My husband and I are leaving for BdC very soon and are wondering about the luggage situation. We are staying for 7 nights and from what I understand there is a luggage weight limit on the Nature Air Flights. Do most of you frequent visitors to BdC get away with bringing carry on luggage only? My concern is having enough clothing and room to bring back souveniers. Originally I thought each of us would bring 1 carry on suit case to fit in the over head and 1 sturdy backpack. Any thoughts or suggestions would be great. Obviously this is our first trip to the Osa ans we are SOOOO excited!

They don't have overhead baggage compartments, so you do have to check your bag, but the weight limit is 30 pounds. Any more than that, and they will charge you extra or worse, not take your bag if they're concerned about the weight. I'm a convert to traveling light. I always bring a 50 pound rolling bag with me, but for CR, I bring the weekender convertible bag from www.ebags.com. I brought everything I needed, and it was 22 pounds! Some people stay at an SJO hotel at the beginning and end of the trip, in which case, you can leave luggage there. BdC does offer laundry service if you want to bring fewer things and have them washed.

Thanks! We are also planning to go the the Animal sanctuary, possible the dolphin tour, horse back riding and maybe another couple of things off the grounds. Do you have any thoughts on how much cash we should bring? Does every place accpet credit cards or should we bring a certain amount of cash?

Susie, Hi again. Anything you book via BdC, they will add to the final bill. If it is an activity they don't provide...you will pay the vendor. Since you know what activities you want to do, email them and they can give you an idea of the cost. There is not alot that you can buy at BdC, tees, hats, some wooden carvings of critters, wooden masks, small paintings and other small items. I carry on my backpack with camera/binocs/passport etc. Then we take a small duffle type check bag. This year some of the guests had some big pieces and several pieces, thye had to have pd big bucks.
Both Nature Air and Sansa are small planes. Tight squeeze to say the least. I don't believe everyone takes credit cards. I know we had to pay cash for the entrance to the animal sanctuary. Hubby uses a money belt and we carry it at all times.
Most of your shopping may be at the airport...everywhere there takes credit cards. Take a small fold up tote for coffee, and anything else you may buy there.

We just had BdC put everything on our bill, and you pay at the end. Surprisingly, they asked for a check rather than a credit card which surprised me. You don't see that very often.