Thanks John127

The second site you gave worked for me

Nice pictures, it sure looked like the children had a great time.

That was quite the burger :)

Wow - what a great thread. So appreciative to get this information. I am a fellower NYer (Brooklyn) heading to CR this Friday with my almost 12 year old. Someone on the forum steered me to this post after my questions on feeding an always hungry but picky kid especially at AOL.

I am not renting a car so more limited hunting down Burger Kings etc but your suggestions still might be helpful.

Would like to share my itinerary for feedback. And loved your photos!

We arrive at SJO Fri and stay one night at small hotel in Alejuela - Hotel Los Volcanes. Then take shared shuttle to AOL for two nights. Had put in for four but without car thought switching two days to Silencio del Campo would get us closer to some attractions.

Have not booked any tours etc yet so suggestions welcome on how to not spend too much but not miss too much. My son loves nature too and is so excited about seeing wildlife - on the look out for hummingbirds especially. Not always great for long hikes or climbs but sounds like waterfall should not be missed. He has just done zip line at camp and I did quite a high one (nervously) in Corcavado so we hope to give one that is not too harrowing a try.

What about the Eco Termales springs as an option? I thought Springs Hotel seemed fake too but sounds like everyone had a lot of fun. Not sure how easy that would be for us to get back and forth to without a car to either place.

We will then bus to MA. Still waiting to hear if we are confirmed for rooms at La Posada so that end of the trip is still pending with less then a week to go!

I assume that since you were posting on forum as the trip unfolded you had your laptop along? Was thinking of not worrying about another electronic device - son will bring his handheld game device but perhaps it is not risky to use hotel safes? Are they large enough for a netbook? It would make it easier to communicate with home and stay connected to the forum for more information. My cell phone is not usable there so would have to get a loaner and data plan is costly. Maybe lap top should be the way to go? Use landlines with a phone card for any calls?

thanks

Hey Glosean,

I'll offer what thoughts I can...

For nature (and lots of hummingbirds) your son will be set at AOL. As I mentioned in a previous post, I highly recommend a private guided morning tour with Christian at the lodge. It is by far the most affordable private tour you'll come across in Costa Rica. Let him know your interests and he'll tailor the tour to your suggestions.

Also, take advantage of their trails on your own, they're really wonderful, especially the loop that takes you to the edge of the primary rain forest - it's a short easy walk, we did it once a day.

For zip, we picked the tour at Los Lagos because it was fast, but not overly high or terrifying or anything. It is perfect for kids and we felt very safe with their crew.

I can't comment on Eco Termales, but as you read we enjoyed The Springs, fake atmosphere and all. The pools really are wonderful. I definitely wouldn't want to stay there (no sense of what CR really looks like if that's all you see) but your son will love the Springs, especially their Perdido Springs section, guaranteed.

I had a netbook, which fit in every hotel safe we came across but a full sized laptop wouldn't have fit in any of them. No phone for us either and we didn't miss it one bit. We used a calling card we bought there one time. It was confusing because they (phone compnay in CR?) changed the code you need for calling cards (it's not the one still printed on the cards, ask someone at a hotel for help).

Any chance of you renting a car? I loved having the car (especially for dining options in town) but you'll be fine with cabs in and out for activities. Even if you make multiple trips a day, it will still probably end up cheaper than renting a car..

Take a cab to Pizza John's while you're at AOL (short ride) - it's an experience you'll never forget.

Have a GREAT trip and report back here about your travels!!!

John
(Brooklyn here also, by the way)

John 127 - who is this Christian that you used as a tour guide and how do I find him? Heading to CR in dec.

Jill,

Cristian works at the Arenal Observatory Lodge. You can reserve a private tour of their grounds with him at their front desk, but you may want to do it before you arrive as he gets busy. It is very affordable, as far as CR tour guides go... and totally worth it. They also have a free morning tour but the private one is earlier and at a much slower pace...and obviously, it's private which makes for a quiet, personal experience.