hipvirgochick

Osa and surroundings sound really inviting to me and I'm having difficulty going to CR and missing it. I'm thinking of 5/n Osa and 4/n Arenal and skipping Monteverde. Will I be making a big mistake? It's just me and my 10 year old daughter.

Thanks!

sandyc

Nope -- I don't think you will be sorry. Those are two great places. If you like the looks of the places on the Osa, check out Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge. It's in Golfito and it is fabulous!

Sandy

hipvirgochick

Thanks Sandy! I'm looking at their website right now. Do they have a swimming pool? It seems like most of the places in Osa do not have pools. Is this because the beaches are great because I've read of strong undertows.

melshells

I had a great time at the Look Out Inn on the Osa. They have a small pool (nice because the surf is can be so rough.) Unlike many hotels, you have access to both beach and forest because you are high enough to have great view, but they still have a beach a quick wlak down some steps. Food was fabulous too, staff wonderful. They're also close to Corcovado, but with many wildlife viewing opportunties close by. Check out my previous posts on this thread about them- I had a great time. Also check out their website: http://www.lookout-inn.com/index.php

tully

I would definitely do Osa & Arenal, it would be a great adventure for the both of you. I love Bosque del Cabo and yes they have a pool, plus a dozen different trails to wander off on your own, there is a lot to do there you could spend a week there and never get bored!

Earthtraveler

There are a few more budget places on the Osa. Mirador in Drakes Bay and further south/west is the moderate Cabinas Las Caletas.
Near Carate is La Leona tent lodge in a great location close to the Corcovado entrance.

hipvirgochick

tully - Bosque looks great but a little out of my price range when I combine it with the other things we want to do there.

earthtraveler - Do you have first hand info on the places you mention? I don't find many reviews on the Mirador.

Anyone know about Jinetes de Osa?

Suzie2

I always enjoy myself at Iguana Lodge or even the Pearl of the Osa which is their other place right next door. No pool but a beautiful beach and they have kayaks to use. The only time I would worry there about the water is during the high tide change. It can get pretty rough.

Earthtraveler

The wife and I stayed 3 nights at Cabinas Las Caletas in March 2005. We reserved the private cabin up the stairway. It had a nice lower level sitting area with the roomy bathroom on that level. The bedroom upstairs was a bit small but adequate with two beds with netting and also shelving and places for our clothes. There was a fan that worked and made the start of the night tolerable as the temps when we were there were quite high.

The group eating area was pleasant with a nice ocean view and the food served good. The wife thought sandwiches and salads for lunch would have been better than the hot meals that were the norm. I think they may have made her a salad for lunch one day by request. I was usually out on a tour or adventure for lunch.

Again the eating area was very warm and a fan was brought down when I mentioned it but I don't think it helped much. 90 degree temps with high humidity may have been unusual but it was March, their very warm season.

The owners were freindly and their 9 year old boy was living there at the time. A pleasant kid.

The beach was decent for swimming but not as picturesque as the beach a few minutes southwest of there. A picture of that other beach can be seen on this website of my Costa Rica albums. http://rvincent3.photosite.com
It is the opening photo of the beaches album.

The duplexes were near the eating rancho and I'm happy to not have reserved a room there as there was a three year old with a Swedish couple who would act up at times. The kitchen was open to that area also but may not have been a problem.

I enjoyed their guides for the snorkeling and Corcovado Park tours.

The bay out front was mellow for kayaking and swimming but I braved the waves and kayaked to the small river near Drakes Bay. One thing I missed at C las C was a good sunset view and cushions on the chairs.

Mirador and Jinetes De Osa get good reviews on the Lonely Planet forum but I have no first hand knowledge. There are more budget minded folks on that forum. La Leona Tent Lodge also gets good reviews on that site.

Earthtraveler

Tripadvisor has reviews for Cabinas El Mirador. Mostly good except for a couple CC overcharges.

Molly2

My husband and I also stayed at Cabinas Las Caletas, and stayed in the private cabina Earthtraveler describes. We thought that the place was simple but exotic, just what we were looking for. The bathroom had only cold water at the time, but this may have changed.

The beach was beautiful and calm. We saw a lot of wildlife - monkeys even met our boat!

The place is extremely relaxed, which some like, others not. The food was good, as were all the arranged tours. For roughly the same price, Cabinas Las Caletas seemed to us a much better value than the tent camp a short distance away.

hipvirgochick

Thanks to everyone for all these great ideas. It will be timeconsuming to price everything including transportation and the tours we want, but I imagine if I make a requested itinerary the lodges will help me out.

Any final thoughts on which area/lodge would be the best for a 10 year old? I tend to think they'll be equally as good, but please let me know if you think otherwise.

Thanks!