judy

How does LR compare with other lodges in Osa? Is it really worth the price? We don't need extreme luxury. I'm wondering if I'll be paying for something we won't use. It seems that all trips are ala carte which will add more expense. I'm not looking for cheap, just fair.

Sue

I stayed at LR a few years ago. The rooms are beautiful and the views go on forever. The private patio is very private and there is an outdoor shower as well as the indoor garden shower. The garden shower has one whole wall that is just a screen to the outdoors. There is a half wall between the toilet and shower. Very private unless (as I found out) the gardener is doing his job. LOL I am sure you have seen their pictures of the bedroom. Do not plan on being able to use a hairdryer, curling iron, etc. It is that way in most of the lodges on the Osa.<BR>If you are in one of the first 4 bungalows the hike to the main Rancho isn't too bad. We were in #13. If I remember correctly there were over 100 steps up hill. Fortunately there were benches periodically to rest on and enjoy nature while we got our strength back to go on-my husband was running marathons at that time too. Keep in mind it is very hot there. We got very tired of the climb up but never got tired of what we saw while climbing. Toucans in the trees right next to the stairs, flocks of parakeets landing in the trees around us, scarlet macaws flying by, iguanas everywhere and a coati that would come to the pool for a drink. We saw all four types of monkeys that CR has while hiking around LR as well as numerous morpho butterflies. The food was very good.<BR>That said...we will be staying at Bosque del Cabo this year which is just down the street and all the wonderful nature we saw at LR we will see again. <BR>There are plenty of options down there. El Remanso is in the LR area. Luna Lodge is up the road aways in Carate and is very nice if you like really remote places- Lana is a real sweetheart. In that same area but closer to the beach is Lookout Inn. Ver nice also. <BR> Drake Bay has numerous nice places such as La Paloma, Casa Corcovado, Wilderness Resort.<BR>To make a short answer long..we honestly felt that we could do just as well for a lot less.

marc

Judy--We have stayed at DRake's Bay Wilderness and at Aguila de Osa on two sepaarate trips--they were both fine, but we enjoyed Aguila more----it was theperfect combo of lux and naturefor us--plus they had great fishing and wildlife guides. On both of our trips to Drake's Bay , we hiked south past the other area lodges and La Paloma looks like the best bet--I spent many hours stalking scarlet macaws on their grounds. That being said, I passed through the LR/Bosque delCabo area of Osa last year while on a fishing trip out of Zancudo--the entire area felt fresher, greener, and wilder than the Drake's Bay area which I had previously thought was the most beautiful place in CR.We are going to be staying at Bosque del Cabo for 5 days this March and again I made the choice based on my perception of the lux/nature balance---while LR is probably the most beautiful and well run property on the Osa, Bosque seems very well located, is family run, and is small, yet like Aguila de Osa, has a certain comfortable, well organized and friendly air about it.All that being said, I suppose that if the cost issue is such that you would feel like staying at LR would make you want to save $ on another part of the trip, I wouldn't spend the extra with these other great choices available. Have a great trip. Marc

judy

Thanks Sue and Marc for your replies. You both confirmed my own thoughts. I was also thinking of Bosque del Cabo.

Sue

Hi Judy,<BR>I am heading down to CR in 2 days and will be back around the end of Feb. I will be at Bosque for 5 days during that time. If you aren't planning on going before then I can give you a report on Bosque when I get back if you would like.<BR>Marc....There was some incredible virgin rainforest just a short ways in from Drake Bay. It had the densest forest and most unbelievable heliconias and passion flowers growing everywhere that I have seen anywhere in Costa Rica. We actually tried to buy several hundred acres there but after talking to a lawyer decided against it. It is a beautiful area but very humid.

marc

Sue-- I did not mean to demean the area around Drake's Bay---no one who has ever walked South along the beach and/or up through the Rio Claro area or to one of the waterfalls into the rain forest or who has even just taken a Kayak up the little river between Aguila and Wilderness could deny how beautiful that area is!--Not to mention its proximity to Cano Island****BUT----last year on a walk near Bosque we became part of a survival drama between a large hawk and a tribe of Capuchins which seemed to go one for an hour--hawk just perching above and staring at the monkeys--monkeys nervously eyeing the hawk as they did a slow scramble out of the creek bed right past us, but ignoring us completely-this scene which remains very vividly in my mind and just may have been the influence which has me favoring that area over Drake's Bay--but don't get me wrong------I'd go back to Aguila de Osa and Drake's Bay in a heartbeat. Marc

judy

Thanks Sue, I really would like a good in depth report like the one you gave of Lapas Rios.

Sue

Hi Marc,<BR>I didn't find your remark demeaning at all. It is obvious that we both just love the Osa. There is just so much amazing stuff there. I'm sure the two of us have created some interest. Shhhh, lets not tell too many people about this wonderfully undeveloped place.

Suzie2

My 3 weeks in CR are over for this year and they seem to get shorter every year.<BR>Regarding Bosque del Cabo. <BR>There is just no comparison with Lapa Rios as far as I am concerned. <BR>I will take Bosque any day. The people were friendlier which is a big plus in my book. The grounds wonderful for just sitting and bird/monkey watching or just strolling around. Many different well marked hikes to take. If you read my earlier reply you will know that LR is on a ridge and therefore it is you and the stairs up and down for going anywhere. The whole place (Bosque)IMO was much prettier and much more user friendly. Beautiful views of both the Pacific on one side and the Gulf on the other (it truly is right on the point). The deluxe bungalows were beautiful with bifold doors that open to beautiful views of the ocean. We saw two different kinds of monkeys, toucans, scarlet macaws, and a whole lot more while sitting in our rocking chairs on our covered porch and another kind of monkey while hiking. Scarlet macaws land in the trees right there. You haven't lived until you have taken a shower in the beautiful hot water garden showers that they have. Don't know how they would be in the rainy season as they are truly totally open overhead to the sun and sky/stars. There is a small but very nice pool which I enjoyed much more than Lapa Rios pool. There is a bar right there at the pool that opens in the late afternoon. Otherwise the beer/sodas are on the honor system and you help yourself and write down what you took. The whole place just seemed greener and nature came to us just as much as we went to it while there. I will admit that the food was slightly better at LR than at Bosque but it was still very good and plenty of it.<BR>Did I mention the place was beautiful LOL!!! In ten years we have never repeated a hotel but we will repeat this one next year and for many years to come.

ligonite1

Suzie2: Wow!!! We're Staying at Bosque from 3/14=3/20. But how can I concentrate on work for the next 31//2 weeks after reading your description? Any additional gems from your trip would be appreciated. Marc

DaveS

Our family stayed at Bosque this past August and realy enjoyed it. Above posters covered most of what we saw, but want to suggest you take the night walk tour when you go. It's a whole different world there at night and you'll miss most of it (or be afraid to look for it) without one of their excellent guides showing you around. Take a look at their Casa Blanca house if your going as a family or even two couples. The bedrooms are completely separate on opposite sides of the house with the living area in the middle.

Suzie2

We actually stayed at the Casa Blanca for our first 2 nights there because there was a yoga retreat going on and the ocean view bungelows were not available. It was an interesting house built of left overs according to Phil. Semi rustic but with solar electric lights. We had a short in one of the lights and ended up in the dark until we figured out which light fixture was shorting out the rest and stopped using it. For those interested...the enclosed bedrooms are separated by the kitchen/dining area which has only 1 wall in the back. The rest of that area is open like a front porch. There is a nice bar to sit at as well as a large dining table and plenty of utensils for preparing dinner. You do have the option on walking back and forth to the main dining area for dinner in the dark. Because we really had requested a bungelow and didn't want to cook or walk in the dark..they brought our meals out to us on the 4wheeler. Kind of fun actually. The house itself is a bit of a hike away from all of the other activities which is not necessarily bad and is located in the garden area where the howler monkeys are very loud in the morning and there is only one other little house across the way. We heard all kinds of exciting noises at night. The bathroom is next to one of the bedrooms making it exciting to go in the night if you are in the other. All in all it was fairly comfortable except for the light problem and the lack of hot water which I thought we would have.<BR>Marc, happy dreaming until you get there. There is a hawk nest in a tree right by the dining area which may have babies when you get there. There are mot mots in the trees along the driveway, trogons, chachalacas, of course scarlet macaws, and much much more in the way of birds. Monkeys seen where the white face, mono congos, and spider. Some of the trails can be a challenge but take water and pace yourself and you will enjoy them.

ligonite1

Dave and Suzie--thanks for the highlight tips-----pura vida!<BR>Marc

belle

While I do love both areas, it might be added that the owners of Bosque vacation with their children at La Paloma on Drake Bay. They are most pleasant people. If you are headed there, that may be an indication of the best place to stay on the other side. We rented a regular rancho there last summer, but when the sunset rancho came available,(absolutely spectacular view of cano island) we were given it at no extra charge. Great food and good people also. I've also stayed at Lapa Rios and loved bungalow #4 (The one pictured on the site I believe.)At the time there were only eight bungalows and the owners mother, some seventy years old, who was visiting at the time, was staying in # 8. Quite a hike from there...no running in the halls! If Agusto is still working there he is an excellent guide. I had him all to myself in the surrounding property and he is very interested in the plant life, but also faced down a,er,what appeared to be... a five foot, fortunately, very fat, fer-de-lance. Lapa has a menu choice, most of the other lodges don't. All in all, my vote is for Bosque del Cabo on the Puerto Jimenez side of the peninsula.

Suzie2

Hi,<BR>I had heard that they go to La Paloma for a break.<BR>I stayed at La Paloma also several years ago. It is a lovely place. We stayed in a rancho also but don't remember the name. I believe Nicole was managing it then. She was very nice.

judyrose

Do the outdoor showers at Bosque del Cabo privacy and have hot water? I think we may choose Bosque over Lapas Rios from all of the responses that I have read. Thanks.

Suzie2

The showers are totally surrounded by a wall except for the door off the bathroom to get into it and have plants growing in dirt as well as a nice bench to sit on. There was one where you could see someones head (a male 6') if you happened to be walking by (which you wouldn't unless you were next door) but the rest were totally private. The bungalows are seperated by a fair amount of space. As far as total privacy as for private sunbathing...I didn't see any that would give you that except for in the shower areas of the ones that had less trees overhead. The showers are large enough for that. The deluxe do have hot water.

shillmac

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