Our trip is finally almost here! We leave three weeks from today! So I'm starting to get into the details now. It's been a few years since we've been at BDC and I can't remember if they have a laundry service available. Does anyone know, and if so - do you remember the prices being fairly reasonable? We'll be staying there just about halfway through the trip, so for packing light, it would be ideal to have some laundry done there. Right before we leave for BDC we'll be at the Peace Lodge, which if remember correctly, was fairly expensive for laundry services.

We have three full days there, staying in Casa Miramar. Last trip we did horseback riding in Arenal, at Los Lagos, and really enjoyed it. How is the horseback riding at BDC and would you recommend it for absolute beginner riders? Including kids (ages 9 and 11)?

I also hope to get to the animal sanctuary, I've heard such great things about it, but missed it last trip. I'm sure our kids will love it.

For some reason I can't seem to find the list of prices for the guided hikes on their website - I know I've seen it there before, but I can't seem to find it now. The one that would have prices for the bird watching hike, the evening and night hikes etc....

And if anyone has any other advice or tidbits for staing in the casa's - Miramar, in particular let me know. Especially advice for the kids! I can't wait to go back there!

BdC does have laundry service. Friends of ours used it while we were there. They seemed to think the prices were reasonable. My best advice is to keep the food sealed up as tightly as possible so you don't get little visitors. And have fun!

From the website:

"All the laundry is sent to town and will take at least 24 hours for turnaround. The charge for the laundry depends on the size of the bag of dirty laundry. "

http://www.bosquedelcabo.com/home/sitemap/index.html shows prices if you click on the activities. At least the ones that I checked.

A decent sized bag was about $10 I think. I took it up around lunch and had it back by breakfast the next day. So nice to have clean clothes! Much more reasonable than Peace Lodge, I agree.

Your kids would love the horseback ride. Miguel is such a hoot and the horses are well-versed in the circuit he travels, you don't have to do much more than sit there. He will ask once you hit the beach if you want to gallop for a few til you get to the big rock for a break.

At Miramar, if you love coffee, make sure you bring your own coffee and fixings. The "Senor Sock" is pretty easy to use and great to have when you wake up and take in that view. You'll clock in about 10 minutes to and from the restaurant (back to Miramar is of course up hill) so do try to make a mental checklist to save you from having to run back and grab forgotten things. (Or send hubby ) Any type of food, candy etc I would keep in the locked fridge. The coatis there are quite bold; though when I was there in May there seemed to be very, very few of them. If you have pretty cloudy days, make sure the generator is all charged up so you will have lights at night, although honestly we kept forgetting and it didn't really make a huge difference. Take a few extra batteries for flashlights, since the walk is a lot longer you use them up quicker. Try to drag yourself off that deck now and then (trust me, we had an awful time getting going some days). That's some things off the top of my head. Hope you have a wonderful trip. Bet you and the kids must be getting very excited!

With regard to food, etc., our friends brought along those little single packets of Crystal Lite and Gatorade powder that you add to your water bottle. It was a great idea for those long hikes in BdC and especially if you've got kids with you. They are very light and easy to pack in your suitcase. Buy a loaf of bread, a jar of peanut butter and a package of cheese. Easy and quick sandwiches

Not sure about how many trips Kevin (or possibly Trino) will be making into town but they were willing to pick up stuff for us and bring it back when we asked. Of course, it was never a large order but it was extremely helpful.

I am looking at our last years BdC receipt right now and this is how it goes:
1. The laundry receipt is $8 and we had laundry done 2 times while we were there with approp 5-6 items each time. It is 24 hours turn around time and we were VERY happy with the service.
2. The 4 hour Primary Rainforest hike w/ Phil was $30 per person
3. Sunset tour w/ phil = $20 per person.
4. we took the animal sanctuary tour/dolphim tour and esquinas river tour all together at once and for 2 people it was $400 total (plus we tipped the boat driver).

The Animal Sanctuary is one of the many reasons I return to the Osa..you will love it!

Hope this helps!

We will be staying 7/25- 7/30 in Casa Blanca at Bdc-if yoare there during that time be sure to track me down and say Hello!!

Have fun! Susie

There is a board just to the left of the front desk. It lists all of the people signed up for activities,and which cabin they are in. Sharing some tours, such as the one to the animal sanctuary, can save a lot of money.