Disappointed on trip to Costa Rica
Feb 22nd, 2006, 06:10 PM
#22
Sure shillmac you had some bad rainy days in Costa Rica but then that was BEFORE you knew me.!!!!
Your Costa Rica rainy days are over now.
Don't forget who ordered that good weather for you and Isabelle in Monteverde last July!!
To be truthful I actually ordered it for Isabelle, she just had you tagging along.
Just let me know where you are going and I will order the good weather, as always .(lol)
Percy
Your Costa Rica rainy days are over now.
Don't forget who ordered that good weather for you and Isabelle in Monteverde last July!!
To be truthful I actually ordered it for Isabelle, she just had you tagging along.
Just let me know where you are going and I will order the good weather, as always .(lol)
Percy
Feb 22nd, 2006, 06:28 PM
#24
8 more sleeps faithie.
Then I am going to cuddle you, er I mean the Koala Bear!!
Percy
Then I am going to cuddle you, er I mean the Koala Bear!!
Percy
Feb 23rd, 2006, 05:28 AM
#26
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I'd like to hear more about the Osa pennisula. Does anyone have a great itinerary for that part of CR. We jsut goit back from CR...Arenal, Monteverde and MA and loved it. We want to go back but don't want to do the same things except we really loved MA. Swimming in the lagoons in the National Park were wonderful. And we loved the monkeys. Also hope to fish somewhere another time. Anyone have a headsup on that? Charters are so expensive. Need an idea for fishing that is reasonable. Thanks.
Feb 23rd, 2006, 06:06 AM
#27
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Tons of positive info here for the Osa , just put it in the search box . The only thing is that I think for the most part , ocean swimming is a little rough . That is a great plus for MA . ( especially for us as we have young kids who spend hours in the ocean )
Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:10 AM
#28
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We just returned from 10 days in CR also. Two of our 3 days at Tabacon were raining but we enjoyed it very much anyway. We did the sky tram/sky trek at Arenal in the rain and while not ideal, it was still a lot of fun. And sitting in the thermal pools in the rain was actually pretty fun for us. (we don't get out much I guess...) I think the folks there wer so nice, we just enjoyed ourselves despite of the rain.
We spent 5 days in the Papagayo area in Guanacaste, at the Allegro Papagayo. The food and weather were great, but I don't think we will return to the resort. The service was not up to the usual gracious standard I have come to expect from CR. The location was also isolated - no way to walk or easily drive to town. Reminded us why we usualy avoid all-inclusives.
We took several day trips. Rented a car one day and drove south along the coast all the way to Tamarindo. Roads were amazingly bad (they aren't kidding when they say you MUST have a 4 wheel drive car), but the beaches were amazingly beautiful and the views from the hills were breathtaking.
We would also highly recommend the Melia Carieri hotel in San Jose if you spend any time there. They treated us like royalty. We planned the long drive (4 hours) from Guanacaste to San Jose to give us a way to see the Central Valley and get a feel for it - we were not disapointed - the road was decent and the views lovely.
Based on discussions with others, our next trip will be to the South and East - Osa, MA, and southern Carribbean. We really loved the country and really look forward to returning.
We spent 5 days in the Papagayo area in Guanacaste, at the Allegro Papagayo. The food and weather were great, but I don't think we will return to the resort. The service was not up to the usual gracious standard I have come to expect from CR. The location was also isolated - no way to walk or easily drive to town. Reminded us why we usualy avoid all-inclusives.
We took several day trips. Rented a car one day and drove south along the coast all the way to Tamarindo. Roads were amazingly bad (they aren't kidding when they say you MUST have a 4 wheel drive car), but the beaches were amazingly beautiful and the views from the hills were breathtaking.
We would also highly recommend the Melia Carieri hotel in San Jose if you spend any time there. They treated us like royalty. We planned the long drive (4 hours) from Guanacaste to San Jose to give us a way to see the Central Valley and get a feel for it - we were not disapointed - the road was decent and the views lovely.
Based on discussions with others, our next trip will be to the South and East - Osa, MA, and southern Carribbean. We really loved the country and really look forward to returning.
Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:14 AM
#29
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As Faithie pointed out there are many discussions here on the Osa. And there are many trip reports for both sides of the Osa.
We chose to fly into PJ and stay at Bosque del Cabo and Iguana Lodge for our Feb 05 trip. If interested - Here is the link to my trip report that may give you some ideas. Also I posted pictures if interested in seeing those, you can search or just ask.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34569367
We chose to fly into PJ and stay at Bosque del Cabo and Iguana Lodge for our Feb 05 trip. If interested - Here is the link to my trip report that may give you some ideas. Also I posted pictures if interested in seeing those, you can search or just ask.
http://fodors.com/forums/threadselec...p;tid=34569367
Feb 23rd, 2006, 12:20 PM
#30
faithie
Yes I am going to eat a veggie Mite Sandwich and anything else that you cannot get here in North America....
within reason of course.!!!
Like I am not going to eat the Tasmanian Devil!!!
But they say Kangaroo meat is good(!!??).
After this weekend the count down is really on!!
Did you send some snow over from Montreal.... we were snow free until 3 days ago.!
Hi dfarmer
Take Care
Percy
Yes I am going to eat a veggie Mite Sandwich and anything else that you cannot get here in North America....
within reason of course.!!!
Like I am not going to eat the Tasmanian Devil!!!
But they say Kangaroo meat is good(!!??).
After this weekend the count down is really on!!
Did you send some snow over from Montreal.... we were snow free until 3 days ago.!
Hi dfarmer
Take Care
Percy
Feb 23rd, 2006, 12:21 PM
#31
I apologize to cherish05 for hijacking her posting.
Percy
Percy
Feb 23rd, 2006, 04:06 PM
#32
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To give everyone an idea of shillmac's amazing luck with weather: we were at the same lodge at San Gerardo de Dota for a couple of days, and went on the same birding tour (fabulous). Dry and comfortable. Almost immediately after shillmac and her husband left, however, leaving us to continue birding, the rain came down in thick sheets and lasted for hours! Our lightweight jackets and boots didn't keep us dry and we were pretty miserable! Ditto for a number of outdoor experiences we had during our trip. Mind you, this was our first trip to Costa Rica, but shillmac's eighth, I think! Shillmac, I hate you! (Just kidding - shillmac is great fun, and we were ever so happy to get to know you and Jim!). My experience was that our cheap ponchos were only useful for sitting on during very wet boat tours through the Rio Negro and to Tortuguero (also great tours, despite the rain).
I think that cherish05 was extremely unfortunate to eperience constant rain. Crowds can definitely deminish the pleasure of visiting a location, but there are indeed so many locations that are not uncrowded and unspoiled. Shillmac's list is well worth considering, should you choose to give Costa Rica another go. What a shame that you didn't get to experience it's tremendous beauty and warmth of the people.
Thanks for your honest and interesting report, cherish. Much as I personally LOVED Costa Rica, we travelers need a diversity of opinions.
I think that cherish05 was extremely unfortunate to eperience constant rain. Crowds can definitely deminish the pleasure of visiting a location, but there are indeed so many locations that are not uncrowded and unspoiled. Shillmac's list is well worth considering, should you choose to give Costa Rica another go. What a shame that you didn't get to experience it's tremendous beauty and warmth of the people.
Thanks for your honest and interesting report, cherish. Much as I personally LOVED Costa Rica, we travelers need a diversity of opinions.
Feb 23rd, 2006, 05:03 PM
#33
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Shoot, I'm disappointed that there wasn't much animal life in Monteverde. I'm going to Monteverde cloud forest, then Lake Arenal then Tilajari Resort... I was really hoping for some wonderful animal encounters. I most enjoy photography, and was going to bring my heavy camera with telephoto to get all those parrots and monkeys, but it sounds like this trip won't really be netting me much in the way of animal photography? I keep hearing about the awful bumpy ride to Monteverde... you mean like bring anti-nausea medication? And what of the rain poncho's? The cheap freebie ones aren't comfortable if it's really downpouring, are they? Anyone have a recommendation for raingear, brand name and all that? Got to stay under 44 pounds total for the whole trip, and for the last 2 days we need to downsize to 25 lbs... I think the raincoat (and matching broadbrimmed hat, cute-maybe un-necessary the more I read on traveling light)... is going to be a return as I don't think it's "lightweight" enough...
Feb 23rd, 2006, 05:37 PM
#34
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teadrinker, if your Monteverde experience is anything like our experience in the cloud forest of San Gerardo de Dota, what you will see is BIRDS. And if you hire a guide as amazing as Marino, our guide at Savegre Lodge, you will see lots of them! So don't despair.
I'm not sure about Lake Arenal, but we saw plenty of creatures on the grounds of the Observatory Lodge, and on tours we took from there. The Cano Negro tour was the best for seeing wildlife in this area.
I'm not sure about brands, but gortex is our choice for our next trip to Costa Rica - or you can simply follow shillmac around!
I'm not sure about Lake Arenal, but we saw plenty of creatures on the grounds of the Observatory Lodge, and on tours we took from there. The Cano Negro tour was the best for seeing wildlife in this area.
I'm not sure about brands, but gortex is our choice for our next trip to Costa Rica - or you can simply follow shillmac around!
Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:07 PM
#35
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Geez, now I feel guilty! As I said, when it happens to us, it will probably be a doozy! Whatever that is. . .!
And I know you don't hate me, Molly2, although when you get your mail in a couple of days you may. . .!
Reading Molly2's post brings back fun memories of being locked outside our room at Savegre (husband was in the bar) and it WAS acutally raining some that night. I had just gotten back from all day birding --since 7:00 a.m.--with Marino (who even when the light rain started, just couldn't bring himself to give it up!). We'd made Fodor's board arrangements to meet Molly2 and her husband on June 29 at Savegre. Up walked this couple to enter their room 2 doors down, and I ventured over to ask "Are you Molly"? I had already asked 2-3 others (who all looked at me like I was a nut of some sort--and they weren't far wrong). That was the beginning of an interesting and lasting long distance friendship! All because of Fodor's. .
Cherish05, yep, we've all hijacked your post! Sorry, just had to take that stroll down Memory Lane.
Hi Percy. . .that's right, I remember now. . .you requested no rain for Isabelle and we had that danged drought all through July and nearly burned up!
And I know you don't hate me, Molly2, although when you get your mail in a couple of days you may. . .!
Reading Molly2's post brings back fun memories of being locked outside our room at Savegre (husband was in the bar) and it WAS acutally raining some that night. I had just gotten back from all day birding --since 7:00 a.m.--with Marino (who even when the light rain started, just couldn't bring himself to give it up!). We'd made Fodor's board arrangements to meet Molly2 and her husband on June 29 at Savegre. Up walked this couple to enter their room 2 doors down, and I ventured over to ask "Are you Molly"? I had already asked 2-3 others (who all looked at me like I was a nut of some sort--and they weren't far wrong). That was the beginning of an interesting and lasting long distance friendship! All because of Fodor's. .
Cherish05, yep, we've all hijacked your post! Sorry, just had to take that stroll down Memory Lane.
Hi Percy. . .that's right, I remember now. . .you requested no rain for Isabelle and we had that danged drought all through July and nearly burned up!
Feb 23rd, 2006, 07:40 PM
#36
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It was so exciting to see shillmac waiting for us on the porch! Hate you? Impossible! But perhaps I should check my mailbox first, lol!
cherish05, my second post should read "so many locations that are uncrowded..." I wince when I read my many typos!
cherish05, my second post should read "so many locations that are uncrowded..." I wince when I read my many typos!
Feb 24th, 2006, 04:23 AM
#37
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teadrinker,
You almost always see more birds and wildlife along wooded edges, roadsides, gardens and riversides than in the woods -including the cloud forest.
The key is to get out EARLY in the day when the wildlife is most active.
Even at places like the Hampton Inn which is right beside SJO and has no 'habitat' we've seen some neat tropical birds.
If one of your lodges has has bird and /or hummingbird feeders just park yourself there for a couple of hours and I can just about guarantee you some delightful encounters.
We've stayed at a variety of locations in Costa Rica -most of the areas except the Osa Peninsula - and have NEVER had an early morning stroll outside our lodge /cabin that did not have at least one 'wow -look at that' moment.
You might not get close up looks at parrots and monkeys [or you might!] but there are plenty of wonderful and fascinating things to see.
Just a few examples from our morning strolls during last two trips to CR [November 2004 and January 2005].
Hotel Las Orquideas in suburban Alejuela
A family group of handsome Banded-backed Wrens building a nest in a flowering shrub right outside our bedroom window -great photo ops! And finding the beautiful Blue-crowned Motmot we had heard calling at dawn.
Hotel Sueno Azul in the Caribbean lowlands.
Standing quietly watching a Caiman hunting in a small pond on our left, a handsome Amazon Kingfisher waiting to plunge into the river on our right- and directly in front of us, a stunning Slaty-tailed Trogon sallying for food and repeatedly flying back to the same branch. Another photo-op extraordinaire!
Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Lodge in Guanacaste
Having our stroll stopped two hundred feet from our cabin a by a 'million' army ants as they crossed the plank bridge across a little streamlet. And standing in amazement as a 'symphony' of butterflies fluttered along the streambanks.
Villa Baula in Playa Grande
Smiling at the hundreds of colorful land crabs scurrying about - then a 'wow' look at two scavaging Crested Carcaras on the ground 40 feet in front of us. An amaziung photo even with my little 'point and shoot' camera.
None of these was a 'guided walk' and none more than 100 yards from our cabin door.
Costa Rica is full of natural wonders -large and small. The key is to get outside, walk quietly and enjoy!
cheers
Jerry in dreary Toronto.
You almost always see more birds and wildlife along wooded edges, roadsides, gardens and riversides than in the woods -including the cloud forest.
The key is to get out EARLY in the day when the wildlife is most active.
Even at places like the Hampton Inn which is right beside SJO and has no 'habitat' we've seen some neat tropical birds.
If one of your lodges has has bird and /or hummingbird feeders just park yourself there for a couple of hours and I can just about guarantee you some delightful encounters.
We've stayed at a variety of locations in Costa Rica -most of the areas except the Osa Peninsula - and have NEVER had an early morning stroll outside our lodge /cabin that did not have at least one 'wow -look at that' moment.
You might not get close up looks at parrots and monkeys [or you might!] but there are plenty of wonderful and fascinating things to see.
Just a few examples from our morning strolls during last two trips to CR [November 2004 and January 2005].
Hotel Las Orquideas in suburban Alejuela
A family group of handsome Banded-backed Wrens building a nest in a flowering shrub right outside our bedroom window -great photo ops! And finding the beautiful Blue-crowned Motmot we had heard calling at dawn.
Hotel Sueno Azul in the Caribbean lowlands.
Standing quietly watching a Caiman hunting in a small pond on our left, a handsome Amazon Kingfisher waiting to plunge into the river on our right- and directly in front of us, a stunning Slaty-tailed Trogon sallying for food and repeatedly flying back to the same branch. Another photo-op extraordinaire!
Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Lodge in Guanacaste
Having our stroll stopped two hundred feet from our cabin a by a 'million' army ants as they crossed the plank bridge across a little streamlet. And standing in amazement as a 'symphony' of butterflies fluttered along the streambanks.
Villa Baula in Playa Grande
Smiling at the hundreds of colorful land crabs scurrying about - then a 'wow' look at two scavaging Crested Carcaras on the ground 40 feet in front of us. An amaziung photo even with my little 'point and shoot' camera.
None of these was a 'guided walk' and none more than 100 yards from our cabin door.
Costa Rica is full of natural wonders -large and small. The key is to get outside, walk quietly and enjoy!
cheers
Jerry in dreary Toronto.
Dec 22nd, 2006, 10:03 PM
#39
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A sour attitude always results in a sour vacation, Been to Jamaica, east to west north to south and all in between... places tourists never been, with a jamaican friend of course, stayed in jamican homes/shacks (lived the"life" and yes jamaica is beautiful....costa rica is by far much better! and much more beautiful. ugh!
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