MargieHar

Planning to purchase tickets this week for CR. My first question do you book/reserve rooms from home or should one stop and request them along the way?

How does one obtain a driver from home?

There are 4 (mature) adults traveling, 11 days and going in February, I will read the old posts as one suggested - then perhaps have good questions. I do enjoy the posts, and thanks for the help.

Cattail

You can reserve online for a shared shuttle; Interbus and Grayline are popular. A better bet with four of you might be a private driver. There are numerous recommendations on this board. This way you can stop where and when you want.

Re rooms: As anywhere, it depends on where you're going, the time of the year, your flexibility, etc.

MargieHar

would you advise going to Tortuguero first, last or not at all? And if you suggest we go, is it worth flying in, or land - and is the one night good? Or should we do two - while reading the info it seems they stretch out the two day into three if you go two nights? For anyone that's been there they could easy determine how they would do it if they were to return. Thank you so much

volcanogirl

I don't think you would see turtles in February in Tortuguero. Is that the reason the area interests you? The type that we went to see was there from July-October. Still lots of neat wildlife along the canals, but if you're going for turtles, I'd look at another time of year. We boated in to see all the wildlife and then flew out in the interest of time. Two nights was about right for us, but we spent one night doing the night hike to see turtles and the rest of the time touring the canals. Most people do Tortuguero at the beginning of the trip because a lot of the tours leave from the SJO area. We book our private drivers through our hotels when we reserve them.

MargieHar

If this was your first time, and if you prefer nature what things would you not miss ( since you have been this is an easy ? for you) We are unsure of what to plan, Thanks for helping oh yes we are traveling Feb 6th - 17th

Cattail

Our first trip we did go to Tortuguero, for two nights. It was a highlight and seemed very exotic, even though we missed the turtles. I highly recommend going with Modesto and Fran Watson on "The Francesca"; they're fantastic guides. They only pick up in San Jose, which is true of most tours. Two nights seemed about right. We didn't fly in either direction.

Our first trip we did a combination of Tortuguero to see the canals, Savegre Lodge for cloud forest,Osa for jungle, and Arenal for the volcano. I think we had longer than 11 days though. Don't forget a day on either end to arrive and depart, and that travel from spot to spot takes way longer than appears on a map.

Cattail

I should add that what we planned was rather non-traditional, as many folks do a Manual Antonio/Arenal/Monteverde combination on a first trip. Nature is a priority for us as well on most trips. What is your budget and activity level? Are you birders? To what level do you mind giving up some modern conveniences?

colibri

Agree w/ Cattail - have gone to Tortuguero three times w/ Modesto and Fran Watson and it's always a highlight of the trip. We go on the three day/two night package staying at Laguna Lodge. Wildlife viewing in Tortuguero is second only to the Osa Peninsula in my experience. I've never gone in turtle season, but maybe one of these days....we normally see three species of monkeys, caimans, sloths, basilisk lizards, iguanas and loads of birds.

I also enjoy the Sarapiqui region and San Gerardo de Dota. With eight trips to Costa Rica, I've never been to Manuel Antonio and read very mixed reviews about the park itself. But most first timers are very happy going to Arenal and MA.

The Osa Peninsula offers fantastic wildlife sightings, but is a bit more off the grid. Most people fly there since it's a good eight hour drive from San Jose area.

Here is a list of private drivers that I've gathered from this forum and TripAdvisor. I've personally used Leo Rodriguez a few times; others recommend Carlos Bogan and Wilson

Odyssey Tours (Diego and Alvaro) - [email protected]
Oscar Chavarria - [email protected]
Willy - [email protected]
Wilson - [email protected]
Carlos Bogarin - [email protected]
Danny Jimenez - [email protected]
Leo Rodriguez - [email protected]
Juan Carlos and Rubier - [email protected]

If you give a bit more info on your interests and budget more people can chime in with suggestions. Are you looking for a beach trip, cloud forest, activities such as zipline/canopy tours, hiking, whitewater rafting, birding? Do continue to check out this forum. There is a wealth of info here and on TA!

colibri

Oh, and to answer your first question, I always book the hotels in advance via internet or phone calls. Sometimes it may take a while to get a response, so I phone the lodge. Generally most staff in tourist areas speak English.

MargieHar

Since we have not booked the airline tickets yet, (we are today around 2pm Friday) we can add a day or two if needed - currently leaving 2/6/14 - 2/17/14 Our likes birding, especially hummingbirds, insects, actually anything that breathes. Never did a zip line but want to try. I really want to do night walks - as the night sounds really are enjoyable - once the flight is booked then it's deciding how much time for each area and what area to visit. Should a driver be full time or transfers? thank you so much oh yes all of us are in our 60's

MargieHar

For them to pick you up and drive to Tortuguero how long was it? thanks again

Cattail

Wow, it's been awhile, but it wasn't a short trip. It rarely is in CR. At some point you're transferred to a boat (the best part of the journey) which eventually lands at Laguna Lodge.

I can't imagine you'd need, or could afford, a full-time driver. I would book accommodations in advance so you can arrange for transportation, among other reasons.

Like colibri, I have never been to Manual Antonio. If I was limited to a couple of areas, and it was a first-time trip, we'd choose somewhere on the Osa paired with San Gerardo de Dota (we stayed at Savagre Lodge). No, it sure isn't an easy question! But the Sarapaqui and Rincon de la Vieja areas were also impressive to us. Tortuguero is exotic, Arenal interesting... and on and on... look up these areas and see what draws you.

Cattail

A sample, not too fast-paced itinerary:

1 night San Jose
2 nights Laguna Lodge
1 night somewhere near airport for transfer in a.m. Chill-time.
Transfer flight to Osa, 5 nights Bosque del Cabo or other
Transfer back to San Jose. 1 night San Jose. Chill time.
2 nights San Gerardo de Dota
Home, or last night near hotel, then home.

I should add that most hotels allow you to leave extra luggage, if you're returning to the same spot.

colibri

If you like hummingbirds as do I (my screen name is hummingbird in Spanish!), then here are my top picks, not in any particular order:

Rancho Naturalista near Turrialba
Savegre Lodge near San Gerardo de Dota
Bosque de Paz & Catarata del Toro near Bajos del Toro
Paraiso del Quetzal near San Gerardo de Dota
Hummingbird Gallery next to Monteverde Reserve

Many people like La Paz Waterfall Garden/Peace Lodge, but I'm not one of them - feel it's just too manicured and artificial, but I am in the minority. (BTW, we are in our late 50's) But the vast majority of lodges have lovely, lush landscaping so you are sure to see hummingbirds all over. The lodges I've listed are those which specifically attract hummer enthusiasts.

If you go to Poas Volcano (early morning for best viewing of crater), then make sure to stop in Poasito at Freddo Fesca's on the main road. There is a beautiful hummingbird garden with numerous species right across the road from the restaurant. Here's a link to photos I took last month at a few of the above places.

https://picasaweb.google.com/vcvance...irdscostarica/

For ziplining, the Arenal area is highly ranked, especially Sky Trek. I highly recommend Eco-Termales for a lovely afternoon or evening of soaking in the thermal springs.

Tortuguero: Pickup (only at a few San Jose hotels) with Modesto and Fran begins early morning, like 6 am. Once you are out of the city and past Braulio Carrillo National Park, they will stop for breakfast at Rio Dante or somewhere close by. You drive on to Moin, hop on the boat and head up river about 2 hours, stopping and viewing wildlife along the way. You are there in time for a late lunch. www.tortuguerocanals.com

We just spent a week at Bosque del Cabo last month with several other Fodorites and had an excellent time. In all of my trips to this beautiful country, there is nothing that compares to the amount of wildlife seen on the Osa Peninsula.
www.bosquedelcabo.com

Here is what you can expect!
https://picasaweb.google.com/vcvance...PeninsulaDeOsa

I would hire drivers for transfers only, but if you go to Arenal it is nice to have a car there. Most tours will pick up from different hotels, but the attractions are spread out. If you don't go to Tortuguero, you can do a day trip to Cano Negro from the Arenal area and see a lot of wildlife.

Note - for the boat trip to Tortuguero and flights on domestic airlines (Nature Air & Sansa) you are limited on weight. Hotels will store your larger bags.

You have a lot of decisions to make!

volcanogirl

I can vouch for Carlos Bogarin as a good driver - very sweet and smart. We've used him a couple of times.

We've had nice night hikes at Selva Verde in the Sarapiqui area and at Hidden Valley in Monteverde. Have seen some neat things including a fox, a kinkajou, and a porcupine. On some nights hikes, you mostly see frogs and insects, so those felt like a real bonus. Monteverde gives you the added bonus of potentially being able to see quetzals which are pretty amazing even if you weren't into birding. The Osa has fantastic birding. We saw toucans and scarlet macaws there. There are nice ziplines in the Arenal area and Monteverde. Check out Sky Trek like colibri mentioned.

For the Osa and Tortuguero, since they are so isolated, most people eat all their meals at their lodges. Places like Arenal and Manuel Antonio have more infrastructure with lots of hotel and restaurant choices. Also no a.c. in Tortuguero and the Osa. Monteverde has a cooler cloud forest environment, while the other areas tend to be warmer and more humid.

RAC

For February, I would definitely book ahead. Identify the areas you want to go, the places you want to stay in those areas, and then book. The very best places book up to 9 months in advance for certain dates/rooms.

volcanogirl

We always book ahead as well. Although you could probably find something, if you have a preference of hotels, it's best to reserve ahead, plus it's a bit of a pain to drive around and find places to stay when your time is so limited. If you want to stay somewhere really popular like Bosque del Cabo or Tulemar, book as soon as you can.

MargieHar

Well we have booked the flight Feb 6 - 18
We booked with Modesto and Fran for 7,8,9

We are due back to SJ at 3pm - on the 9th, is it too late to transfer toward LaFortuna?

colibri

You would be pushing it. Where will Modesto be dropping you off? If you are renting a car, I would say don't try to leave that late as it gets dark by 5:45 pm year round. But if you hire a private driver, I would do it since they know the route very well.

You would be too late for an Interbus shuttle connection.

I hope you enjoy Tortuguero as much as we do! You will love the Watsons - Modesto is originally from the Meskite coast of Nicaragua while Fran is from my home state of Michigan. It is just amazing to be flying up the river and see how much Modesto is able to spot.

volcanogirl

Agree with col, if you're driving yourself, I'd wait until the next day, but go for it if you have a private driver. Hope you have fun with Fran and Modesto; they always get rave reviews.