volcanogirl

Eventually we pull up in front of the Marriott, and it has an authentic colonial feeling to it. Very cool architecture, open air, lots of nice touches. There's even a small coffee plantation on the property. The woman who checks us in says she's going to upgrade us and gives us a room on the fifth floor with a nice view of the pool. The bellman, who looks like a Costa Rican movie star, takes our luggage. He's over six feet tall, which really makes him seem like a giant in this country! We get to the room and hear a terrible racket outside. I recognize this noise. I toss open the drapes and see beautiful bright green parrots in the palm trees outside. Since we're on the fifth floor, we're eye to eye! Who would have thought that the San Jose Marriott would have wildlife?! Tons of red-lored parrots cling to the palm fronds. As they fly, they go in pairs. We also have a beautiful view of the hills and the city beyond. We end up really liking it here. We explore the property and discover a nice little cafe where I get a delicious coffee shake - last chance to enjoy CR coffee! And it's the perfect fix for a hot afternoon.

volcanogirl

This hotel is really popular with business travelers. As we look around, we notice that my husband is the only man wearing shorts. Most men are in suits and ties - such a big change from the rest of the country. Although there are nice restaurants on the property, we decide to just relax in our room and order room service.

It's been raining and just before sunset, a beautiful rainbow appears. Most of the parrots fly off, and as it gets dark, we can see twinkling lights in the hills in the distance. This is a nice, relaxing end to our vacation.

My husband doesn't really speak Spanish, but he makes a valiant effort. As he orders from the menu, I hear him order chicken fingers which should sound something like dethos de poyyo, but sounds more like deeee-dos day po-lo when he orders. I whisper to him that they all speak English, so then he adds, "and a grilled cheese sandwich." When our order arrives, the waiter lifts the silver lids off the plates to reveal the chicken fingers and not grilled cheese but instead a club sandwich. Mr. V is thrilled that his Spanish has gotten him just what he ordered, and we laugh about how fluent he is!

Percy

Very good I have been following also and enjoying it all.

Thanks for the details as it is pleasant reading.

(Ever hear from that shillmac lady !!!) )

volcanogirl

Thanks for slogging through it, Percy! I keep thinking I should toss in a fer-de-lance or something. No deadly animal encounters this trip at all!

Shillmac popped in on another thread, the room with a view thread I think, so she's around here somewhere. I think she was the first to go to Mot Mot. She finds the best places!

Latitude9Lisa

Absolutely fantastic trip report! Sorry about the fall on the road : ( But glad you have some antibiotic ... infection in the tropics can be quite unforgiving! Great sloth story! Serious giggle re: your hubby's shorts. I was scolded by a friend who's been here for 40 years when I wore shorts in the Central Valley. Don't wear shorts, you look like a tourista, she said! (egads no!)

volcanogirl

Thanks, Lisa! When we got to the SJO Marriott they had a huge array of first aid supplies. The woman behind the counter picked out two things for us, one of which she said "won't hurt" so that's what we got. Turned out to be hydrogen peroxide. I assume the other was alcohol. I think I am going to have a scar though - good way to remember my trip I guess!

My husband wore his shorts again at breakfast. I put on my falling down in the road dress, but we were still terribly under dressed! Every woman in a suit or dress and every man in a tie. I think we had big sunglasses on too and cameras around our necks - lol.

volcanogirl

So for our last day, we take a few photos around the property. They have a huge golf course and a spa for those who are so inclined. We go to the breakfast buffet, and it's spectacular - egg station, fresh breads and pastries, bacon sausage, fresh fruits, and the thing we love most - gallo pinto. I load up on the gallo pinto knowing it will be my last chance to enjoy it. Despite our attire, the waiter is really sweet and friendly. He brings me a bottle of Lizano and tells me that it's really good on the rice and beans. The restaurant is pretty high end, and we have a beautiful view. After we finish, we get our bags and meet our driver. He takes us to the airport, a quick 10 minute ride away. He asks if it's our first time to CR and gives us his card in case we ever need anything. Pura Vida to the end. As we drive we notice several fast food joints, and he tells us that McDonald's is the most popular! The folks in this area look more like Americans than Costa Ricans!

The line to pay the exit tax is so long when we arrive at the airport, about 40-50 people and extending way down into the terminal. We're surprised to see it like that, but it moves quickly, and we've arrived 3 hours before the flight. We have enough time to shop, and we pick up a few souvenirs at the Cafe Britt shop, including some awesome guava cookies, highly recommend if you ever see them. We board our flight, and I get a window seat. At one point I open the shade and see the Blue Hole just below us. I always love seeing that!

Cattail

you have a way with words, vc; excellent reading. I kind of want you to keep going, but then you'd be back home, lol.

Cattail

Oh, and what is the Blue Hole? I thought that was in Belize.?

colibri

Another great adventure, VG! You may even inspire me to finally go to that area on my eighth or ninth trip. I've always had mixed feelings reading about the fairly tame wildlife and how Americanized it has become, but your report just might make me check it out.

Your details are amazing, I could never remember so much even with daily notes.

Thanks for sharing!

Cat - I saw the Blue Hole flying down on my first trip, have never seen it again, but yes, I think it is off the coast of Belize.

volcanogirl

Thanks, Cat - and then the plane turned around and we were back in CR again. No, but I wish!

col, we liked it a lot more this trip. I think staying at Tulemar with its own beach and all the wildlife was key. I would definitely stay there again. I even got to meet Tulemar Dave - there's a huge sign there that says, "Come meet Tulemar Dave!"

Yep, the Blue Hole is off Belize, and it's just this amazing circle of blue out in the ocean. Really cool to see from the air.

We got lucky when we landed back home because no one was in line in front of us in customs. We were through in less than ten minutes. It was just one of those trips where everything went pretty smoothly.

Cattail

LOL!

steph270

great trip report vg! i love the part about bill pulling out the antibiotic ointment lol.

volcanogirl

Thanks, steph - Bill is definitely a great multi-tasker. He said he walks a fine line between wanting to be helpful and not intruding. I think he's pretty great at his job.

Just got word from Tulemar that the baby sloth fell from the tree again, but is fine, and they're going to take it to a rescue center where it can hopefully be released into the wild again.

steph270

awwww..... amazing it hasn't been injured! they look like a lightweight bag of bones

chookgoo

Volcangirl,

Thank you for your trip report.

We are going to CR for family trip this July. I've been there twice for short mission trips but it will be first for our family.

We are only there for 9 days arriving at 6 am at SJO. I reallt wanted to go Tortuguero on 1st day but schedule didn't work out. So after securing Tulemar for 3 days in the middle of the trip, I decided to go arenal for 3 nights, MA 3 nights and tortuguero 2 nights before spending 9th night at Sjo.

Niw here is the delima. In order to catch the tour bus to tortuguero, we gotta get up at 3 am either drive myself or hire driver to get to san jose by 6:30 am. Then 4 hr bus ride. When we come back at near 4pm, we can't really do much else at airport. So is it worth spending nearly 2 whole days for tortuguero or should I cancel it for next trip?

We want to see wild animals and nature but I'm beginning to think that 3 areas that are 4 otr 5 hrs apart in 9 days might be too much. We are not group tour people rather explore our own.

Tulemar already offered one more night at great rate for 4th night. If not dominical sounds good too.

Since you've been to tortuguero and MA, should we force ourselves to sqeeze tortuguero or spend more time in pacific? I already sacrificed Monteverde for tortuguero but I feel like I should do the same for tortuguero. I can't go Monteveder since Tulemar stay is nonrefendable ($175 for four people per night).

Appreciate your feedback.


We are family of 4, with kids at 11 and 14. We rarely did any guided tours and do pretty much ourselves.

volcanogirl

c, personally I'd skip Tortuguero if it's going to be that complicated - having to get up at 3:00 a.m. would not make for a great vacation to me.

janenicole

Really enjoyed your report, vg! Sounds like a great time. Sorry about your stumble on the road. My husband and I each have scars on our right legs from Costa Rica mishaps! Unconventional souvenirs, I guess.

volcanogirl

Thanks, jn! I'm glad to hear I'm not alone. I think it was maybe karma for trying to wear a dress in Costa Rica - lol! The funny thing is I raft, zipline, and waterfall rappel just fine, but walking in the road seems to be another story...

volcanogirl

steph, I agree with you. I can't believe that baby survived a second fall from so high up - the tree was tall! Tulemar just sent me a newsletter, and it has a pic of the sloth on the front. It looks pretty happy. It's being sent to a rescue group called Kids Saving the Rainforest.