Need ideas - quick side trip in Costa Rica
 

I'll be in San Jose for work, and I plan to take a few extra days for fun. If I have Thurs-Fri-Sat free and fly out of SJO Sunday morning, where would you go for a short stay? I've been to Arenal and MA and would like to see something different, am interested in nature, animals and photography. I'll be on my own (40-yr old female, well-traveled). Thanks in advance for your suggestions...

I would look into the Carribean side (either Tortuguero or Puerto Viejo) or the Osa Peninsula.

What time of year will you be there? That might help folks make the best suggestions.

I think c's suggestion to go the Osa Peninsula is great. If you like nature, animals, and photography, I can't think of a better spot for you. We spent 4 days/3 nights there last July and saw howlers, capuchins, a sloth, spider monkeys, toucans, coatis, an anteater, and wild scarlet macaws - it's an amazing place.

I'll be there the first week in May. For Osa, I know I'd need to fly. Same for Tortuguero & Puerto Viejo? I do love the beach, too, but thought Puerto Viejo might not be good for someone on their own? thanks again...

Are you interested in birding? If so, check into Rancho Naturalista down near Turrialba. 2 birding tours per day included. The food is fabulous, 3 meals per day included. You'd have some wonderful photo ops. I was there last summer with a fellow who was there primarily for photography and he got some excellent shots.

Well, you obviously have a few choices here! Yes, for Osa would be best to fly Sansa or Nature Air given the time you have and convenience.

You can take public bus or Interbus (or the like) easily to Puerto Viejo, but it's about 5 hours. I'm about your age and would feel fine by myself. My 10 year old was my companion last year which isn't much better! Turned out to be one of our favorite areas.

chris, you can go to the beach on the Osa, as well. We stayed at Bosque del Cabo; it has gorgeous ocean views, but you have to hike down to get to the water. Other places on the Osa have easier beach access if that interests you.

You could also look into a place like Selva Verde. It's only a 2 hour drive from the airport. Try to book in one of the bungalows, has a/c and offers much more privacy.

Not far from the general Selva Verde area is my favorite B&B: Casa Rio Blanco.

MY

Thanks everyone-- great suggestions! I've decided to visit Osa. I checked out Bosque Del Cabo's website and it looks amazing! I've seen several posts about the great views from the houses at BdC, but how are the views from the cabinas?

The views from the cabinas are wonderful! I wouldn't hesitate to stay either deluxe or standard. Mariposa and Congo seem to get the most rave reviews for views, and Mariposa has an outdoor bathtub. We stayed in Gecko last time and thought it was amazing and had a great view too, but switching to a standard this month and staying in Pizote. If you do more searching here you can pull up some nice threads with great descriptions of many of the cabinas.

Nice choice!

Thanks Virgo! What do you like about Pizote? I'm looking for a deck & view, so appreciate your advice regarding which cabina is best for that...

The monkeys seemed especially partial to the trees around Pizote (but you never can predict that!) and also had great views and I can't remember just how big the porch/deck was, but I'll be reporting back after we return late on 4/7. Not sure when you're going? Gecko was a deluxe and decided we didn't need that. With a standard my daughter and I can each have our own bed. ;)

Pizote is a good one (they're all good ;) ) always seems to be a lot of creatures about. When are you going? I'll be arriving may 10th. Great choice, you will certainly not be short of things to photograph!

We stayed in Tucan; it also has an outdoor tub and wonderful view. I saw tons of monkeys in the trees surrounding our cabin - howlers, spiders, and capuchins. All the cabins are perched high on a cliff and overlook the ocean; the only ones I wouldn't recommend are the garden cabins because you have to hike over the bridge at night to get to them, and they don't have the ocean view or breeze.

Sol is next to pizote--best shower view imho. . . .lots of monkeys!

Tully- I'll arrive May 8 & check out May 10th... Sorry we'll miss each other! I wish I could stay another night but think it's best to get back to SJO Saturday afternoon to catch a 9 a.m. flight home.

I've requested Mariposa and haven't heard back from BdC yet, but I'll be happy with any of the view cabinas. Can't wait to go!

Mariposa is on the end, so it has a little more privacy. It's kind of known as the honeymoon cabin, so it's a good one.

chris - just missed ya. Pretty sure there is someone else here at fodors who is also checking out same day, I forget whom but maybe they will chime in. Have a great stay, you won't regret it.

Just found out my flight out of SJO to the states departs at 1:00 p.m. Would I be crazy to squeeze a third night at BdC and fly in to SJO that morning? There's a Nature Air flight arriving SJO at 10:30, is that cutting it too close?

Cutting it pretty close, yeah, though it'd be great to have a 3rd night I agree.

Not a great flight timewise, but Sansa has a flight that gets into SJO at 8:30. You could go grab breakfast somewhere then head back to the airport. Just a thought!

After 2 days of attempts, I cannot reach Bosque del Cabo by phone and they have not replied to email. How are you contacting them regarding reservations? thanks...

chris, sometimes they take a day to respond, sometimes they respond in hours, hard to tell. The number I call to reach there is 506-735-5206 or you can try the lodge directly and they could maybe see why you can't get thru to the main office #, that number is 506-389-2846

but!

the change in phone #'s goes into effect today, so not sure if it's starting today, or after today. If no luck with above numbers, try adding a 2 in front of the number, but after the area code.

tully- you've been a great help, thank you! i've reserved Sol, and decided to stay the third night and brave a bleary-eyed early flight to SJO. See you on the 10th, then!

shillmac- I know Sol is your fave... is there a porch/deck with ocean view? i just want to be able to chill and appreciate the natural beauty (and hey, if there's wine then that's even better).

chris - great to hear! You won't regret it. We'll be getting in 3'ish, so sure we'll meet up at the bar at 6, it'll be me & my dad, hopefully we won't be bickering already :) Which flight did you decide on?

I'll fly out on that 7:30 Sansa flight which will get me to SJO with tons of extra time. Yay, can't wait!

See you there :) We will be 2 away from you, in Tucan. You will have to take more pics from Sol and that shower shillmac is always talking about :) Seems like I've been counting down forever (I booked back in August!) and getting close to under 40 days now.

That's cool, you guys! Yes, Sol has a porch and deck with a nice view. Not as large a porch as the deluxed cabinas, but the shower makes up for it! :)

You guys will be really close. Isn't it just Pizote between Sol and Tucan?

We've booked Sol for July 18-23. I mentioned to Kim the other day that I was partial to Sol and she said Phil was as well, as it and Pizote were the first cabinas built and he liked that view.

The many monkeys in the trees just beside the porch is always a fun treat. They come down pretty closer--howlers usually.

Hi tully,

I remember offering to tuck you into my luggage for my CR trip in December. Maybe you could return the favor for me in May? ;-)

If you won't do it, maybe shillmac will for her visit in July!

How fun that you'll be there the same time as chris813!

Chris,

Very cool that you chose BdC for your side trip! It is an absolutely wonderful place!! You won't be disappointed.

Of course Cam, I was going to see if I could do carry on only, so you're going to have to go on a crash diet!

yes jill, pizote is between sol & tucan, be cool to see the new walkways they've put in.

Awe, I will have tully and shillmac on either side of me in spirit. :)

Well, everyone, I'm off at 11:00am tomorrow, so even though I might pop in to check on you guys, don't expect I'll be back on the boards until after April 8th.

Can't wait to hear how many more trips have been planned in my absence! :)

Take care everyone!

Have a wonderful time, Hip!!

hvc - have a safe trip, take lots of pics & enjoy yourself immensely (very easy to do!)

Have fun, hip! Say hi to BdC for us!