I noticed in a recent post that you stayed a day and a half at Orquideas Inn last year. I've stayed there half a dozen times, but not since it was sold to new owners. Do you know if the new owners were there when you were there, or if Darlys and Fred (the old owners) were still there? If it was the new owners, I'd like to know how things are running. I know they still have the great breakfast, but what about lunch and dinners. Is the big restaurant on the hill open again, or did they cook from the main kitchen off the bar? Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks!

Hi Ally,
Stayed there just a couple of days ago. The new owner, Gary I believe, was around. This is the first time I have stayed there so can't compare. The food was very good and was cooked right there by the bar. The area above the bar is where they have the actual restaurant seating area but I never ate there. I ate downstairs at the bar or out by the pool (same food). You can even have it boxed and eat it in your room or they will deliver it to your room.
Everyone was very accomodating and eager to please if somewhat disorganized. I just got a little chuckle out of it. Nothing terrible went wrong. Some of the people wore a lot of different hats and a couple didn't really know how to use the computer so getting the bar/restaurant tab at the end of the day was a little challenging one night. The Marilyn Monroe bar was really cute. Birds are still there but from what I understand, in a different location.
They were just in the process of getting televisions installed in some of the rooms. The connections were there but the tv's weren't.
The tour desk was great about picking me up and dropping me off at different airports and I spent a day with one of the guys just investigating Grecia and Sarchi, as well as horseback riding.
I don't normaly stay in town but I would go back there. I much preferred it to staying in the actual city but I have stayed in San Jose and seen it in the past so don't really care about going in again.
Hope this answers your questions.

Thanks Susie2. That's what I wanted to hear. Last time I was there, the restaurant on the hill was not opened (they had fired the chef) and Fred, the previous owner did not feel like cooking, so we were forced to go out! There are not a lot of places in the immediate area to eat, at least not in walking distance, so I just wanted to make sure that food is available at Orquideas. Thanks!

One more question if you please. Can you tell me apx. how long it will take us to drive from the Orquideas to La Paz Waterfalls?
We plan on doing a self guided tour. I have heard that there is a bus waiting at the bottom to take you back to the gate. Is this just for 'tour' groups or would they take us back too?

Suzie, Shillmac here. I gather that you have traveled quite a bit to Costa Rica as has Ally. Tell me more about your travels there, what you do, why you go so much (as if that weren't obvious!). [email protected]

It seemed to be a straight shot past Orquideas on up to La Paz. About a 30 min ride. The bus ride from the bottom of the falls is for everyone. Try to go early. The two days that we were at Peace Lodge clouded up by mid day. You could still see things but it was pretty damp. There were times we could see very little from our room. It came and went.

Shillmac. Would love to talk to you about CR. It is great sharing notes. Have only been home for about 24 hrs so have lots to do right now. Our geek friend is coming soon to help me set up my new software for my digital camera. Hopefully I will have pics for everyone to see also. Will get back later. Pura Vida
Sue

Thanks Suzie. We plan on leaving for La Paz VERY early. Certainly no later than 9:00, as we will be driving to Nosara after we visit La Paz.

Shillmac, I don't know if you were asking me about my trips to CR, or just Suzie, but I'll answer anyway. My husband went there on a surf trip about 14 years ago. Then, on New Years Eve, 1992, the condo I was living in burned down and I lost 98% of my personal belongings. Needless to say, I was a wreck for awhile. My boyfriend at the time, (now my husband) thought of this lovely hotel in Nosara he had stayed at for a couple nights on his first trip, and decided to take me there for some much needed R&R.
We both fell in love with the country. Him, for the surf (he's been surfing over 30 years) and both of us for it's beauty, nice people, some adventure, and it can be very inexpensive! So we have gone 7 times since. Sometimes twice in a year. Making our 9th trip this May, with my brother and sister this time.
My husband and I have now stayed in La Fortuna, Tamarindo, Nosara, Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Cabo Matapalo and Povones and have been through all points in-between, but never been to the Caribbean side yet. Maybe someday!

Much the same here. It really stretches our pocketbook these days because if I haven't been in 4-5 months, I start getting REALLY antsy. . .it's weird. We are getting ready to go for our 7th time, haven't been since December, and I am so HOMESICK for Costa Rica I can hardly bear it. Everytime we fly in I feel like I am coming home and when we fly out, I feel very sad. Maybe we should move there. . .actually, we both retire in 5 years and have thought about how we might be able to stay there perhaps one month out of every 4. I could definitely live with that. Guess we need to work out some sort of property rental plan!

Ally, I notice that you guys have basically hit all the famous surf spots. . .that makes sense! The eastern side is very unique and really liked it there. In January there is the Salsa Brava ---don't know much about surfing, but it is a barrel (?) and attracts many visitors during that month. I'm sure your husband knows all about it.

Hi Shillmac,
A little background on me....I have been traveling to CR for about 12yrs now. I generally go for 3-5 weeks at a time. This year was about 4 weeks. We fell in love, as most people do, on our first trip down. The whole diversity of the country is so amazing and even now we are finding new and beautiful things. The people themselves are so warm and those Tico smiles....
My husband and I travel together for a couple of weeks and then he leaves and I travel alone. Places I/we have been, Monteverde (several times), Arenal (several times), Flamingo (spanish classes and homestay in Potrero), Los Innocentes, Rincon de la Vieja, a private finca in the cattle country of Guanacaste, Playa Conchal (not the Paradisus), Liberia (love to have lunch there and walk around), Rara Avis, Turrilaba area (many times and is where we hope to settle eventually), San Gerardo de Dota, Cartago, Irazu, Osa Peninsula (both Drake Bay and the southern Osa) many many times, San Vito, Golfito and some surrounding areas, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui (several times), another homestay in the Heredia area while taking another week of spanish classes, Tortuguero, Jaco, Quepos, Manuel Antonio. First time to Manuel Antonio the road wasn't paved at all! We have river rafted on both the Reventazon and the Pacuare many times both single day and overnight. I am sure I have missed listing a few places but I think you get the idea of where we have been. As Ally, we have not spent much time on the Caribbean coast. In the plans for next year. We have driven, taken private transfers, chartered private planes, and now use a private guide/driver who has also become our friend (if any of you use Orlando enjoy our night vision glasses that we left with him!).
It is so nice to have a web site to go to that has so many diverse people that love Costa Rica. I learn as much as I share.
Pura Vida
Sue

Suzie2
Thanks for the sharing! You must have been a student of C.P.I.!!!! That's fascinating! I too studied in Flamingo (stayed in Potrero)and in Heredia (also with a family there). Now I'd really like to sit down and speak with you! We have been to those very same places (as I am sure so many others have) except the OSA. . .it is just a separate project. We have never found the time since all of our trips (in two weeks will be our 7th in 2 years) are usually for one week only! That is SO frustrating. . .in Costa Rica one can do SO LITTLE in a week! It was indeed a treat for me to study in Heredia and Flamingo last summer. My husband flew down the day I finished and we continued to travel and sightsee together for another 2 weeks. It was just the best time of my life getting those 5 weeks in Costa Rica. . .I was beginning to feel like a Tica! We, too, loved the Turrialba area. . .the farmland all through that area is simply beautiful. Puerta Vieja de Sarapiqui. . .loved it there. . .and of course all the other places. Our first trip was a charter flight (package deal) to Liberia (have you eaten at Paso Real?) and a one week stay at Allegro Papagayo in the north. Although this is not the way to experience Costa Rica,(all inclusive style), we took 2 tours from there --horseback riding to Los Inocentes (LOVED IT) and another day trip to the Rincon de la Vieja (Buena Vista Lodge, I believe. .the canopy, mud baths, springs, etc.). This first experience absolutely GOT IN OUR BLOOD! Our 2 daughters both fell in love with a couple of Ticos who worked in entertainment at the hotel (a mother's worst nightmare--it was just like the movie "Dirty Dancing"!)--and flew back down the next month for a 4 day weekend by themselves! We didn't finance that crazy trip. . our older daughter does very well as a pharmacist and she paid the way for both of them! We laugh about it now--the difference in culture finally dawned on these two little dingbats of mine, but, oddly enough, they remain friends with the guys and they've been back with us a couple of times since. We made friends with people on that trip with whom we still stay in touch and visit almost every time we are back. It's a strange thing. . . .have you looked into property there? We are near retirement and it is my dream to be able to go down for about a month 3 times a year. Perhaps just rent. Or work for Neta so she and her boyfriend can have some vacation time. . . . .! That is an inside joke. . .Neta is the owner of the "surely wonderful" La Finca Que Ama hotel. . .I've been bugging her to hire me! Thanks again for your answer. I really would like to hear more about your homestays in both places and compare CPI notes! Write to: [email protected]

Yes I did study with CPI at all three campuses. Didn't do a homestay in Monteverde because my son was living and working up there at the time.
I am aware that Neta owns a place and had hoped to be able to pop in on her on my one day in town but unfortunately, my husband took all the paperwork back home with him when he left so I didn't have the info on how to get to her place. It was a challenge just trying to figure out what I had reserved and when as well as trying to figure out which flights I had reserved. Fortunately, the guys at Orquideas were able to figure out my flights for me.
Sounds like we have covered a lot of the same territory. We have looked into and at property there and have spent a good bit of time investigtating alternative energy sources so we don't have to live in a town. We really like nature so want to be out a ways with the ticos if possible and not be surrounded by a lot of other americans. We also want to be able to walk out our door and have the birds etc, right there. We have our big house on the hill now and are looking forward to a simpler life. Like a lot of people, we had to delay our retirement by a couple of years because of the stock market but we are hoping to be able to retire soon.

Suzie, welcome back! My husband's illness and his still ongoing recovery from bacterial infection he brought from El Remanso kept me away from my computer for a while and only now I found out you are back. Please tell all about your trip. About your stay on Osa and everywhere. I am still uploading more of my pictures from our January trip but would love to see yours. It so good to have you back on this board.

Dear Suzie2,
Welcome back. It is a shame you couldn't come visit us this time, but I know there will be many opportunities in the future!
The good news - Shillmac is coming in a couple of weeks!
Suzie2, since we built everything here (there was nothing when we came), I REALLY know a thing or two about construction in Costa Rica, and living in the country side (no Americans in a 60KM radius...), so feel free to ask me anything on these subjects.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

How interesting! Do you plan to do more language study or do you "have it" by now! Good luck on your retirement! No one knows what the future holds, but, as I have said, we would like very much for ours to hold a lot of time in Costa Rica!

Suzie2, I look forward to your trip report.Sounds like you had a great trip.I haven't been to Costa Rica yet, but am looking forward to that first trip.

I see you use a guide,Orlando.Could you tell me more about him and how to perhaps contact him? Thanks alot

Neta, sounds like a wonderful place and just the type of place we are looking for. I am sorry I missed getting there. There will be more opportunities I am sure.
All the crazy laws down there are mind boggling so it would be nice to have someone who has been through it to talk to. We will probably rent for awhile until we are a hundred percent sure of where we want to be. With all the horror stories I hear I want to be sure all the i's are dotted also. We don't feel like there is any hurry in buying unless the perfect place happens to come up. We are also thinking of a land trust kind of thing with the Nature Conservancy.
Shillmac,
With only having a month to practice every year I tend to forget a lot but I am getting better and don't feel nearly as silly as I did initially. I also took 3 semesters at my local University so feel like my vocabulary has expanded quite a bit more. My problem is that my husband lived in Argentina for quite awhile when he was younger so he speaks pretty fluently. It tends to make me lazy about trying when I am with him. I just make deals with the ticos that they can practice their english and I can practice my spanish after he leaves.
Wildflower, hope your husband is doing better. I mentioned to Liz that you had been very disappointed in El Remanso and she was very surprised although not surprised to hear that the food was not too good. Abraham was a wonderful cook! I still can't believe I spent 2 nights in that cabin by myself. I am a real chicken in the dark.
As soon as I get things caught up here I will get to work on my trip report. I am new to putting pics into the computer so that may take a little longer.
Pura Vida all
Sue

Dottie, his name is Orlando Vargas. He is in his mid 30's and a real sweetheart. We stayed in his home this year and he has a wonderful family.
He can be reached at [email protected]
If he is busy he can put you in touch with other people who can take care of you also.