TrvlMaven

We will be attending language school from March 29 to April 14th with weekends available for touring. Is April 11th a BIG holiday? Our school will be closed and as it is our last "weekend" we are concerned about getting reservations if we decide to spend the time either at Tabacon or MA? The school will not book tours until we arrive and we run the risk that they will not reach a minimum to book. Should we book something on our own and figure out transportation when we get there? We will spend one week in Monteverde and one week in Playa Flamingo--language school is CPI. Anyone have experience with this?

cgenster

Hi TrvlMaven,

I can't answer your question, just wanted to say I'll be attending the CPI school in Flamingo Beach April 7th thru 11th so I'll see you there. Also, will there not be school that Friday the 11th?

Unfortunately we only have a week free since I teach. But with two snow days already this week and blizzard conditions I am ready for CR and some espanol immersion.

TrvlMaven

Cgenster--You are correct, there is no school on the 10th. I am concerned about the tours offered by CPI as they need a minimum to reserve. We were thinking of booking someplace from the 10th to the 13th (we leave the 14th). I also teach, but am taking a second week. Looking forward to meeting you!

TrvlMaven

cgenster--just realized we will be in classes while our DHs will not--I'm looking forward to having my "cabana boy" available to scout out beach/dining possibilities. We are escaping cold/rain in NorCal.

cgenster

We will only be there from Saturday the 5th to Saturday the 12th. I would love to have an extra week, but I'm grateful for the one I have.

DH and I are staying in Potrero and I am leaving dinner up to him. He is the one 'picky' about what he eats, athough he eats everything.

I am surprised that we aren't having school on Friday, but a little glad because except for that first Sunday we didn't have a whole day free.

I look forward to meeting you also. I will be in the beginner class 8am - 12 noon, I thought Monday thru Friday.

shillmac

I'm jealous of both of you and CPI is a favorite hang out of mine! Never have done the Monteverde campus, though. Playa Flamingo and Heredia only. Loved them both.

TrvlMaven, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Many of those weekend trips will make, but you may decide you'd rather go it alone rather than with a group. Getting around is very easy. You can rent yourself a vehicle in the blink of an eye and go wherever your heart desires. From Monteverde, you can book your own transportation over to Arenal for a couple of nights. Jeep/boat/jeep (we haven't done that). Or horseback!

You can also book Interbus for transportation between almost anywhere and anywhere.

www.interbusonline.com

You'll have a great time! Cool that the two of you will get to meet.

TrvlMaven

Thanks, Shillmac--I appreciate your input. As it stands, I think I'm going to book Montana de Fuego for the last weekend with a transfer to Orquideas for our last night (7am flight next day). I will utilize CPI tours for the weekend between Monteverde and Playa Flamingo--perhaps book the tour to MA just to include that. Two of my fellow teachers loved CPI and that "sealed the deal" for my choice of schools. Looking for good seafood suggestions while we're in PF--what's the beverage of choice for two tequila lovers from wine country?

cgenster

Hi Trvlmaven,

I know we are going to try Camaron Dorado and Ginger for two of our dinners they are in Brasilito and Hermosa respectively. Shillmac and others have mentioned these two restaurants as being good.

When I was in Costa Rica before, they had a fruit drink called Pura Vida that was pretty good, although I am not much of a 'sweet drink' type person. DH and I love the mojitos that we get in the keys, and I am curious to try one in CR. My main drink of choice though is good ole cerveza, so bring on the Imperials.

I will have to get all my 'drinking' in on this trip because when I go back in June I will have 17 8th graders in tow, and no alcohol allowed.

Third snow day this week.

joeschmo

You'll get a pretty decent Mojito at Gingers along with my favorite,
a Caipirinha, a Brazilan concoction.
Luckily, I've never had to drive home afterwards.

TrvlMaven

cgenster--we will have to share a cerveza or two (or three) and commiserate--I teach middle school, too and will spend 11 days this summer with 10 8th - 10th grade girls (Girl Scouts). Salud!

shillmac

Sounds good. You can't beat Ginger and Camaron Dorado. Two very different places, both excellent. Be sure and go to Camaron Dorado around 5:30 to enjoy the sunset during your meal. It's gorgeous!

cgenster

Thanks for the time tip Shillmac, I love sunsets.

TrvlMaven: What grade(s) subject(s) do you teach? I had been teaching 6th grade for years, and just this year changed to 8th grade math. I guess that change is good, but it's almost like I am a first year teacher again. So I am so ready for some sun, Spanish and cerveza.

Where are you going with the girl scouts?

Joeschmo thanks for the mojito tip.

TrvlMaven

cgenster--I currently teach 7th grade Social Studies (have been job-sharing with a 7th grade English teacher--7th grade Core). We will both return to full-time next year--and, under NCLB, I am no longer "highly qualified" to teach both SS and LA. So, I'm moving up to 8th grade (US) History and three sections of Spanish (hence the language school). I am taking Girl Scouts to the Girl Guide World Center in Cuernavaca but we'll also be touring Taxco, Tepotzlan and Mexico City. We have traveled extensively through Mexico, but this is our first venture beyond Mexico.