Jane62

Hi - we will finally be going to the Osa Peninsula in April 2014 after we were unable to make it this past July due to scheduling issues. We will be in Drake Bay for a few nights (one overnight at Sirena in the middle) then at Bosque del Cabo for 4 nights. I don't really want to do the long drive to Puerto Jimenez from Bosque for activities so if we want to do one - was thinking the animal sanctuary - might do it on our last day and just leave early and not go back if that's possible to leave our things at the Bosque PJ office.

But the Everyday Adventures tree climb and rapel sounds fun for my kids (athletic 11 and 15-year-old daughters) - but where does that start from? Do you have to go all the way to Puerto Jimenez for that? I think ShellD mentioned in a thread having a child who did this activity - hoping someone knows! I also sent an email to Bosque asking about it. Thanks!

MonicaRichards

We climbed the tree and rappelled down at Bosque del Cabo, it was on their grounds. It was one of those things I am glad I did and will NEVER do again! Here is the part of our trip report that describes it: http://rovingrichards.com/travel/cos...tree-climbing/

tully

Andy runs Everyday Adventures at Matapalo, about 10-15 minutes away by car. (Matapalo is also where you go if you take the Golfo Dulce trail and hit the 3 beaches).

If your daughters are really into adventure, do the waterfall rappel. There are 2 offered, one with Andy and one with El Remanso next door. I would suggest the latter. I think this would be more exciting for them than the tree climb, IMO.

Also, very much suggest the horseback riding, bet your kids will love it. Only 10 minutes away, in the other direction.

Jane62

Thank you both. So it sounds like there are two different tree climbs, one right on Bosque property that Monica Richards did and one led by Andy at Matapalo? My older one especially is into adventure, but when I showed her the waterfall rapel pix she said 'eh not sure' but sounded more interested in the tree climb - I'll show her again as it gets closer! El Remanso next door sounds great!

The horseback riding could be fun. We did a great horseback riding trip from Leaves & Lizards the last time we were in CR and everyone enjoyed it (I was a little nervous as I've only ridden on more flat surfaces before and this was up and down hills and the horses walking on stony paths, etc. so I sometimes feared I'd fall off, but it all was fine). I read one review where someone was upset about the horses used for the trip from Bosque - she thought Miguel (I think that was his name) kept the horses too thin, and they were horse owners. Any feedback on that?

volcanogirl

That's true of most horses we've seen in CR. We're used to fat, happy, shiny horses, and most of the ones we've seen in CR look like working horses and are pretty thin compared to what we're used to seeing.

Jane62

oh, I see - thanks, volcanogirl - I don't remember now if I felt that way about the horses from Leaves & Lizards

ShellD

Hi Jane62! You have a great memory about the tree rapel! That was my son who did this and it was a few years ago now! I haven't been over on this board much lately, but I just happened to pop on and clicked on this this tread!

Here's the link to our trip report, you have to get to our Bosque section for the tree rapel part though.

http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...adventures.cfm

But anyway, my son loved it! He was about 11 or maybe 12 at the time. He was the youngest one doing it in his group. It started at the restaurant area if BDC I think. And then it was a decent hike to the tree. They climbed up the inside of the tree and then rapelled down. Then hiked back. My husband and I hiked to the tree with him, but neither of us did the climb/rapel. I knew I wouldn't have been able to climb up, but I wouldn't have minded the rapel. But my husband is terrified of heights and would have hated the entire thing!

It was a really unique thing to do - being inside of a tree and climbing up it! My son loved it and if, or should I say WHEN, we go back, I know he'll want to do it again!

I bet he'd love the waterfall rapel too!

Oh, we did the horseback riding with Miguel, and didn't think the horses were too skinny. My mom however did think the ride was pretty unstable feeling. She hated when the horses were on the rock and mud in the forest. She constantly felt like she was going to fall off or the horses were going to slip. However, she loved it once we were out on the open beach. When she realized the only way back was the way she came, she was devastated!

Jane62

Thank you ShellD - glad you stopped in and saw this post! I wish we had a way to message members here as I don't know if you are also on TA or what your name is there.

I just re-read your TR which I'd read a long time ago (and by the way it's not that my memory is so good, I'd recently done a search about the tree climb and saw a thread where you mentioned to someone that your son had done it!) So it sounds like both your son and MonicaRichards did the tree climb that is actually on Bosque property but there's also the one with Everyday Adventures for which you take a taxi about 10 minutes away and are led by Andy. And then the waterfall ones too. Lots of options!

Re the horses, thanks for your recollections. Sounds like your Mom's experience was kind of similar to mine when I rode in CR before, but I still enjoyed mine even when I was nervous. And I've looked at some photos of Miguel's horses (good old google!) and they actually look fine to me, so I'm not worried about that any more.

That Xandari looks fabulous - we will have to spend one night in San Jose before we have an early morning flight home and was going to do just somewhere inexpensive and close to airport but that looks very tempting! We were thinking of taking the last plane back to San Jose from PJ on that last day (it's at about 4:45) so as to maximize our time at Bosque the last day - though I don't know how long they'd let us hang around there after checking out - anyone know?

volcanogirl

I think they would probably let you hang around as long as you'd like. Maybe not in your cabin if they have to prepare it for another guest, but in the restaurant or hiking the trails. They seemed pretty flexible when we were there. If they do kick you out, we loved Xandari too, and it wouldn't be awful to get there earlier.

Jane62

Right - well, I have sent Bosque an email asking - if they are going to kick us out, then we might just want to take an earlier Sansa flight, no matter which hotel we're staying at in San Jose. Unless there are things to do for a few hours in PJ. One thing that might be fun is the Finca Kobo chocolate tour. Not sure what time of day those are offered and how long they go. Sent them an email too.

Jane62

oh volcanogirl, it looks like they have that same fan on Amazon and for even less!

Jane62

oops sorry I meant to put that in a different thread - never mind!

volcanogirl

Thanks, Jane. I appreciate the heads up. Maybe I'll get two!