Hi - does anyone have advice regarding a vacation in the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Looks like there are several all inclusive "eco-lodges" in the area such as Lapa Rios and El Remanso. We are thinking of going in the summer - perhaps early August.

Any experiences with this location and hotels? What was the weather really like?

We are a couple with an 8 year old boy.

Thanks!

You'll have a wonderful time in the Osa, regardless of where you stay. We stayed at Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge in Drake Bay and loved it. Many people rave about Bosque del Cabo, which sounds really wonderful. In August it's liable to be pretty rainy. In fact if you can go earlier in the year, you'd probably run into less rain. (It's always hot and humid there - but much more rain I believe as the summer progresses - and driest Dec. - March).

We took our two boys 9 & 11 to Bosque del Cabo in August 2001 (four nights). It was great, lots of wildlife, good food, nice people, just the right amount of time. Not sure if we were lucky, but it rained only at night. It was very warm/humid, but goes with the territory. There were few other people there (off season) so we had the place almost to ourselves.

I just posted a trip report on Bosque del Cabo if you want to search for it. It's long, but the gist of it is that we stayed at Bosque for 4 nights and totally loved it.

Thanks for the replies! Its still early but I'm getting very excited about our vacation!

Bosque del Cabo gets my vote!

BTW - It is never too early to book in the Osa. Very few lodging options and they fill up quickly. For instance Bosque only has 10 or 12 ocean view cabins and a couple in the gardens. Plus with the huge increase in tourism, I would book this area as soon as you decide.

We have been to the Osa twice and both times the end of July into the first week in August. If you go to the Lapa Rios website (www.laparois.com) under their FAQ sections you will find info that there is a mini-dry season that I believe goes from July 1 for about 6 weeks(I may not have the exact dates down - ck. the website)

Anyway, we have stayed at Lapa Rios in 2001, Bosque del Cabo in 2004, and are going back to Bosque this August. We did not have trouble with any activities because of rain either time. Everything is so lush at that time. We love the Casa Blanca rental house at Bosque. Had a deluxe cabina for 2 nights then had Casa Blanca for last 3 nights. This summer I booked ahead enough to have Casa Blanca for all 5 nights - absolutely gorgeous 2000 house perched on the side of a cliff overlooking the ocean!

Had kids with us both times - were ages 14 and 17 when we went in 2004 - they love it - and turned into surfers this last time. Accommadations at Bosque lended themselves better to 2 older teenagers when we went back in 2004. In 2001 Lapa Rios was OK with 2 double beds but that was hard with growing teenagers - especially one girl and one boy. The cabina we had at Bosque for 2 nights had a king bed down and 2 twin beds in a loft so that worked out well until we got moved to Casa Blanca which has two bedrooms - one with King and one bedroom with two queen beds.

I also posted a lengthy trip report in Aug. '03. If you do a search on 'Bosque' and go back it should be there and hopefully help you.

Oops - meant my trip report was dated Aug. 2004.

I don't think El Remanso gets good reviews. Do serch on this board under el remanso