How nice to be reading these boards again, and to be seeing familiar "faces" from when I was planning my first CR trip in 2004!

I'm hoping for a bit of help from the experts again...

My husband and I are planning a return trip to CR this December (the 2nd for each of us, but our first together). We have reserved one of the Casa Bambu houses on the Osa for the week before Christmas, and are very excited about visiting that part of the country for the first time. No problems there.

Having heard good things about Bocas del Toro, we thought we'd "pop over" there for Christmas week before heading home. Nature Air flies from San Jose to Bocas and back apparently daily, Sansa seems much more irregular, and Taca's site suggests that we'd have to go through Panama City first.

All this taken into account, we'd be flying the following over a two week period:

Portland, Ore to San Jose
San Jose to Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez to San Jose
San Jose to Bocas
Bocas to San Jose
San Jose to Portland

Is this crazy? I know we could drive parts of it - SJ to PJ at least - but that would obviously be even more of a time sink...

Also, am I correct in thinking that we shouldn't try to schedule two flights in one day, namely when making the jump between Puerto Jimenez and Bocas? I'm already assuming we'd spend one night at each end of the trip in San Jose.

Last but not least, we could shorten our time in Bocas to 4/5 days, and spend two or so days somewhere near San Jose before heading to Panama. I know everyone loves the Peace Lodge...anywhere else within reasonable distance to the airport that might make for a nice couple days mid-trip?

Thanks guys - I'm looking forward to your ideas!

We've flown to Bocas on Nature Air back in the day when it was only Tuesday and Thursday or something like that. We stayed 4 nights--it was just about right, but another night would have been okay as well--there were some things we didn't have time for.

We were going to PV after Bocas, so returned back to Panama by water taxi, then took a taxi to the border, and another taxi to PV.

Check the schedules. . .I would definitely use Nature Air and see no reason why you shouldn't try to connect on the same day if there is sufficient time between flights.

A couple of days near San Jose is an excellent idea. Peace Lodge is WOW and WOW $$. Love it there. I think a December reservation there might be pretty iffy at this point in time. And the time around New Year's Eve and New Year's will be iffy also at most other places.

Check with: Xandari ($$$), Siempre Verde B&B ($80-90 and only if you rent a car--it would be a great location about 25 min. from the airport and lots of exploring to do from there), Vista del Valle ($150 plus--20 min from airport), El Cafetal ($100--over by Atenas, 30 min. from airport. .again with a vehicle). Also there is Poas Volcano Lodge up by Peace Lodge (way less $$). I'm trying to think of places that might not be booked yet because they are nice, but less known. Xandari is probably sold out.

Hope this helps a bit. . .good luck! Let us know what you figured out. . sounds like a cool plan.

Shillmac!

WOW and WOW$$ is right! I'd be shocked if you're not also right about Peace Lodge being sold out during our time frame - I'm surprised we've been as lucky as we have so far...

I'll definitely look at these others - the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of having a few "in country" days in between the coastal spots.

Did you by chance get to Zapatilla Cayes while you were in Bocas? That was what first sold me on the islands - must be the Carribean withdrawal I've been suffering since I moved to the NW...

Shillmac,

I remember reading years ago about a little inn somewhere sort of near San Jose that was run by a young couple that everyone on these boards just loved. I remember that they were very helpful with travel plans, very good cooks, I feel like they were maybe from Isreal, and the website had lots of butterflies(?)...I know that's awfully random - do you know who I'm talking about? Are they still in business?

No, we didn't get to Zapatilla and would like to have had time to go there and Bird Island. We did a lot of relaxing, but went somewhere everyday as well. The dolphin/snorkeling/Red Frog beach tour is excellent. We liked Isla Bastimiento also. And we spent a day on one of the beaches on Bocas.

Of course I know who you are talking about! That was the former La Finca Que Ama, about 1.5 hour from the airport to the south through Colon and Puriscal, operated by Neta and Arbel. They now live in Canada.

They sold to Bob and Jill from Arizona (can't remember the last name) and it is now more of a yoga retreat and spa. You don't hear much about it on the boards, but a year or so ago someone gave it a glowing review. I hope they are doing well. We have received an e-mail within the past year or so inviting us to visit at a discount. We just haven't had the opportunity to travel in that direction lately.

It would be a nice place to stay in that it is near Turu-Bari, a nice little park/rec area about 45 min. away. Haven't been there, but all reviews have been very positive. I think the park offers a great deal as a daytrip.

I'm trying to remember the name of it! Anyone else remember? Seems like it is "mi" something. . .

Ama Tierra



A place not far from the airport - Bosque de Paz. It's about 2 hours and is a really sweet spot.