Selva Verde? Changing my mind & would love some input.
 

Think I am slowly changing my mind on my schedule. Or maybe my mind is already made up and I just want confirmation that's it not a bad choice. :)

My first 3 days are what are in question, everything else is set:

May 4th - arrive in SJO, transfer to Selva Verde
May 5th- Selva Verde
May 6th - Selva Verde
May 7th - transfer from SV to Peace Lodge
May 8th - Peace Lodge
May 9th - transfer from Peace Lodge to Sansa, fly to Puerto Jimenez, transfer to Playa Nicuesa
May 10th & 11th - Playa Nicuesa
May 12th - transfer to Bosque del Cabo, stay 5 nights
May 17th - fly from PJ to SJO, stay at Orquideas
May 18th - home

Now originally I'd planned to fly into Liberia and stay in the Rincon area and then fly to SJO after 3 nights, but something changed my mind. It mostly has to do with activities/things to do. Not that there isn't plenty to do in the Rincon area, I'm just wondering if Selva Verde may be a little better suited for me. Maybe I've just been spoiled by Bosque.

What I'm looking for is a place where, if I choose to do so, I can walk around the property all day and that there is sufficient room to do so & enough to keep me occupied thru the day. Is Selva Verde a good place for this? I did stop for lunch there years ago on the Ecoscape tour (was in fact the only place I've seen a live fer de lance!) and liked it enough to remember it. But we were there only an hour and I had little time to check the place out. I have checked into availability and they do have one of the new bungalows open. How is the walk to these? Their site says 10 minutes under a lighted walkway....decently lighted so I won't scare myself to death on the walk back after dinner? I'm not really concerned with the fanciness of the room or the food, I'll have 11 more nights of some really nice places, just mostly concerned with the property itself. I'll have 2 1/2 days there and hate to waste a minute of time! So any thoughts, comments....I haven't booked yet but I'm really thinking SV may be a better fit for me.

One last thing.... they have quoted me (via e-mail) a price of $85 from San Jose to Selva Verde - that is fine. But then they also quoted me $85 from Selva Verde to Peace Lodge. Is that right? I am waiting to hear back from them to clarify as best I remember they weren't that far apart from each other. It just seems kind of high to me...

Thanks in advance for any thoughts :)

Well, that is a switch! You're gonna make it to Guanacaste one of these days! But you'll like Selva Verde, and you're right, it will be a good fit for you.

The $85 to PL sounds okay as well. It's kind of a triangle if I remember correctly. SJ-SV-PL--fairly equidistant, I think.

I've had lunch there as well--same tour, as you know. I'm not aware of just how extensive the property is, but you'll get your biggest kick I think at La Selva Biological Station. We stayed at La Quinta (just down the road) and did 2 nights. It was plenty. First a.m. early we were at La Selva for a 4 hour tour. That afternoon we enjoyed the property at La Quinta--and the pool. The next a.m. early I drove back to La Selva alone for birding with a guide. Afterwards, we checked out of La Quinta (left our luggage there for a few hours), drove to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, did the float down the river (my husband hadn't done it), then returned, picked up our stuff and headed back toward Alajuela.

So you can pack quite a bit into a 2 night stay. Just wondering if 3 isn't a bit much. I guess that gives you2 full days, though, so makes sense. Sounds like a great plan, though.

I'm envying your Florida weather right about now! Pat the felines for me--Lord knows, with these allergies, I wouldn't be able to do it myself! :)

Hi tully,

We actually stayed at Selva Verde for a couple of nights. Didn't walk all the trails as we were all over the place in that area but they are pretty amazing. This is heavy duty rainforest-be prepared for mud. Very similar (density and mud) to what we saw in La Amistad down in Panama.

La Selva of course is our first love for places to visit in that area. My father in law was on the board of directors in the 60's and we have been members for about 12 years now. I better warn you...that is where we had the peccary gnashing its teeth at us. Your biggest danger will probably just be getting run over by one of the researchers on their bicycle LOL. You have to go with a guide so you won't be alone. We also saw our first Great Green Macaw fly over a small hole in the canopy. Had to travel to Nicaragua to see more. First Puff Bird, first snowy cotinga. Great birding there. There is also another place nearby called Tirimbina. You can hire a guide there as well. We just birded on the main grounds and saw tons of stuff.

Okay, just to throw a wrench into the works (or however that goes)....

My Sansa flight leaves from SJO at 10:35am on May 9th. I e-mailed Peace Lodge to make sure it wouldn't be an issue getting a taxi transfer from there to the Sansa terminal in time. They told me yes they could do that but they do not suggest it as they have to call in the taxi to come from Alajuela there and maybe the timing won't work. Eh? Anyone tried this? I would think even if we left early from PL at 8am we should be fine. Any comments? Now I'm scared to book Selva yet as I may have to move stuff around.

Thanks Jill & Suzie for the reassurement. Though I see one pig you'll hear me yelling all the way in the US!! ;)

Transportation was my only real issue with PL. We tried to adjust our ride timing, thinking it was just us, but they kept telling us they couldn't get ahold of the driver. As it turns out, it was a group transfer and we all had to leave at the same time. That part didn't bother me but they just didn't want to tell us that for some reason.

I don't see why they would have a problem calling a taxi to be there at 8am. If you left at that time there wouldn't be a bit of trouble. Then again, maybe they have had trouble in the past and don't want to guarantee that they can get someone.

I wonder if Wady Tours over at Orquideas could help out with a private transfer. (I know, easy to spend other peoples money) Oscar from VdV does private transfers.

Confirming the comments above - Selva Verde has good walking trails on the main grounds and a nice patch of primary forest [which you must visit with a guide] across the river.

Birding and wildlife observation on the grounds can be very good. We've had such goodies as neotropic otter, sunbittern, fasciated tiger heron etc right on the grounds.

La Selva is a gem and an early-morning visit there can be totally amazing. I strongly agree that it is a worthwhile place to spend a few hours. A guide is mandatory there for visiting the primary forest -and more than worth the 30 or so dollars it costs.

The Sarapiqui area is one of our favourites in Costa Rica. I'm sure you will enjoy it.

cheers

Jerry

Thanks for your comments! I think it sounds like SV will work out for me - now if I can just get them to call me back! Since I'll only have 2 full days there & a couple of hours on arrival day, I think it seems they have sufficient stuff to keep me busy.

Suzie - I think you're right on that they probably don't want to guarantee an early morning pick-up. So I went & checked with Playa Nicuesa (they ask that you arrive no later than 2:30 due to the boat transfer) and asked if the Sansa flt that gets in at 2:20 would be okay and they said not a problem. So I decided to go with that, to be safe leaving PL on time - of course right after that I got a confirmation email from Bosque that they had booked my flights (with the early morning one). Seems like BdC is doing it a little different than past as the charge is already on my card (you used to just pay at check-out for Sansa). No biggie, but now I have to change that...grrrr!

Tully,

The bungalows at Selva Verde are across the highway "road" and up a hill and if you are uncomfortable walking after dinner, you could always drive down and back. We had actually booked the bungalows, which BTW have been recently remodelled, and are quite charming. After checking in ,we realized that the lodge rooms would be more suitable for us and especially our teenage daughters as it allowed for more freedom of choice for them to have their own schedule in participating in the group activities.

We had a lovely lodge room facing the river and I would try to book the same again next time, although it was indeed at least 5 minutes by lighted covered walkway to our lodge room.

Ten minutes to the bungalows, mmmnnn. Sounds like an easy walk, but is not flat, and the hike up the stairs might not be suitable for some visitors. We walked up twice and I would say 15 minutes of moderately fast walking in fierce humidity. I loved walking the covered path, and also the road, during the day, wonderful ginger garden there, but I would be VERY nervous walking at night without a guide. I don't think I am a particularly nervous person - enjoy driving myself in CR and survived a night in a tent - "Night in the Jungle" adventure south of Manual Antonio.

When we were at SV, there were no guests staying at the bungalows, only the new managers, a delightful couple. They love their privacy so the trek back home was nothing to them.

Tully,

The bungalows at Selva Verde are across the highway "road" and up a hill and if you are uncomfortable walking after dinner, you could always drive down and back if you decide to rent a car. We had actually booked the bungalows, which BTW have been recently remodelled, and are quite charming. After checking in ,we realized that the lodge rooms would be more suitable for us and especially our teenage daughters as it allowed for more freedom of choice for them to have their own schedule in taking advantage of the group activities.

We had a couple of lovely lodge rooms facing the river and I would try to book the same again next time, although it was indeed at least 5 minutes by lighted covered walkway to our lodge room. We loved that walk!

Ten minutes to the bungalows, mmmnnn. Sounds like an easy walk, but it is not flat, and the hike up the stairs might not be suitable for some visitors. We walked up twice and I would say 15 minutes of moderate walking in fierce humidity. I loved a leisure walk along the covered path, and also on the road to the bungalows ,during the day, wonderful ginger garden there, but I would be VERY uncomfortable walking at night without a guide. I don't think I am a particularly nervous person - enjoy driving myself in CR and survived a night in a tent - "Night in the Jungle" adventure south of Manual Antonio.

When we were at SV, there were no guests staying at the bungalows, only the new managers, a delightful young couple. They love their privacy so the trek back home was nothing to them as they are up and down to the lodge many times during the day.

You will love Selva Verde, but good choice to go there first as it is very basic compared to what I have heard about Peace Lodge. There is a lovely new pool and food at Selva Verde was delicious. Don't miss the appetizers and music, just before dinner!

flamesfan thanks for your reply! I truly hope I'm not the only one staying in the bungalows when I'm there, that would make me feel a little weird. Not too worried about the walking & humidity, I am a walkoholic :) and live in FL so humidity doesn't faze me. As long as the "lighted" part is enough that I can see more than 5 ft in front of me I think I will be okay.

So am to understand that once you go over the suspension bridge you cannot proceed without a guide? On the SV site they have a map with a couple of trails near the river rooms and one up by the bungalows - am I to assume that those are okay to just cruise around on your own?

What a pain to have to change things. Leo can probably do it easily for you. There is something to be said to having people do some stuff for you. I feel better knowing that they will confirm the flight back which you can't do easily on your own up there as you know. The only time I ran into trouble flying was when I made my own reservations fo a flight to/from PJ. They had cancelled the flight back for some reason and I didn't know it. Should have thought to have Isabel check it for me but didn't because I had never had a problem before.

Sounds like safe is better than sorry. You certainly picked a bad place to have to spend and extra hour or two. Don't suffer too much!

So I have gone & reserved Selve Verde. When I was making the reservation, I mentioned I wanted to get it done now to make sure I get a bungalow - she said oh it's okay the others are all open as well. Great! Hopefully some people will book between now & May, don't want to be out there all by my lonesome!

After this mashup with Peace Lodge about the transfer, I ended up going back to taking the earlier flight. It has to be possible to get from PL to Sansa by 10am, I just can't believe it's not, so I will hope for the best. I did though actually email Liseth at Orquideas to see what their transfer price would be, just for kicks.

Figured since I'm putting all this money down I really should get my airline tickets. It's been holding at about $670 for the past month....I just went online and the price had dropped to $536 so grabbed that right away. Actually cheaper than last year, yeah.

Yes, there is one path and a road up to the bungalows, a few paths near the river and near the pool. One of the main attractions of SV is the abundance of tiny frogs.... spot one and you'll notice them everywhere you look. Across the suspension bridge is a primary rainforest and short trail and guests can access this area with a guide. Often the area is very muddy so rubber boots are made available by the lodge.

Enjoy!

-bumping for sandy-
Hope you had a great time on your trip, hope you will write a report?

Two questions for you....How much was the boat charge from Playa Nicuesa to the Wildlife Sanctuary? I'm thinking it would be cheaper from PN than BdC and would like to go. Hopefully there may be some others I can split it with.

Also, I'm a little confused about the boat transfer. I get off the plane at PJ then...? Do I take a taxi somewhere, a boat dock or pier? And on my return from PN, I somehow need to meet up with Bosque for my transfer. Are there taxi's around or is it close enough to walk to the BdC offices?

I'm really looking forward to PN (should've gone last year!) and Marcela has been so helpful. Anything else you think I should know about PN feel free! Thanks

ttt, hope sandy will see before this gets buried again

Hi Tully, I'm curious to see what you hear from Liseth. I specifically e-mailed her, but it was answered by someone else. Doesn't matter, but I didn't recognize the other person's name. She may have been off for a couple of days.

That's so weird! I sent an email to Liseth & it was answered by someone else too. What's also weird is that I wanted to reserve one of the garden rooms (I like being close to the pool/bar/restaurant) and they were already booked up! Had to get a superior up on the hill and hope a garden one opens ups. Just weird for May that they're booked already. Oh well maybe Liseth is on vacation.

All my emails to Orquideas have come from someone named Greivin Ugalde in Reservations, not from Liseth--anyone ever hear of him/her?

Yes, that's who answered me as well. Very helpful, it was just weird as I am used to having Liseth respond.

I just spoke with Neta today, but forgot to ask her. Liseth is working with Neta on her Heart of Costa Rica package. I'll have to remember to check on that. Yes, same person who answered my e-mails. Liseth is from Sweden, is that right? Perhaps she is visiting her homeland. If I'm not mistaken, her mom was in CR with her as well?

Hi Tully!

If you are staying at Playa Nicuesa, they should pick you up at the airstrip in Puerto Jimenez. They'll drive you to the dock and then take you to PN by boat. (Double check w/ them just to be sure.) To go to the wildlife sanctuary, they charged $35. This included the boat ride and entrance fee to the sanctuary. It was really much nicer than I expected, so it was worth going. We also did a nice tour from PN where we took a boat to the mangroves, then got out and kayaked. The hiking is good at Nicuesa, the water is very nice, and the food is great. I hope you love it! The day you leave they'll take you by boat back to Jimenez. I'm not really sure how to get to BdC, but they'll probably be able to tell you. Maybe the people from BdC will arrange to have someone pick you up?

Have fun. I haven't had time to write a trip report yet, but it was awesome!

Sandy

Thanks Sandy! I wasn't sure what exactly the procedure was for getting from the airstrip to the boat and on return the boat to a specific place in PJ. I'm wondering....do they use radios often at PN? I know I had a sort of complicated transfer last trip (from Lookout Inn to Bosque by collectivo) and the radios smoothed everything out.

With that price I will definitely go on the Sancutary tour from PN. Make sense as it's so much closer than BdC which is why the price is 2-3 times cheaper. The kayaking in the mangroves sounds really cool too. From the area where you eat back to the bungalows, it's not too far of a walk is it? I don't do well on long, dark walks in CR, lol.

Also, just a follow up to one of my posts....The transfer from the airport to Selva Verde is indeed $85. The transfer from Selva Verde is $80. Not much difference, but oh well. This reasoning makes it okay - I'm spending at Selva Verde for 3 nights w/food what I will spend for only 1 night at Peace Lodge w/breakfast, so it all evens out in the end I guess.

And one more thing! Again, just like last year, after I booked my flight on AA I saw the fares had dropped. A quick 5 minute call to AA and I got the $65 fare diff refunded to my credit card. Very nice!

Sorry, I left out a little bit - I meant the transfer from Selva Verde to Peace Lodge is $80.

tully -- I just finalized our transfer from Peace Lodge to Sansa as well. They quoted me $35. Does that sound right? I'm envious of you going to going to both PN and BDC!!! To bad we'll be there about 10 days after you. It would be fun to meet up with some Fodorites :)

Is the transfer set up by Peace Lodge? They quoted me $55, but maybe that's cause I'm solo? That's the only part of my trip I'm a little nervous about, my flight leaves at 10:35am, so hopefully the transfer goes smoothly and we leave on time/get there on time.

I'm looking forward to Playa Nicuesa too, had thought about going there last year and then decided on somewhere else (and sort of rued my decision later), so a year late but I can't wait to get there.

Yes, too bad our dates are a little off! It seems a lot of people here are going to be at BdC the same dates except little old me :( Ah well

I'm a little concerned about your transfer as well, considering what they told you. Hmmm.. .

We've had a lot of luck with scheduling a taxi driver a day or two ahead--never been disappointed. However, I'd be nervous about trying to set something up for several days ahead. Thing is, that's a good fare for a taxista and I think they tend to be sure to honor those "reservations". If only you knew one of those guys personally--and you should by now! :)

That said, we rode with one last year who, I swear, was blind. Kept swerving over into the other lanes on the interamerican. I don't think he was drunk--just think he couldn't see worth a darned. Scary as heck! Another story to add to the list . . . :)

Hi tully - Well, the transfers are $34.75 total for my daughter and I, so I'm not sure why yours is higher unless it's timing...?

I arranged through Peace Lodge and they're using "Vanstrans" or something like that. I have the details at home if you'd like.

We're leaving Fortuna via Interbus and arriving Hampton Suites approx 11:00. Then taking Peace Lodge x-fer from Hampton Suites at noon for $34.75.

2 nights Peace Lodge.

Leaving Peace Lodge at 11:00am for x-fer to Sansa for $34.75.

Hope this helps!

hip

We used Peace Lodge for our transportation and it was with a van. We tried to get the timing changed to drop me off at Orquideas first on the way and then take my husband to the airport but I think it is more of a shuttle that they try to time to have the most amount of passengers. Your higher price may reflect the cost of a private taxi transfer. The driver dropped me off at Orquideas after dropping everyone else off at the airport.

jill you got me thinking, and I was wondering hmmm who do I know. Well, I remembered when I took a tub of stuff down for Kim at BdC she had me meet with a friend of hers to give it to him - and I recalled he drove a taxi! So I emailed Kim today if she had any ideas and of course did! So I can arrange a taxi with her friend for $60 (which is only $5 more than what PL said it would cost) and I can arrange it ahead of time & stop fussing about it.

Also, just in case anyone needs for future use, Wady Tours (Orquideas Inn) runs $80, which I don't think is too bad either considering that's for everyone I believe, it just seems higher as I'm solo.

So my last little issue has been taken care of :)

Good--see, all that Pura Vida experience you have paid off! :) You'll really enjoy the Selva Verde portion of your trip as well. But now, you've GOT to get to Guanacaste next May! :)

We are down to a 3 week count! I am getting pretty antsy. . .

Just booked the summer last night. Get this: June 14-July 10 (3 weeks of study San Joaquin and Monteverde). Planning to do Rancho Naturalista either at the beginning or the end of the trip.

Return home July 10, conference July 11-15 in Boston, returning to Costa Rica with husband and granddaughter July 17 through August 7!

I'll be home one week between CR trips (but wasn't about to turn down the freebie to Boston!). Plan to leave my clothes with my mama Tica (host family) and just return with toiletries for Boston trip.

I had actually planned to time things a little differently to allow more time between trips, but using my Chase travel reward points, I had to compromise on the dates to avoid black out periods.

Neta is working on some discounts for us at Peace Lodge and a couple of other places. Actually she is working through Liseth at Orquideas. I think I told you they were partners on the packages, didn't I? We think our little granddaughter will enjoy being outdoors at La Paz for a couple of days--I know we will! Just wish the food there were cheaper/better.

Think we'll go from there to Villas Lapas for a couple of nights, then on to Flamingo Beach Resort. Our daughter is coming on July 25 for 5 nights and we're going to spend 2 of them at Playa Grande and 2 of them in the rincon (Borinquen, I think). After that we may head to Panama. Not sure how best to spend time in Panama, about 5-6 nights. Not sure I want to leave Costa Rica--would like to get down to Zancudo and Pavones. . .

We are getting excited to attend a Costa Rican wedding March 17 (host family granddaughter). My husband and I have been asked to do the rosary rope around the couple (don't know much about this, but we accepted and got a little information from some of our friends in Texas who are both Mexican and Catholic). Our gift to them is a couple of nights at Manuel Antonio (they weren't going to get a honeymoon due to $$). Neta and Liseth are also working on that for us. Liseth found a couple of nights at Costa Verde (studio, not studio plus, but she says it will still be nice). It wasn't easy because it's such a busy time--and coming up pretty quickly. Anyway, I'm having fun with it all! :)

Have yourself a nice weekend! We saw the sun today for the first time in SO many days! It was a welcomed sight! :)

All that traveling to CR you poor thing ;) Seriously that sounds fantastic, can't wait especially to hear about wherever you stay in the Rincon area. I know, I know, one of these days I will get to the NW (and the SE for that matter) there's just too many options! Also interested in hearing about Villa Lapas, looked at it a couple times just never managed to fit in in & you don't hear too much about it. Is Liseth back from vacation or whatever? Kind of weird as I had sent Orq 2 emails and both said "Hi Liseth!" and then someone else answered, lol. That's awesome about your gift to the couple, know they will have a fantastic time. And to be able to go to a wedding there would be too much fun.

Btw, I got a new digital for my b-day from my dad. I think he was being realistic but also a little smarty-pants, it is 'splash-proof' and all weather, as mine died last trip half-way thru from the humidity (I think. Tiny little chance I may have spilled a soda rather close to it, but I kept that to myself :) )

Selva verde for me was great - i stayed there 4 nights and could stay 4 nights easily