flagal2

Just returned yesterday from a fabulous week in CR.

Day 1: Arrived in San Jose 1:45 pm..transferred by driver to La Fortuna (Arenal Paraiso Hotel). Took approx. 2 1/2 hrs. Had a superior room and it was large and lovely..grounds are lush. Went to Tabacon for a soak in the hot springs and a lovely buffet dinner. Next morning we had a very good breakfast at the hotel (made to order omelettes, breads, fruit, etc).

Day 2: Took Cano Negro Tour...it was really good..saw alot of iguanas, some howler monkeys, osprey, heron, anhingas, kingfisher, etc). Stopped with the group for a lovely local style lunch. Upon our return, our dtr. had a wonderful massage at the hotel's spa. Had a delicious steak dinner at El Novillo (our 29 year old dtr. was with us..she lives in another state) She is a vegetarian and she enjoyed her meal, too.

Day 3: We went rafting with Aguas Bravas on the Sarapiqui River (a slow class III..this is the dry season). We had a ball...the guides were fun and terrific..it was our second rafting experience and our dtr's. first. During the trip we pulled to the bank of the river and were served delicious fresh melons and pineapple. Returned around 12:30 and had a 2:30 transfer to Monteverde by van-boat-van. Everything you've read about the miserable road to Monteverde is true...huge potholes and very narrow one-way plank board bridges. Trip took about 3 hrs or so. In Monteverde we stayed at the El Establo hotel and were somehow upgraded to a junior suite...it was beautiful. The grounds and views from there were amazing. Went for dinner at Pizzeria Johnny's...delicious pasta and pizza. ADVICE: if you stay at this hotel be back before 10:00 because the rooms are up a very steep hill and the shuttle stops running at 10:00 and you'll be on your own and miserable. Also, in any location in Costa Rica it is a good idea to have a flashlight...very dark outside.

Day 4: My 59th birthday..I can't believe I'm saying this, but we did the Selvatura Zip Line (canopy tour). I agonized needlessly for months about this, but when I actually saw the demonstration I thought the demonstrator looked very secure in the harness. So, I threw caution to the wind and did the adventure. It was a blast. There were 2 young men (30ish) from Israel behind us, and when out daughter told them it was my birthday they sang "Happy Birthday" to me in hebrew...very cute. After this foolhardy adventure we went on our own thru the forest and saw an agouti (a large brown rat-like creature). It was just standing on the path. Our daughter ventured into a small shop while we were walking along a main road and met an ex-pat who owned the shop. She told our dtr. about a lovely cafe (Cafe Bromelias) where the food was terrific and where there was music on Saturday nites (this was Saturday). Alot of locals (ex-pats from all over the USA and other countries) seem to congregate there and they all know each other, so it was a warm terrific feeling in there. They also had a wonderful wood burning fire outside which added to the ambience. They really made us feel welcome, and our dtr. ordered a piece of cake for me and a local sang "Happy Birthday" to me in Spanish.. What a terrific birthday I had.
The breakfast at the El Establo also was wonderful.
Day 5. Transferred to Manuel Antonio..arrived around 12:30, checked into the Hotel Playa Espadilla and headed straight to the public beach. Since it was Sunday, there were alot of ticos there, tourists, too. The beach is very nice, but the water was not clear...we live in Florida, so I guess I'm spoiled. We ate at Plinio's (delicious intl. menu). The hotel is ok but not as nice as the other we stayed in., although their breakfast is really good.
Day 6. Went with Planet Dolphin on a catamaran for dolphin watching/snorkeling. Although we only saw one dolphin, and the snorkeling was very nice, but not terrific, we had the best time. We met terrific people on the boat, and the guides were wonderful. They also served up a very delicious lunch of fresh marlin grilled on skewers with peppers and onion (I don't like fish, but was hungry enough to try it, and it was great!!). They also had terrific sweet melons and pineapple, a delicious macaroni salad, cookies and soft drinks and beer. A great morning..after that we went to the public beach again (the park is closed on Mondays). Fewer people were there on Monday. Went to Ronny's Place for dinner...the best views and terrific food. We saw the most amazing sunset.

Day 7: Walked to the park and hired a guide for $15 per person (he asked for $20 but accepted $15 when 2 more people joined us. Without the guide we never would have seen sloths, bats, iguanas and monkeys. We saw loads of white-faced monkeys really up close. After that we stayed in the park and swam in the park's beautiful beaches. Ate a wonderful dinner at El Avion..great food and a beautiful setting.

Day 8: We flew from Quepos on Sansa Airline to San Jose for our trip home, filled with wonderful memories.

The ticos really made us feel very welcome.

Earthtraveler

Sounds like a wondeful trip. Makes me smile inside and out.

seawitch1

flagal2

Where in FL do you live? I am in St. Petersburg. We will be traveling to CR in May. I am interested in how your Sansa flight was. We, too, will be flying from Quepos to SJ. I've heard mixed reviews on their flights. We will be in Monteverde on a Saturday night and will check out Cafe Bromelias. Do recall where in Monteverde it is?

shillmac

Well, you certainly had some fun times on your birthday--happy birthday in 2 languages, or 3, I guess, including English!

So good to hear you enjoyed your time--you hit 3 very wonderful locations! Are you planning your return yet? Thanks for sharing--it was fun to read!

flagal2

Seawitch1...We live in Wellington, which is near West Palm Beach. Cafe Bromelias is near Stella's Bakery which is pretty close to the entrance to the Children's Rain Forest and the Reserve. It's really a nice place. Hope your trip is as successful as ours.
Thanks to all who answered my many, and maybe silly, questions.

Suzie2

You packed a lot of memories into that trip. Glad to read that you had such a wonderful time. Regarding the zip line..... you go girl!!!!!!

Feliz cumpleano

ps there are no silly questions just nervous ones when traveling to a new place. If the answers helped you have such a wonderful trip then they were worth asking.

dfarmer

Sounds like you had a great experience. Thanks for sharing.

As for the Catamaran trip, 4 years since we were in MA, but at that time I don't recall a catamaran other than the one up near Puntarenas. Good to know. I love being on or in the water! Was this one a big one with loads of people or smallish group?

Happy Belated Birthday!

flagal2

The catamarn is pretty new..it's a Tom Cat with Planet Dolphin. There were about 12-15 of us on it and it was wonderful.