OSA experts.. help!
 

We want to return to C.R. next January.. it is 25 degrees here and so I am planning my trip now as a means of coping with this winter! We have been to Costa Rica. We will return to a place in Guanacaste for a week(Junquillal). But we thought three nights in OSA first. Do we go to Bosque Del Cabo.. or the Iquana Lodge?? what is the best OSA experience if you only have three nights????? thanks!

Well many of us are very partial to BdC, as it's such a great experience with all the trails, the cabins on the cliff etc. I gues sit depends on how much hiking you want to do (BdC gets the edge) vs. beach time (Iguana would get the edge). If you could spare a little more time though, I would do a few nights at Bosque then 2 nights at Iguana, best of both!

I would say BdC is very difficult to beat unless you really want easy beach access; BdC has gorgeous ocean views, but to get to the beach, you have to hike. The wildlife and hiking there are amazing.

We just returned from CR including 4 nights at BdC and it was certainly spectacular. The one thing I would consider is if beach time is important to you. It definitely takes "work" to get to a beach from BdC. We did both the Pacific and the Gulfo Dulce hikes but if we hadn't already had two days of beach time in Malpais, I think my son would have been disappointed.

Thank you that helps! We will have much beach time in Junquillal... Perhaps we will do BDC... I was concerned because the price is a bit higher.. so it is worth the cost? Everyone has been there recently?

We were there last week and, yup, there's no denying that it's expensive. We're a family of 3 and we stayed in a deluxe cabina for 4 nights. It worked out to $500 a night for accommodations, food and tranfers to/from Puerto Jiminez. Our extras -- two on-property guided hikes plus a half-day fishing trip out of Puerto Jiminez -- cost us another $600. For us, this was a big splurge but we really loved the experience.

Thanks Sumi! I don't mind spending the money if it is worth it! It sounds lovely.

We were there this past July and definitely thought it was worth it.

It's worth it. Aside from the accomodation, the food, the property, all the things savvy travelers look at when we ask the "worth it?" question, there is simply the sense that one is experiencing something unique and special in the world--and for most of us, something quite new and different. I think you have to figure that "sensation" into the value of the resort.

Our first time there was for 3 nights. We had a lovely time. More would have been nice, but we did almost everything there is to do in 3 days. We've never stayed for more than 4 nights (the cost adds up SO fast), but are planning a 5 night stay in July.

With your days at Junquillal, you won't miss being right on the beach for a few days. When you are down on the beach, you aren't privvy to those fabulous views from up above!

Have a great trip! :)

mman -- Definitely a splurge for me as well, but a well worthwhile one for sure. I took my 10 year old last year for 5 nights and had the benefit of child rates for her. Now she's 11 and her last year at child rates, so it's an excuse for our return trip in April. :)

Worth every single colone - or dollar! As shillmac put it, there is something about the place that you cannot measure in money. If beach time is not a huge factor for you, then I would definitely say Bosque. I always take the Golfo Dulce trail down to the beach to get in a couple hours but that's plenty for me.

hvc - I reckon you'll be departing about 2 weeks before we get there? Save some puma sightings for me!

Puma sightings!!!!! I am there! Thanks so much for all the input. We have decided that we need to stay in the rain forest.. we will have plenty of beach later in the trip. Is there a preference... Nature Air or Sanssa for getting there? Maggie

Puma sightings are incredibly rare - hope you get to see one though. Usually they see you long before you see them. We flew Sansa, and it was fine. Be prepared to tell them how much you weigh; our friends who flew NatureAir actually had to get on the scale - she was not happy - LOL. Also they both limit the baggage weight you can bring on. One of our guides told us that Sansa is single engine, and NA has double engine planes - did not matter to us, but may make some people more comfortable to have two. We liked Sansa because it's right next door to the SJO airport, so it's really convenient. NA is further away.

Sounds like rnman is already sold on BdC, but I'll add another endorsement just in case! There is a reason the place is so beloved by so many here! It ranks up among the very favorite places I've ever stayed on any trip to any destination. :-)

I would be <i>so</i> envious, and yet sincerely delighted if any of you do luck out with a Puma sighting this year! I was also hoping for a Tapir in December, but no such luck. Sigh. Someday... Happily, there are usually monkeys (and other critters) aplenty!

Hey shillmac, tully, HVC and VG! I haven't been around much recently (had some personal stuff hitting the fan, but things are looking up...). I hope you are all well and happily anticipating upcoming travel adventures! Can't wait to read the trip reports!

Hi, C! We just booked our July trip to Arenal, Peace Lodge, and a new one for us, Monteverde - now I get to join the countdown - yea! Hope your personal life gets back in order, so you can focus on important things - like trip planning!

volcanogirl's right, Puma sightings are rare, there just happened to one, with a cub no less, shortly after our stay last year. So that's exciting! tully and I are going to go out in the middle of the night to see if we can find one. Hee! :)

cm -- Yes, very anxious to get going! We leave on the 22nd so the countdown is on. The usual frantic pace of last minute to do's, paying bills, WORK, etc. We'll be gone for 17 days so need to make sure everything's in check. This trip's breaking the bank so I'm looking at hostels for next trip. Hee!

vgirl -- Happy planning!

rnman -- We've only flown Sansa, but I think either one is fine.

Thanks, hip! Where are you guys going this trip? I can't believe it's almost here. I remember you're going back to BdC, but are you also doing the Carib. side and MA?

Hola cam! Saw you on my BA thread :) Hola to all!

hvc - what are your dates? I'd thought we didn't overlap (at least in CR) but maybe we do! I will be there 05/02 - 05/16 - almost in the under 50 days countdown!

rnman - yes they are rare but they do happen - just pure chance! There was an ocelot in the area as well recently. I've always flown Sansa myself and never had a problem, I do like them as they are right next to the int'l airport. However this next trip I am taking Nature Air, only as I got 'locos' rates on all of my flights - $60 r/t to PJ - wow! I think you've made a great decision - if you want to see wildlife Bosque certainly is the place.

vg - you'll of course have to tell all about Monteverde, still haven't made it there yet. I think shillmac was looking at July to CR too?

I still say fodors GTG at Bosque - I'm buying ;) !

hvc - I'm so confused obviously :D Are you going in March or April?

tully, I'll give you the full scoop when we get back. I think we missed Shillmac by one day at BdC last year in July - would have been fun to meet!

Hi girls -- We leave 3/22, return 4/7. So tully, we'll miss you by about a month. I think we just missed you last year too if you where there in May. Seriously though, I may do a solo trip next spring so keep in touch re: that GTG! That would be fun! Can't be gone over mother's day though, mom would be upset. ;)

vgirl - We're off to Puerto Viejo again, then Arenal, Manuel Antonio and Osa. It's hard not returning to the places you love even though there are so many others.

In Arenal we're taking a day trip through Desafio that includes a trip to a women's co-op, wildlife sanctuary, market and cooking. I'll be sure to let you sanctuary lovers know how it is!

hip, have so much fun! I look forward to hearing all the details. Wow, you're lucky to get to take such a long vacation time. Your daughter will have amazing memories of these trips with you. I bet she will inherit your adventurous spirit!

Yep, vg, I left the 10th, you got there the 11th, right?

GTG at BdC is a great idea! And puma sightings. . . rare, but they DO happen. Remember someone saw one about a week after I left last year. . you had probably just left also, vg.

hip--have a great time! You hit the nail on the head. It's the reason we're still trying to explore a few new places after a total of about 7 months there during the past 6 plus years. Very hard not to return to the favorites!

Hi cam. . hope all will continue to improve with the personal stuff---if anything can hit the fan, that stuff can! Missed you. . .

vg, I asked Leonardo to book us July 18-23. When are your dates? We are staying at Peace Lodge as well. . . .later. After I've returned to the U.S. to pick up our granddaughter and take her down there for the tail end of our trip. . .

We are also planning a return to Rancho Naturalistsa down in the Turrialba area. Loved it there!

Hope you all are having a nice weekend. . .

shillmac -- I had looked at Rancho Naturalista. Looks wonderful...may have more questions for you!

cm -- Hope things calm down for you soon. Take care of yourself.

shillmac, we had checked out of BdC on July 5th, and Kim said, &quot;You're going to miss shillmac!&quot; We're traveling around the 4th of July again this year - good way for us to sneak in an extra day of vacation. Too bad September is so rainy at BdC, or you, hip, and I could have a big combo b-day party. :)

Oh, that's right. You were there first. I remember now. It was close!! :) Maybe next time. We had planned to travel close to the 4th again this year, but have decided to do a mission trip to Puebla in Mexico July 5-13, so will not get to CR until late on the 17th.

hip, RN is fabulous. The food is to die for. Nothing much going on around there except for a beautiful view (we liked room #1) and 2 rounds of included birding per day plus a night hike. It was great for 3 nights, 2 full days. We also liked C.A.T.I.E. nearby outside Turrialba. You'd likie it, I think.

Thanks shillmac...now I just need to get a side job! ;)

Man, you guys have some fun CR adventures planned! I'm excited for all of you!

Hip, your trip is so close now you must be able to taste it! If you do see your puma, please give him/her my regards! :-)

I'm tapped to take a trip with a couple of old college roommates this fall. I threw out the suggestion of CR and they had some interest, but were more interested in a few other possibilities (if you can believe that!).

So its looking like I may have to take a slight hiatus from CR for this year. :'( I'll just have to live vicariously through you all. I will be expecting some really good trip reports (including rnman's impressions of BdC)!

I'm pretty intruiged by tully's Argentina plans as well. That sounds like a very cool destination!

hip, LOL--you will &quot;likie&quot;--oops--wasn't trying to sound, well, like I was making fun of any group of people! You know my tendency toward typos! :)

Are you still counting days or is it down to counting the hours? :)
Daughter excited?

cam you need to get new friends....just kidding, just kidding :) I will take plenty of pics in May to tide you over hopefully. You know the reason only my dad is joining me at BdC is my mom absolutely refused - she heard no hair dryer and that was that!

As for Argentina, I just have the flights booked, that's as far as I've got. Furiously reading my guidebook now!

tully -- Too funny. I must really be a nature girl because when I see &quot;no hair dryers&quot; I think &quot;THANK GOODNESS&quot;, I don't have to primp! And...don't cry for me Argentiiiina...can't wait to hear about that. ')

shillman -- No worries, I'm quite accustomed to your typos. ;) If I start counting the hours I will go into panic mode. It's amazing how much stuff there is to get in order for a 2 1/2 week trip! Plus, I'll probably have to work this weekend. :( Looking forward to hearing more about your Mexico adventures.

vgirl -- Wouldn't that be fun! And, I found another Virgo, Karin, on another thread...we'll all have to go to Puerto Viejo for the b-day celebration in September! ;) Fellow non-Virgos are welcome as well as long as you'll wear a party hat! Hmmm....I wonder where <font color="red">Percy<font color="black"> is? :)

cm -- You know I will...And, you have a blast with your girls trips too...those are always fun...where do they want to go? Las Vegas? ;) Hope to get some good pics this time. It will be interesting to see if the wildlife retreats at BDC since it will (should) be drier than last time...I feel like I was really spoiled last year!</font></font>