MOMofONE

Plenty of BdC hikers here but does anyone know the trails at El Remanso?

I will be 3 nights at ER and 2 at Bosque. The 1st night will be after about 14 hours travel and I have an early flight last day, so really have just 2 full days in each location.
So I'm thinking 1-2 guided hikes each day would be a good investment with such little time?

BdC has detailed map and descriptions of their trails. El Remanso does not but the ladies there have been very helpful answering my emails.
Here are the descriptions of ER hikes:

-Ridge trail and beach hike- 3 to 4 hours- Lots of wildlife!
-Carablanca trail- 2 hours- Beautiful trees and waterfalls!
-River walk- 2.5 hours- Creeks and frogs!
-Dawn tour- 2.5 hours- Rainforest awakening!
-Birdwatching tour- 2 hours- Birds!
-Night tour before dinner- 1.5 hours- Bats, spiders, lizards, frogs and snakes!
-Night tour after dinner-2.5 hours- Nightime surprises!

So my questions are:
I assume a dawn and night hike would be worthwhile in both locations, and be best guided. Is that right?

Is the "Ridge Trail & beach hike" at ER going same place as the Pacific Trail at BdC?
This is where the tide pools and a lagoon are further down beach? So would be a shorter hike to pacific beach from ER?

Would the "Carablanca trail" be something different than is offered at BdC because of the waterfalls on ER property?
And the same can be said for the Golfo Dulce Trail at BdC since ER doesnt access the Gulf side?
These 2 (Carablanca at ER & Golfo Dulce at BdC) may be my best choices independently? I am traveling solo BTW.

Any help in best planning my time is appreciated.
Tina

toontowndoc

Sorry,a bit off topic and I don't mean to highjack your thread,but are you doing the waterfall rappell while at El Remanso?I plan to do this while at BdC,and as I recall,I will be there about the same time.Do you have to book such an activity ahead of time?For the last day of my trip,I am staying at Iguana Lodge,and Plan to do the sunset/mangrove kayak trip,as well as arrange for a boat trip to the wildlife sanctuary on Fri. Dec.18th -I will pay for my own boat if needed,but hope to find a few other interested parties while there-Any comments on my plans(or lack thereof appreciated)

shillmac

El Remanso doesn't get a lot of publicity on Fodor's, but occasionally there is "news" from there. I had an e-mail from "tully" today. She is there now. You can bet that when she returns, you'll get the lowdown!

MOMofONE

shillmac ~ thanks for the heads up on tully's stay, will surely look for her ER details.

doc ~ Funny, I was just mulling over the rappell at El Remanso.
I am only undecided because I have this already planned in Arenal area with Pure Trek. Problem is, since I am solo, I am only a "standby status" with them (same situation with my Rio Celeste hike).
So, yes considering the rappell and would make sense for me to do it while staying at El Remanso - I am there 10-12th and at BdC on 13th & 14th.
I don't want to miss out and wouldn't mind doing it in two locations.
El Remanso told me the resident guide would talk with me personally on arrival to arrange all the tours I want, with no need to book in advance. I don't know if the same can be said for those staying off property; the BdC experts here probably know best.

The sunset kayak and sanctuary always get many praises, I'm sure you'll love them. Thanks for offering; I hope you find others to join you.
see you on the Osa! ~ Tina

toontowndoc

Mom-Thanks for the info.I will be sure to connect with the BdC staff about the waterfall rappell-sounds like they have a minimum number of participants in order to do the tour,(solo as well)but we will see..

hipvirgochick

Toontown- if you have one specific day to do the boat trip I recommend you let iguana lodge know this and that you'd like to share the cost. The lodges are used to this and extremely helpful coordinating groups together.

toontowndoc

Hip-Thanks for the advice,and I will try that angle-the countdown begins,and I am starting to get excited about my return to CR!

tully

I would do the waterfall rappell at El Remanso, not only are they $10 cheaper but they are right next door and Gerrardo is a great guide.

I would do the guided ridge hike at El Remanso, although we only got an hour of it since it started pouring hard. The Cara Blanca hike at ER is okay, didn't see anything and it's more a path than trail - covered in leaves and one or two times I had to study where I was to continue. The shorter one up from that (Passiflora) I couldn't get on as it was blocked at both exit and entry by trees/branches/debris. A caveat - I was there very early Nov right after they'd been closed for Oct so not sure if their trails are always like that or just hadn't been cleared yet. The Pacific trail at Bosque del Cabo is a notorious stair climber; surprisingly, though ER is lower on a ridge I found their Pacific Trail a slightly harder. Both take about 20 minutes. The BdC trail is a series of stairs in switchback, endless steps but footing is good. At ER I found a little harder going both down and up as it's an hill you just walk down and up on that somewhat slippery Osa red clay, so less distance but you have to watch your footing more. The ER walk is about 5 minutes closer to the waterfall and you don't have to go over the little flat rock section as from BdC (which I found fun actually).

MOMofONE

Hi tully
Thanks for sharing your photos so quickly on your return.
I personally enjoyed the numerous monkey pics LOL

All of the cabinas look gorgeous especially the decks with views. I hope my expectations of the suites @ El Remanso are rewarded and I am not too disappointed with Vista Mar at BdC.

Was surprised to see the BdC & ER entrances were so close to each other off the main road.
Can't wait to hear your review of El Remanso and more of your adventures on the Osa.

You only mentioned the birds at ER in your other post. What other wildlife did you see there? Did you walk the driveway early morn as you do at BdC?

Thanks for the insights on the trails.
I'm 25 days out and practically losing sleep in anticipation already! LOL
~ Tina