Having trouble making up my mind for my last night. I will be coming in from Quepos on a very early am flight and don't leave til 1:48pm the next day, so location isn't really a factor. I was planning on catching a tour to La Paz right after arrival (La Paz quoted me $55 for pick-up from Xandari & entrance) and then maybe a massage on return. Xandari is double the cost but has more trails to walk around (though I won't have that much time).

I guess my main concern is since I'm traveling alone, Xandari seems a little more family/couple oriented & Orquideas might be a little "easier" for a solo traveler.

Any comments?

You are correct. We stayed at Xandari our last night and encountered some problems. First, our sunset was spoiled by loud kids in the pool and they also were screaming at 9 pm next door to our villa. Second, we got in to Xandari on one evening and had to leave the next morning. We felt we had not spent our money wisely to pay so much and not get a chance to view the property. We didn't even have time to walk the grounds. I think b/c the roads are so slow going to La Paz for a day trip on your last day might eliminate time to enjoy Xandari. But if you don't mind the money and okay with spending less time there, go for it.

p.s. Didn't go to Orquideas, but I can say w/o hesitation that the rooms at Xandari are awesome. Probably the most unique lodging I've stayed in.

tully - traveling alone, I believe that Orquideas would actually be a good spot. We were there 3 nights in Feb, we were quite comfortable with a garden room, around $80.

Each evening there were people in the bar area, with lots of conversations going on. They do have a restaurant, however we enjoyed the conversation so much with other travelers, that we ate each meal in the bar. Lots of people coming and going, and being that this is an informal area, I just feel you would be quite comfortable. In the morning everyone gathers on the patio for breakfast, due to limited space, everyone tends to join others.

They do have a nice pool area, to relax if you want.

If you are flying back in on Sansa, you are only 15 mins away, Nature Air then about 45 mins.

Orchideas is in a good location to get you to La Paz, or Poas and the Doka Coffee Plantation. Wady Tours operates out of there, we recently used them for transfers and a day trip to Cartago and the Orosi Valley, very pleased. Drivers we had were Luis, Wilson and Carlos.

Thanks for your replies. Pretty much confirms my gut feeling. I will do Xandari one day (& Vista del Valle!), just not this trip.

Any rec's on specific rooms? I was looking at the superior room, maybe? Would like a balcony preferably.

Hi...we are staying at Xandari next Sunday night ( our first night ever in CR) and our last night of our trip at Vista Del Valle in the Exotic Woods Suite...I'll let you know what they are like...Lori

Tully, having been a solo traveler last year while at Orquideas I will say that I was very comfortable. Everyone was very friendly and I ate very few meals alone. It seemed like a much more open and friendly type place than some places I have been where people stick to themselves more. They have people right there (Wadi tours) ready to wisk you off to wherever you want. Take one of their tours or make up your own which is what I did for the time I was there.

It pretty much depends on the type of accomodations you would like. Xandari..haven't been there, sounds very very nice where Orquideas is nice but not quite on the same level. I stayed in one of the older rooms I guess and it was a little dark and dreary but I didn't spend much time in it so it was good enough. From the sounds of others reports, there are nicer rooms there.

Tully, while at Orquideas we had a downstairs garden room, once on the end, once in middle. This building is a 2 story structure, with 4 rooms up and 4 down, on both road side and garden side. It is situated between the office and the restaurant area. We had no noise, and liked the convenience. Since I have to head out of the room at exactly the time coffee is ready! I was standing there with my insulated coffee mug every morning as they were setting out the coffee!

Anyway these are the next to the lowest cost room. We stayed in 2 different rooms, beginning and ending trip. Brightly painted rooms, ok bed nothing to get excited about, but I slept. Bathroom a little dark. Good hot water.

The more expensive rooms were a bit longer walk. But very easy.

Hey Donna,
I was in that same building upstairs on the corner both times. Maybe they hadn't painted up there yet because my room was pretty dark. I did like that coffee pot being full all the time myself .

I agree with Donna (dfarmer) about Las Orquideas. Seems better suited for your needs--you'd love it there, I think. And Edwin or Alfonso will be so happy to keep your mug full! About the coffee, Orquideas used Tres Generaciones from the Doka plantation--very good!

We stayed in the garden room as well--liked it just fine--very colorful. A couple of weeks later, we stayed in the more expensive rooms up the hill where there are those lovely Sarchi rockers outside each room. I think we paid $79 per night for these rooms--the garden ones were $59. That was last July. We liked the garden rooms just as much, but the others had the king sized beds and pretty grounds to contemplate from the rockers early in the morning!

Take a sip for me at the airport!

shillmac they took my bar away, remember? But I do have a 2 1/2 hr layover til my glight to PJ, so hey! Maybe I will try Jessie's scenario.

To everyone, thanks so much for replying, I feel I am making a good choice. I like the rooms shillmac mentioned, one of those days I'm going to bring one of those rockers home with me.

Okay, one last question (at least for this thread!) I've been in contact with La Paz & they've quoted me a rate of $55 (pick-up at Orquideas & entrance) for $55. The pick-up is at 10:15 and I get into SJ from Quepos at 8:25 (Sansa). Can I make that or should I book directly with Orquideas? I just want to go to La Paz & have a leisurely - not rushed! - walk around & then return.

You're kidding--they took the bar away? So sorry! There goes my mental imagery of you. We, in fact, did have one of those chairs shipped from Sarchi (very easy to do and not as expensive as you'd thing--about $30 for shipping). It sits in my living room, is very comfortable, and a fun conversation piece. I am so proud of it and my oxcart!

I really think you could be okay on time provided Sansa doesn't get you in late from Quepos! It's about a 15 minute drive from the airport to Las Orquideas. But, for sure, if you don't want to risk it, you can do it through Orquideas easily enough. Wonder what they charge for the same thing? Seems it would be easier that way anyway. . . .

When are you going? Not soon enough?

Regarding last post: Meant to say "think"--need to do more of it!

Tully - email for Wady Tours is [email protected]

Angie usually replied within a day or two. You may want to check, just to see what their cost is.

As I mentioned, we had 3 of their drivers and were very pleased. If you decide to use them, I am sure they would pick you up at Sansa, take you to La Paz, and pretty much stop anywhere else you want on the way there or back.

Jessie - I wonder if they ever painted upstairs!