Like!!!!!!

atravelynn

***What do you think of El Remanso Lodge?
It's very nice spot but I've never stayed so I can't comment on the food. A little pricey but all the nicer places in the neighborhood are because they are so remote.

***Can you list a 12-night wildlife-centric itinerary around your favorite spots in Osa and add Tortuguero if you think Tortuguero is a good idea?

Did that last February. Start with a few nights at Boca Sombrero then head to Dos Brazos and get a private guide to hike the Sendero de Oro overnight at Piedras Blancas camp then to Carate and continue down the beach to La Leona for another few nights. Up to Sirena then air Taxi Alfaro to Drake Bay and Aguila de Osa or any of the lodges there. Definite day trip to Isla Caño and one night with Tracy the Bug Lady. I wouldn't combine that trip with Tortuguero. Logistical nightmare.


***What do you think of Mawamba Lodge in Tortuguero if the goals are wildlife and value? I went there years ago and loved it.
Excellent.

***Comment on best time for wildlife vs best value. Is there overlap in your opinion?
If you're really interested in wildlife you're willing to put up with a little rain, some bugs, oppressive heat any time you can get there is the best time.

***If the traveler is going solo would your responses change for any of the above?
Obviously it's much more expensive (especially the charter flight and personal guides) if someone is solo so most of what I suggested is not feasible for a solo traveler unless they are rich.

OK. Back again (someone has to work to pay for the vacations LOL).
All I'm doing is comparing a $150/room in CR with a $150 room in Europe/Hawaii (condo). Or a $115/room or a $100/room.

I do extensive research and it seems that what we are paying for is the CR EXPERIENCE and not THE room. IF we didn't pay it then they wouldn't charge it? No "rocket science" there. Supply and demand. The "free market" system at work?

The prices in Costa Rica don't necessarily reflect supply and demand. The last three years have been pretty lean and traveler numbers have been down slightly (despite what the ICTs "statistics" say) and spending has been down significantly (mostly shorter trips, one week instead of two) but lodging, transportation and tour prices have actually increased on average. A lot of places have failed and gone out of business but very few have lowered prices.

Most places in Costa Rica are working on pretty thin margins rather than raking in huge profits as you're implying. If they could make a living with lower prices many would but generally the expenses are just too high.

I don't know about "huge" profits or who is or who isn't making money.

All I know is that my road trip in Aug 2012 in GB (Hawaii is actually cheaper for us) my ACTUAL spending AVERAGED around $300-$325/day. That's car, gas, rooms, admissions, food, etc. NO airfare.

My CR trip will probably be about the same--tours, rooms, food, transportation, etc. NO airfare.

I was just surprised by the costs, that's all. I don't know why I assumed that Costa Rica would be less expensive.

BUT, I am so EXCITED to be going!!!

Excited for you ;-) and guarantee your experience will be very different than Great Britain, Europe or Hawaii - hope you think it's worth it - most do.

One thing that Costa Rica has going for it is trained wildlife (particularly birding) guides. Of course you have to pay them, which increases the cost of a wildlife-oriented trip, as do the entrance and trail fees if you are going to a reserve.

But there are a few places which include a free guided tour or walk as part of the package. Some locations have their own on-site trails as well.

Costa Rica is a bit skimpy on mammal species but there are a few that are easy to see, four species of monkeys, the coati mundi, two sloths, racoons, agouti, and if lucky a few others. Also many frogs including the poison dart ones.

Tapir and cats are more of a crap shoot.

And of course the crocs!

Hacienda Baru
https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifann/HaciendaBaru

Great photos mlgb - the green parrot snake looks like it just had a snack.

At first I misread you post as saying that Costa Rica has "trained wildlife" lol. I always thought there was something suspicious about the monkeys at Manuel Antonio ;-)

Thanks for the info.

"***If the traveler is going solo would your responses change for any of the above?
Obviously it's much more expensive (especially the charter flight and personal guides) if someone is solo so most of what I suggested is not feasible for a solo traveler unless they are rich."

The non-rich solo traveler is very willing to join others, does that make a difference and is it reasonable to arrive at a lodge by myself but do shared outings?

If the timeframe were stretched beyond 12 days, then would scheduled flights that cost less than a private charter work?

How do I hire the trained wildlife? ;)

Gracias again.

I'm not sure why you would need charter flights? Sansa and Nature Air have many flights a day to destinations all over the country. As a solo traveler often, I don't find I pay any more than others, but rarely pay any less either. Most places I have stayed are per night, for either 1 or 2 people. Most places offer day trips & outings, sometimes with just people from your hotel/lodge, sometimes they will pick up from other places as well.

@tully you have to use a charter from Carate or Sirena to Drake. There are no scheduled flights.

@atravelynn - I apologize. I didn't realize you were making a request for a possible solo itinerary. I thought of it more like what would be my ideal trip with those parameters. Our trek wasn't something that's commonly done and was way off the beaten path. It's highly unlikely you'll find anyone else doing it.

There are other routes across Corcovado that tourists use and you might be able to join a group. We had five people so a charter was actually economical but there are no scheduled flights to substitute. There are boats that go from Drake to Sirena and back every day and you could probably hitch a ride on one of them.

Because Costa Rica is one of the most expensive country in Central America. And because the country gets a lot of American tourists, tour operators and hotels increase their prices. And since you are going in January, that is high season which means prices are a little bit higher.

I've been in Costa Rica, now, for 20 years. I love the place and I wouldn't continue to stay here if I didn't. Throughout the '90s, Costa Rica had no tourism competition, so it got a real head start over its neighbors. But the more I cover all the neighboring countries as well as Mexico and several in South America for Fodor's, the more I see that there's life outside of Costa Rica. Some of these places are really offering good value for the money. Dare I say, better value than Costa Rica in some cases?

Costa Rica lacks the obvious history. There is no Antigua or Granada or Leon or Tikal or Copan here. It lacks Guatemala's and Panama's vibrant indigenous cultures. It has nothing comparable to Panama City's cosmopolitan vibe. Costa Rica does very well with what it has, but I think it's incorrect to say it has it all, and I think many in the tourist industry here still don't realize how much competition they have these days.

I still love the place, though. :)

costaricaguide - yes aware that there are no flights into Sirena, but did not get the sense that was what the poster was asking. Wanted to make clear that there are a lot of flights into/near many destinations in CR, since she/he doesn't have a concrete plan in place.

lynn - not sure of their schedule or your budget, but you may want to check out Stepout Experience. A poster here did a trip with them a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.

Jeff I still love it too :) However I am going to Nica. in a couple weeks! My budget for 10 days there is pretty much even what I've spent on previous 10 day trips to CR. So I guess it all is relative.

The trained wildlife are all at Manuel Antonio, free with admission :)

atravelynn are you only interested in Osa for this trip?

If you haven't done the San Gerardo de Dota area yet, I enjoyed Savegre Lodge and they have good guides (not the trained wildlife although some of the hummingbirds and quetzals are pretty cooperative).

I drove myself in CR which was an adventure but if I ever returned I would probably use drivers/shuttles instead.

http://www.savegre.com/

https://picasaweb.google.com/kiwifan...greAndQuetzals

Osa on a $150/night budget is tough but doable. Look at La Danta near Puerto Jimenez or a place like Finca Maresia near Drake Bay.

Or Las Caletas near Drake Bay....

OOOoh, can't wait for your trip report, tully!

mlgb, magnificent quetzals. What time of year were you there? And does it matter to see them?

CostaRicaGuide, I understand you had enough people for your own itinerary, flights and all.

I am interested in Osa just because I thought it offered some of the better wildlife opportunities.

Stepout, thanks for that reference.