HI! My husband & I are thinking about Costa Rica for 11 days in Feb. We're hoping to see some of the Osa Peninsula and the Manuel Antonio Park. Is that too ambitious? We are hoping to pick tours/guides/lodging that follow ecologically sustainable tourism guidelines, but other than Aguila de Osa inn in the peninsula, haven't found anything near Manuel Antonio. Lapa Rios is fully booked almost through April! I have yet to hear back from Bosque del Cabo.
Activities we're interested in are:
hiking, birding, snorkeling, rafting, yoga & viewing wildlife.

We chose Si Como No in Manuel Antonio because it was highly rated by CST, a sustainable tourism organization. We liked it so much we went back! www.sicomono.com

(I forget what the CST website is, but google it and "sustainable" and you'll find it--it rates hotels throughout the country.) Good luck!

You might try Tulemar Bungalows - www.tulemar.com - they have received a "Bandera Azul Ecológica" in the past for "quality (cleanliness) of ocean water, quality of drinking water offered at the beach, quality of the coast with respect to garbage, industrial drainage, and treated residual water, local environmental education, and level of beach security and administration." (taken from thier website).

Also they have a killer private beach, haha.

I wouldn't suggest Manuel Antonio, especially if you are going to the Osa Peninsula. MA is crowded and very 'zoo like', in my estimation.

There are several other wonderful options available. A location at a higher elevation , such as Savegre Lodge or Bosque de Paz, will provide an amazingly different array of wildlife from what you would see on the Osa.

There are plenty of other options as well.

The "New Key to Costa Rica" guidebook has sustainable tourism ratings for numerous lodges throughout the country, and is a very good general guide to CR..

I can possibly help a bit with birding and wildlife viewing questions.

If this is your first trip to the area be prepared for 'sensory overload' [in a good way.....] as your brain tries to process the wonderful diversitiy and colours and richness of the birds, plants, insects and animals.

cheers

Jerry

Thank you for all your suggestions! I think we may end up spending the entire trip on the Osa. In that case, Jerry, would we get a chance at seeing the elusive Quetzal?

Also, do you think it would be better to spend all the time in one lodge as opposed to changing location midway?

We'd love to maximize both our wildlife viewing and birding opportunities.

Thanks for the suggestion about the guidebook!

Ute, IMHO, Jerry has given you outstanding advice. You won't see the quetzal on the Osa. He is found at higher elevations. I'd choose either one of the two places he has mentioned for at least 2-3 nights. You could begin or end (I'd choose "end&quot your trip with a 3-5 night stay in the central valley, with the last night near the airport (probably necessary anyway). From there you could do either Bosque de Paz or Savegre Mountain Lodge near San Gerardo De Dota. After 5-7 days on the Osa, I would be ready for some of the cool temps available at the higher elevations. Feels wonderful! Very Colorado-Alaska like. . .would give you a broader view of the wonders of the country! Whatever you choose, enjoy!

I agree with the point of skipping MA if you're going to the Osa. I enjoyed my 2 trips to MA, but the one time I went to MA after the Osa it wasn't as enjoyable. Not to mention the culture shock of going from one to the pther!

Ute,

For the quetzal Savegre Mountain Lodge would be my choice. Not a lot of mammal sightings at Savegre but great birds and very little overlap with the birdlife of the lowlands. Also a beautiful location,good hiking, great guides, a Tico -owned lodge......one of my very favourite places.

Bosque de Paz is at a lower altitude than Savegre and is on the caribbean slope so has more diverse birdlife but chances are less of seeing a quetzal. They do have more mammals there as well.

If it were my vacation [ I wish.....]I would follow Shillmac's advise to see the Osa first, then go to Savegre Lodge.
During my time in the central valley I would visit the La Paz Waterfall Gardens for some some stunning looks at hummingbirds, tanagers and such goodies as prong-billed barbet. They also have a pretty amazing series of stairs and boardwalks beside some very impressive waterfalls.

Please advise if you would like any further suggestions.

cheers

Jerry

Jerry, have been reading your suggestions for birding very carefully as we are planning a photo trip with birds as the main goal.

What time of year is best for these places? In particular the quetzal?

Thanks.

Bill

Thanks for all your messages. Shillmac, I have decided to skip MA and visit Osa and hopefully Savegre Lodge.

Any opinions on these:
-Tiskita Lodge in Osa
-Aguila De Osa

The folks at Bosque del Cabo have not yet replied.

Thanks,
Ute

Bill,

I will start a new thread regarding birds in the next day or so......

Jerry

Quick question Jerry & Shillmac, am trying to book the Savegre Lodge, and was wondering are there food options close by?
Thanks!

BTW, we got Bosque del Cabo (deluxe for 3 nts and the garden cabina for 3 nts!) We're super excited!

Cheers,
Ute

Hey Ute--you SHOULD be excited! You're going to love BdC!

No, no food options near Savegre. You'll want to select the all-inclusive plan. Everything is very self contained right there at the lodge as it is a rural area. The food is better than average. I think you'll be pleased.

Savegre is a very nice place to enjoy the cool mountain air--absolutely excellent for high elevation birding. Quetzales are almost as common as sparrows--this according to Melvin, one of the birding guides. Our experience supports his comment. Very easy to spot--you won't have to go far!

Yeah Shillmac, we're really excited about BdC. Unfortunately, Savegre Lodge seems to be fully occupied for our dates. Any suggestions for alternatives? We tried Bosque de Paz and they're fully booked as well! We can't wait to see the beautiful quetzal!

I'd try Trogon Lodge. And then, if that doesn't work, ask them the name of the place up the road nearer to the highway. It is a new place (built about 2 years ago), but I can't remember the name of it. It was built by a European fellow, but then he was killed trying to save some people in the river about a year ago. Very sad story. It looked like a very nice place. Same area--quetzal country!

There are quetzals at a number of higher altitude locations in Costa Rica but the San Gerardo area seems to be the best. There is another very small place in San Gerardo, as I recall......

Trogon Lodge as noted above is a beautiful second choice if Chacon's [Savegre ] is full. Did you contact the lodge directly for your reservations or did you go through Costa Rica Gateway travel agency? You might want to contact the lodge directly in Costa Rica and see if they might have an alternative spot for you.

There is a quite rustic but reliable place up near the InterAmerican Highway....I'll try and find their contact information for you.

cheers

Jerry

Have you tried La Paloma http://www.lapalomalodge.com/

We had a great time there this summer.

Gosh! You folks are totally spot on! I contacted Savegre directly, it took them a while to respond, but they have and looks like we'll at least get 2 nights at Savegre! I hope it is THE Savegre and there are none others
Should I book my birding tours with them right away or wait till I get there? (We can hardly wait!)
Cheers!
Ute

I am also thinking about staying at the Saverge Lodge. We are going for a quick 6 night trip and would also like to include Arenal and also Manuel Antonio. Is this doable and which would you do first? Thanks

To ttraveler:
I am not sure if you can do MA/Arenal/Savegre in 6 days.

To Jerry & Shillmac:
Do you have any info on the garden cabinas at BdC? I can pick from either Almendra, Teca or La Paz and was wondering if one was better than the other. We'll be in the gardens for 3 nts.
Thanks,
Ute