Bosque del Cabo in mid-September: lunacy??
Mar 18th, 2005, 08:40 AM
#21
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks Jessie! Very helpful - i love the sounds of the bathtub! Do you think 3 nights is enough or would you recommend a couple more? Also, are there any tours that you would recommend while we are there? I'm really set on seeing some dolphins. Also how does Corcovado for the day compare with just hiking around the hotel?
Mar 18th, 2005, 10:10 AM
#22
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Clove,
We stayed in Mariposa as well and recommend it highly.
A couple tours we recommend on the Bosque grounds: The night tour (just after sunset--we saw toads, frogs, snakes, etc) and the early morning birding tour (arakaris, sloth, hawks, etc). Both were guided by Eduardo when we were there.
We stayed in Mariposa as well and recommend it highly.
A couple tours we recommend on the Bosque grounds: The night tour (just after sunset--we saw toads, frogs, snakes, etc) and the early morning birding tour (arakaris, sloth, hawks, etc). Both were guided by Eduardo when we were there.
Mar 18th, 2005, 10:17 AM
#23
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I can't imagine staying less than 4 nights but I have already seen plenty of the rest of CR so I won't feel like I am missing out someplace else. Even without extra tours, we found plenty to do there this year and we have been before.
Do go out with Philip for his morning tour. We always learn something new from him. There is horseback riding in that area. One of my favorites is the kayak trip from Escondido trex. It will require a ride back into Puerto Jimenez but we really enjoy it. You can do the mangrove or the sunset or, if the tide is right, you can combine them and do both. This year we went from a birding lodge near PJ. Last time we kayaked in there (I went in by horseback last year) we had more time in the mangroves so were able to see more in there. This year we had to get out quicker because the tide was going out. We just ended up spending more time on the swimming beach as well as in the Gulfo Dulce. While we were taking our snack break at the swimming beach we saw dolphins coming. We all finished up and headed out in the kayaks again and the dolphins were swimming around us. We also got to see some large green sea turtles swimming near us.
There is a swim with the dolphins tour that I haven't been on but just about every time I have been out on the Gulfo Dulce I have seen dolphins so it is a pretty good bet that you will get to see them if you do it.
One last tour that depends on your likes but is really nice if you like that type of thing is the Casa Orquideas tour. Ron and Trudy have built a beautiful place over there with all kinds of plants. They are very knowledgable and you get to taste a few very interesting things...no bad tastes.
One other option is next door at El Remanso. There is a waterfall nearby that Joel runs a rapelling tour to. I have heard some good things about it.
As far as wildlife, you will see just as much at Bosque in my opinion. They have set up a camera with a trip line and have pictures of all kinds of things like ocelots and pumas that have walked around on the property. They even had a jaguar. We always see all 4 kinds of monkeys.
Do go out with Philip for his morning tour. We always learn something new from him. There is horseback riding in that area. One of my favorites is the kayak trip from Escondido trex. It will require a ride back into Puerto Jimenez but we really enjoy it. You can do the mangrove or the sunset or, if the tide is right, you can combine them and do both. This year we went from a birding lodge near PJ. Last time we kayaked in there (I went in by horseback last year) we had more time in the mangroves so were able to see more in there. This year we had to get out quicker because the tide was going out. We just ended up spending more time on the swimming beach as well as in the Gulfo Dulce. While we were taking our snack break at the swimming beach we saw dolphins coming. We all finished up and headed out in the kayaks again and the dolphins were swimming around us. We also got to see some large green sea turtles swimming near us.
There is a swim with the dolphins tour that I haven't been on but just about every time I have been out on the Gulfo Dulce I have seen dolphins so it is a pretty good bet that you will get to see them if you do it.
One last tour that depends on your likes but is really nice if you like that type of thing is the Casa Orquideas tour. Ron and Trudy have built a beautiful place over there with all kinds of plants. They are very knowledgable and you get to taste a few very interesting things...no bad tastes.
One other option is next door at El Remanso. There is a waterfall nearby that Joel runs a rapelling tour to. I have heard some good things about it.
As far as wildlife, you will see just as much at Bosque in my opinion. They have set up a camera with a trip line and have pictures of all kinds of things like ocelots and pumas that have walked around on the property. They even had a jaguar. We always see all 4 kinds of monkeys.
Mar 20th, 2005, 09:30 AM
#26
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jesse,
we plan to visit Osa this April, we will have 3 weeks in CR all together and will rent a car as we like our independence. Do you think it makes sence to do a circle of Monte Verde, Manuel Antonio and Osa peninsula all in a car? What parts of Osa would you recommned to visit, are they accesible with our rental car?
ALso- we are avid hikers, how much time do you suggest to spend there. We can rarely get tired of hiking in the nature. Thank you.
we plan to visit Osa this April, we will have 3 weeks in CR all together and will rent a car as we like our independence. Do you think it makes sence to do a circle of Monte Verde, Manuel Antonio and Osa peninsula all in a car? What parts of Osa would you recommned to visit, are they accesible with our rental car?
ALso- we are avid hikers, how much time do you suggest to spend there. We can rarely get tired of hiking in the nature. Thank you.
Mar 20th, 2005, 10:46 AM
#27
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 562
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wow, 3 weeks! A wonderful amount of time to see tons of things and get your hiking fix. You are definitely picking a good country if you like hiking.
You could easily do a tour in 3 weeks of the places you mentioned. And yes, all are readily accessible by car. Might get a little bumpy in places but all part of the adventure.
With your time you could take a couple of days to stop in Arenal on your way to Monteverde.
Day 1 arrive. night near airport or drive to Arenal (2 1/2-3hrs). night Arenal
Day 2 hike down to the waterfall, hike around on the old lava beds, walk on Hanging Bridges. Relax in hot springs. Night Arenal
Day 3 drive to Monteverde (4hrs) Afternoon hike at Finca Ecologica or visit the butterfly garden and do a night hike at Finca with a guide. Night Monteverde
Day 4 early to Monteverde reserve-make arrangements day before to go out with a guide. When finished with the guide there is an outer loop you can do on your own. Last time I did this there was very little foot traffic and very peaceful. Afternoon, investigate the shops on the road between Monteverde and Santa Elena. Stellas Bakery a great place to eat. CASEM is a nice gift shop for the local women (and a few men) artisans. I always pick up a few things to support them. There are also some very nice shops with higher priced items in the area. Night Monteverde
Day 5 visit one of the other reserves, do a zip line Night Monteverde
Day 6 Drive to Manuel Antonio (about 5-6hrs) Night MA
Day 7 Manuel Antonio early. Night MA
Day 8 More tours in MA. Lots of things to choose from. Your hotel can help with options. Night MA
D9 Drive to Drake Bay (about 6 hrs) or stop in Dominical (1 1/2-2hrs) or Uvita for the night and check out the Bellena Marine Park.
D10 if in Drake Bay do a day trip to Corcovado. Great hiking.
D11 Day trip to Cano Island or just do some hiking in the area.
D12 drive to Puerto Jimenez area (6hrs)
There is a little place in Dos Brazos that we like. It is really more of a birding lodge but they certainly offer plenty of hiking in the area. A new entrance into Corcovado is scheduled to open soon from that area. It is literally at the end of the road. Two river crossings after the road ends to get to the lodge. They even offer a hike from there to Carate. It is a tough hike. They will have a taxi waiting to bring you back to the lodge. Some of the best food we have had here. If you choose not to stay here you can go on to PJ itself (20mins). From here you can spend a night or two on the beach at Iguana Lodge or the Pearl of the Osa where you can walk for miles with very little people contact. You can kayak around here and do other things. Not much hiking from this lodge. Night in PJ area.
D13 possible second night in PJ area depending on choices.
D14 Head up toward Carate (2hrs). Another end of the road. Don't know what your budget is but there are options from camping on the beach, a motel with no electricity, upscale tent camps, a couple of nice lodges and an even nicer lodge. The La Leona entrance to Corcovado is just up the beach from the end of the road. The lodges/tent camps in the area can arrange for a guide to take you into the Park. You need to let them know several days ahead of time though. Another option would be a fly in hike out. This is where you hire an air taxi to take you into the park where you then hike out. Don't really know the specifics of this but any one of the lodges can help with more info. Other options would be to stay someplace in the Cabo Matapalo area and do day hikes either on the property or to Corcovado. Night Osa
D 15,16 nights Osa
D 17 Start heading back to San Jose. From Puerto Jimenez it is about 3 1/2-4 hrs to San Isidro. From this area you could spend a night or two and do some hiking on Chirripo (do have warmer clothes for this).
I am going to leave a few days off this very rough idea for an itinerary for your own thoughts. Obviously, if you decide to stop in Dominical it could add a day or if you decide to skip a place you could take a day or two off the itinerary. If you have an extra night or two when you get back to San Jose, a day trip rafting would be a great way to finish up your 3 week adventure.
Hope this gave you some ideas for some of the possibilities. Driving times are only approx based on your stopping and driving style as well as road conditions at the time which can be variable in some places. Could be a little longer or a little shorter times.
You could easily do a tour in 3 weeks of the places you mentioned. And yes, all are readily accessible by car. Might get a little bumpy in places but all part of the adventure.
With your time you could take a couple of days to stop in Arenal on your way to Monteverde.
Day 1 arrive. night near airport or drive to Arenal (2 1/2-3hrs). night Arenal
Day 2 hike down to the waterfall, hike around on the old lava beds, walk on Hanging Bridges. Relax in hot springs. Night Arenal
Day 3 drive to Monteverde (4hrs) Afternoon hike at Finca Ecologica or visit the butterfly garden and do a night hike at Finca with a guide. Night Monteverde
Day 4 early to Monteverde reserve-make arrangements day before to go out with a guide. When finished with the guide there is an outer loop you can do on your own. Last time I did this there was very little foot traffic and very peaceful. Afternoon, investigate the shops on the road between Monteverde and Santa Elena. Stellas Bakery a great place to eat. CASEM is a nice gift shop for the local women (and a few men) artisans. I always pick up a few things to support them. There are also some very nice shops with higher priced items in the area. Night Monteverde
Day 5 visit one of the other reserves, do a zip line Night Monteverde
Day 6 Drive to Manuel Antonio (about 5-6hrs) Night MA
Day 7 Manuel Antonio early. Night MA
Day 8 More tours in MA. Lots of things to choose from. Your hotel can help with options. Night MA
D9 Drive to Drake Bay (about 6 hrs) or stop in Dominical (1 1/2-2hrs) or Uvita for the night and check out the Bellena Marine Park.
D10 if in Drake Bay do a day trip to Corcovado. Great hiking.
D11 Day trip to Cano Island or just do some hiking in the area.
D12 drive to Puerto Jimenez area (6hrs)
There is a little place in Dos Brazos that we like. It is really more of a birding lodge but they certainly offer plenty of hiking in the area. A new entrance into Corcovado is scheduled to open soon from that area. It is literally at the end of the road. Two river crossings after the road ends to get to the lodge. They even offer a hike from there to Carate. It is a tough hike. They will have a taxi waiting to bring you back to the lodge. Some of the best food we have had here. If you choose not to stay here you can go on to PJ itself (20mins). From here you can spend a night or two on the beach at Iguana Lodge or the Pearl of the Osa where you can walk for miles with very little people contact. You can kayak around here and do other things. Not much hiking from this lodge. Night in PJ area.
D13 possible second night in PJ area depending on choices.
D14 Head up toward Carate (2hrs). Another end of the road. Don't know what your budget is but there are options from camping on the beach, a motel with no electricity, upscale tent camps, a couple of nice lodges and an even nicer lodge. The La Leona entrance to Corcovado is just up the beach from the end of the road. The lodges/tent camps in the area can arrange for a guide to take you into the Park. You need to let them know several days ahead of time though. Another option would be a fly in hike out. This is where you hire an air taxi to take you into the park where you then hike out. Don't really know the specifics of this but any one of the lodges can help with more info. Other options would be to stay someplace in the Cabo Matapalo area and do day hikes either on the property or to Corcovado. Night Osa
D 15,16 nights Osa
D 17 Start heading back to San Jose. From Puerto Jimenez it is about 3 1/2-4 hrs to San Isidro. From this area you could spend a night or two and do some hiking on Chirripo (do have warmer clothes for this).
I am going to leave a few days off this very rough idea for an itinerary for your own thoughts. Obviously, if you decide to stop in Dominical it could add a day or if you decide to skip a place you could take a day or two off the itinerary. If you have an extra night or two when you get back to San Jose, a day trip rafting would be a great way to finish up your 3 week adventure.
Hope this gave you some ideas for some of the possibilities. Driving times are only approx based on your stopping and driving style as well as road conditions at the time which can be variable in some places. Could be a little longer or a little shorter times.
Mar 22nd, 2005, 06:20 AM
#29
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Jesse
I am getting some feel for Osa, finally.
Here are new questions (ready?)
Hiking in COrcovado- originally I thought we can hike from La leona via Sirena to Pedrillo, but... once at Pedrillo we would have a problem of having our car parked in Carate. Thus I have two options. One- hike Corcovado from La Leona to Sirena only and do some day hikes from there, then drive over to Drake (what condition of the roads are there?), find accomodation at Drake Bay and hike to Pedrillo from there. Option numero Dos/Two: Do the loop from La leona to San Pedrillo, then to Drake Bay and try to find a transport back to Carate (what options are there?)
THANK you for your thoughts!!!
I am getting some feel for Osa, finally.
Here are new questions (ready?)
Hiking in COrcovado- originally I thought we can hike from La leona via Sirena to Pedrillo, but... once at Pedrillo we would have a problem of having our car parked in Carate. Thus I have two options. One- hike Corcovado from La Leona to Sirena only and do some day hikes from there, then drive over to Drake (what condition of the roads are there?), find accomodation at Drake Bay and hike to Pedrillo from there. Option numero Dos/Two: Do the loop from La leona to San Pedrillo, then to Drake Bay and try to find a transport back to Carate (what options are there?)
THANK you for your thoughts!!!
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
emmajm
Mexico & Central America
12
Feb 22nd, 2014 10:33 PM
LindainOhio
Mexico & Central America
11
Sep 29th, 2009 06:20 PM
