volcanogirl

Not ceiling fans, we had a small plug in fan. We aimed it directly on ourselves. I just went back and checked my photos to make sure, and there was no ceiling fan when we were there. It may have changed though. The loft is kind of open on the front like a rail with slats with space in between. There's not a lot of privacy for anyone which may be fine for you, but if you want any romantic time or anything, I'd go with Casa Blanca. I'd recommend bringing a refillable water bottle for each of you. They'll fill them for you at the bar with filtered water.

tully

Casa Blanca is wonderful, each of the 2 bedrooms have ceiling fans. I had to ask the maids for a heavy blanket, in June! (I am sure they thought I was nuts) It was hot but at night it always felt cool to me. They'll have a big water dispenser there at Casa Blanca. So nice having the fridge & coffee maker (sock type).

The house down at Matapalo I've been eyeing for years, since they started building it. It's a beautiful property, just a little E of Backwash if I remember correctly. I will admit though, when I stayed on the beach, at another place, a few years ago, I couldn't wait to leave and get to BdC. Different scenario as I was alone but I hated making my own meals, there seems to be constant construction/chainsaws down there and there really was only so much you could do. I missed the trails and the wide open spaces up at BdC and the meeting of other travelers. Martina's in 20 minutes is very optimistic, I'd say closer to 40!

plambers

Tully, I went with a house, but a different one. It is called Casa Vida Verde and seems great. The folks I spoke to said we'd go a bit nuts at B de C. The folks that own Psycho tours are right across street and they have kids and the caretakers have kids and the folks at other houses are there with kids too! Then house has a caretaker who will make our breakfast and lunch for us. We can do the waterfall on our own, do surfing a few days, do the Golfo tour etc. I know there are some great hikes too. I have to tell you, it was a really hard choice and the price was very similar once the meals were added in. I just hope i made the right decision!

Bosque was giving us a 5 for 4 deal. I tried for a 3 for 4 so we could do BdeC and the house but it was a no go.

tully

plambers, that is sort of funny. When I mentioned in my post above that there was lots of construction noise, I think it was from there - Casa Vida Verde, unless I have my 'verde's' mixed up. This was ....3,maybe 4 years ago? I stayed at Surfside Bungalows, and yes Terry and Andy live across the street from there. You are right at the farthest beach (Matapalo, 2 min walk) from the main Carate road, which is about a 20-25 min walk. There were lots of howler monkey troops in the area when I was there.

plambers

http://www.tripadvisor.com/VacationR...s.html#REVIEWS

Tully, this is the house. It was recently built and looks quite funky. We wanted to rent La Vida es Una Ola but it was already rented. Lara, who owns that, highly recommended this house. Tons of wildlife, beach, private pool etc.

We loved CR so much on our first week long visit this July that we are returning for 17 days next July. So wanted to see the Osa.

So did I make a good decision? sure hope so.

volcanogirl

plam, that looks like a neat spot. I hope you guys love it. What did they mean that you would go nuts at BdC? In what way?

plambers

they said kids would be bored. i felt that my kids would do some hiking but prefer more of the activities offsite. i am a bit sad bc without the 12 and under discount, it will be too costly to return next time.

alot of the reviews on ta from families seem to suggest that the actviites that the kids loved were the offsite ones too.

and i am sure we would love their banana pancakes!

volcanogirl

Well let us know how you like the house. I'll look forward to your trip report.

plambers

Will do. I rely so much on the trip reports on this forum. Was watching House Hunters Int'l and the focus was on houses in Manuel Antonio. Can't wait to return.

volcanogirl

How fun - I bet that's a pricey place to buy a house. We loved staying at Tulemar there.

plambers

Well-it only took 3 months but we are splitting the time in Matapalo-first 3 nights in Casa Vida Verde and then the next 5 at Bosque. First night in Tucan and then next 4 in Casa Blanca!

volcanogirl

Yay, Tucan - hopefully you'll get to have lots of monkey sightings. The outdoor tub is nice too. And I think you'll like having the room in Casa Blanca.

plambers

VG, I have read your reviews on Tucan so figured it would be ok for one night. We will see tons of monkeys at the house we are renting. The cab fare back and forth from house to PJ is so expensive-BDC is really not much more when you figure in we have to pay for food and prep. I do want to be on ocean for surfing and some beach time and the hikes to the waterfalls and then we will do the other activities when we are at bosque.

I did want to spend time at Drake Bay, but is is a long ride (3 hrs) so figure this is more efficient. I hope I am a believer after this trip!

plambers

question-is the reason bosque is so popular bc of the animal sightings and Osa setting? I know the food is good, trails good but trying to figure out why BdeC is so much better than a house on the beach where we'd get the same animals, meals prepared for us, our own pool etc..

Not trying to be difficult. Just wondering...Casa Blanca is reserved and we will split time 4 and 4...want to make sure we have realistic expectations given all the rave BdeC reviews.

thanks again all.

plambers

oops-don't want to forget the naturalist on site too...

volcanogirl

BdC seems to have a really great concentration of varied wildlife. People who have stayed at other lodges haven't always seen the variety or concentration that they have at BdC, although it's all going to be pretty good. And their trails are really well maintained.

RAC

I don't think you'd get the same animals as you would at Bosque del Cabo. They have hundreds of acres of private reserve with different habitats that extend inland instead of being on a beach development, and extensive hiking trails to take you through all of these habitats.

It's also a full-service lodge, which means everything from booking tours, to coordinating transportation, to tidying up, to just being there in case something comes up.

You'll see 1-2 species of monkeys just about anywhere. 3-4 species plus chances at peccary or even a puma? that's tougher