seawitch1

I've got 9 nights. My thoughts were to begin at Lookout Inn for ? nights, then to BdC for ? nights and then Iguana Lodge for ? nights before heading back to SJ and home. I don't know what I'm going to do at any of them right now, except that I know I want to visit the Osa Wildlife Rescue while at Iguana Lodge. Any suggestions on length of time at each would be appreciated. Hubby has a bad shoulder so we can't do any of the good stuff like we did (ziplining) when we visited a couple of years ago. Goal would be to see as much wildlife as possible.

I would appreciate any input.

shillmac

Nice chunk of time you've got there! We've never stayed at Iguana longer than 2 nights, but you could use 3. You can do the Animal Sanctuary one day and go kayaking the next. We enjoyed both activities. We also enjoyed riding our bicycles into Puerto Jimenez and just hanging out one day.

I don't know much about Lookout Inn. Tully has stayed there, but it seems as if she was sort of so/so about it. I asked her about it once. We really enjoyed Finca Exotica last summer. It was unique, nice stretch of beach, close to La Leona station (Corcovado). You could do a couple of nights there.

That leaves 4-5 nights at Bosque del Cabo, which is wonderful. I would just hate for you to get there and then wish you'd had more nights scheduled, although 4-5 nights is also a nice piece of time to be able to explore the trails there.

It just makes no sense to me to leave BdC property to go to the Animal Sanctuary or kayaking when it is so convenient to do from Iguana Lodge. But lots of people do it that way.

If you want to maximize your BdC time, plan 2 nights each in Puerto Jimenez and Carate (seems like your best option to me), or let the Carate portion go.

These are tough choices, believe me, I know! First time we went to BdC we had 3 nights. Thought it was wonderful. Then we were there once for 4 nights, another time for 5 nights, and finally last year 7 nights. It was all fabulous. We also enjoyed Iguana Lodge and the Carate area (used it as a base to do a 2 night hike into Corcovado).

The entire area is just so magical, I think it would be fun for you to do all 3 hotels if possible. You'll hear from lots of other people on this, so more input will certainly help you decide. Good luck!

seawitch1

Thanks for your input. Just checked Finca Exotica. The prices are very good and there seems to be plenty to do. Did you do the waterfall hike? A whole day is a lot of hiking, but it seems like a good hike. If you did it, how strenuous was it and what type of wildlife did you see? If we were to do the whole day hike, we probably would need to stay three nights.

shillmac

We didn't do any local hiking, sure it could be arranged. We arrived in the p.m., left for Corcovado (Sirena Station) 4:45 the next a.m. and returned midday, exhausted, 2 days later for a last night. 12 miles each way to Sirena. Whew!

We thought the food was very good and enjoyed Marcus and Gaby, the owners, as well as Martine and Chris, who do StepOut Experiences and arranged the entire thing for us. Carate is just so laid back.

You'll enjoy the waterfall hike at BdC also. It's exhilarating! We saw plenty of wildlife inside the park of course, and always there is so much to see at Bosque.

nancyogc

I just got back from Osa three days ago. Lookout Inn 3 nights.
Awesome grounds and tiki hut, good beach for relaxing at the end of the day. Sun sets at about 5:15, though. I liked the place next to the park also - Luna or Leona - the other is near Lookout and I think is the one that has an (I heard) unwalkable driveway uphill, which would rule that one out for me. It says on their website that you have them pick you up from the road. Might be Finca Exocita

Corcovado from that entrance is all alongside the beach. Not on it but close. We were expecting to go into the "jungle" more but that is only possible with a 5 or so hour walk. We did see monkeys, carates, anteater, lizards. Did the waterfall hike also. It was quite a hike but we just took our time. We didn't see any wildlife at that time.

We stayed the first night in Puerto Jiminez and took the 6:30am colectivo to Carate which was a great experience. Sat in front by the cab and stood up and looked out.

Spent 3 nights after Carate in Puerto Jiminez and loved it. Rode bikes to Pearl of the Osa for lunch on the beach. Just ride and take it all in. Be sure to find the Monkey Bar. We stayed at Cabinas Jiminez which was perfect.

We spent 2 nights in San Jose at Costa Rica Backpackers Hostel in a private room, pool, restaurant, kitchen & free internet. It was $10 a night and not just for the young (I'm 50). Contrary to many people us, we did not feel threatened there in SJ or anywhere.

shillmac

Nancy's report on Lookout Inn sounds good. Finca Exotica doesn't have any uphills (except for the one up to the rancho, which is Marcus and Gaby's home), not sure about Luna Lodge. FE has built a new restaurant since we were there. I think it just opened. It may be uphill a bit, not sure. Those cute little cabinas you see online are level with the entrance, right on the road.

Agree with nancy's assessment of Pearl of the Osa. It has a really nice little ocean bar. It is actually PotO where we stayed, called the club rooms. Iguana Lodge rooms are more expensive, but it is the same place. Club rooms are above the restaurant/bar, face the ocean, and are delightful, small but elegant, even having bathrobes. Friday night is pasta/salsa night--a real party. Everyone comes, even from PJ. Lots of fun!

seawitch1

Nancy, thanks for your input on Cabinas Jiminez. It's certainly a cheaper alternative. I'm going to see if they have availability.

Have one other question regarding transportation to Carate (Finca Exotica) and then from Finca Exotica to BdC. If we take the Colectivo (would need to take the afternoon trip because our plane gets into Puerto Jiminez in late morning, and it ends up raining (we're going in July), does the road to Carate become impassable? Would it be better to take the Colectivo rather than a taxi (aside from the cost of the Colectivo being cheaper)?

Thanks again for your help!

nancyogc

I just looked up BdC and it looks awesome! Since I went in Dec, I don't know about July. I'd check with your hotel about that in June since it's not something you pre-arrange. I don't know what kind of taxis they have, but the colectivo is a good size truck that hauls through water. They are expanding the landing strip in Carate, causing dozens of large, heavy trucks daily delivering materials from PJ to Carate. I was told that there will be work done on the repair of the route. The route is not across from PJ to Carate, but through Montapalo.

shillmac

We've spoken with others who liked Cabinas Jimenez as a budget saver. Stay at Iguana if you can swing it, though, on the beach.

The hotels will give you the best information regarding transfers. Bosque del Cabo will pick you up at Finca Exotica for about $25 each. More than the colectivo, of course, but could be more comfortable in case of rain! Finca Exotica can arrange for your transportation to their place as well. But again, you can get your best information/options on transfers from the hotels.

The road through Matapalo is always interesting, and we've been through some big puddles (usually go in July), but it's never been a problem. Don't worry too much about the rain. It could be torrential, but very unlikely.

This business about expanding the landing strip at Carate is, in the minds of most Friends of the Osa supporters, not good news. I hadn't heard of it. They are also wanting to get the area on the grid with electricity. This is a step backward for those of us who would like to see this part of the Osa remain wild and beautiful as it is and not be destroyed by too much tourism bringing in megahotels, etc. It's downright scary. It seems to be a game of "find a paradise and destroy it".

seawitch1

Thanks shillmac. One other question then about Bosque del Cabo. We're going to stay in a deluxe cabina and I would like to know which would be the best (for view, air flow, wildlife, etc.) I think I recall some time ago, someone posting that they liked mariposa, but I can't find that post any longer. This was several years ago.

Kinkazote

In my opinion, all the standard cabinas are in the 98th percentile relative to other Osa properties. The deluxe cabinas are all in the 99th percentile. We liked Mariposa, and it is the first choice of many people because it has jungle on three sides (if you count the forested cliff). It also has a bathtub--a non-scootable tub--lined with mosaic tiles, sort of. It is said (with some suggestive winking) to be popular with honeymooners (who are non-scooters),

Well, ah, the wildlife moves around a lot, but in the Sol cabina area is a huge fruit tree that may or may not be drawing critters while you are there. They entertain themselves by eating fruit and then peeing and pooping on the open-mouthed twits below. Views are a matter of taste and trimming. The scope of the view depends on how recently the jungle has been cut back.

Just being in (on?) the Osa is an excellent experience for people attuned to the natural surroundings, and one is not likely to improve the experience very much at all by getting just the right cabina, best hiking shoes, view, etc. Forget the !!!! and just plan to relax and enjoy it.

shillmac

Some of the other deluxe cabinas have tubs now as well. I forget which ones, but tully knows for sure! We have stayed at Lapa and thought it just great. Congo, next door, between Lapa and Mariposa, has excellent views.

That tree by Sol has never failed to provide lots of monkeys for our entertainment. They've never pooped on us. LOL! And everyone knows I think Sol(standard) has the best outdoor shower of any of the cabinas.

nancyogc

Shillmac, I am glad we were able to experience the Osa before the expansion of the landing strip. There will be enough traffic there to seriously effect the area - right next to Lookout and right in front of 2 others.

volcanogirl

Tucan is a great cabin - also has a bathtub and a loft, and we had major monkey sightings there. They like the fruit tree next to it!

tully

Tucan is great and has a tub as mentioned, the monkeys like that area though of course not a given. Fave cabinas at BDC are Congo and Lapa (both just remodeled & with even bigger decks) though I really liked Tucan as well. Mariposa abuts the forest so you're often showering to the merriment of the monkeys. 5 or 6 nights is a breeze at Bosque, time flies when you're having so much fun. Lookout Inn was okay, rooms were nice, the site is a little hampered (if you compare it to Bosque) by land, or rather, lack of it. As for driving, I drove as far as Bosque in a little Suzuki Jimny in late June/early July. Had to cross a couple little streams but nothing major. The mack trucks were certainly tearing up the road back then, driving on the little tiny bridges that weren't made to stand that weight.

seawitch1

Thanks all. We were given Lapa for our four nights. Very excited. One other question about the Colectivo. Where does it drop you off in Carate? Is there a main drop off point where we would need to have someone meet us to take us to our lodging or do they stop at each lodge? Thanks again.

volcanogirl

Lapa has a really nice view; you'll like it!

lyniebish

There is lots of great info in this thread. Let me add my choice of lodging in Carate / La Leona. Try the La Leona Eco Lodge situated at the edge of Corcovado Park and the La Leona Ranger Station.

In addition, since November 2009, you now need a guide to enter Corcovado park. I hired Ballardo Diaz from Jaguarman's Jungle Adventure and had an amazing experience. Ballardo is a marine biologist who was born and raised in the area. He will not only guide you but also educate you on all the flora and fauna in the area. You can find him at his Facebook Fan Page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaguar...s/203977601764 - or by email - [email protected]

Have a great time on the Osa, it's paradise!

nancyogc

I don't know who lyniebish is, but you certainly need no guide at Corcovado. It's a shame that people mislead us travelers on this or any site. I just returned from Osa on Dec. 23 and the idea of not entering the park without a guide is absolutely absurd. The (maybe 20 year old) attendant at the entrance didn't even speak english and surely had no rules.

shillmac

Guides were not required in June, 2009. There were lots of people hiking in and out without one and it looked quite do-able. That said, we preferred the assurance and knowledge of a guide and are quite sure we saw a good deal more wildlife because of him. No question about that.

It would be helpful, I think, if lyniebish could provide some documentation regarding this recent change--just to avoid confusion.

Plumboy, you were there in December. Anything to offer on this topic?