desperately need itinerary help
 

Trying to plan a 9 day trip to Costa Rica in March. Want to mix major bird sightings, wildlife, canopy, horseback riding etc., with very nice, upscale, eco-lodges and hotels. I am willing to listen to all suggestions. I feel like I'm going at this blindly.

Thanks,
Pam

A guidebook at this stage of planning is always a good idea.

Horseback and canopy you can do anywhere you go, so focus on the wildlife. March is a good time for that, as it is the end of the dry season, and critters congregate at available water.

Look at Osa Peninsula, esp. Bosque de Cabo for wildlife. Its the one place in CR I am still dying to get to.

We did fantastic birding around the Palo Verde NP and Isla de Pajaros ('Bird Island', who would have guessed it had lots of birds ;-} on the Tempesque river. Not much of anyplace to stay near there, esp. upscale. We do it as a day trip from the N.Pacific coast.

You can find all of that stuff in dozens of locations.

I'd recommend buying a guidebook and seeing what appeals to you.

Our favorites are Arenal and the Osa Peninsula. Check out the Lost Iguana and Bosque del Cabo - not sure if they would be upscale enough, but we love them.

pgoody:

My wife and I were in Costa Rica last year, mid January to mid March.

After searching all the tour books [public library], I selected and bought the one that covered most of our interests.

I then had Swiss Travel, based just out of San Jose Costa Rica, provide recommendations and also had them make all our in country arrangements, we did our own flight to/from home. They live there, they travel there and they are very reliable. They were the best agency we have ever used. We have been to New Zealand, Australia, South Pacific islands, Portugal, Spain, Argentina, Chili, Honduras, Mexico, Hawaii and southern USA as well as eastern Canada and always use a travel agent.

I do not think that we pay more and I know that we get better results.

We were VERY impressed with the professional treatment that we got.

I am a firm believer that an expert will give you the best results but it is up to you to tell them what you want.

Have a great trip. Costa Rica is a fantastic place.

Woodie

www.fourseasons.com/costarica

Papagayo very upscale my fav.

www.royalcorin.com

upscale at www.arenal.net

www.gaiiahr.com

upscale at www.manuelantoniopark.com

Probably would do a combo of these...