crlover10

thanks again shillmac for your help. Wow, do you think we can do all of that on our second day there. If we went to Poas we like to hike Poas, maybe to the crater if time permits. And i ve read that it costs like $29 pp for La Paz. If that is the case, i would want to see a good bit or skip it. Do you think we should spend another night there and go to Arenal the next day for 3 nights?
Thanks for your help. Bill

shillmac

No, you can do it all in one day pretty easily. You'll want to be at the crater by 8:00 or so (clouds come in early, so best chances of a crater view occur early). I didn't consider that you'd spend that much time at Poas. You could do a little hiking, but the main attraction is the crater, maybe grabbing a snack in the gift shop area, etc.

La Paz is a short drive from Poas, and you should plan to be there by 10:30. I'd suggest 2-3 hours there. We felt like we got our money's worth easily in March in 3 hours' time. Leaving there by 2:00 should get you into Arenal between 4:00 and 5:00.

Sure it takes up the entire day, but you've seen and done a lot during that day--plus arrived at your next destination. If you want to start off with a more relaxed pace, then skip Poas, head straight for La Paz, take your time, arriving at Arenal early to mid afternoon.

And yes, you could certainly spend another night there, slow it down a bit--all depends on your own personal travel style, I think. As long as you would still have 3 nights for Arenal--I think it deserves a couple of full days.

crlover10

thanks again shillmac. I didnt realize that it you can do the hike to the crater that quickly. I will definitely get up early for the hike. I take it that there is alot most people do besides that there and hiking to the waterfalls is about all there is to do there.
If we have to check out from our "hotel" (i m learned that from you, haha) by 12 by noon that day we are doing Poas and La Paz. What do you do with all our luggage since i ve read many times NOT to leave anything of value in our vehicle?
Thanks again, Bill

shillmac

I'm not sure I understood what you just said about the waterfall and not much else to do? Poas crater is about a 10 minute walk from the parking area. You can hike a bit of secondary forest back down toward the parking area if you'd like (take a trail that parallels the road).

La Paz Waterfall Garden has a myriad of things to do. The falls themselves are nice and will take about 45 min. to walk down through. A shuttle at the bottom brings you back to the parking lot. But also on the property you have the ranarium (frogs), butterfly observatory (excellent), herpatarium (snakes), trout pond, aviario (birds), lots to see and do. 3 hours should be plenty of time, though.

If you are staying at Poas Volcano Lodge (sorry, I can't remember where you said you were staying, and I didn't take the time to review all the posts), you should go to Poas Volcano and La Paz both in the a.m. before checkout so you can leave your things in the room or at the hotel desk. Everything is very close together in that area. OR go ahead and check out and go back and pick up your stuff when you are ready to head for Arenal. We've had to do that a time or two.

If you are NOT staying at PVL and have to travel with your luggage in your vehicle, then that is a bit of a problem. A little risky. We've parked at La Paz (and Poas) with our stuff and have gotten lucky, but eventually that luck would run out, particularly with signs warning that they are not responsible for vehicle break-ins and theft!

Hope this helps a bit. . .

hamburger

It is our first time to Costa Rica as well. Advenurous amily of four, with 10 & 12 year olds (see my earlier post). Question for everyone: we would rather drive a car than do the tour/bus/taxi thing. Are crazy? Are the roads that bad? We are not planning on going to far off the beaten track, so, we are wondering if we can pull this off without 4 wheel drive. Also, our first choice for accomodations around Arenal, the Arenal Observatory Lodge, is booked. Has anyone every stayed at or know much about any of these places: Hotel Bosques de Chachagua, Hotel San Bosco or Linda Vista Hotel, all in or near La Fortuna? We are looking for something that can accomodate the 4 of us in one room, has views of the volcano from the rooms, has a pool and does not cost an arm and a leg, e.g. under $150/night with breakfast. Thanks.

shillmac

Do check with Arenal Paraiso. It completely fits the bill, very nice property, great location.

Absolutely you are not crazy. We always travel by car and love it. Lots of freedom, and the road are NOT that bad. Potholes in places, yes. No shoulders, yes. People, animals, bikes on the road in places, yes. That said, you ARE traveling in Central America; you could hardly expect it to be the same as the U.S. That's why we go, right?!

You will be going slower than you are used to driving--it's all relative--and very interesting! Have a great time!

crlover10

Sorry Shillmac, I meant that i guess there isnt alot most people do besides going to the crater and the waterfalls, and a few other things. I didnt realize that the hike to the crater was just a short walk.

I wasnt sure how you handle the luggage thing. Glad to know that you can keep your luggage at the hotel. Yes, we are staying at Poas Volcano Lodge.
I m in the process of trying to switch to one night at Poas and add it to Arenal. If we can change it, our agenda will look like this.

day 1 arrive and drive to Poas
day 2 Poas and La paz, then
drive to arenal
days 3-6 arenal
days 7&8 flamingo/tamarindo area
days 9&10 manual antonio
days 11-13 bosque del cabo
day 14 drive to san jose
day 15 depart

Thanks again for all your help, Bill

shillmac

Sure, have a great time! I'm a little concerned about your short time at Bosque del Cabo. Me, I'd skip Manuel Antonio and spend the time at BdC. It's all of MA and more. Once you get to BdC, you'll wish you had more time!

crlover10

Thanks for all you input Shillmac. I would love to spend more time in BdC. i guess the way i have it on here its sounds like only 3 days but we are staying there 4 nights. We will be arriving on day 10 and departing on day 14. As i m sure you know BcD, isnt cheap and alot more then i had originally budgeted for. I ve actually extended it to 4 nights after reading about some peoples comments on fodor.

Do most people eat there and if so how are the prices there? Are there any other places nearby to eat that are good?

I know there are alot of activities that you can book with them. Do you need to book them in advance or can you do it once you get there?

tully

All of your food is included in the prices at BdC, the only thing not included are things like alcohol, sodas etc. There really isn't near to eat...we passed a little eatery about 20 minutes or so before the turn-off to Bosque but the food at BdC is fabulous so you wouldn't really need to go there.

I still say skip MA on this trip if you're going to the Osa but that's just my opinion!

hipvirgochick

crlover10 - Since shillmac is on her way to CR as we speak, I'll chime in here.

The rates for the cabins at BDC include 3 daily meals. Or, are you staying in one of the houses that does't include the meal plan? Shopping at the supermarket in town before you go to BDC is your option if you're cooking, otherwise people eat at BDC. You are nowhere near anywhere else to eat, unless you want to pay for a ride in, which sort of defeats the purpose. Anwyay, I don't know why anyone would want to eat someplace other than BDC. They have several great choices for both breakfast and lunch, and family style set dinners. All of them 5* and the most delicious food you will ever taste! The chefs there are fabulous.

Although Peace Lodge is a wonderful place for different reasons than BDC, I think you made a wise choice as BDC has a better "splurge value". We stayed in Puerto Viejo for $50/night and BDC for $$$, that's how we managed it. We also stayed in a deluxe, but will stay in a standard next time, as they are just as nice. I wouldn't worry trying to get a particular name of a cabin, they are all just as wonderful

You don't need to book any tours in advance. We did a couple of the morning walks and night walks, which were all excellent. We also combined the dolphin watch with wildlife sanctuary in one day, and with another couple, to save $$$. The family style dinners, bar area and pool area and good places to meet people and talk about combining trips. One day we did the horseback riding, which was super! Otherwise we hiked trails and relaxed by the pool.

Hope this helps! You're in for a real treat

hipvirgochick

crlover10 - I'm normally a budget traveller and since you spoke about BDC, I wonder if you will get your monies worth out of the 4 x 4 for the itinerary you have planned. Rentals seem quite expensive and Interbus is an efficient way to get from San Jose, to Arenal, to Tamarindo and back to SJO for flight to Osa (even if you still go to MA, which I'm assuming you are at this point). Just a thought...but I don't know how many people you're travelling with...

crlover10

wow...you guys sure are making me regret going to MA. I guess i have been reading on here that MA was one of the places to go and book it there. But it truly sounds as if there is NO comparison to the two of them. Not sure if i can get out of reservation at MA without a cancellation or deposit loss.
Will have to check and also see if i can extend my days. Not sure at this late date. We are leaving June 23 but going to BcD till July 2. When i made the reservation it was the last cabana open.
To answer your question about the 4x4, it was suggested by several to use one with roads as they are. I think i got a pretty good rate for 2 weeks at $427 TOTAL(that includes the insurance) We will also be going to arenal laboratory lodge and told we need one there. Too late in the game to change now. Something to consider next trip.

Thanks for the info on the food. Didnt realize it was that good and that many places to eat. This is truly a learning experience and just the beginning..haha

Tully, we were going to go to Peace Lodge and when the reservation fell thru due to your pics and write-up on here that is why i m going to BdC to begin with. So thank you so very much.

Thanks Hip for all the info and i will be looking at extending our stay at BdC if possible.
Thanks everyone for all the help.

hipvirgochick

crlover10-I personally have not been to MA, but I have (like you) done my research and I think you will THOUROUGHLY enjoy it there. I don't think you should feel any regrets at all! After going to BDC, I still want to go there. Mostly, I was referring to cutting it out of your itinerary only to be moving around less.

No worries! You're going to have a great time!

Also, sounds like a great rate on the SUV. I thought it would be that much for 1 week.

tully

crlover - I'm glad I got you to change your plans and include BdC - hope it lives up to your expectations, I'm sure it will. Don't feel bad about the MA part at all! I've been there twice and enjoyed it, I just meant that (if you could) you could spread out your time more in CR and that MA is kinda of like Osa-lite, and very much more developed. But at least you're going before the Osa, sort of build up the anticipation for BdC! Someone here said it (BdC) was like dessert, so it's best to finish up there. Look like you will just miss shillmac, I think....she gets there the 6th. You will have an awesome time, it's right around the corner! hvc os totally correct in that the bar & dinner is a great place to not only meet others but to see if maybe others are doing activities, or have done some you're looking at. I wouldn't of gone on the wonderful horseback riding tour with Miguel until I heard another guest raving about it.

crlover10

Thanks Tully & Hip. I just got an email that the BdC cabana we are staying at is available the 2 nights before we get there which would make it 6 nights....
Great
Now the catch. I called where we are staying at MA, and since we have a bungalow they stated i would be charged a cancellation fee of about $75. I tried to move the dates up at MA to accomodate the change at BdC but they are booked solid at MA, so that won't work.
Any input would be appreciated.

Darn, thats to bad that i will just miss shillmac. I didnt get a change to ask her itinary before she left. I was looking for it on that one posting that has different peoples posting that i think you started hip(I could be wrong..haha)
as far as making BdC last. that was my intension, since i wanted to make the last part memorable(its our 25th anniversary) I have no doubts that BdC will live up to my expectations. sounds like our cup of tea.

I do have one concern after reading on another forum about mosquitoes and malara. My wife loves the outdoors as i do but does worry a bit about mosquitoes. What precautions should we take. neither of us like to wear long pants and shirts unless cold. We will have repellant with 100%
deet. is that enough precaution. do they have mosquito nets or do we need to bring some? I read somewhere that you should have them.

Thanks again for all the help. Bill

hipvirgochick

Hi Bill -- First of all either 4 nights, or 6 nights, at BDC will be terrific, so I suggest you just feel good about whatever you decide We ran into several people staying 3 or 4 nights there. During our recent trip, we stayed 5 nights at BDC, but we also visited Puerto Viejo, Arenal and Central Valley, and would not have given any of those places for more nights at BDC. The variety was good, and I think will also be good for you if you choose to stick with MA. Just be prepared to included a little more travel time

I'm not a big fan of 100% deet, I would dilute that a little so it doesn't eat your skin away! Mosquitos LOVE me also as well as my daughter and we used 40% and were ok, so I would think you'd need 70% max. I always carried it while hiking for reapplying, because some trails are worse than others and we found ourselves getting bitten. It was waaaaay to hot and humid to wear anything but shorts and tanks. I tried the organic natural stuff and it didn't work for us at all Don't let this scare you though, just be diligent about application. Yes, they have mosquito netting. We slept with our doors wide open at all the places we stayed, with no problems.

P.S. We had a bat living in our bathroom for a couple days, so get ready for the jungle

hipvirgochick

Ooops! I almost forgot...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

crlover10

Thanks Hip, after sleeping on it. I agree with you to just enjoy our agenda and have fun. I m sure we will have a blast everywhere we go.
As for the mosquitoes and such. I m sure you are right.
Thanks again for all your help.

tully

yes, Happy Anniversary, CR is a lovely place to enjoy it. I think pretty much where ever you end up, for whatever nights will all work out, one way or another. And whatever doesn't work or does - well you will know that for a next trip!