Quepos vs Osa
 

Hey there! I need opinions from anyone who has been to or considered going to Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula. <BR>I am considering going to Manuel Antonio for 4 days and Osa Peninsula for 4 days. If they are really similar I don't want to spend a lot of time and expense travelling to both. <BR>I could instead just stay put in either place. But if there's something not to be missed in both, then I will travel to both! <BR>I know that the Osa Peninsula is a LOT less "civilized", but the reason we would be going to both places is for the nature, not the man-made places. <BR>Also question about Bosque Del Cabo. Anybody ever stayed there? Anybody ever stayed in Casa Corcovado? Which might be better? I <BR>know Casa is in Drake Bay, and Bosque at the tip end of the peninsula,but Bosque del Cabo sounds like it might offer the same nature type of thing as Corcovado without the tourists. <BR>Thanks for any help.

My boyfriend and I were in Costa Rica in November '99 and went to both Manuel Antonio and the Osa Peninsula. Osa was by far the highlight of our trip. Manuel Antonio is wonderful but Osa is absolutely wild and undeveloped. Manuel Antonio gets tons of tourists every year. Don't get me wrong -- we loved it and were glad we went -- but the capuchin monkeys there are so spoiled by tourists that they will literally eat out of your hand. By contrast, Osa is unspoiled. Also, you can see the endangered scarlet macaws in Osa which you cannot in Manuel Antonio, and they are spectacular. We stayed at Lapa Rios south of Puerto Jimenez and it was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. In Manuel Antonio we stayed at Si Como No. If you do a search of the Costa Rica-related threads on this forum you should be able to bring up my trip report which has lots more details. Bottom line: if you have to choose one, choose Osa. It is worth the time and expense it takes to get there.

Lisa, <BR>You are the VERY person that I was hoping would respond! I have already read (SEVERAL TIMES!) and printed your report because it was such a tremendous help to me while planning my trip. Your report provided that much needed "been there; done that" information. <BR>I do have another question for you about Arenal volcano viewing. I have read that the lava flows and consequently the volcano viewing can be different depending on the lava flow direction. I have been informed that the Hotel Los Lagos (on the same side of the volcano as Tabacon Hot Springs) has better volcano viewing than the Arenal Observatory Lodge. The Observatory Lodge is on the OPPOSITE side of the volcano-right? I know you checked out both sides--what's the difference in viewing, besides the Observatory Lodge being the closest place to stay near the volcano? <BR>Well again, thanks for the reply and thanks for your great trip report.

My Wife and I just got back from CR three days ago. We has such an amazing time and I am so glad someone asked about Bosque Del Cabo. It seems to be less known on this site than Lapa Rios and that is a good thing. We loved Bosque. I can't compare it first hand to Lapa Rios but there was a couple who came to Bosque after having stayed at Lapa Rios for three nights. According to them, there are very different atmospheres and it just depends on what you are looking for. If you haven't been to the Bosque web site check it out: http://www.bosquedelcabo.com/ The owners and everyone that works there are amazingly friendly. It is a beautiful atmosphere and the cabins are comfortable and spacious. We stayed in a deluxe with electricity but people were saying it didn't much matter. They give you candles. We saw a ton of wildlife right from our porch, which had a great hammock where we spent a lot of time. There are a good number of trails maintained by Bosque right on their grounds. You don't have to leave. That is one of the reasons we didn't stay at Casa Corcovado. Plus we heard the trip to get there was longer and you have to take a boat. The trip up to Bosque wasn't easy because of the roads but they pick you up and it is worth the trip. That is why I am glad we stayed three nights and wouldn't recommend staying less. The couple that stayed both at Lapa Rios and Bosque felt that the atmosphere at Bosque was much friendlier. You eat dinner together with all of the other guests. My Wife and I never had been to a place that did this and are usually loners on vacations. But it made the whole trip. We met some great people and shared stories of our daily adventures hiking throughout the rainforest. We were told people at Lapa Rios barely said hello to each other. Of course this is not first hand so... They did say the accommodations at Lapa Rios were more cushy but you are paying for it. <BR>As far as your question about tourists at Bosque, we are all tourists, but there are only about 8 or 9 cabins and we definitely didn't feel that it was crowded. It is very private in each cabin and the views of the ocean are spectacular. Not to mention hearing the waves as you go to bed and wake up.

for Connie

Has anyone heard of Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp in Osa Pen. We are going in March and want to experience nature. I would like indoor plumbing and showers. Don't want anything fancy, but do enjoy good food. Thanks