My husband and I are heading out for our first trip to CR on Thanksgiving. After much thought and consideration for our preference to mostly stay put and concentrate on one area while on vacation, we’ve decided to just do BdC on this trip. We’ll fly in on Thanksgiving Day, stay at Orquideas Inn that night, then take Nature Air to PJ the next day and check in at BdC around 2:00 PM. We’ll stay six nights, then another night at Orquideas before flying home.

Questions:

I’ve read about the departure tax and plan to go ahead and pay it when we arrive. Where do you go in the airport to pay it? I “think” I read that you can also pay it at Pavas (where we’ll be boarding the Nature Air flight). Is this an option?

Our Nature Air flight is at 11:30. We’ve arranged for Orquideas to drive us there. How long does it take to get to Pavas from OI? Will our driver tell us when we need to leave to get there an hour early for our flight? Or is that up to us?

Since we’re just going to BdC and Orquideas, will it be necessary to get colones? Will we need colones if we take a trip off property to the other side of the Gulf?

How extensive is the gift shop at BdC as far as things like sunscreen and insect repellant? We’re taking those things, but as we’re packing light, I just want to be sure we won’t be stuck without them if we use more than expected.

My husband and I both love animals, but our main interests are plants and butterflies. We plan to do one day off property. The idea of the Animal Sanctuary is just not grabbing me at the moment. Is the Botanical garden trip across the Gulf worth doing? Or will we see as much (or more) around BdC? I am kinda hesitant to visit a man planted garden in the middle of the rain forest!

My husband has put in (rolling my eyes) to take his netbook for uploading pictures and charging his Ipod. Is there sufficient electricity for this at night?

The following questions have to do with our American Airlines flight to CR. I haven’t flown since 1999!

I’ve read about the liquids/gels policy. What about something such as Benefiber? (showing my age!) I don’t want to take the whole jug. If I put some in a container and label it, is that a problem? It looks like some kind of illegal substance...lol.

As I said, we’re packing light and carrying-on. I know the weight limit for Nature Air is 30# and we’ll be under that but I read on another forum there is a weight limit for carry on luggage for AA of 22 pounds. Is that correct? If so, is it enforced?

Thank you all in advance for your help! If it wasn’t for you folks at Fodor’s, we’d probably be going to some cookie cutter resort somewhere in the Carribean.

You can pay your departure tax at Pavas when you check-in. I've done it several times, very handy.

You won't need to get colones but I'd definitely take some small bills for tipping as you go unless you prefer to do your tipping at the end. I usually just write up a tip list at the end of my stay at BDC and include it with my final payment and they will distribute it for you.

BDC has natural insect repellant which doesn't work well for me. I suggest either purchasing at Orquideas gift shot or if you're worried about weight have BDC make a stop at the BM for sunscreen, repellant and snacks on your way to the lodge.

I haven't visited the botanical garden but if you are a SERIOUS botanist and want to see labels and such on the flora and fauna you may like this. If you want to learn about it (not so much orchids but the rainforest itself) take the primary rainforest walk with Philip, the on site biologist at BDC. The horseback ride with Miguel is a lot of fun.

There is electricity for charging and uploading.

I fly AA every visit as they offer the best airfare/prices from SEA and if you're trying to eek something by customs it can be hit or miss. I have made it through from the states with both more than I should bring and bigger containers then I should have. I'll leave it at that. Returning from CR they have inspected everything more closely from my daughter's contact solution (big bottle) to her bottle of Stridex pads containing liquid.

Our carry-on's are usually around 28 lbs and we've never had problems with AA. That said, these are for 2 1/2 to 3 week trips so if you're close on weight I suggest pulling a few things out and just do laundry at BDC. They have 24 hour turnaround for a bag of laundry and it's inexpensive.

Hope this helps and have a great trip!

The gift shop at BDC is very tiny, but like hip mentioned, they'll let you stop at the store. People did that when we came in to buy snacks and cigarettes and things like that. Totally agree with taking the Primary Forest tour with Philip, and do it at the beginning of your stay. He knows about everything. I think he even mentioned that he studies butterflies. It's about four hours and you learn how everything interacts with each other. We had enough electricity to charge our camera batteries, not enough for a blow dryer though. Regarding the departure tax, if you pay it at SJO, there's a little counter you walk up to. When you're facing the ticket line, it's behind you. We always just pay ours when we leave and have never had more than a couple of people ahead of us, never waited more than five minutes, so we just do it at the end so we don't have to keep up with the paperwork. You definitely can pay it ahead if that's your preference though. We've never exchanged our money and US dollars have been accepted everywhere we've gone. You don't need much money at BDC since everything just gets charged to your room. Bills should be twenties or smaller to get readily accepted. Have fun!

I would be very happy with your schedule. I could have spent the whole visit at BDC and been very happy.

I know a lot of people here recommend the Orquideas Inn but we totally enjoyed the first and last night at Xandari. I may be too late with this suggestion though and I would only stay here if you have time to enjoy the grounds.

You don't say what time you arrive in San Jose but we arrived at about noon from Ohio--we had been up since 3:30AM ET. I was so glad to have a day here to relax by the pool and walk around the beautiful grounds. They have a lovely botanical garden, a spa, colorful artwork everywhere on the grounds and in your room, and several trails that head down to 3 or 4 waterfalls. They have a beautiful infinity pool that we had all to ourselves, enjoyed a happy hour there with wine and Imperials. I loved their restaurant that looked out over the valley and thought the food was very good and reasonably priced.

Coming from the eastern time zone, we were awake early the next morning, the birds were singing, there are beautiful flowering bushes on our patio with hummingbirds. We hiked to 2 waterfalls, my husband swam laps in the lappool, we had the complimentary breakfast and then were picked up at 9:30 AM.

It was also a wonderful place to end our trip. We looked forward to returning there at the end of our visit--and it is hard to leave BDC.

I personally would have hated to spend a day away from BDC. The walk with Philip, mentioned above is great. I wanted to run out and save the rainforest after spending the morning with him. We only stayed 4 nights but I easily could have spent 6 there. We loved hiking the trails there. Wait until the howlers wake you up--it is a very prehistoric sound.

We did carryons and a backpack. Anything liquid must be in a 4 oz container and in a 2 qt baggie. Take insect repellant wipes with DEET--they are very good and you can buy them in the hunting section of Walmart etc.

Our friends that traveled with us were over the weight limit on Nature Air and did have to pay $20 or $25. My husband and I were under the 30 pound limit. We actually checked our bags with Continental on our flight to CR--we have the credit card so no bag fee. I have the ebags weekender (which holds an unbelievable amount--it looks like such a small bag but it grows when you pack it) and my husband had a wheeled carryon. We both had backpacks. I had hiking boots and Keens, my husband brought hiking boots and running shoes--they take up the most room. Everything else though is lightweight.

We never used colones. Everyone accepted US money. Just don't take traveler's checks. Our friends had a terrible time trying to cash them.

I don't think you need to pay your departure tax when you arrive. I think that might have been a problem before the new airport opened. The new airport has a huge counter with a lot of agents working. I would just pay it when you depart.

We've always paid the exit tax on departure and never had a long wait or encountered any delay. I suggest reserving the cash required for the departure tax in a labeled envelope. When we used a credit card, we later learned that it was taken as a cash advance and resulted in an additional $5 fee. This may not be true with all credit cards.

Yes, charging cameras, ipods, and the like at BdC is easy. I do some charging in the day time. When the power is gone for the night, there ain't no more! If you can, make sure that your charging apparatus does not discharge your gadget's batteries when the power is off (and the gadget is left connected to the charger). Some cheaper chargers work that way. If you use a larger, heat producung appliance, you will blow a breaker, and or quickly reduce the existing power for everyone else.

We also use the night lighting very sparingly at BdC. Just enough to see what we might be stepping on and what is lurking in the corners. Lights draw insects, insects draw toads, and other critters. We avoid bringing any food into the cabina. We brush crumbs off ourselves after meals before leaving the dining area. Crumbs attract rodents which attract, well you know. We always sleep with the cabina wide open and pretend that the misquito netting is made of iron.

Not wishing to be tedious, the TSA 3-3-1 carry on rule is THREE ounce container of liquids or gels in a ONE quart baggy equivalent, ONE to a customer. In the last few trips, I have forgotten to take the quart bag out of my carry on, and have not yet gotten stopped. Getting stopped just means a hand search, a snarl, and a bit of security theatre.

Twice I have paid the remainder of my bill at BdC with travelers checks, and have cashed them for Colonies at Se Como No. Having said that, I would never purchase travelers checks to go to Costa Rica. Many places won't accept them. I seem to have a lot of them left over from an earlier life.

Not to be a stickler here, but I believe it's a 3.4 oz. rule for liquids in containers and a 1 quart bag, not 4 oz and 2 qt as mentioned above.

Also, as mentioned, it's usually not a hassle to pay departure tax at SJO, I just find it convenient to pay at Pavas and tuck away with my other papers. My departure flight is early and that's one less thing I have to do.

Kinkazote is correct about snacks...if you have food make sure to keep them inside a ziplock bag inside a ziplock bag.

Ooops, was writing same time as Kinkazote.

I'll fess up to having a bag of trail mix in our cabin. Tully taught me the Ziplock in a Ziplock trick, and I put it on a high shelf, and we didn't have any critters.

Wow Y’all, thanks for all the info!

Linda, I had looked at Xandari after reading someone’s trip report, but we’re arriving late/leaving early so we wouldn’t have been able to spend much time on the grounds. We’re staying in the Upper Villa part of Orquideas so hopefully we can wake up to a decent view on our first morning.

Good suggestion on the Deet wipes!

Oh yes, we definitely plan to do the rainforest walk with Phillip...and according to his blog, he is the butterfly man! Has anyone heard when he plans to start doing his blog again?

Another question just came to mind...do I need to confirm with Nature Air? I have the confirmation number and times from when BdC made the flight arrangements for me in June. Will this suffice?

Excuse all the questions, we are getting quite giddy as our departure date nears!

You have gotten great advice already. Just my dos colones. . .it is such a snap to pay the departure tax while you are at Pavas (just across from the ticket counter), I would for sure do that. It's like you are sitting at Pavas waiting for your flight, and there is the counter, no one in line. It's kind of a no brainer for us!

That is one thing less you have to worry about upon arrival at the airport. Nice to get there and just walk right up to the ticket counter or the line for the ticket counter. Be sure you have your paper filled out--the one you get when you pay the tax.

Have a great trip, I will be right behind you at both BdC and Orquideas. Agree with all above, much easier to pay your exit tax at Pavas on your departure or return. Never seen a line there. Though on the other hand, last trip I forgot and just got it at the Int'l airport with no wait either.

Phillip should be back any day now, he was/is in San Jose for a couple days but should resume the blogs soon. Warn him I am coming ha ha. (he gets a kick out of the fact that we all "know" each other from the internet).

Don't need to re-confirm with Nature Air, but I'd make sure you left ahead with plenty of time, at a minimum 1.45 hrs before your flight.

Re Casa Orquideas and the tour. That's a hard call. It was very informative, beautiful and Ron is certainly a character. Hard to say if I'd do it from Bosque though; when I did it I was coming from Playa Nicuesa which is only a few minutes away, to take a good half day away from Bosque would be a hard choice. He shows you lots and lots of plants and flowers and herbs, it took maybe an hour or so. I would think Phillips Primary tour would really cover a need for that type of stuff, maybe mention to him as well.

Re the gift shop, they do have a very small selection but keep in mind the staff go in and out of PJ all the time and if you were to be in dire need of something have no problem grabbing it for you.

Have an awesome trip!

If you are staying 6 nights at BDC I think the trip to Casa Orquideas would be a good day trip. If you were staying less time then I would suggest you just stay at BDC and do the trails. We are returning to Casa Orquideas again just for the butterflies and flowering plants. The tour is very interesting and the trip across the Golfo provides opportunities to see dolphins.

Gosh--sorry for the bad advice regarding 3oz containers and 1 quart baggie. I do carry on all the time--I must have been in a dreamland when I responded. Do they even sell 2qt Baggies?

blackcat256: Metamucil fiber wafers come individually wrapped...buy a box of them in your local supermarket or drugstore. Since they are individually sealed and labeled, you won't have to worry about problems with airport security. They taste sorta like cookies...you just eat them with your meal and of course you must drink liquid with them. They work really well. However you might NOT need them in Costa Rica, as especially the menu at Bosque del Cabo, which I've seen online, includes beans and whole grains and fruits...sounds like a very healthy menu.

I don't get it. Why would you need metamucil fiber wafers?

hipvirgochick: blackcat256 mentioned "Benefiber" which I assume is similar to Metamucil. (see the original post at top.)