cmerrell- thanks so much for posting your CR photos! They were immensely helpful as I am planning virtually the same trip: Peace Lodge, Arenal, Manuel Antonio.

I have been going back and forth about hiring a guide at MA and your photos illustrated how much you see with a guide. I don't think we'll be able to spot a small monkey camoflaged way up in a tree or some small bats clinging to bark.

The howler monkey photo is hilarious! I should show it to my husband and sons to illustrate why they should wear long pants the day we do the zip line...

Cathy, at your poor husband's expense--LOL! If that doesn't convince him, not sure what would!

Cam, my brother in law and his wife are there for the year. They've rented a condo for 12 months. He's back and forth on a month by month basis, but she's pretty well esconced--determined to stay. I think her intent was to rent the condo for a year to afford her the op to search for permanent housing! She thinks she's died and gone to heaven.

Tully--you're welcome to come along when we visit! We'll be spending most of our 5 days in Tampa, but am pretty sure we'll probably visit Sanibel for an overnight. Remember, we need to try to manage a Fodor's GTG!

And Cam--forgot to mention. I was particularly impressed with your squirrel monkey photos. Those are just hard to capture, and you got some great shots!

ktny and Cathy,

I'm glad a few first-time planners found the photos. I just remember how helpful it was for me to look at other people's pictures last year while I was planning my trip. It helped keep the excitement level high for me too, since I had planned everything so far in advance. And I'll let you in on a little secret; photos don't really do Costa Rica justice! You guys are both in for such a treat!

Cathy, hilarious zipline comment! Regarding the park guides; they typically charge around 20$ pp and a good guide will have all sorts of information about the ecosystem and animal behavior (as well as getting you some really great looks through their spotting scope). Maybe not worth it to some, but I'm totally into that sort of thing, so the money was well worth it to me.

I hope you have a wonderful visit to Florida, Jill! Have tully point your family towards the nearest Columbia restaurant. There are at least 2 of them in the Tampa/St. Pete area. Delicious!

ummm yummmm Columbia has incredible food, especially red snapper. shillmac you will love captiva, very peaceful and lovely beaches. Hope I get to meet up with you, I'm leaving the 25th so it's going to be crazy that week!

Tully, we'll be on Sanibel for a day or so, not Captive; but I'm assuming they are near to one another? Having to tell a map person that I haven't consulted the map isn't easy! Guess I'd better look it up!

Gee, that's right. Is that when you are off to Morgan's Rock? I'll give you a call when we get in. We'll play it by ear. Of course you'll be busy. By the time I get everything set so that I can be gone for a few days, I'm exhausted at the START of vacation. Isn't it a good feeling, though, when you finally back out of the driveway or feel that plane lifting off the ground? Colossal sigh of relief!

I would LOVE to know the name of a good Columbian restaurant for dinner. We'd all like that. Go ahead and recommend one on Fodor's (or e-mail me) if you can!

Oops, meant to say Captiva. . .

Hi shillmac,

Sanibel and Captiva practically touch each other. They are joined by a short little bridge. Sanibel is small and Captive is tiny, so it should be easy to include an overview of Captiva in your visit. I highly recommend it. Captiva has a different vibe than Sanibel and both are well worth checking out.

The Columbia Restaurant is a local family-owned chain in central Florida. The food is Cuban/Spanish and very tasty! I'm posting the website link below. Looks like there are 3 locations in the greater Tampa/St. Pete area. The one in Ybor City (Tampa) is the original restaurant and dates back to 1905. They feature a wonderful "1905 Salad" at all of the locations to commemorate their founding date.

http://www.columbiarestaurant.com

I've eaten at several of the locations and its always a rewarding experience!

Tully, if you are out there, I responded to your email.

I enjoyed seeing all your pictures cmerrell. I'm like you. I love looking at other people's travel photos as well. Thanks so much for taking the time to organise, caption and upload them. Truly not a task for the faint of heart!

Thanks Cam. Spoke with DD this p.m. and she knows about that restaurant. She'd heard it was good also. Guess we'll have to check it out! And Captiva.

Sheesh! I had a "Captive" sneak into my post as well!

You'll be held "Captive" by the charm of "Captiva"! Ack!

Thanks for the positive feedback on the photos, JAGIRL!

Hi Cmerrell,

Your pictures are beautiful and I'm getting really excited for my upcoming trip to CR in November. I was wondering if you could post your itinerary and list of places visited (if you haven't already).

Thanks so much.

-imo

Hi Imo,

This was our itinerary:

-First night at the Peace Lodge. We spent the next morning and early afternoon at the Waterfall Gardens.

-3 nights Arenal: Arenal Lodge. We did the Cano Negro tour, Tabacon Hot Springs, Hanging Bridges and Sky Tram/Sky Trek in the area.

-3 nights Manuel Antonio: Hotel California. We spent one day at the national park and did the Damas Mangrove tour the following day.

We had a rental car for the whole week. I think the Arenal/MA combo is a really terrific first-time visitor's itinerary.

Hope this helps. Sounds like your trip is coming up pretty fast. Still trying to lock in the details?