We are off to Bosque the first week in June. We will spend the night before leave for BdC at Orquideas Inn, any ”must do” while we are there, anything we should try to see? Or just hang out at the pool and relax before heading out to Bosque via Sansa the next day.

Questions
Is rain gear necessary? We plan on quik dry shorts, tees, clothes only. We have rain gear, but are aware of the weight limit on the local airlines. What might we expect weather wise the first week of June?

I have occasional knee problems (had surgery on it several yrs ago) would a walking pole be helpful trekking the trails? And to and from the beach? I am active and am on my feet all day, just wondered if the trails might be too much for my aging knee.

Beach towels provided? If so… OK to take them to the beach?

Besides flashlights would a reading light be useful? We are in Casa Blanca for the week.

May I charge my camera batteries in C.Blanca? Or only in the lobby (as mentioned in posts regarding the cabinas)

Are there trail maps or a map of the property?
Any and all tips, hints would be welcome.
I have gotten so much info from this board from the Bosque “experts” Jesse, Shillmac, Dfarmer, et al etc. Thanks to all


Toni [email protected]

Message: Toni, I just returned from Bosque a few days ago (see my trip report). I cannot speak for the weather in June - as far as rain gear. The lodge provides flashlights, walking sticks, and trail maps. Towels may be obtained in the pool area. I stayed in Casa Miramar and charged my camera battery each evening. I feel certain you can do the same at Casa Blanca.
The Titi trail is relatively flat. Both Pacific Trail and Golfito are steep. However, a lot has to do with how slowly you are willing to go. The trails back by the pool area - and over the swinging bridge, plus the tropical garden trails are not steep.
As far as a reading light - the lodge is run on a generator so the lights aren't bright. However, we were able to read. If you brought a plug in light, you would be no better off. Maybe you have a bright light run on batteries?
Bosque del Cabo - a wonderful place to explore and relax.

Soleil, I found your report, sounds wonderful. I printed it along w\others that have been posted and I am keeping a file. Thanks you for the reply! Toni

Toni, Soleil is right on with everything. Goodness, I'm not Bosque "expert", but wish I were. It is such a fascinating place. Definitely with your knees, you'll want a walking stick, but you are going to have such a wonderful time! I am looking forward to the day we get to go back!

We were there the first few days of July and rainfall was never a problem. It rained a little bit, but it never once interfered with anything we were doing. Quik dry stuff will be just perfect (also lighter for your weight restrictions). We didn't take rain gear (never have) and didn't miss it. I'm not much for a lot of extra stuff--but so far we've been lucky, I guess, not to wish for rain gear and not have it!

You'll enjoy Las Orquideas. I don't know how much time you will have there, but if I were you, I'd use that time to relax and rest after traveling. The bar is a fun place to hang out and visit. We love it there! Have such a good time and report back when you return, por favor!

Quite a few of the trails are pretty steep. As you know, the down is the hardest part with knees. That said, there are still some wonderful trails that you shouldn't have much trouble with. As was mentioned the Titi trail should be okay. Part of the creek trail is easily done and there are two Miradors (viewing areas) that have wonderful views of the Gulf off of it. One is a small one but if you go a little further to the right, past the strangler fig, there is an even bigger one. Neither is really marked but you should be able to see a break in the vegetation enough to be able to tell they are there. Also, neither is very far from the area around the cabins and right where the trail takes a turn to the left.

They do have nicely sanded hiking sticks to use but if you are unsure and want something that might "dig" in a little more, don't hesitate to take a hiking pole. We took ours this year for some other hiking elsewhere. All of the trails (except for the new one that they haven't finished yet and looks like a heart on the trail map) were well marked. They have been very busy putting in steps on a lot of the trails.

They do say that they have towels that you can use at the beach. They really prefer that you don't take the nicer pool towels. Just ask one of the wonderfuly helpful people and they will get you a suitable one. Several people got rides to and from the beach area as the trail down can be rough. It (Gulfo Dulce trail) can be a hot and slightly challenging trail in some spots but more often than not has lots of things to see. You can easily hike over to the garden area which has good birding as well as a pretty pond and with the new (just finished while we were there) suspension bridge, getting to the garden area from the main area is much easier.

Like Donna, we used headlamps for reading. A flashlight or headlamp is definitely a help if only for getting to the cabins after dark. Even the close ones with lighted paths have dark spots.

Don't know about the battery charging at C Blanca. An easy question for them to answer.

Just returned a few weeks ago from our 1st trip to Bosque! Fabulous!

As for reading light - It was mentioned in a post way back, that a head lamp would come in handy for night time hiking. So I bought a couple of these, inexpensive ones from WalMart. They were perfect for night time reading. This allowed me to sit outside after dark and read. Was very glad I had this. Obviously great for night time hiking also, to free your hands for other important matters.

Knee - You probably have some type knee brace, I would suggest carrying it along to help support the knee. You may have noticed in some of my pics. My husband had reinjured his knee just a couple weeks before our trip. He was very glad to have the brace along.

Maps - yes the lodge provides you with both a map and descriptions of all the trails. However all the descriptions are also on the website, and as I recall the website described one or two that the info at the lodge did not.

Floppy, wide brim packable hat.

Towels - are provided for both use at the pool and for the beach. There are two large baskets at the pool/bar area for towels to be picked up and returned.