questions on La Carolina Lodge-calling cattail and others
 

Hi. So my 50th will be in CR-so excited! Have a 10 and 12 year old too. WE have a week there from July 12-19.
We will fly into Liberia. We will split our time between La Carolina and Sleepy Cove ( http://vacationcosta-rica.com/kayak.php) or an all incusive lovely villa in Ocotal.
I had originally planned on only 2 nights in La Carolina but want your input to the 3rd. How roughing it is it? When at the villa we will do a day excursion of zip lining, thermal pools, mud baths, riding. May do a surfing lesson in Tamarindo or a river trip to see monkeys.
Will there be plenty to do in La Carolina to warrant a 3rd night?
Thanks all. Really wish we had a second week to see the Osa area but we are doing a Yellowstone/Grand Teton trip in August.

I suppose each person's definition of roughing it will vary. My husband and I stayed in a basic cabin with our own wood-fired hot tub on the back porch. Every night there was a cute little white frog under the human-lit trail lamp. There was electricity available inside as well as candles. We had our own bathroom, and the beds were comfortable. So, for us, we didn't feel like we were roughing it too much at all, but, then, we also like camping.

Will there be enough to do to warrant a third night? That again, depends. There is plenty to do, but it's at a much slower pace than zip lining. The hike to Rio Celeste should fill most of one day. Another day, there is horseback-riding and a boat you can take out on a small lake near their property. They'll give you rods and bait to fish with, to. Maybe I dreamed it up, but I seem to remember something about milking cows in the morning.

There is a wood-fired jacuzzi overlooking the river, simply breathtaking. It's lit by candles at night. You can swim in the river, but it is cold.

I've heard fabulous things about Yellowstone, but haven't been yet. Lucky kids to travel!

Cattail, thanks. I think there is enough to warrant a third night. We would arrive around 1 and that day would be a horseback ride and hike around the grounds. The next day is the Rio Celeste hike. they do want to milk the cows too. There are some other excursions that look interesting.
The owners will not be there in July. I can speak Spanish but my family can not. Not sure if that should concern us.
I cannot wait for the candles and hot tub.
Is the fishing fun?
Zip lining is not my idea of fun but my kids are sure pumped for it!!

plambers, if you know Spanish, you should be fine. And the kids can practice Spanish!

I'm not a fisherwoman, but I totally enjoyed taking the boat out. My husband didn't catch dinner, but he had fun. The fishing, such as it was, was better in the lake than the river.

In four trips to CR, we have yet to try zip lining! Not because we're that scared of it or wouldn't find it fun, but because there are always activities that take priority. Are you going to do it with the kids? Must report back!

Hi again. We will do a mega tour at Buena Vista-zip lining, horseback riding, water slide, mud baths, lunch-10 hour day! I will be the one who refuses to let go -am terrified but feel this is something i have to do!!
Is it very buggy, damp in the rainforest? we were in El Yunque in PR but for a tour and not to stay.

That sounds like a fun day! I'll have to put that on my "to do" list.

It does sound like a fun day!

If might be damp and/or buggy, It depends on the area and the weather. Just be prepared with repellant.

Think of La Carolina as rustic, but not roughing it. Our cabin (above the river) had a queen and twin bed, small front porch, large back porch overlooking the river with our own hot tub - we loved it and could have easily stayed another night. There is a lodge nearby (Heliconia??) that has several hanging bridges and, from what I've read, would make make another great hike.

The food is wonderful, staff members are warm and friendly. It definitely helps to speak Spanish but the rest of your family will be fine.

We were there in Feb., not particularly damp or buggy, but we didn't have any rain. The trail at Tenerio going up to Rio Celeste was slippery in a few spots, but not the muddy mess that others have encountered in rainy season.

We will be there in July-will it be a muddy mess?

Just depends on the weather that week! If it has rained heavily, the trail can be slippery and the blue color of the water can also be diluted.

Yes, it was iffy when we were there, even though it was "dry season." It was a little muddy, but the blue water was still impressive, and I don't recall it being buggy.

I should add that the trail near the river was where we found it the most buggy.

I really hope we can do the Rio Celeste hike. We will arrive around 1 and do the horseback ride and then explore the lodge. am so excited for the candles and hot tub in the evening. the next day we hope to do the rio celeste hike but if it is too rainy, there is a river excursion with las pumas wildlife reuse. want to also seek the los llantos waterfall, milk the cows and fish.

what is the trail near the river, cattail?

Great idea to have a PLan B, plambers, especially for the kids. By the way, the boat on the small lake is covered, so even if it's raining, it's fun. We didn't have a car, so didn't explore outside the grounds except for the Rio Celeste hike. Where is the llantos waterfall?

There is hiking on the grounds, and some of it follows the river.

Are you talking about Llantos de Cortez waterfall? It is 15-20 minutes south of Liberia off the Interamerican Hwy. I wouldn't leave La Carolina to do this as a day trip, but only if you are going to be passing by to your next destination.

One of the guides at La Carolina will take you for a hike down to the river trail to show you some of the birds and frogs on the property. That walk will end in the pastures where you'll also go horseback riding.

La Carolina is a very special place - hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!

Colibri, we are heading back to Ocotal after La Carolina. Would we pass Llantos de Cortez waterfall? it seems pretty amazing to be able to swim under a waterfall so wanted to bring kids there on the way back to Ocotal.
Cattail, you did not rent a car? We are trying to figure out whether or not we want to rent or hire taxis...

No, it was easier in some ways not to rent, as most of what we wanted to do was on-site, but the traveling is not bad from this end of the country. I refuse to drive around San Jose.

I haven't been to Ocotal, so not sure what direction you are heading. If you are on the InterAmerican highway going towards Liberia, then the waterfall will be on your way. I don't think it's well sign-posted so you'll need explicit directions.

We rented a car from Wild Rider in San Jose and loved having it. The road from Bijagau is quite rough, but we took it slow - three women in our 50's/60's.

We were going to Arenal after La Carolina and I would not want to be there without a car.

There has been much debate on this forum of car vs. driver vs. bus vs. shuttle. What will work for your family will depend on your itinerary and your personal travel style. Hopefully, someone who has traveled your route will chime in!