sandyc

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

tully

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!

tully

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

hipvirgochick

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

tully

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

shillmac

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 . . .

hipvirgochick

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

Suzie2

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.

tully

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

shillmac

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!

tully

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 )

RShipp1

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