Itinerary Help
 

Hi fodorites! First, I must say, this forum has been SO helpful in planning my trip. You all have really good ideas and very helpful information..Thanks for sharing!

I posted a few months ago about this trip when I was in the beginning stages of planning and I have had too much time to think about it and am having second thoughts about our Carribean portion of the trip. Any ideas, suggestions or comments on our itinerary would be really helpful. I can change my itinerary free of charge until it is within 30 days of our departure.

Here is our trip at a glance:

Arrive Sept. 23 in SJ from Boston at 11 am. We will be picked up by a driver and transported to the Tree House Lodge in Punta Uva. We will stay there for 5 nights.

On Sept. 28 we will take a bus to Arenal and stay at the Lost Iguana for 3 nights (we are really excited about this part of the trip!).

We will be picked up by a driver at the Lost Iguana and brought to the Peace Lodge for our final two nights.

The concern I have about this trip is the Tree House Lodge and our bus trip to Arenal. Does anyone have any suggestions/comments about this? I am starting to think that MA might be a better choice but I hear the rain can be quite oppressive in that area that time of year. My fiance and I are very active, love an adventure and it is the first time for the both of us to CR. Help!

Sounds like the perfect plan to me! Enjoy. It is true you will be in the Puerto Viejo area during the time of year of the least rainfall. Enjoy the tree house. Always thought it sounded like fun. A few years ago (4), it went for only $125 per night!

Less rainfall by far on the Caribbean Side in September.For me beaches whiter nicer in MA particularly MA #3.But more rain.I would probably do less Tree House maybe for me too remote not tons to do 5 days maybe decrease to 3 add a couple of nights
at

www.manuelantoniopark.com

We stayed recently at the Penthouse

www.costaverde.com $150/nt

270 degree view overlooking the park

MA a do not miss for me.

Bus not great would do private drivers or shuttles...

For me the Volcano Central Valley
Caribbean and Pacific coast for your
first visit would be perfect.

Have Fun

mollydvt, I think you need to remember that 5 nights at Tree House will give you 3 full days. Right? You´ll arrive late and probably leave early the last day for transfer to Arenal.

Be sure to check out the sloth recovery place, Aviarios del Caribe near Cahuita; Cahuita Parque Nacional; maybe get a tour guide for part of a day--look for Abel Bustamante in Manzanillo. Everyone there will know him. He can do all kinds of things with you. I am in CR now and do not have his phone number with me, but ask hipvirgochick--she knows it!

Also it is lots of fun to rent a bike there between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo and ride that road.

Ask about a guy named Walter who has lived in the area for years and gives wonderful massages--on the beach. Professional and good.

Take a trip into Bri Bri country east of that area.

Plenty to do this area. . lots of good places to eat as well! Enjoy!

Sillimac, thanks for the suggestions. I will definitely keep them in mind when we are there. We are actually going to be at the Tree House for 4 full days. We will be secluded (with no restaraunts on the property) but, I from what I have heard there are a few places to eat within walking distance. I have had a pretty hard time finding info about PU, PV seems to be the center of everything. How long is the bike ride between the two towns?

That's crazy that just a few years ago it was about half of the price it is today to stay there. So sad:( We are splurging a little for our honeymoon:)

As far as transportation...I really didn't want to take a bus between PU and Arenal but, the flights were all booked. It is going to be a long journey and we will basically lose a day. Does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks!

Punta Uva is right there between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. We bike ride betwen PV and Manzan all the time. You are in a very nice location, best I remmber. Punta Uva is not a town, just a beach point between the other two. Between PV and Manzan I think about 14km. PU is midway or close to it.

Yes, the bus will be long, but the scenery nice? Does that help? LOL! Check into Interbus for a smoother, less time consuming transfer, or have you already?

www.interbusonline.com

Small turismo vans with AC, few people.

We have booked all of our xfers through a travel agency so, I'm not exactly sure what company they have us using. I will check.

Thanks for all your help. I know we are going to love it there...like I said earlier, I just think I just had too much time to think and I started second guessing my decisions. Sounds like it will be perfect!

One more ques....do you know if there is a weight limit for luggage on the Interbus? All we have are those roller suitcases..I have heard duffel bags are the way to go because they can be smooshed into small, awkward spaces...any advice? Thanks!