parrmt

VG, I can't tell you enough how much I enjoyed this report. Our very first trip to CR was to MA to celebrate our 35th. We stayed at Villas Nicolas and loved it. The area, the people and more.

Thanks for such a detailed report. I truly traveled w/you as you described such a wonderful trip. Toni

volcanogirl

T, you're so sweet. I'm glad you liked it. I think MA is a great introduction to CR and a great spot for an anniversary too.

PMJ

Volcano Girl,
Awesome trip report- I am now ready to go! Which is funny, because when our family was considering whether or not to go to Belize a couple years ago, I read a lot of your posts - which convinced me it would be a fabulous trip. And it was! Four nights at Chaa Creek and three nights at Ambergris were great, and we took a lot of your advice. We are now looking at the family going to Costa Rica, and you pop up again! It's a sign! Only now we have one more son in law and our grand daughter will be 14 months at the time. I was concerned about taking her, but it sounds as if it would be okay. We are looking at staying at the Buena Vista Villas in a three bedroom villa so we have room for everyone. The Mot Mot Upper Villa sounds great, too. Any thoughts on the two properties?
Thank you!

PMJ

Now I think of more questions! Are Upper and Lower Mot Mot owned by the same person? Did you use a travel agency or book directly with the owner? I'm thinking the Upper and Lower Mot Mot might be a good place for the 7 of us, if it didn't break the bank!

volcanogirl

P, I'm so glad you guys had fun in Belize. We loved those properties. Susan Chadney is the owner of Lower Mot Mot. We contacted Tulemar through the website, and they gave us Susan's phone number and had us reserve with her directly. You can check with them to see if she's the owner of Upper as well. Upper looks fantastic. I would definitely stay there. All the rates are on the Tulemar website if you want to check it out. They vary according to season. I think it sleeps five people though. The website should be able to give you more details. Buena Vista is actually on the same property as Tulemar, and they're now all managed by the same people. I don't know if BVV offers the same concierge service that Tulemar does. These places book up really far in advance. We had to stay in three different places on the property to get the amount of time we wanted, so maybe call and check on availability. Hope you guys have a fantastic time. Feel free to ask if you have any more questions!

I can't remember if I told you guys, but Felicity Huffman of Desperate Housewives fame was at Tulemar when we were there.

PMJ

Thanks! I think I will contact you whenever we vacation plan! Do you think there would be an issue with medical care there? My daughter is concerned about her one-year old. She is perfectly healthy; just concerned about emergencies.

volcanogirl

I don't think so. I would expect there to be good health care in Quepos which is right by MA, but you can double check with the hotel. CR is known for having good medical facilities if you're not staying in an isolated area.

PMJ

I have been quoted a cost of $400 dollars each way to transfer from SJO to MA, for the 7 of us. $800 RT seems awfully high. Do you remember what you paid and who you got?

volcanogirl

P, are you saying $400 one way? That seems very high to me unless you all can't fit in one van. I think we paid around $180ish or so. They charge a flat rate for the van with a private driver, not per person. If you use a shuttle like Interbus, then they charge per person. We booked through Tulemar.

PMJ

Yes, 400 EACH way. It is an 8-10 passenger van, but that seems outrageous. Did you pay 180 one way or round trip?

volcanogirl

It should be less than $200 one way, and you pay per van, not per passenger.

NandosWifey

V

I am so sad that I didn't come to these boards before we booked our trip to Costa Rica -- who knew?? MY husband and I just began traveling last year and we had no idea -- so we just go with our travel agent.......however, we are planning a huge family trip to Costa Rica and I am going to come to you for all our planning tips........we want to do like bungalows and really experience the culture. We went to Mexico last year with 16 people and it was beautiful don't get me wrong but everything was just so touristy -- we didn't experience any of the true culture..........we hired a driver and he brought us to a place that was playing american music -- I wanted to see dancing and foods of the culture..........now going to Costa Rica I was hoping to do that as well.

I don't think I will do the Arenal trip this time around -- I am not into heights (as I Have mentioned mULTIPLE times) and between the hanging bridges, and climbing up and down the volcano, and zip lining -- I feel like it would be a wasted trip and our driver is charging 245 to take us there.

I am hoping the RiU Palace is as nice as I had heard and I am hoping our driver is able to give us an idea of the culture -- I want to see lots of wildlife and do some hiking (with nO HEIGHTS LOL)............

ANYWAY any help you can give me -- keep on suggesting......I have 5 weeks to go

NW

volcanogirl

N, the Arenal has a lot to offer even if you are afraid of heights. There are beautiful natural hot springs like Tabacon and Eco Termales, the Proyecto Asis animal rescue center, Penas Blancas river float, the Cano Negro tour to see wildlife, a waterfall hike, a volcano hike - you can't climb the volcano itself, so it's a flat hike. You might consider going there on a future trip. I can't imagine doing it as a day trip though. Better to stay there to get to enjoy it. We haven't stayed at the Riu, so I can't help you there.

Costa Rican food tends to be very simple. Typical food is rice and beans and casados. Casados are a meat such as beef, chicken, or tilapia paired with sides like plantains, salad, and gallo pinto. Batidos are fruit milkshakes that are very tasty. In all my trips to Costa Rica I have never seen dancing, but a place like the Riu might offer something like that.

I have several trip reports posted if you want to get ideas for future trips. I hope you have a great time at the Riu.

PMJ

Hey volcano girl,
The family has now decided they want to go to the Nicoya peninsula and play at the beach. The main attraction is proximity to the airport and a direct flight from dallas. Do you have any good recommendations for there? We are also considering the arenal area, too. Any recommendations there? I would love something similar to chaa creek. Thanks!

volcanogirl

P, I have tons of recommendations for the Arenal area. We've been there a lot. We've stayed at the Springs Resort and Spa, Nayara, and the Lost Iguana. We've really enjoyed them all. Take a look at those and see what you think. Tons to do including the waterfall hike, the Hanging Bridges, Cano Negro tour, Proyecto Asis animal rescue center, natural hot springs like Tabacon and Eco Termales, a volcano hike, Penas Blancas river float, ziplining at Sky Trek, canyoneering with La Roca, tubing at The Springs, kayaking. Desafio and Sunset Tours both offer nice tours in the area if you want to check out their websites. We have not been to the Nicoya peninsula. Would love to read your trip report if you go to that area.

volcanogirl

Topping for Ashwini. Hope this helps!