Hi again,

Trying to iron out some last details before we leave May 9th.

Has anyone been to Casa Orquideas (a privately owned botanical preserve) down in the southern Pacific area?

The only way to get to it is via boat. One of my travel books has a tiny blurb about it, but no phone number or other way to contact them.

The surfers aren't going to be able to surf all day, so I'm looking for some other things we can do while at Pavones.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Fran

It is a well known tour down there. Any one of the lodges can help set it up.

Generally the cost of the boat to get there and back from Puerto Jimenez is about $100. Don't know what it would be from Pavones. Your lodge can advise you on that. I would think it would be less. Then there is a small entrance fee to the gardens. The McAllisters are very nice and it is a very interesting tour. They also give you some neat things to taste. I fell in love with their lemonade. It has a little fresh ginger in it. We were looking at property as well so Ron took us by boat to look at some. What some people are doing is combining it with the new Sanctuary tour.

well maybe I'll run into ya! Since it (and the Sanctuary) are more convenient to access from Playa Nicuesa, I will be going to both either the 10th or 11th. I haven't heard a huge amount about it but have heard it's a nice place to visit.

Suzie and tully,

Thanks for the replies.

Please, please - tell me more about the Sanctuary tour.

tully,

I hope we do cross paths, but it would have to be on the 11th. On the 10th we'll be driving to Pavones after our first night overlooking the Orosi Valley.

So you leave in 6 days. It's 11, for us. I'm really getting serious now about making certain I have all my notes in order for all the great places I've read about here.

Fran

Here's an article I posted a while ago about it: http://www.careerjournal.com/columni...4-cubicle.html

Won't know what day I'm going til I get there but if you see a tall blonde trying to kidnap a howler monkey come up and say hi

Hi Floridafran,

We did not make it to the animal sanctuary but it seem to get very good reviewd from the people that we met. Two families on two different days went to the santuary from Iguana Lodge. They seemed to have a great time. A very nice lady that we met at BdC loved it. I think that it was the highlight of her trip. The only negative that I heard was that the owner can be grumpy to her husband on occasion.

Have a wonderful trip!!
Very Best,
Gem

Thanks for the additional info, tully and Gem.

tully, if we do get there, I'll definitely keep watch for you.

Fran