Wildflower

Hello Scott<BR>Happy anniversary. Two years ago you offered your help on this board and your post is still going strong. Thanks from so many of us.<BR><BR>My husband and I are in a process of planning our second trip to Costa Rica in mid-January 2004. We are an older couple interested in birds, wild animals, any other wildlife, hiking/walking. We love amazing scenery with the endless photo opportunities. <BR>We will have 14 days. Thinking about staying first and last nights at the Hampton Inn near the airport as our flights arrives around 10 pm and leaves at 8 am. <BR><BR>3-4 nights in Savegre Lodge near Cerro de la Muerte (this is going to be our second visit to Savegre)<BR><BR>2 nights in Wilson Botanical Garden for great birding<BR><BR>3 nights Osa Peninsula. Last time we stayed in Lapa Rios but this place was ridiculously expensive for what we got. Any suggestions where to stay? I know that you prefer Drake Bay but we are trying to limit those very long and bumpy transfers. From wherever we will stay we want to fly back to San Jose and transfer to some interesting place on East Coast. From your descriptions here I understand that it is less developed than the Pacific side and this is what we are looking for.<BR><BR>3 nights on East Coast but where? Any ideas? We read about Aviarios del Caribe and they supposedly have superb birding. Did you hear about this place? Are birds there that great? This B&amp;B place has no restaurant. Any places around there to eat?<BR>Any other suggestions where to stay?<BR><BR>We try to chose places that are preferably run and own by local people, places that are quiet (or very quiet), with hot water showers, slow where we could stop and smell the flowers, observe orchids, trees, clouds. This is why we like Savegre so much. We need places that are friendly, caring (this is a reason why won’t be going back to Lapa Rios besides $$$$). In Osa Peninsula we would like stay in a place that will have flocks of scarlet macaws visiting daily. <BR><BR>I hope you will be able to come up with some interesting suggestions. Thanks<BR>

RBO

Thanks Scott and for Wildflower to bring this post to the top

ScottGauvin

In response to: Chuck ([email protected])<BR><BR>Hi Chuck,<BR><BR>Costa Smeralda is a nice smaller resort and their rooms are spacious the beaches in the area are scenic. The Fiesta Resort is all right but the beach is kind of funky and there really isn�t much to do in Puntarenas. So out of those two choices, I�d say that Smeralda was the better option.<BR><BR>Punta Islita is a nicer option than Smeralda in terms of accommodations and grounds. Whether or not, it�s better depends on your needs. Punta Islita is certainly a more upscale property than Smeralda but I don�t know if that�s important to you. The rates at Islita are not all inclusive and the easiest way to get there is by flight � you land in the town of Punta Islita (the name and the town share the same name). <BR><BR>As for other suggestions � my main suggestion is that you visit at least one other place while in country as there is so much to see and Costa Rica isn�t known so much for it�s beaches as it�s rain forest.<BR><BR>Best,<BR><BR>Scott<BR>

ScottGauvin

Hi Anna,<BR><BR>Driving to Punta Islita in the green season is not recommended. Driving there in the dry season is kind of a hassle but at least then you don�t have to worry about trying to ford rivers and that kind of thing. It�s a long enough drive down there from Arenal if you�re an EXPERIENCED driver. <BR><BR>I�d see whatever sights you wanted to see, make your way back to San Jose and then fly to Punta Islita. The long drive not withstanding (because you can always make stops) it would be really unfortunate if you drove more than halfway and then had to turn around because one of the creeks along your path had swelled up to a river that was too big for your 4x4 to cross. The painful part is that the road to Carillo is fine for the most part. But the road between Carillo and Islita could make or break your trip. <BR><BR>I could offer a more helpful route if I knew what sights you were interested in seeing. <BR><BR>Scott<BR>

ScottGauvin

Hi Brian,<BR><BR>Sorry – it seems I just missed your departure. The route you’ve chosen is a good place to start but you’ll be moving along at a clip and the bus rides will be LONG! I suspect that you’ll be able to stand it as you’ve survived in South America for the past 6 months.<BR><BR>San Jose to Arenal can take up to 5 hours! Monteverde – Arenal about 5 hours, Arenal to Tamarindo about 5- 6 hours, Tamarindo to Mal Pais is going to hurt a little bit in places. Mal Pais to Montezuma is an easy 40 mintues. Montezuma back to San Jose is about 6- 8 hours depending on the ferry .<BR><BR>Good luck to you! It sounds like you’re in for quite an adventure.<BR><BR><BR>Scott<BR>

ScottGauvin

In Response to WildFlower...<BR><BR>The last couple posts were for people who either referenced this post in e-mails to me or had similar questions.<BR><BR>----------------<BR><BR>Hi There Wildflower - Wow, can't believe it's been 2 years! Time flies doesn't it?<BR>Anyway, thanks for your kind words of acknowledgement.<BR><BR>A nice place to stay on the Drake Bay side is La Paloma Lodge - I'd<BR>recommend staying in a rancho. The Sunset ranchos are very nice. On the<BR>complete opposite end of the spectrum is Cabinas Las Caletas. It is a very<BR>rustic but special place. The rooms provide a comfort level that can be<BR>described as indoor camping with private showers. But the food,<BR>the hosts and the view are wonderful. Incidentally, you can catch a flight<BR>right into Drake now.<BR><BR>Interesting places to stay on the Caribbean include the Aviarios del Caribe, Samasati and Shawandha lodge. The Aviarios lodge is probably the simplest of the 3 I mentioned but quaint and yes there are lots of birds in the area. The Samasati is nearby - just south of Cahuita does include a restaurant and guests can rent individual bungalows. Finally a bit more polished is the Shawandha Lodge, south of Puerto Viejo.<BR><BR>There are other nice places to stay of course but I like the above 3 because<BR>they are very different but each might offer what you're looking for in a<BR>different way.<BR><BR>I hope this information helps and thanks again!<BR><BR>Scott