Iguana Lodge Question (Costa Rica)
Jan 16th, 2005, 04:15 AM
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Great birding on grounds. Not lots of monkeys and sloths but you are a short trip from Matapalo which has GREAT wildlife. (1 1/2 hr) We spent a week at the Iguana and saw more wildlife than I can digest. Mostly on tours.
The ocean is fairly gentle there (great beach). Since you are on the gulf it is slighty sheltered. I keep reading about the undertow from a poster (Jessie) but we found the beach more gentle than many Pacific locations. The average Osa tourist can get a sea kayak through the surf. You can walk for miles and not see more horses than people.
The ocean is fairly gentle there (great beach). Since you are on the gulf it is slighty sheltered. I keep reading about the undertow from a poster (Jessie) but we found the beach more gentle than many Pacific locations. The average Osa tourist can get a sea kayak through the surf. You can walk for miles and not see more horses than people.
Jan 16th, 2005, 08:16 AM
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Hi Greenfieldhunter,
Thank you for your reply. If you don't mind, I have a whole bunch of questions for you (or anyone else who cares to reply).
We have pretty much narrowed it down to Iguana Lodge or Casa Bambu.
Iguana sounds very nice. I see the pluses as being: easier access, nice accommodations, easier meals, a better beach(? )and easier access to tours.
Casa Bambu's pluses seem to be the abundance of animals on the grounds, the open air/jungle experience and price.
I really would like to see more animals this trip!
Did you enjoy your stay at Iguana Lodge? What cabin did you stay in? How was the food? What tours did you take? Did you feel that a week was the right amount of time? Were there any monkeys or sloth on the grounds?
Any other thought that you would care to share would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!!
Gem
Thank you for your reply. If you don't mind, I have a whole bunch of questions for you (or anyone else who cares to reply).
We have pretty much narrowed it down to Iguana Lodge or Casa Bambu.
Iguana sounds very nice. I see the pluses as being: easier access, nice accommodations, easier meals, a better beach(? )and easier access to tours.
Casa Bambu's pluses seem to be the abundance of animals on the grounds, the open air/jungle experience and price.
I really would like to see more animals this trip!
Did you enjoy your stay at Iguana Lodge? What cabin did you stay in? How was the food? What tours did you take? Did you feel that a week was the right amount of time? Were there any monkeys or sloth on the grounds?
Any other thought that you would care to share would be greatly appreciated!!
Thank you!!
Gem
Jan 17th, 2005, 11:05 AM
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We spent 8 days at the Pearl and the Iguana. The food is excellent at both places.
We spent several days at the Pearl in an ocean front room which I would recommend as the jungle view rooms overlook a maintenance area. The lunch at the Pearl was cheap and good as well as the dinners- basically we let the cook (Luis) decide what to cook us for dinner.
At the Iguana we stayed in the cabinia closest to the Pearl. We moved over for a change and because we had extra cash to spend. There are only 4 cabinias and they all are cute with similar views and nice bathrooms. The roof at the main lodge was being torn off as we left so I am sure the place looks great as everything was to recieve a fresh coat of paint. Dinners were casual and friendly and again, of excellent quality. Several courses around a large table with candlelight.
We saw scarlet macaws daily and lots of unusual birds I cannot identify- random staff would stop you and lead you to wildlife sighting on the grounds which was sort of fun as you did not know what to expect. We saw a turtle laying on the beach our first night and released baby sea turtles our last night. We also saw crocs at night when walking on the beach looking for turtles( not on the beach but in a mangrove swamp nearby) Since you are close to PJ you have many many choices of tours. We rode horses from Puerta Jimenez to Carate over the old mountain road. This was not an offered tour because most people do not want to ride for more than a few hours. The owners set it up for us and we will never forget it- 3 guides and my wife and me. We rode for 2 hours to a remote lodge, switched horses and the real ride began. Had a horse slide down the mountain- very exciting.
Another day we took a cab (Alfredo) to Montapalo for the day. We liked the area, saw tons of wildlife, saw Casa Bambu and Lapa Rios and climbed several waterfalls. We had become friends with one of the people working at the Iguana so she hiked us around, introduced us to the area and local expats- she actually just visited us over Christmas. We also took the bikes out for spins into town and took sea kayaks as far out as my wife would let me.
The rental house at the Iguana is very nice and would be perfect for a large group. There were a few rental houses in Montapalo which we also liked more than Casa Bambu but each to his own.
Our original intention was to spend a few nights at the Pearl, travel to Carate and stay??( think we would have stayed at Luna Lodge) then back to PJ and the Iguana for our 2 last nights. Since we were off season we were flexible and the owners of the Iguana helped us arrange tours and such once we arrived. We had such a good time we spent all of our time near PJ.
Hope this helps. Basically this is such a neat area you cannot go wrong wherever you stay south of Puerta Jimenez. Everywhere has the open air jungle thing going but you will see more wildlife( monkeys and sloths) the closer to the park you go.
My wife and I are in our thirties, in good shape and work with horses for a living. This was our 2nd trip to CR. We will return to the area this spring ( and the Iguana whenever we need a place to stay in PJ)
We spent several days at the Pearl in an ocean front room which I would recommend as the jungle view rooms overlook a maintenance area. The lunch at the Pearl was cheap and good as well as the dinners- basically we let the cook (Luis) decide what to cook us for dinner.
At the Iguana we stayed in the cabinia closest to the Pearl. We moved over for a change and because we had extra cash to spend. There are only 4 cabinias and they all are cute with similar views and nice bathrooms. The roof at the main lodge was being torn off as we left so I am sure the place looks great as everything was to recieve a fresh coat of paint. Dinners were casual and friendly and again, of excellent quality. Several courses around a large table with candlelight.
We saw scarlet macaws daily and lots of unusual birds I cannot identify- random staff would stop you and lead you to wildlife sighting on the grounds which was sort of fun as you did not know what to expect. We saw a turtle laying on the beach our first night and released baby sea turtles our last night. We also saw crocs at night when walking on the beach looking for turtles( not on the beach but in a mangrove swamp nearby) Since you are close to PJ you have many many choices of tours. We rode horses from Puerta Jimenez to Carate over the old mountain road. This was not an offered tour because most people do not want to ride for more than a few hours. The owners set it up for us and we will never forget it- 3 guides and my wife and me. We rode for 2 hours to a remote lodge, switched horses and the real ride began. Had a horse slide down the mountain- very exciting.
Another day we took a cab (Alfredo) to Montapalo for the day. We liked the area, saw tons of wildlife, saw Casa Bambu and Lapa Rios and climbed several waterfalls. We had become friends with one of the people working at the Iguana so she hiked us around, introduced us to the area and local expats- she actually just visited us over Christmas. We also took the bikes out for spins into town and took sea kayaks as far out as my wife would let me.
The rental house at the Iguana is very nice and would be perfect for a large group. There were a few rental houses in Montapalo which we also liked more than Casa Bambu but each to his own.
Our original intention was to spend a few nights at the Pearl, travel to Carate and stay??( think we would have stayed at Luna Lodge) then back to PJ and the Iguana for our 2 last nights. Since we were off season we were flexible and the owners of the Iguana helped us arrange tours and such once we arrived. We had such a good time we spent all of our time near PJ.
Hope this helps. Basically this is such a neat area you cannot go wrong wherever you stay south of Puerta Jimenez. Everywhere has the open air jungle thing going but you will see more wildlife( monkeys and sloths) the closer to the park you go.
My wife and I are in our thirties, in good shape and work with horses for a living. This was our 2nd trip to CR. We will return to the area this spring ( and the Iguana whenever we need a place to stay in PJ)
Jan 17th, 2005, 03:01 PM
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Thank you so much, greenfieldhunter! That helps so much! I really think that the Pearl sounds just right. Your trip sounds wonderful. Did you happen to see the Playa PreciOsa? That is the last one on my list but I have not heard anything about it.
Thank You!!
Gem
Thank You!!
Gem
Jan 17th, 2005, 07:40 PM
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Thank you; you have been so great answering all my questions.
Here is the website of the other lodge just in cast you would like to check it out:
http://www.playa-preciosa-lodge.de/
Very Best Regards,
Gem
Here is the website of the other lodge just in cast you would like to check it out:
http://www.playa-preciosa-lodge.de/
Very Best Regards,
Gem
Jan 19th, 2005, 07:26 AM
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Hi,
Our family of 5 stayed at the Iquana Lodge March 2004 for 6 nights. We enjoyed it very much. The owners Toby and Lauren made us feel very much like family. The lodge is located a short walk from the ocean which has a very large beach. Most times we saw very few people using it. The surf can be alittle ruff but you just need to be careful my 7,10 and 11 year olds were fine. We also had Toby and Lauren arrange our excursions my husband and son went climbing some waterfalls which they enjoyed and always talkabout it. Myself and my two daughters took the day horseback riding trip. We travelling into a minor rainforest and had lunch at a little village. We didn't see a lot of wildlife.
There is not a lot of wildlife near the lodge we saw birds, iquanas, crabs, scorpions,spiders and a monkey(howler). I think if you want to see more wildlife I hear the Drake Bay area is better for that.
The staff at the lodge are extremely friendly and would do anything for you. Please keep us informed on your decision on you accommodations?
Our family of 5 stayed at the Iquana Lodge March 2004 for 6 nights. We enjoyed it very much. The owners Toby and Lauren made us feel very much like family. The lodge is located a short walk from the ocean which has a very large beach. Most times we saw very few people using it. The surf can be alittle ruff but you just need to be careful my 7,10 and 11 year olds were fine. We also had Toby and Lauren arrange our excursions my husband and son went climbing some waterfalls which they enjoyed and always talkabout it. Myself and my two daughters took the day horseback riding trip. We travelling into a minor rainforest and had lunch at a little village. We didn't see a lot of wildlife.
There is not a lot of wildlife near the lodge we saw birds, iquanas, crabs, scorpions,spiders and a monkey(howler). I think if you want to see more wildlife I hear the Drake Bay area is better for that.
The staff at the lodge are extremely friendly and would do anything for you. Please keep us informed on your decision on you accommodations?
Jan 26th, 2005, 11:57 AM
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Greenfieldhunter, I really enjoyed reading your views of Iguana. It is a nice place and Jose is a wonderful chef. I have always thought the food at the Pearl to be very good also.
I had to chuckle when you mentioned Alfredo. He and I finally came to an agreement last year that he would practice his english and I would practice my spanish. We spent many hours sitting in the chairs at the Pearl practicing. On our other trips he had really played stupid. His english is much better than he lets on. My husband speaks fluent spanish so he got away with it.
I have had to be pulled out twice due to the tide being very strong and pulling me out and then crashing over me. One time Toby said I had been caught in a washing machine (surfer lingo). He was really excited that year because the surf was way higher than they had seen in a long time and he was looking forward to some great surfing. I don't go in anymore during the tide change. Other than that it is a great beach and the body surfing, boogie boarding can be great fun. I am going to miss going there this year but I have several other trips planned and will have to cut my CR time down by a week. I will particularly miss Chester. I have thrown a lot of rocks into the surf for him.
We did see a couple of species of monkeys in the mangroves and I highly recommend that kayak tour as well as the sunset kayak tour. I also got to see two spectacled owls while on a horseback ride that they had set up for me into the forest.
I always take the ocean view corner room by the stairs.
I had to chuckle when you mentioned Alfredo. He and I finally came to an agreement last year that he would practice his english and I would practice my spanish. We spent many hours sitting in the chairs at the Pearl practicing. On our other trips he had really played stupid. His english is much better than he lets on. My husband speaks fluent spanish so he got away with it.
I have had to be pulled out twice due to the tide being very strong and pulling me out and then crashing over me. One time Toby said I had been caught in a washing machine (surfer lingo). He was really excited that year because the surf was way higher than they had seen in a long time and he was looking forward to some great surfing. I don't go in anymore during the tide change. Other than that it is a great beach and the body surfing, boogie boarding can be great fun. I am going to miss going there this year but I have several other trips planned and will have to cut my CR time down by a week. I will particularly miss Chester. I have thrown a lot of rocks into the surf for him.
We did see a couple of species of monkeys in the mangroves and I highly recommend that kayak tour as well as the sunset kayak tour. I also got to see two spectacled owls while on a horseback ride that they had set up for me into the forest.
I always take the ocean view corner room by the stairs.
Jan 27th, 2005, 06:30 AM
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Jessie- you bring back great memories. Chester(we have labs at home)Alfredo and the rest of ther staff(Luis SP? and Giovanni).
We hope to return this April for a few weeks and know we will return to the Osa. Hope to make it all the way down to the park AND across the gulf to Zancudo as well as around the point to Drake Bay. You have been all over the area so I will be hitting you up for suggestions soon.
We saw a spotted owl also but on the grounds of the Iguana next to the cabinia closest to the Pearl and scarlet macaws daily. Saw tons of wildlife on our ride (horseback) almost all the way to Carate- six, seven hours in the saddle and lots of monkeys in Montapalo another day.
What a great place with great owners. We stayed in the ocean view middle room and had the Pearl to ourselves several days before moving over to a cabina. Loved both and how about their food? seemed good for CR.
I will be asking questions of you soon.
We hope to return this April for a few weeks and know we will return to the Osa. Hope to make it all the way down to the park AND across the gulf to Zancudo as well as around the point to Drake Bay. You have been all over the area so I will be hitting you up for suggestions soon.
We saw a spotted owl also but on the grounds of the Iguana next to the cabinia closest to the Pearl and scarlet macaws daily. Saw tons of wildlife on our ride (horseback) almost all the way to Carate- six, seven hours in the saddle and lots of monkeys in Montapalo another day.
What a great place with great owners. We stayed in the ocean view middle room and had the Pearl to ourselves several days before moving over to a cabina. Loved both and how about their food? seemed good for CR.
I will be asking questions of you soon.
Jan 28th, 2005, 09:01 AM
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I love to horseback ride and am glad to know about that trip to Matapalo.
I saw a lot more birds around Iguana and the Pearl last year. I was particularly thrilled to see all the Scarlets that came into the lodge area rather than just fly by. I think all the regrowing of the ranches around there is giving them more of a connection to the whole Osa now. With the continued growth and the help of Tom from Escondido (and the other lodges who are working with him) I have high hopes for more wildlife eventually returning to the coastal areas also.
I saw a lot more birds around Iguana and the Pearl last year. I was particularly thrilled to see all the Scarlets that came into the lodge area rather than just fly by. I think all the regrowing of the ranches around there is giving them more of a connection to the whole Osa now. With the continued growth and the help of Tom from Escondido (and the other lodges who are working with him) I have high hopes for more wildlife eventually returning to the coastal areas also.
Jan 28th, 2005, 01:56 PM
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hi, we just got back from the osa. spent six night. had originally booked at playa preciosa for 4nights. when we got there the place seemed not quite together(owner not there, frustrated new help.) this place is definitely not as upbeat and vibrant as iguana lodge(where we eventually ended up staying 3 nights). we also stayed at el remanso which is right next to bosque del cabo. we LOVED being there. lots of wildlife, looooong secluded beach down the hill, good food, nice folks. surf there is pounding though unlike golfo dulce which was great for swimming. have fun!
Jan 28th, 2005, 08:21 PM
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ernien,
Thank you so much for the post. I am so glad that you enjoyed your trip! It is great to hear from someone who has stayed at the el remanso. The website looks really nice but it has some bad posts on this forum. I am glad that you liked it. Would you stay there again? Did you see lots of animals on the grounds? How did it compare to Bosque del Cabo? What was the hike to the beach like?
I hope that you will post a trip report. I would love to hear more about it.
Very Best,
Gem
Thank you so much for the post. I am so glad that you enjoyed your trip! It is great to hear from someone who has stayed at the el remanso. The website looks really nice but it has some bad posts on this forum. I am glad that you liked it. Would you stay there again? Did you see lots of animals on the grounds? How did it compare to Bosque del Cabo? What was the hike to the beach like?
I hope that you will post a trip report. I would love to hear more about it.
Very Best,
Gem
Jan 29th, 2005, 08:56 AM
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say, greenfieldhunter ...
you casually mention a horse sliding down a mountain ... was it that bad? horse, rider injuries?
as a horse professional how did you find the condition ofthe horses you rode ... any compunctions about doing it? do you think they are taken care of? any advice?
you casually mention a horse sliding down a mountain ... was it that bad? horse, rider injuries?
as a horse professional how did you find the condition ofthe horses you rode ... any compunctions about doing it? do you think they are taken care of? any advice?
Jan 29th, 2005, 08:56 AM
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say, greenfieldhunter ...
you casually mention a horse sliding down a mountain ... was it that bad? horse, rider injuries?
as a horse professional how did you find the condition ofthe horses you rode ... any compunctions about doing it? do you think they are taken care of? any advice?
please cc reply to me at [email protected]
you casually mention a horse sliding down a mountain ... was it that bad? horse, rider injuries?
as a horse professional how did you find the condition ofthe horses you rode ... any compunctions about doing it? do you think they are taken care of? any advice?
please cc reply to me at [email protected]
Jan 29th, 2005, 11:16 AM
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Greenfieldhunter, I showed my husband your posting about the horseback ride to Carate. He is not as much of a horselover as I am (I used to have an Arabian) but he thought that was great. He did ask how you got back to Puerto Jimenez that same day. Seems like it would have been a long trip!
We really like Lana at Luna Lodge so would probably opt for the overnight there.
We really like Lana at Luna Lodge so would probably opt for the overnight there.
Jan 30th, 2005, 08:49 AM
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sparklegem, we would definitely stay at el remanso again. it's certainly not bosque del cabo, a little less refined perhaps, but less people and according to someone at el remanso who had stayed at bosque the night before, more wildlife. we saw lots. howlers right above our roof, etc. the hike to the beach is 750 meters, steep but enticing as the pounding surf beckons. the beach has some sweet tide pools at one end, a nice little hike to a waterfall and apparently a lagoon back the other way(some people saw a fer-de-lance there). i guess i saw some bad posts on here as well, but it was perfect for my wife, 14 year old daughter and myself. p.s. do not stay at la vida encanta. crappy beds and you will starve to death.
