O.K. So lonely planet makes it sound like Cano Negro has no water in April (when we will be there during busy Easter week). Is it worth it? we want to see wildlife and worry that we won't see much during the crowded week at Monteverde so are willing and happy to try this trek. Lonely Planet also suggests just driving to Cano Negro and finding a tour once there. that sounds fine because my husband gets sick on buses so we would prefer to dump the bus part of tours whenever possible. But has anyone done this and found a good local boat tour company (and I guess covered Volcanogirl because as I noticed you menitoned it is HOT?)

Not worth it for me hot long drive just a boat ride

ruralcostarica.com light years better

tortugueroinfo.com best wildlife.

Have fun,

Some people who have seen and enjoyed Cano Negro during the waterfowl migration and occupation assume that it is covered with birds year round. It isn't. There are always things to see through binoculars (distant monkeys, turtles, other birds in singles or pairs, caimans, etc.,) but nothing that would draw me to travel from any distance. The tour operators want to operate year round, but the migrating birds don't. But yes, you can drive there, and there are boats of all sizes available. I'm not sure how long this would hold everyone's interest in April.

We haven't been during April, so I can't speak to that, but we've seen caimans, several types of monkeys, sloths, and a large variety of birds when we've gone. Personally I wouldn't just drive there and find a tour. It's kind of isolated, and it doesn't seem like the tours run frequently. We've gone and not seen any other boats there. I'd go with Sunset or Desafio. Sunset uses nice air-conditioned vans and stops at the Iguanas restaurant where you can get some great pictures of all the iguanas. They also have the covered boat and offer chilled drinks while you're on board. If you go, I'd bring along your own pair of binoculars. The trip pairs well with a night at the hot springs.

Thanks everyone. My husband is leaning towards NOT going since his reading of Lonely Planet. I am feeling pressure to make some tour decisions before we get there because it is a busy week. I know we want to do a guided tour of Monteverde. But we also just want to hike without people part of the time too.

It is hard to know where we need a tour and what we can just go do on our own when we are 5,000 miles away. We aren't going to be ziplining (young kids) or white water rafting frankly. We just want to make sure we get to see some monkeys and other animals. I will keep reading and I am sure I will bug you guys with more questions. thanks!

emma, one thing we did that we loved was hiring a private guide to take us looking for birds and wildlife in Arenal. That area isn't known for having easy to spot wildlife, but just five minutes from our hotel, our guide found howler monkeys, toucans, loads of birds, and even an anteater and a peccary. If you don't want to do the long trip, you might look at doing something like that. He was the same guide that we took to Cano Negro. We also saw quite a bit of wildlife in the reserve at Monteverde and during our night hike at Hidden Valley - definitely sloths, howlers, quetzals, and coatis. And we also saw some nocturnal animals like a fox and raccoon, and even a porcupine.

Volcanogirl, where did you hire the guide? This is where I find it confusing--how to hire and can i hire once I am there even though it is a busy week. I don't want to accidentally hire, John's cousin, Steve who once took a stroll through the jungle!

One thing your family might enjoy is visiting the Maleku Indigenous Reserve near Guatuso. You can go with a tour or you can just go on your own. Here are some interesting tours:

www.ruralcostarica.com

This is a women's group and they are trying to conduct tours that are a little different. Check the website and you will see what I mean.

emma, we hired ours through Sunset Tours. I think we paid about $55 per person. They ended up actually sending us three guides - one made us coffee and served cookies, one drove and kept a running written list of everything we were seeing, and the other one was the main guide/spotter. We couldn't believe everything they found for us. Whoever you hire, make sure they have a good spotting scope.

thanks everyone. These all sound really good. I love that waterfall hsmithcr and I am checking out the Sunset tours site now Volcanogirl.
I really appreciate all the advice and tips. You all have been quite generous. It has taken a lousy situation--having to cancel our visit to relatives in Japan--and turned it into something we are very excited about.

Emma, your itinerary sounds quite a bit like ours. We too will be in CR during easter week (only 2+ weeks until departure!!!)Maybe we'll run into each other? (5 women/girls) I was debating too about Cano Negro in April, and I think volcanogirl's idea sounds much better about hiring a guide near Arenal.
Hope you have a wonderful trip.

Volcano, you stayed at Lost Iguana, right? Just trying to see whereabouts you went for your wildlife tour.

Yes, Volcano Girl, I can't seem to find Hidden Valley or it seems Sunset Tours may not be doing those night tours anymore? I definitely want to do that.

Cardinalflower, we leave on the 18th. Please report back what we should do (I have two young boys though and ziplining etc is NOT happening)

cardinal, yes, we love the Lost Iguana - it's set on the edge of town out near the lake.

emma, the Hidden Valley night hike is Monteverde.

DOH! Thansk Volcano Girl. I am going to email our place and see if they can help us set it up. I just want to make sure we get a decent guide. and I will ask about the spotting scope.

Now i just need to brush up on Spanish! We have been immersing ourselves in Japanese so that we could talk with my inlaws but we need to change gears.

Emma, I'm afraid I won't be of much help as we're leaving on the 15th and won't be in Arenal until the 18th (going to Tortuguero first). If I get a chance, I'll try to post any info I have.

VG - That private guide sounds fantastic. I looked at Sunset's website and it looks like they offer a bird/wildlife private tour at either 5:30 am or 3:30 pm and it lasts 2.5 hours. Is that what you did? I'm hoping you saw all those animals on the 3:30 tour, because 5:30 is awfully early! (Sorry to hijack this thread.)

B, we did the 5:30 a.m. tour!! The sun is already up then, and the animals are just getting active, so it's a great time to go. They did serve us coffee - lol.

Cardinalflower, I will be in Arenal on the 18th! Have a great trip. We are the ones with 7 year old twin boys.