Hi to all,

Well, after months of planning and anticipation, we are off to Dominical (and possibly a trip to Cano) in exactly two weeks. Thanks to everyone here, our trip is all planned with whale watching, snorkeling, kayaking, and other activities. Since I own some teak trees on a tree plantation, the owners of the farm have arranged a horseback ride through one of the farms, into the rainforest and on to some waterfalls. It should be a great time.

I realize we are going to a place where most who read this forum don't go to, but we wanted to get away from crowds and enjoy the water as well as other things. Short side trips to Uvita and other towns will hopefully give us the real CR feeling.

We have decided to go to Hacienda Baru one morning to walk some trails and see whatever wildlife we may be fortunate to come across. I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a competent English-speaking guide, and if so, the best way to contact that person. Or, if you feel a guide is not necessary, please chime in and say so.

Everything else seems under control (that's scary) but I'm sure we'll run into some surprises along the way. I'll provide a trip report upon our return and once again, thanks to so many of you for your insight and help.

I'm not positive but I believe they already have guides set up for you there, you just have to arrive at the set time. I know their website lists the times & prices.

You could also look into treeoflifetours.com and see what they have available. Have a great trip.

Tully is correct...the guide is assigned to your group and you really can't go out on your own beyond a few smaller paths.

When you park your car and register, the reception desk provides you with a map for exploring. There are some interesting orchid gardens but the "free" walk we liked best is over a boardwalk type path that goes to the ocean. There were hundreds of lizards scurrying about and lots of leaf cutter ants .

The activity we chose at Hacienda Baru was the "Night in the Jungle", which was an overnight trip, tenting on their property. Not for everybody, but it was one of the highlights of that trip to CR.

Do you mind me asking where you plan to stay in Dominical? I am thinking of booking a hotel there and want to do some exploring. Based on your research - do you think I need to rent a car? I'll probably just lay low two to three days and do two to three days of hiking / exploring / excursions.

If you have learned anything interesting I'd appreciate any wisdom. (I'm a planner but am not finding as much information about the area as I would like.)

thanks tripink for the detailed info, am going there in June and plan to head up there for a day hike hopefully.

bueno - I considered several places in the Dominical/Uvita area - Rafiki, Hacienda Baru, Paradise Breezes, La Cusinga. In the end I settled on Shelter from the Storm, just seemed to fit all my needs & wants. The owners have been very helpful and I'm looking forward to my stay. One reason for years I've not fully explored the area is due to not wanting to rent a car but finally admitted if I were to stay there I would most definitely need a car. I guess you could get around without one but I think it would be complicated, time-consuiming and expensive imho.

tripinink - thanks for the info. A closer look at their Web site shows the various hiking/activity options. The lunch menu even looks OK!

bueno - We are staying in the Toucan Nest at Costa Paraiso (www.costaparaiso.com) - contact there is Doug who has been quite helpful. This is our first trip to CR so I can't offer any advice based on past experience. We are renting a car in San Jose, spending a night in Escazu, and driving to Dominical via San Isidro the next day. We wanted the freedom of visiting some small towns and didn't want to rely on buses, thus the car rental. You indicate you want to do some "exploring" and my feeling is you would ned a car. There are plenty of tour companies in the Dominical - Uvita area. A Google search will give you a number of names. We have two trips being arranged through Francine at Uvita Tours, but I think the tour companies are similar and in most cases, book the same trips. We have planned the rest of our trip on our own. Good luck!

My daughter has stayed at Nocochea Inn in December. Really liked it, but it is not the most convenient location if you don't have a car.

brainc24. Mmmm, the menu at Hacienda Baru. That would be the one thing I might not recommend. I would be much happier getting some fruit at the market in Dominical or just a plate at a local soda. Of course, the restaurant might be better, as that was a few years ago.

I will maybe write a full trip report when I return but I want to plug Hacienda Baru, as well as Shelter from the Storm. I enjoyed both the self guided walk (there is a free tower), trails that includfe lowland, marsh, secondary forest, and a deserted beach. You can do guided early morning birding walks in two directions, I went uphill (which is for the more dedicated since the deep forest birds are a bit harder to see). My guide was "Pedro" but I expect they are all well trained. We saw a great currasow right way, also a crested owl and double toothed kite, as well as the riverside wren, and an antbird and antshrike.