costa rica advice please
 

hi all who can help me out..trying to figure out where to gostay. in SJ stay in town at grano or out at vista dell valle?<BR>in corcovado- is lapa rios the best bet?<BR>is this close enough to the park?<BR>and then back up to avenal--any suggestions as to getting a private driver to take us from SJ?<BR>thanks...

<BR>Susan, if you do the text search on this forum under Costa Rica you will find the answer to each of your questions. Many of these posts are from those who recently went there<BR>My personal experience about Corcovado, if it is important for you to go there do not stay in Lapa Rios which is too far.

Re: Staying near airport. Our itinerary was such that we needed to spend the first and last nights near the airport. We liked what we chose which was this: first night at Vista Del Valle, last night at Hampton Inn. <BR>Vista is beautiful, and food and service very good. It's a really nice relaxing way to start your visit (could be nice way to end it as well). It's a 30 min. drive from airport. They'll shuttle you back and forth whenever youw want, but will charge you $18 each. Price, which is about $150 includes breakfast but not dinner. So a visit here does not come cheaply -- a night with dinner and trip from and back to airport for us came to about $250. But we did love it there.<BR><BR>We wanted to at least have a peak at San Jose before we left. We dumped the rental car we'd used to drive to Monteverde and Arenal on our last day, checked in to the Hampton (which is virtually next to the airport) and then took a taxi into SJ for dinner. I think it was $15 for both of us each way. Had a great dinner at Tin Jo, which somehow does Thai, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese food all well. Recommended by many books. Really easy then to get to airport for early am flight next day. <BR><BR>Re Corcovado -- we stayed 3 nights at Casa Corcovado, which is right next to the park and offers a day guided hike into the park as part of its 3 night pkg. We liked Casa very much, though food was nothing special. Really nice people and lovely grounds, lots of wildlife. An adventure to get to as well. If you have any questions, email me.

Hi, is it 18 dollars per person each way from Vista?? A cab charges that?? How did you like grano del oro. I thought we would spend a nite at each coming and going? Which way would you do it? Thanks, phyllis

Yes, I believe it was $18 per person for transportation airport to Vista. They had someone pick us up. The same person drove us back. I believe he was their driver. <BR><BR>Perhaps a cab would be cheaper. <BR><BR>We didn't stay at Grano in SJ (stayed at Hampton last night) so can't comment on that.

My vote would be Vista del Valle. We stayed there for a week back in October and loved it.

I vote for Vista del Valle also. We just returned, and of our four hotels, it was the best. Very peaceful, great setting, the best service we had.

Susan,<BR>I don't know when you are going but we just got back from CR and spent our first night at Vista del Valle which was a fabulous way to ease into the holiday. They charge $18 one way for two people and I must say it was great to be picked up at the airport. We also had our car delivered there the next day at no charge by Adobe who will arrange to have the car picked up at your final destination as well. As for our last night, I did not want to end a fabulous holiday in an airport hotel so after doing some research, located the Hotel Buena Vista which is in Alajuela. Great little "boutique" hotel in the hills overlooking San Jose one way and the Central Valley the other. Very peaceful, relaxing and a great place to spend a last night. Very reasonable and they will also drive you to the airport at no extra cost. They have a web site if you want further info. but we were delighted with the place and would definitely stay there again. A great alternative to the airport strip and only 15 min. away.

Barb, glad to see you are back. It sounds like you had a good trip. Please post a trip report, I am curious about where you ended up going and whether you enjoyed it.

Hi Iza,<BR>We had an amazing time! I will post an abridged trip report once all the unpacking and laundry is done. Just got back this a.m. after an overnight flight so am going to catch some zzzzz's now but my head is definitely still in CR!

We did our trip to CR 4 years ago. Want to go back but have not yet. I'm a bird-watcher and several of the locations were just heaven for me.<BR>My suggestion for arrangements, at least the first time, is to get a little help. We used Holbrook Travel, who is based in Florida and has a specialty in dealing with countries in the area and some of the types of travel people are interested in. We ended up arranging a customized tour where we were booked into hotels for all nights and they would pick us up and take us from one place to the next in vans. Sometimes had the van to ourselves and sometimes shared with another couple or family. All but one of the drivers spoke English. The price was reasonable too. We were trying to decide on a Pacific coast beach place and went with their recommendation at Playa Samara which was excellent. The itinerary was San Juan (just first nite) to Selva Verde lodge to Monte Verde for the cloud forest to Playa Samara then back to San Juan. Last leg was by small plane. All arranged and paid in advance and worked out well. <BR>Costa Rican people are very friendly and helpful. Definitely my first choice in Central America although I want to get to Belize also.

Pat, we are interested in your stay at Selva Verde as we are planning on staying there during the summer. Can you tell us how the lodge was, and what you did while there? We are also looking into the Aerial Tram which is nearby. Any info and tips would be appreciated. Thanks.

we are flying into SJ and hiring a private driver to the west coast, playa hermosa. it is 4 plus hours and will cost 120 cash. this is the lowest quote we had gotten, most were in the 150-180 range. i am sure with fluent spanish and some grit, you could do better upon arrival but for a honeymoon, we wanted all things taken care of. i can get you the info that i found online if it would help'<BR>good luck<BR>scott