My husband and I are considering a trip to Costa Rica...San Jose for a couple of days (he has some work to do there) and MA for 4 more days BUT...we have a 10 month-old.
I'd love some advice and guidance from anyone who have taken babies or small children to MA...where to stay? what to do? is it safe? should we do it?

THANK YOU...

We just spent a month there with a 5 month old (turned 6 months before we came home). It wasn't the carefree time we are used to, but we had a good time. We did pretty much all the things we usually do--restaurants, beach, swimming pool. We just did them a little differently! I think it helped that she wasn't crawling yet or walking. She is still content to be carried around (since she has no choice!) and we could put her in the snugli or just take turns. If she had been fussing to get down and go on her own power, it would have been more difficult.

Don't have any fear about safety. . .we use mainly bottled water but the tap water is okay as well. Isabelle is fairly new to baby food and the only problem we ran into (and it really wasn't a big deal) was that the baby foods were all Costa Rican of course. No green veggies. Just squash (called ayote) and carrots (zanhorios, perhaps not spelled right!). Fruits were mango, papaya, guayaba, pina, etc. She liked it all just fine.

Your infant is probably advanced to table food and that shouldn't be a problem for you either. Take along a few of his favorite snack items. The supermarkets are plentiful and well stocked for the most part. You won't have any problem buying diapers and wipes, etc.

Medical care is good and reliable and people are very willing to help should you need it. Take along your own thermometer just in case--theirs are in celsius and harder to get a feel for the severity of a temperature. At least for me! You may be used to celsius.

You might could use an umbrella stroller, something light and easy. We took a portable crib and a carseat. We rarely used the stroller, but you would probably use one more. Not in San Jose--traffic is too dangerous and you have walk and cross streets with great care (or use a taxi).

Pack lightly. You can have your laundry done if need be. Take just a few things and wear them over again!
Pack repellent and use it. Plenty of sunscreen a must.

How adventurous and flexible are you? I say "go for it"! He'll (she'll?) love the monkeys and birds, etc. It will be a nice memory for you!

Where to stay? I'd suggest Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio simply because people who have stayed there have mentioned that there are extensive grounds with lots of animals. We tried to stay there once but it was full. It would be my choice.

Costa Verde would be my pick as well ...... There are rooms with little kitchenettes , suitable for yogurt , milk , and other snackies for baby . As Shillmac said , lots of animals , and great restaurant that is open early . It was perfect for us with our children . Faith

Thank you shillmac and faith for your replies...all that info is very useful.
I am going to check Costa Verde for availability.
You mentioned you just came back...how was the weather?

Depends on how you look at it! This is, as you know, the rainy season. We look forward to the brief afternoon rains to cool things down a bit--especially at the beach. We travel to Costa Rica in July more than any other month. We have never encountered much rain, but this time the entire month was extremely dry and we found ourselves pretty darned hot in a couple of beach hotels without AC!

We were all over the place and still the same story--even the Caribbean side where it rains all the time. I think it had something to do with the hurricanes up north. The fans helped. Of course, all that could've changed by now! It's unpredictable. The weather isn't much of a factor, though. It rarely interferes. Always plan morning activities and expect rest time in the p.m. with the chance of rain.

We have taken young children to Costa Rica twice now. We stayed at the Tulemar bungalows and they work great--you get a living room with kitchenette along with a bedroom. They are glass walled and you can see an amazing amount of wildlife right from your room--great when the baby is napping and you don't want to feel like you're missing anything. They have cribs there so you wouldn't have to pack one. I'd suggest a jogging stroller or backpack so you can go on hikes with your little one. There are two hotels in San Jose I'd recommend--Hotel Grano del Oro right in downtown because it's so nice and the service is great, and Xandari which is my most favorite hotel in Costa Rica but it's in the hills above Alajuela so it may be too far for your husband.

One more question: did any of your pediatricians recommend any vaccines for the babies before you went?

You have all been so helpful...Thank you!

No, as long as your baby is up-to-date on his (her?) shots you'll be fine.

I just did this research and thought it may be helpful. we are going to CR in Sept with a 2 yo and I'm pregnant as well. Hope this help you feel more comfortable, but that you never use it! Sorry if it's a mess.

MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS LIST AS OF MARCH 2002
FOR THE CONSULAR DISTRICT OF SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
PRIVATE HOSPITALS
CIMA SAN JOSE: Tel: 208-1000. Location: 500 m. West of the tollbooths on the highway to Santa Ana (Prospero Fernández Free way). This is a private hospital has 86 private rooms and 14 private suites. The hospital is equipped to handle medical, surgical and maternity cases. It has a 24-hour emergency room as well as laboratory, X-ray services, and pharmacy. They accept several U.S. health insurance plans.
CLINICA BIBLICA: Tel: 257-5252. Location: Calle 1, Ave. 14. This is a private, non-profit hospital, which is equipped to handle medical, surgical, pediatric and maternity cases. There are 65 beds all in private rooms (8 intensive care, 24 hr. specialist present). The clinic has a 24-hour emergency room with emergency specialist and surgeon present, as well as laboratory, pharmacy and X-ray services. They also have CAT scan and MRI, hemodialysis with bicarbonate filter, and blood bank in the installations. They accept several U. S. health insurance plans.
PUBLIC HOSPITALS
SAN JUAN DE DIOS HOSPITAL
Calle 14, Av. Central – Telephone: 257-6282
This is a 680 bed hospital, which is managed by the Caja Costarricense del Seguro Social. The surgical theaters, cardiac care unit and the intensive care unit are well equipped. The different sections within the hospital are known as Pensiones and the Pensiones Echandi. This is also the only hospital in Costa Rica with an adult burn unit.

MEXICO HOSPITAL
(this hospital should only be utilized in the cases of a life threatening emergency)
Barrio La Uruca in front of the Autopista to the Airport. Telephone: 232-6122
Managed by the Costa Rican Social Security System, the hospital has 633 beds. It has many well trained physicians, however, it is crowded and there are equipment shortages.

HOSPITAL NACIONAL DE NIÑOS
Calle 14, Av. Central. Telephone: 222-0122
This is a 250 bed hospital for children operating under the Costa Rican Social Security System.—the best in Central America. Only children under the age of 12 should be brought to this facility for life-threatening types of emergencies.

HOSPITAL CALDERON GUARDIA
C 15 y 17, Av. 9-11 Telephone: 257-7922
Intensive Care Unit: 223-8963

This is a 622 bed hospital, which is managed by the Costa Rican Social Security System. This hospital should only be utilized in the case of a life-threatening emergency.

PEDIATRICS
DR. ALBERTO SAENZ PACHECO
San Pedro, Barrio Dent; from Autos Subaru 2 blocks North, Office #: 225-0943
150 mts. West, Calle Ronda Beeper #: 225-2500
Office hours: 3:00 to 6:00 PM

DR. HERNAN RODRIGUEZ CALZADA Office #: 222-4687
Edificio Torre Medica, Paseo Colon, in front of the
Hospital Nacional de Niños
Office Hours: 3:00 to 7:00 PM Monday to Friday

DR. ANEL SIMONS DE LEON Office #: 208-1144
At Emergency Room, Hospital Cima Beeper #: 296-2626
Monday-Friday 7:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

DR. ROBERTO HERRERA GUIDO Office #: 208-1609
Hospital Cima 6th floor, office #9 Beeper #: 296-2626

DR. RAMON RIVERA
From Junta de Proteccion Social 100 mts. West and Office #: 223-3242
100 mts. South. Clinica San Marcos 2nd floor, Paseo Colon Beeper #: 296-2626
Cellular #: 381-0805
Cima San Jose Hospital Office Office #: 208-1612
Call for Appointment

Wow! That's a handy post to have. Worth printing and carrying along.