Trip help -is MA necessary if I'm going to Osa?
 

going in May
definetely doing Arenal area
Woudl like to add an eco lodge in Osa area
Will I see everyting that Manuel Antonio has down in Osa? (probably stay at Lapa Rios or Bosque del Cabo)-or could do Pacuare Lodge instead.. Would love any thoughts on this!!

Is it worth adding MA? is it different enough?

We could do Tamarindo instead.

thanks!

Manuel Antonio is more commercialized, which can be good or bad (more accessible, lots more options for lodging and restaurants) but you won't see anything there you won't see in the Osa.

They're different in that Manuel Antonio is a beach town with a beautiful national park full of wildlife like monkeys and sloths. The animals are very used to people so you can get quite close. Think monkeys that know how to open a bag of potato chips. We love Tulemar Bungalows - they have their own beach with free use of boogie boards and kayaks. Lots of good nearby open air restaurants that you can walk to. Lots of adventure activities. The Osa is more off the grid, more isolated and wild. We stayed at BdC and loved it - great wildlife and hiking. The animals seem more natural and wild. Most people eat all their meals at the lodges since it's more isolated there. Our cabin didn't even have a lock on the door. You have to hike down to go to the beach. The views are amazing. I think it just depends on what you're looking for; both places have great wildlife. We haven't been to Tamarindo but have been reading a lot that drug usage is pretty pervasive there, more of a surfer town. Maybe someone else can chime in on that.

You mention three very dissimilar areas. Osa Peninsula, Manuel Antonio, and Tamarindo.

Volcanogirl does a very good job of describing the difference between Manuel Antonio and the Osa, so I won't belabor it.

I will offer a third option in the Osa, Casa Corcovado. This is my favorite of the three. This is located in the Drake Bay region of the Osa. I think the nature is more intense than over near Puerto Jimenez, plus you have Isla del Cano.

Here is a link to a recent Fodor's thread that includes a link to my trip report. Just an awesome spot and lodge: http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...-peninsula.cfm

Tamarindo is probably the most commercially developed beach in the country. They have experienced explosive uncontrolled growth over the last couple of decades. It really doesn't belong in the same conversation as the other two. Some people like it, but it isn't my cup of tea.

RAC is right. You won't see anything in Manuel Antonio, that you won't be able to see on the Osa, But the reverse is true too. There are things you could see on the Osa, that you would never see at Manuel Antonio.

How much time do you have? You could do both. It is a fairly short ride between Sierpe, where you get off the boat from Drake's Bay (Casa Corcovado) and Manuel Antonio. The beach and snorkeling in the Drake Bay area is pretty cool. But you are going to work hard while having fun. After expending all that energy, if might be nice to do the easy walks at MA, enjoy the beach, and sample some of the excellent restaurants in the evenings.

I hope this helps. Let me know if I can offer any further advice.

Warm Regards,

Pat Hewitt
Travel Professional

Tahnks Pat-
We have about 11-12 days-
I have booked our flight to San Jose May 1-Alaska air was great price. Hvae not booked return yet-will use our miles. So that's why I need to decide-if I'm going to El Capitan Suizo (my only reason for Tamarindo-heard good things)-or is it worth all the pain to get to Osa? I don't mind flying around-Will do 1 -2 nights in San Jose (want to go up to the La paz Waterfall, or maybe spend the night at Peace lodge-pricey!)-and then drive to Arenal 3 nights.

I do want to see MA-just because I think it's kind of a classic experience? And then deciding between Tamarindo or Osa
But i heard it's really hot down in OSa. I did look into BdC and Casa Corcovado, and Lapa Rios and Playa Nicuesa-which prices nice. ugh I'm so confused! But need to get my air booked home.
I do not want to be miserable hot
thx

It's going to be hot anywhere on the coast. Tamarindo is a beach town, of which there are literally thousands in the world. There's only one place like the Osa.

Agree, the Osa will be hot and humid. Manuel Antonio as well, but most hotels there have air conditioning. We thought it was worth the heat and humidity to see the Osa, but don't do it if you'll be miserable.

Bosque del Cabo was pretty comfortable for us--heat and humidity are offset by placement on cliff over the ocean, which produces some nice breezes.

It was pretty sticky for us. My hair didn't get dry the entire time we were there. I would wash it, and it would stay wet all day. Not enough power to run a blow dryer there. Temps stayed in the 80s even at night. Still worth it.

If you are going to OSA…no need to visit Manuel Antonio…Lapa Rios is just out of this world/

cot indian