Just got back from a 3-week trip in Costa Rica. If you would like trip report, please email me.

Dear Jane,<BR>Would love to hear about it! My daughter, age 26 bio-grad student wants to go. Planning a mother daughter trip. Looked online at Caravan brochure.

Jane, why don't you post your report on this website so that all Fodorites can enjoy it!

Going to the Marriott - Los Suenos in May, would love to hear a report of the trip!

Please email it to me as well.<BR>Thanks,<BR>Mark

i would like a trip report too, as i am planning on hanging out down there for four months this fall. thanks.

Just back from two weeks in CR. Some small detail will only interest travelers from TO regarding flight but I have lots of info to share with fodors readers. Flight on Air Transat from Toronto Mar 1st. 8 AM. Arrived very early as requested. L1011-500 with 3-4-3 seating. Lucky to sit in first four middle seats in front of screen which gave us extra leg room. Had to repack carry on into checked in luggage because of weight. Lots of people turned up later and alot latter with bigger carry-on than we had. Great charter to San Jose. Since we were going on to Liberia to de-plane and new passengers would load at San Jose and Liberia for return to Toronto we had a 1:15 wait in San Jose before we reloaded for Liberia. Looking at the agenda now I should have started in Liberia. I noticed another post that was lost so I will close and post the trip. Len

March 1st/2002 Arrived Liberia Air Transat Charter around 3 PM. Met by rental agency and picked up paper work and was on my way. After 15 minutes I notice signs for Playa this and that and realized I was going the wrong way. Hey, a little excited but caught the problem early. These were the big signs down here so it was easy to correct the problem. Later in the trip is another story. Travelled north on 1 from Liberia to Curubande turnoff (right to Ricon de la Vieja.) First night at Posada El Encuentro (fodors page 89) We decided to stay close to Liberia because of driving at night. Paved road to Posada turnoff then gravel etc for 15/20 minutes to lodging. Without getting into great detail the Fodors review was very accurate regarding rooms, food and view. Highly recommend this spot. We wanted to travel North to La Cruz and down to Arenal but maps were conflicting regarding type of road so we headed back through Liberia on Hwy 1 turning left at Canas driving past Tilaran, very windy here, (lots of Generation of Elect. using huge wind driven Blades mounted on poles as generators.)Roads are winding around Lake Arenal and have some gravel sections but in pretty good shape. (The pot hole problem is overstated.) First monkey spotted on a pole. Looks fried but does move after a while. Siesta Time? Great view of Volcano Arenal as we travel to La Fortuna. Second night at Hotel San Bosco. Fodor recommended page 78. Great view of Arenal from pool and veranda. We travelled back 15km before dark to other side of Arenal but nothing to see. Travelled back in dark to hotel. Lots of pot holes in this area. If you don't want to spent a lot of money for a 20% chance to see some activity, then this is a great spot to stop at. Downtown is active, we walked into many areas without hesitation. Next stop Central Valley of San Jose.<BR>Len

To clarify my previous post, there are numerous places to stay $$$$$ on other side of volcano within 15Km of Fortuna which offers better rates.

Mar 3rd/2002<BR>Depart la fortuna and decide to travel to Muelle, Aguas Zarcas to San Miguel south on 4 between Volcano Poas and Volccano Barva. Nice clear day with great views of valleys, waterfalls, villages, farms and towns. Stop for fresh fruit etc on the way to Hotel Bougainvillea. (Page 50 in Fodors)Very nice spot with great breakfast, rooms are clean and grounds with flowers and plants extensive. Pool is cold, Sauna not turned on and Hot tub did not exist. This would be a great spot to start your trip from San Jose. Stayed two nights, had a nice supper and used it as a base to visit volcanos in this area. Had a nice walk at Volcano Poas in drizzly but we never saw the crator. tried. On to Domincal and Villa Gaia for day 5/6th.

Depart into San Jose for Hwy 2 to Cartago. Excellant directions from Hotel Boganvilla gets me into the city and out without any problems. Miss the turnoff at Cartago for San Isidro and spent 30/40 minutes driving into town and back until I get the turn-off. The main roads have pretty good signage but just when you thing its a piece of cake they through a dispascio at you or when in town the road suddenly is a DO NOT ENTER in Spanish.When you approach a turn to right, there is nothing to indicate its one way until your'e around the corner. Ducked into a few driveways to avoid ticket on a few occasions. More detail to follow.

Travelled down from San Isidro to Domincal. What a view as you reach the Pacific Ocean coming down from the mountain. Excellant road for San Jose and views of valleys and moutains are serene. Above the clouds over the Pacific at one point. Must travel this section early in day because of moisture forming from cloud cover.<BR>Road from Domincal to Hotel Gaia ($5 minutes newly paved with two large lanes and suicide lane in middle for right and left turns. No line markings so its really one three lane wide road.<BR>Great little hotel for two nights. Lots of monkeys crossing the road. (15 a one point and most of them stopped and did a quick jump to look both ways before crossing. The literacy rate IS quite high in CR. Nice beaches down here and very deserted. Having planned to travel to Playa Nosara to a Villa for week two, I wished we had continued south from here to Golfito but we still have lots of travel to complete. Nice hotel, pool and food here (Fodors page 159.) Depart for Atenas and El Cafetal Inn on March 7th Sans wallet left at Villa Gaia check out desk. The plot Thickens. Len

Arrive in Quepos 45 minutes of driving on gravel road from Domincal. Sans wallet. Lucky I had removed all but travelers checks, some cash, drivers licence and health card. Elect not to return and continue on To Atenas. Arrive late afternoon and arrange to have owner contact Villa Gaia. Wallet already on the way to Villa Nicolas. Didn't stay there but highly recommend it. Very tense night at EL CAGETAL Inn but INN has very clean rooms, great breakfast and free wine to wife if your spouse has lost his wallet. Did't work but we both suggest this coffee farm is another great stop if your landing in San Jose and travelling west toward Pacific beaches. Up early Friday for the trip to Nosara. Len

Nice report, Len. Thank you. I believe you mean El Cafetal which also has a very good restaurant, owned by Lee and Romy.

Sorry for typo. Lee and Romy where great hosts in this small inn. After a very nice breakfast we were off to Puntarenas and the Ferry to Playa Naranjo.Part two to follow tonight including the return of Wally the wallet after MIA for 8 nights.<BR>len

Arrive Nicoya with our travelling friends PU some supply's and off to Nosara. I thought being close to South America the wine would be a good deal but you will find that it's more expensive than in Ontario and probably the US. The buying power of LCBO in Ontario keeps the price down for us or the sellers down there no the US market Price? Its market day in Nicoya as we pass by and regret we didn't get here earlier. Getting dark and we are headed for the dreaded dirt and gravel road to Nosara. <BR>Len

Two posts missing. I'll wait til Thurs to continue. Len

Jane,<BR>Would love to hear what you thought about C.R. I have been going there for vacation for the past 2 years and I absolutely love it!

Yes, I would love to hear about your trip. We are going in May. How was the weather ? Did you rent a car or use public trans ? I am staying 10 days! How long did you stay ? Also did you see a volcano ? Or was it overcast!

Could you please send me a copy of your trip report too.