Deb15July

Hubby and I visited CR in May of this year for the first time and are considering going back in May 2011. We stayed in OSA at Bosque del Cabo for 3 nights along with time in Monteverde and Arenal. We spent two nights in San Jose in the middle and end of our trip...one night each.

I'm considering limiting this trip to just the San Jose area for a couple of days (we did no sightseeing there and would like to try to see Poas and the city), and Osa. What are the advantages and disadvantages to Carate vs. Drake Bay? We are trying to allocate 10 nights with 6-7 in Osa. There is a good possiblity that we will want to spend half of that time at BDC again, but that is not a done deal, and we could split it between Drake Bay and Carate. We did not go into Corcovado on our last visit. Suggestions?

SassTraveler

We stayed at La Paloma Lodge in Osa. It was fabulous. Loved the place, loved the people. One of the guests at Paloma had also stayed at Bosque del Cabo. I asked her preference and she exclaimed that both were fantastic, but different.

One note. If you require real privacy stay in a cabina; the lodge rooms are less private (one wall is open to the jungle so you can hear your neighbors).

tully

La Leona Eco Lodge is another great place to look into. Only a 5 minute walk to the La Leona entry into the park, so very conveniently located. The tents are really nice, you're real close to the ocean so you get a nice breeze. Definitely not luxe like Bosque but I had a great time there. It'd be easy to do a combo like BdC and La Leona. Other places in Carate that require a little more to get to the park are Luna Lodge, Lookout Inn, Laguna Vista Villas and Exotica.

Deb15July

La Paloma Lodge looks wonderful, but very expensive! It appears the price includes flights to Osa, excursions and taxes, but I want to clarify that. It is difficult to do an apples to apples comparison on some of the lodging options.

I looked at Trip Advisor and found some interesting observations there. Aguila de Osa Inn is rated No. 1 on Trip Advisor, but it's not as cut and dry as to what is included. Jinetes de Osa also looks interesting and much cheaper. We want decent food, but don't need luxurious accomodations. That said...we spent 3 nights at Bosque del Cabo last year and loved it. The food was excellent and we enjoyed our accomodations. La Paloma seems a little over the top price wise, even though it includes many things. Advice please!

Arenalbotanical

Go see Dan and Holly at sabalo lodge dot com

hipvirgochick

Drake Bay Wilderness Resort is a good choice in Drake Bay and I think the only other place there with a pool besides La Paloma, which is a plus. Rooms are very spacious and clean and the grounds are nice. Food is very good, not as good as Bosque del Cabo but tasty and fresh. They offer great discounts if you pay in cash. I hired a driver last trip to take me from Drake Bay to Puerto Jimenez which is a beautiful drive.

Deb15July

Thanks all...will put this info in my notes for next time. CR is not going to happen this year for various reasons.