Just got back.... WOW!!!!
 

What an amazing time... thanks again for all the helpful posts. While the Arenal area was pretty spectacular in itself, I'd have to say that Osa is my favorite place on this planet... I hope to provide some pics very shortly. Unfortunately, the only thing that did go wrong on this trip was we saw no lava.... oh well. We did quite a bit besides. The kids have decided that this beats Mickey and Goofy anytime.

Here's the report.....

Day 1 - After driving 2.5 hours to JFK and taking an early a.m. flight to SJ, we (me, wife, sis, bro-in-law, nephew, and kids 10, 15 and 16) met our driver Danny Jiminez who was outstanding and highly recommended. He was very prompt, knowledgeable and proud (as are many other Costa Ricans) of their country. He took us to Arenal... stopped us at a roadside soda along the way... did a quick zipline there after lunch, then proceeded to Los Lagos. Interesting roads... a few holes here and there, but I'm thinking next time I may drive. Los Lagos was very nice. Beautiful grounds, clean, spacious rooms, great pool area (yes, those slides kick ass!) and front desk was very helpful. Ate at Don Rufino's that nite. Food was good.... Youngest fell asleep in his plate so time for bed.

Day 2 - In the mood for some adventure, so five decided on waterfall rappelling (canyoning)... I stuck with little guy who's creeped out by high places so we decided on an ATV adventure. I wasn't crazy about the idea, but now am so glad we did it. We booked thru Quad Aventura and our guide Minor was a blast and was a hit with the kids. Lots of fun, got very muddy, taught us alot about some creatures and plants. Visited his croc farm and son even help a poison blue jean frog. An excellent time and highly recommended. Ate at Lava Lounge while we waited for the rappelling crew to return. Food was okay... nice place to chill out. From what I hear about the canyoning..... a BLAST. A great day to be alive:-)

Day 3 - Cano Negro with Canoa Aventura... as good as advertised. Jorge was a wealth of knowledge... we saw lots of wildlife, got great picsand headed back to perhaps see some lava flow. No go, so we headed to Eco Termales.... beautiful, not touristy (about 20 people), and a great place to unwind and have the traditional Tico meal family style.... a great nite with the exception of a nice hole on the bottom of my foot I got from a rock in the hot spring. Wrap it up and move on I guess. All aside, it's a great place and would recommend over the more touristy springs. Report from AOL was no lava view.... cancelled taxi. Quite the bummer but nonetheless a great visit to the Arenal area.... went back to LL to retire and pickup from Danny to Nature Air for our next leg.... Osa and Casa Bambu....... I will continue shortly. Off for some Thai food:-)

Welcome back. It all sounds great so far. We loved Cano Negro and Eco Termales too. Sorry about no lava - guess that means you'll have to go back!

Welcome home Hans,

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, but I think it's hard not to in Costa Rica. ;-)

The lava eluded us as well when we visited Arenal a couple of years ago. I definitely want to get back there sometime to give it another shot, but loved the area regardless.

The Osa is pretty special isn't it? Looking forward to reading of your adventures there...

Anxious to hear about Casa Bambu, I have looked at it frequently on the web. Walked past it last year to ck it out, only from the outside tho.

Great report so far!

v-girl... will definitely return. Perhaps stay at AOL.... and yes cmerrell. I have to say that Costa Rica and Osa in particular is my favorite place in the world.... and I have to say the wonderful people make it much more special... anyways on to.....

Days 4 thru 10 - Pick up from Danny to catch 11 flight to Puerto Jimenez. Arrival in PJ just before 12.... what a cool little town. And that airstrip is quite the trip... with a graveyard conveniently located next to it. Anyways... loaded groceries with a block of hielo and other refreshments and took the bumpy 40 minute drive to Matapalo's Casa Bambu. I have to say the web site doesn't do the place justice. What a piece of paradise. Casa Bambu and its 3 sister houses are of course all constructed of bamboo, are open air (wooden shuttered), full kitchen, 4 bed with a killer view and access to the Pan Dulce Gulf.... the landscaping is gorgeous and yard is literally a monkey trail. Scarlet macaws frequent the yard's almond trees and the area is abound with other wildlife.... The caretaker/manager/guide William made out days more special. He guided us thru a grueling hike thru Corcovado (13.5 km) and has a real eagle eye for wildlife. Saw a tapir close up, sloths, monkeys, coati, anteaters, many birds, etc... One morning he took us on the waterfall hike which was real refreshing, and took the kids fishing Tico style (minnows, spool of line and a hook) and caught supper. A true jungle man, his education came from spending days in Corcovado without tents as a youth. A real interesting and sweet guy. I'm happy my stepson is advanced in Spanish so we got to communicate better.... as for the food.... we frequented Buena Esparanza which had a real great vibe... simple menu, great mahi-mahi and drinks...and the walk at nite is interesting... loved turnin the flashlites off and looking behind us. Freaked the girls out:-) Also took the trek once up to Lapa Rios for lunch which was very nice. Great view, food and Tico Mohitos and definitely worth the walk up. But I must say the best food was made by Leda and Vicki from Bambu.... Hire them for 5 a person and they turn your groceries into a fantastic Tico meal. And such sweet ladies. We're definitely planning a return visit, maybe green season to Bambu.
A highlight for all of us was the Osa wildlife refuge. Went with Changing Tides tours. Dan was very informative... found many dolphins, snorkled at a reef and plane boarded with the dolphins. What a rush! The refuge was a great learning experience. Carol and Earl were a wealth of knowledge and we got some great photos of the kids and the monkeys. A great way to spend our last day.

Added to the memories were the beach walks on clear nites. The skies were just amazing. Thousands of stars. The tranquility... the casa... the people... the birds, monkeys an that damn blue morpho I couldn't get on my camera... nitetime board games with family...the list goes on. Such great memories. I definitely will return....

LOL--those morphos are quite elusive with their erractic flight patterns. I've let out an exasperated sigh once or twice! :) So glad all of you had such a wonderful time. Casa Bambu would be a great place to hang for a few days, no doubt.

We LOVE landing in Puerto Jimenez and heading to the store for our customary chips and beer (for Tully). It's a great little town. I'd not mind living there!

Great wildlife sightings. . .a tapir! That is so cool--would love to see one. Welcome home!

Wow, you had GREAT animal sightings - it all sounds wonderful. I can tell you're going to go back!

Sounds like a wonderful trip with great wildlife sightings. Always nice hearing more about Casa Bambu too...I hope to stay there sometime for sure and it's nice to know how great Leda and Vicki are...Osa is my favorite place as well. ;-)

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a fantastic trip with a lot of variety of activities!

Great trip report. It sounds like you had a wonderful time...great memories for sure!