We plan on doing one day of rafting on the Pacuare river without spending the night at any of the lodges. How long does it take to do the river in one day and/or is it worth stopping to spend the night at one of the lodges? Also, any advice on where to stay in the central valley to do other day tours around there? We are making our one expensive stay at the peace lodge (only for one, max two nights) but need mid range, unique place to stay for another 3-4 days.

Thanks, Karen

Karen when we rafted the Pacuare we were staying in SJ. Rios Tropicales picked us up early, before breakfast and I beleive we returned to the hotel 5 or 6ish. You may want to check with the company you are booking your rafting with to see what hotels they pick up at. We were at the Hotel Britannia, which was I believe around $110, nothing at all wrong with the hotel, but it is in town, which I prefer to be in the countryside.

I personally believe the overnight Pacuare trip would be great fun.

In Alajuela there is a hotel called Ochideas Inn, http://www.orquideasinn.com/index.html we enjoyed it very much and it is very reasonable, plus gets great reviews here. We stayed in one of the garden side rooms, next to the least expenisve. We were coming from Bosque del Cabo, which was our splurge last year. We found Orchideas to be comfortable and very enjoyable for our final nights. Lots of travelers beginning and ending their trips here, so lots of opportunity to engage in interesting conversations. They also have an onsite tour company called Wady Tours and they are situated only 15 mins from SJO. Plus great food and fun bar!

Also, Poas Volcano Lodge is located very near to Peace Lodge, also gets good reviews.

dfarmer-Thank you for all the info!! So glad to hear your good reviews on Orquideas Inn!! We will be staying there our first night and our last 3-4 nights. I will check out Wady tours. I may just get in contact with the inn and ask questions. Besides the rafting we want to do other tours in the central valley and thought this Inn would be a good central point.

What are your thoughts on Montezuma and lodging at the El Sano Banano? We will be in CR for two weeks and are focusing on three areas: Arenal, Montezuma, central Valley. Is this a good plan? Hoping we don't regret missing MA.

Karen

You are going to love the Pacuare! Such a beautiful river. The first half just warms you up for the real fun . If the rafting company doesn't pick you up at your hotel they will tell you the closest place so you can take a taxi there. Bring clean clothes with you as there is a place to clean up and change at the end.

I second the Orquideas. I was traveling alone at the time and everyone was so much fun and so friendly. I was always asked to join people at their table so I didn't have to eat alone.

I was able to make up my own day trip with the tour company there. We actually just made it up as we went along. The only thing preplanned was the horseback riding.

Well no matter where you travel in CR, you will most likely come home regretting you missed something. So my Motto "Save it for next trip!".

As for your itinerary - I think it is great!!!!

Montezuma was a very fun little funky town. We stayed at El Sano Banano Beach Bungalows now Ylang Ylang. Is this what you are asking about, or are you asking about the El Sano in town? If the the beach bungalows, I can say we loved it! Loved waking to the howlers and birds, with a beach just steps away, or a hammock or the pool. Not too busy stretch of beach, except for those passing by going further to the beaches to the east. As for the in town, can't comment except that we enjoyed a few meals, a movie and some drinks. While in Montezuma, we spent the above mentioned beach/hammock time, plus we took a snorkle trip to Tortuga, small fun group, small boat, delicious lunch of grilled tuna and veggies with soft drinks and beer, and typical CR snorkeling, plus a little time to explore the island. We also took a horseback ride through the jungle and down the beaches. If you are at the bungalows and do the horseback have them meet you in front of the bungalows down at the steps, saves you from having to walk back to town and then ride back past your bungalows!

Look at the Orchideas website to get an idea of the tours they offer. But keep in mind that you can make it up the way you want. As you see Suzie did this, and we also did the same. We had already visited Poas, La Paz, Doka and various other places on previous trips, so for this trip we decided on a day down to Cartago and the Orosi Valley, visited the churches, Lankester Gardens, Cachi Lake and Dam as well as other stops, beautiful day.

You are in for a great trip.

Many thanks again dfarmer! We have actually decided to stay at the El Sano Banano hotel in town. It's cheaper and we can still go to their beach resort and use the pool etc. Would you know how long it takes to drive from Montezuma to the peace lodge? Any comments on the peace lodge? Our one splurge on our trip.

If you choose Orquideas consider the deluxe rooms for only $10 more than the garden rooms and MUCH more value and restful comfort.

Sorry Karen, no I can't say about the drive. We flew between SJO and Tambor for that trip and then drove to Peace Lodge.

As far as how long it would take to drive from Montezuma to Peace Lodge keep in mind that you will have to spend time on the ferry.

I am not sure how long it takes to get from Montezuma to Paquera. For some reason that one is escaping me. I am sure someone can fill you in. You need to get to the ferry early because it can fill up. The ferry ride is about 1 1/2hrs. To the airport it is about 1hr or so- too many variables to say exactly. Traffic on a Sunday afternoon heading back into the city can be terrible for example. From the airport Peace Lodge is about another hour up into the mountains. You might want to make a stop in Alajuela at a grocery and pick up some wine or snacks for sitting by the fire in the evening or sipping while in the jacuzzi. There is a small fridge in the room.

Hi capecodgal,
Montezuma to Peace Lodge will take you 6-7 hours. Sounds awful, I know, but it is realistic.
If memory serves, the drive from Montezuma to Paquera is about 1.5 hour. the roads were horrible between Montezuma and Cobano last July--much worse than a few months before.
You should arrive at the ferry at least 30 min. before departure time. An hour might be preferably with so many more people traveling around the country these days. 1.5 hour on the ferry to Puntarenas.
2 hours from Puntarenas to the airport. The locals tell me it takes 1.5 hour, but in many, many trips, we've yet to get it whittled down to 90 minutes!
Airport to Peace Lodge, about 45 min to an hour. And of course, you'll probably want (need!) to stop somewhere between Puntarenas and Peace Lodge. If you get really lucky with highway traffic, you might could do it in 6! Count on 7. . .
Like Donna, I think the 2 day Pacuare trip would be just great. We haven't done it yet, but are looking at doing it next March when we are there with a couple of our kids. I just think it would be great to do half the rafting, then relax for an afternoon and evening at the lodge before continuing on.
I agree with Donna that you have a very nice itinerary planned. Another thumbs up for Las Orquideas--great place--and as you say, perfect location for doing some exploring. They will take great care of you. Enjoy!

Boy, that drive from Montezume to Peace lodge sure is long!! I e-mailed peace lodge and asked them if we could use their facilities before check-in time of 3pm and the answer was yes! So I would like to take full advantage of this. (pool, grounds, waterfalls). Maybe flying to Montezume would be best but isn't nice to have your own car in that area or is it easy to get around without one? Such decisions......Thank you again everyone for all the info. it really does help us first timers

You could get along in Montezuma without a car, but if you want to drive over to Malpais or Ste. Teresa, a car would be nice. It is nice to have the flight option, though. Definitely conserves a little bit of time. That said, the driving is beautiful (and I'm it is equally gorgeous from the air!). We think the ferry ride is kind of fun.

Jill, thank you for the correction. After 14 years I don't always think like a tourist and keep track of times as well as I used to. Pura Vida sets in and I just don't worry about it anymore. With all the variables on the roads down there it doesn't pay to worry too much about the time. We take vacation time seriously and like to forget schedules. Current road conditions and traffic play a huge part in how long it takes. It will always be different than you thought for one reason or another. I was just going by how long it took us to get to the general area where we stopped for a beer because it didn't take as long as we thought. I like to check bus schedules to double check my times when I have any question in my mind and we all know how slow they are even when they are express so I just automatically deduct 1/2-1 hr from their time like I do for the longer trips. That seems to work for me when figuring out approx. how long it will take by car or public bus for my travels. The posted time by bus is 2 hrs and about 65-70 miles. I didn't figure in the time to get from our stop afterwards.

capecodgal...love it up there. Grew up in CT and traveled up there every few years.

As it has been mentioned I thought I would add a little to the overnight trips on the Paquare. We have done it several times and had a great time. I really like the Rios Tropicales lodge. I hear the Aventuras Naturales is equally as nice if not more so. It is just the one day tour divided into two parts. The food is terrific and there is plenty to do while at the lodges. You really know you are out in the middle of nowhere.