mauicat

My family and I are planning on staying at the Iguana Lodge near Puerto Jimenez the end of March for 6 nights. Can anyone who has stayed there please give me their opinion of this property. We normally like 3 or 4 star properties and this looks good.

Suzie2

Toby and Lauren are a nice couple. They have two teenage kids and as of last Feb., 2 dogs and a racoon. Their daughter Lakota is into fire twirling and may put on a show for the guests. This is a very laid back place. Water, soda, and beer are on the honor system at Iguana Lodge (with a notebook to write down what you took) or you can go next door and buy it at the Pearl. The rooms, as you have probably seen from the web site are very comfortable and pretty. The upstairs on the newer ones have a lovely porch with nice rattan furniture. The lower rooms have garden showers and a screened enclosed porch area. The upper ones have a better breeze. It is powered by solar so electricity is at a premium. If you don't run the battery down in the evening you will have plenty to keep the fan going all night. We were very comfortable with just that. At night they put out tons of candles to guide you. Breakfast is good and is mostly typical Costa Rican although you can order pan cakes, eggs etc. It is eaten at picnic tables. Lunch is served at the Pearl of the Osa which is another little place right next door that they also own. There is a public bar there also. Generally, one night a week they have a buffet and band with dancing at the bar for both places at the Pearl.
Dinner is served upstairs in the main rancho. It is primarily by candlelight and everyone sits around a big table. Wine and water is served. Jose is a wonderful chef and the food is always delicious. I love his stuffed avocados. He is quite inventive and was a chef for Lapa Rios which is considered to be (by some people, not me) one of the top places in CR.

Suzie2

Part 2
Life on the Osa and in most out of the way places in Costa Rica is different than you might find elsewhere. Most people are in bed by 9pm and up by 6am.
There are several tours. I really enjoyed the horseback rides into the forests. Abraham at Bosque del Rio Tigre is extremely knowledgable. It is a very early trip because it is about an hour away. There are other options that are a little closer. The kayak tour through the mangrove is very interesting also.
To get to Iguana you will have a bumpy 20 minute ride on an unpaved road. It is located on a wonderfully deserted area of beach. I would caution you to be careful during the tide changes as there can be a very strong undertow. Transportation to the different tours will be more expensive than elsewhere in the country because the taxi drivers and hotel owners are the ones that have to pay for the roads.
Iguana is so different that it is hard to put a star count on it. It is a place that I have found to be very comfortable and it has become a regular stop for me after my husband leaves. He doesn't like the beach so I head down there to either one of their places and spend my beach time. I am sure I will be there for a few days again this year.

deanwi

My family, grandparents, parents and grandchildren (including two teens and two babies) are planning a trip to the Osa Peninsula in Nov. The two places that we are comtemplating staying at are the Iguana Lodge and the Casa Bambu. Are you familiar with the latter and if so, any suggestions to help us make up our minds?

Suzie2

I have not personally stayed there but have walked by it. I did contact the people about a possible rental there for this year. My husband decided he wanted to be waited on up at Bosque. I didn't argue. It is in a good area for wildlife. I would say better than Iguana. I did read a report from someone quite some time ago who really enjoyed their stay there. I am assuming that you have seen their web site and know about eating elsewhere or them helping you get provisions to cook for yourself. Should you eat at Lapa Rios you will have a wonderful meal. Martinas is right near there and is a fun little bar where you can eat also. Haven't eaten there just went to a party. I believe you can also eat up at Bosque with notice. Don't know what their arrangements are for transportation to and from. It is a long dark walk. Lapa Rios will provide transportation.
I have wandered around that area so much I am getting slightly confused on beaches. If I remember correctly, the beach at Iguana was better.
If you are not driving yourselves, doing any of the tours would be quite a bit more expensive from Casa Bambu.
Having the place to yourself is kind of neat though. It looked pretty nice to me.

deanwi

Thanks very much for all the info. Guess we'll have to weigh the pros and cons. It rather sounds like these two places are not too far apart. Is that true. It's hard to get an accurate idea sometimes.