; Pto Viejo de Sarapiqui incl. La Selva Biological Station; and south of Pto Viejo de Talamanca.
Here are my questions:
1) Can anyone recommend safe, clean, friendly, cheap accomodations for 1-night stays in Puerto Jimenez and Alajuela, respectively? (Would it be okay to arrive in Pto Jimenez w/o reservations?)
2) Any tips on getting backpacking permits for the 2 national parks, and a guide for Corcovado? Should I try to phone Costa Rica and do a bank transfer; pay the lodge in La Leona a fee to book my Corcovado permit; or take my chances on getting overnight permits for Chirippo and Corcovado in CR? I'll be arriving over New Years and heading to San Gerardo de Rivas my 2nd full day, so that seems risky to me.
3) In Playa Carbonera: Try to arrange kayaking in Golfo Dulce from here, or just stay put and enjoy the immediate area?
4) Any recommendations for day trips from Pto Viejo de Talamanca? Esp. to indigenous communities? Or again, enjoy the beaches, snorkeling etc. right there?
5) If I have an afternoon in Alajuela at the end of the trip, would it be reasonable to take a bus to Doka Coffee Estate or Volcan Poas (probably bad time of day for this?)?
Thanks in advance for your suggestions.
Costa Rica: a few questions for 3-wk itinerary
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I can give answers to some of your questions but really depend on Jaguarman for expert advice on the Corcovado area.
In Alajuela, I usually stay at Hotel Los Volcanes. www.hotellosvolcanes.com It is not far from the center of town, about 8 minutes from the airport. You can easily walk around town, do some shopping and banking and find restaurants.
From Puerto Viejo, there are many tours to indigenous areas - one is for Yorkin that goes up river to an indigenous village. I would recommend contacting ATEC in Puerto Viejo which is an excellent organization and can help you with tours of this kind. For snorkeling, I would go to Cahuita and take a boat to the Cahuita National Park. There is a coral reef there. You might also try to visit the sloth rehabilitation center north of Cahuita.
If you only have an afternoon in Alajuela, probably not a good idea to try for Poas which is much better in the mornings. The Doka Coffee Estate would be good or The Butterfly Farm or Zoo Ave.
Hola Care_Free,
In Puerto Jimenez I recommend BACKPACKER run by Mr. Fredrico. It's clean, private room w/AC and has a kitchen for cooking if you desire. 506.2735.5181. If you call, please tell him Ballardo recommend you.
It's best to book your Corcovado permit for Janauary 30 days before you plan to enter the park. This is high season and sometimes the park fills. Please send me a private message if you would like additional help with this.
Playa Carbonara is quite a ways from the typical kayak locations so I would recommend just chilling and enjoying the amazing animals and beaches there, especially if you will be adding in a hike to Corcovado.
Thanks hsmithcr for the shout out about Corcovado, it is indeed my favorite paradise on earth. Pura Vida
Ballardo Diaz
Jungle Guide - Corcovado, Osa, Drake, La Amistad
The Doka Coffee Estate is beautiful; that would be a great way to spend an afternoon. Poas is a little further away and better seen in the a.m. due to all the foggy mist that rolls in. Sometimes the view is obscured completely. Orquideas Inn is pretty popular in Alajuela if you want to check it out.
1. Alajuela Tropical Hostel and Cabinas PJ
2.Would not wire money costly too risky just wait
www.lookout-inn.com Carate also good for Corcovado
3.stay there for me kayaking boring maybe Cano Island trip
4.BriBri pretty neat for indigena tours
5.at the end www.puravidahotel.com free SJO xport
do your Poas Doka from there
Happy Journey,
Thanks all for the great tips.