Melissa5

volcanogirl: Thanks for the details on your room at Vista del Valle. It seems to me that there are bugs no matter where you go in Costa Rica. That had kinda faded from my memory of our first trip...I seem to remember the beauty and the "alive" greenness... But there were insects in our room at the Lost Iguana in Arenal, and we had a wonderful romantic time there. We also had insects in our room at the super friendly La Finca Que Ama when Neta was there...that didn't bother me that much. I remember staring at one large bug on the ceiling before I went to bed. My husband would scoop a bug out of the room if one looked particularly unfriendly. So maybe I have fogotten that I managed to make peace with those insects. they are pretty much everywhere I guess, but you know, not one of them actually crawled on me! They mostly seem to go about their own business.

I am going to try to make a decision about staying at Bosque del Cabo this weekend. I might post a question about how many nights are best for staying there...3 or 4.

We will still need an interesting place to stay in the airport area, but it doesn't have to be in San Jose.

Of all the other places I checked out, besides the Osa, I like the idea of a return trip to Monteverde a lot...or visiting the areas south of San Jose in the mountains...shillmac had recommended a mountain accommodation that sounded good.

Thanks everybody!

volcanogirl

We've seen bugs in all our spots too. The Lost Iguana is one of our favorite spots. It's all part of the tradeoff for being so close to nature.

If you need a San Jose hotel, we liked Grano de Oro - wonderful restaurant and service there.

Melissa5

<b>volcanogirl:</b> It sounds like we have similar tastes in accommodations, and I really appreciate your taking the time to give me the benefit of your experience! I remember considering Grano de Oro for our first trip, but we decided to skip San Jose because the whole family wanted to maximize our time exploring nature.

But I'm interested in San Jose for the cultural experiences, and dining. Were you glad that you stayed in San Jose? Would you want to stay in San Jose again? Or did you feel, even though you liked Grano de Oro, that your time was better spent in nature? Did you have any time to hear music and go dancing in San Jose? I love music and dancing. I'm not a great dancer but we sure enjoy trying!

volcanogirl

Hi, Mel - we really only stayed there because we were coming all the way from Manuel Antonio and needed somewhere to stay the night before our flight. We had a long drive there and didn't have time to eat. Within minutes of checking into our room at Grano de Oro, they delivered a beautiful fruit plate to our room as a welcome gift. They just had wonderful service. Neat little touches in the hotel like gardens and fountains. One little corner had a place to leave a book you were finished with a take a new book. Beautiful historic pictures throughout the hotel. And the rooftop had a neat little garden area with hot tubs. The room was comfortable and a good price, and it had a bathtub which I really liked.

I liked it that it's built in an old mansion, which made it unique. We didn't go out in San Jose. We ate at the Grano de Oro restaurant which was really nice and had very good food. I wouldn't stay there for an extended time frame personally because I want to be out in nature, but for a first or last night it was perfect for us. The rooms vary from basic to really elaborate with their own private patios and gardens. We had a pretty basic room, and it reminded me of a Marriott or something along those lines. I'm thinking of staying there again if we decide to raft the Pacuare. San Jose has some nice museums and the National Theater, but parts of it are just fast food restaurants and bars on all the windows. I'd rather be out enjoying a great view or seeing monkeys, but if I needed to be in San Jose, I would definitely stay there again.

Melissa5

volcanogirl: Thanks for your nice review of Grano de Oro. I would definitely like to stay there, as you say, if it looks convenient to stay in San Jose.

BocaGirl

Funny thing, our favorite room at Vista del Valle is the Mona Lisa that Volcanogirl didn't like. What we loved about it was the completely private jungle patio overlooking the Rio Grande River gorge. We ate their heavenly nachos and drank rum punch while we read and watched Mot Mots, a Toucan, and huge birds flying down into the canyon. (Maybe the room wasn't that great and it was just the rum. I have to admit I've made peace with seeing spiders in my room. (Costa Rica has some of the most beautiful spiders). We loved the outside shower. The toilet and sink are a kind of ugly green, but whenever things are a little odd looking, we consider them "Costa Rican". If you like lush jungly gardens, and good food in an outdoor setting, it might be for you. I guess everybody likes different things, and you have to keep that in mind when looking for a place.

volcanogirl

Boca, we did see a keel-billed toucan there, and that part was awesome. They also had beautiful grounds and a nice pool. The reviews I had read were very mixed. One review said, "if you love camping, stay here" and then the next review would be a rave. I think I just didn't know what to expect, and I thought it was overpriced for what we got. Or maybe I didn't have enough rum! Did you guys hike to the waterfall?

costaricalearn

Hello, Im a travel agent and travel writer specializing in Costa Rica. Lived 8 years there and return every year for a couple months.
I highly recommend you visit the Tortuguero Canals. Mawamba Lodge has a two or three night tour-all inclusive out of San Jose. It's wonderful! Lots of wildlife and lush vegetation and lots tropical flowers. Great place for your biologist husband, and you would love it also. Go visit the Turtle Conservation Station in the little hamlet of Tortuguero.

If you will fly a small twin engine aircraft I recommend: the Osa has a place called Lapa Rios. It is located high up on the side of a monuntain surrounded by rainforest with a view of the ocean... I know several good places (a little more on the remote side) near by Corcovada National Park. It is as deep into the jungle as a tourist can get in Costa Rica.
Feel free to email me [email protected]

I write a travel blog about Costa Rica..just started it "full steam" www.costaricalearn.com Please take a look under the travel section. I have very good advice on a range of topics including Mawamba Lodge and the canals.
at bottom of posts there is a place for comments click on "no comment" Yes, it should say "comments" I need to change it when I learn more about wordpress.
My husband is a profession film maker, we spent 3 summers filming and "Costa Rica The Jewel of the Tropics" is to be released in May. I'm going to promote it on my costaricalearnblog Good luck, Ann

Melissa5

Thanks for the wealth of information!