aspinxtreem

Thanks to all the suggestions/trip reports on Fodor's, our Costa Rica trip is booked and we are almost ready to go! I am looking for any suggestions you might have for specific tours, restaurants, activites in both the Puerto Viejo and Mal Pais areas.

For the first week, my significant other and I rented a house near Puerto Viejo. We haven't made any plans or booked any tours and hoped to get some input. We are thinking about surfing or rafting and maybe taking a rainforest tour. Any companies you would recommend? Also, we love to eat and appreciate any restaurant recommendations.

For the second week, I'm heading to Mal Pais to meet a group of friends. I know everyone wants to try ziplining and surfing. Any suggestions? Also, has anyone ever had a massage or yoga lesson at their house/hotel? Restaurant suggestions would also be appreciated!

Thank you in advance for your help!

jlhart

in the Puerto Viejo area:

Food:
-La Pecora Nera, a CR classic, I thought everything was oversalted but still was very good with nice atmosphere
-Shawandha had decent food and also a nice atmosphere
-Azania: poolside, I thought excellent food (a little expensive for sandwiches at lunch but good prices for dinner)
-There was a fantastic little pizza place with a bright green sign in the Punta Uva area that was fantastic. The owners were from Argentina and the "dining room" is basically their front porch. So idyllic even if it was just pizza!
-any of the sodas, of course
-there was a little elevated dining room place with a bar downstairs that was a little south towards the end of the "strip" of towns that had only decent food but great beach views
-get a pipa fria roadside on your drive in or out!

Activities:
-horseback on the beach
-jungle excursion (either horseback or ATV depending on how soggy the ground is) to see the BriBri reservation and waterfalls
-sloth museum including the canoe tour
-beach time
-I'm not sure there is rafting that near other than driving back to Pacuare towards the capital. I actually really enjoyed the 3 day Pacuare trip but that doesn't seem like it fits into your schedule.
-snorkeling depending on how rainy it has been
-there is a spa at one of the hotels south of PV if it is raining or something and you are bored

p.s. you don't need to plan any of this ahead of time except for maybe rafting

MichelleY

In PV, try the Jungle Spa at El Papito. I had a great massage and chocolate facial!! Not cheap but so worth it.

We also really Pecora Nera for fine dining.

MY

hipvirgochick

All good recs here.

On the top of my list is to rent bicyles and ride all over visiting the beaches and stopping for ice cream and having lunch at the sodas.

Next would be a guided hike through primary and secondary rainforest in Gandoca-Manzanillo wildlife refuge. Abel Bustamante is the top guide in the area and if it interest you I'll be happy to post his contact info to set up in advance. Very reasonable price.

aspinxtreem

Thank you SO much! I really appreciate the advice!!

colinsito

For a good overview of the whole area of Puerto Viejo, you might want to check out http://puertoviejosatellite.com/

Maps, videos, pictures, blogs, hotel reviews, tours, faqs etc

shillmac

Check with your hotel about a fellow named Walter (forget his last name) who gives excellent massages. He'll set up on the beach (lose your modesty) or come to your hotel room. He really is good.

Second the suggestion to hire Abel Bustamante--great fellow. It's been 3 years since we've seen him and I really miss him. He does all kinds of guiding, including dolphin watching and birding.

Cahuita National Park is worth a visit for sure. Try dining in Cahuita at Miss Edith's.

Also on Playa Chiquita (Hotel Aguas Claras) is Miss Holly's--nice little breakfast/lunch restaurant with good bakery (unless something about it has changed since we were there).

Enjoy!

tully

In Mal Pais/Santa Teresa, email or contact Yoav or Gali at Horizon Hotel. It's a really nice place with a lovely yoga deck overlooking the ocean. I would see if they have scheduled classes that fit your schedule or see if they can arrange at your place.

As far as food, so many places especially between the T crossroads and the Tropico Latino hotel. Plenty of good food and cheap, I ate twice at a sushi/thai place called Cameleon (I think that's the name!). Back at the T, there's a little shopping plaza with a nice coffee/cafe/internet place that I think is called Artemis and a nice sushi place immediately next door. Also in that shopping plaza is a hotel called Hotel Playa Carmen (big blue, can't miss it) and they have one of the fancier (and more pricier) restaurants in town. Food was excellent but about 2x more than the other smaller places.

hipvirgochick

Also, on Thursday nights (unless it's changed) at Loco Natural there's live music and good spicy food.

Make a visit to Echo Books.

Buy some local organic chocolate. Yum!

tropicalia2000

In Cahuita, as suggested in an earlier post do not miss Miss Edith, a great Jamaican restaurant by the police station. Cha Cha Cha was also very tasty.
If you want to see sloths, go to Aviarios del Caribe (about 20 minutes before reaching Cahuita), a great experience.

In Malpais, eat at Frank's Place restaurant (entrance by Alamo), great atmosphere and delicious food. If you are looking for good location and good value for money, do not look any further, the hotel is great, clean and secure.

If you are in San Jose, eat at La Esquina de Buenos Aires, great homemade pasta, beautiful little restaurant, just book in advance since it gets pack quickly

aspinxtreem

Thank you all so much!!

wasigan

We just got back from 2 weeks in CR, the first in Puerto Viejo, and loved it! It was our first time on the Caribbean coast, and it's very cool. We stayed at Banana Azul - would highly recommend it! We ate delicious meals at so many places, but only remember the names of two: Miss Ellen Brown's in Playa Cocles and Maxi's in Manzanillo. Both are delicious typico fare. Definitely check out Manzanillo, and the wildlife rescue place in Playa Chiquita. It's called Jaguar Rescue, but they had howlers, a margay, and lots of snakes when we were there. Very worthwhile, but call ahead and make an appt. Enjoy!!