Connie -- I have heard that Punta Islita is great too -- in fact, we looked into it when we were planning our trip. I'm sure it's wonderful. I have no idea how it compares with Villa Caletas. I know not everyone has loved Villa Caletas, mostly due to the construction that was going on, but I don't know if that's over now or not. It was idyllic when we were there. If they are still doing construction when you're going, that might make me think twice. <BR> <BR>When we were in Costa Rica it was definitely hot but not unbearably so. We had really terrific weather for the most part. I would guess that at Lapa Rios it was in the mid to high 80s during the day and pretty humid. It always cooled down at night and we had no problem sleeping. Lapa Rios was the hottest of all the places we went, but our bungalow was always pretty comfortable because it was well-shaded, pretty open to the breezes, and had a good strong ceiling fan. If you do any hiking there it is best to do it early before the heat of the day. The pool feels nice. I found the best antidote to the heat was to sit in the shade with a margarita! They are so good (the limes they use there are different -- green on the outside but orange on the inside -- and they are delicious). Drink lots of water. Also, I think part of the reason I don't remember the heat being unbearable is because we were so preoccupied watching the monkeys and toucans and other wildlife.

Well, it's all set. Thank you everyone for responding to all of my questions. I did get the information on Bosque, thank you Iza. That was what helped me make the decision to go there. I don't know about you, but I don't necessarily trust the travel books. I feel more comfortable getting the direct experience from other travelers. <BR> <BR>We're starting in Vista del Valle for one day. They are so responsive and accomodating! If the service I got this week is any indication of the service I'll get when I get there, then they deserve all the praise I've read about them. <BR> <BR>We're flying to Bosque del Cabo for 3 days. I'll bring lots of bug repellant, drink lots of water, and enjoy a once of a lifetime experience. <BR> <BR>We're then flying for 3 days to Villa Caletas-Punta Islita was booked already. <BR>Craig, would you skip the Canara Reserve tour? It sounded so-so. I definitely want to do the Mangrove boat trip and Canopy tour (maybe the canopy in Bosque). <BR> <BR>Back to Vista del Valle for last 2 days. <BR>Possible trips from there are: La Paz Waterfalls, Rafting, Zoo Ave or the Butterfly place. Haven't decided which. <BR> <BR>I will post a report when I get back. This site has been so invaluable to me, I want to help the next traveller.

Connie, <BR>a nice tour that we took last year from San Jose was the Costa Rica Highlights Tour. Check it out at http://www.crica.com/tours/ecoscape.html <BR>We liked it a lot last year, the guide was very good. Even though it seems like a lot for one day the tour was done at a nice pace and allowed us to see parts of CR other than the Pacific Coast. We were lucky with Poas Volcano - the clouds lifted just as we were getting close to the crater and we were able to see the beatiful blue lake surrounded by huge expanses of dark lava fields - an awsome sight. <BR>BTW, I noticed that Villa Caletas has a green season special of $99 per night which seems like a great value. Punta Islita would have been much more expensive. <BR>Have a wonderful trip.

Although we were disappointed with the Carrera Reserve Tour, I have heard that you can see more (mostly birds) during the rainy season. Also, you may see more if you go earlier in the day than our tour did. In any case, it was a lot easier to see things on the Crocodile Tour than it was at either Carrera or Osa.