Melissa5

sammyc, thanks for answering my questions. I always pack immodium on vacation, but I hope I won't need it in Costa Rica! Do you have any clue as to what made you sick? Did you drink the water, and did you eat salads and raw, unpealed fruits/vegies? Did you eat ceviche? (The reason I'm asking is I have a delicate system but I do better on vacation if I take extra precautions.)

Thanks for the report on best buildings at Hotel Si Como No! I've decided I don't want to be in Building 3 after all, near the kids pool. My youngest "kid" is 18 and they will probably want to use the adult pool with the swim-up bar. We're hoping to be surrounded by the sounds of nature, and not by the sounds of kids splashing in the pool. When my kids were little, then we'd have enjoyed a room near the kids pool. I think we're passed that stage now.

The lovely birds will wake me up at 5:30? Well, if I have to wake up at 5:30, I'd rather hear something more exotic, like howler monkeys! Are there any radios in the rooms? I ask because one way to attempt to block out noise and get more sleep is to turn the radio to static.

Manuel Antonio sounds fun!

sammyc

Hi Melissa:
To answer your questions about what I ate. I ate everything that you mentioned the first day! Ha, figures. I learned to stay away from ceviche after that
You do hear howler monkeys in MA, also even at Arenal!
Sammyc

Melissa5

Sammy, I'm getting excited about our first trip to CR!

I'm sorry you were sick but glad it didn't ruin your trip.

Having a delicate system, I've had to learn how to pamper it. Here's my suggestion to anyone who wants to improve their chances of staying well on vacation...any time you leave your home territory, no matter how clean the country is, the flora and fauna is still unfamiliar to your body. (Husband the biologist explained this to me). So start out very cautiously, avoid tap water, avoid unpealed/uncooked fruits and vegies, avoid raw salads, avoid ceviche. (Washed and pealed fruits are okay.) Locate in the stores the best bottled water you can find, even better if it's a brand familiar to you...drink familiar brands of soft drinks...Then, if you don't get sick for your first week, you might consider adding something raw/uncooked to your diet, or trying the tap water, and see if your body is ready to handle it.

I followed my husband's advice in Italy, and it was the first time I've never gotten sick on vacation! It was so much more pleasurable!

sammyc

Melissa:
Thanks for the pointer! I'll have to remember that for my next trip
I was reading another post that you are in...I love Rome too! I went there twice last year and would love to return soon.
Have fun on your CR trip!
Sammyc

Melissa5

sammyc, I'm going to bring a journal to Costa Rica and a book light, and if the howler monkeys or lovely birds wake me up, I'll get up and write something inspired, I hope!

I love Rome too! We all long to return to Rome someday. If you go again, look up the family-run Ristorante der Pallaro, for a full-course dinner for 20 euros. Wonderful atmosphere. You can walk there from the Pantheon.

You took the dolphin/sunset boat tour from Manuel Antonio? (We're staying at Si Como No too.) Was the snorkeling any good, and was it calm? What could you see? How did you book the tour? I need one tame tour that the whole family can enjoy...planning some other more adventurous stuff for my husband and young adult kids, but I need something tame that I can participate in with them!

Thanks for your time and info!

sammyc

Melissa:
Thanks for the restaurant info for Rome. That's one thing we didn't find...good family restuarants!

We booked the boat tour through Si como no. Basically there are 2 types of dolphin tours: one that's covered (the one we were on), one that's open aired (catamaran). Same price ($65?). They all go to the same places so you'll have to decide if you want more sun exposure or not. The snorkeling is not the greatest, but you can still see some colorful fish. The water is kind of choppy though (our guide says it's because of the full moon). We took the afternoon cruise and the best part was at the end when they provide some light dinner/drinks, and you just hang out and watch the sunset! That was a great way to end our vacation
Sammy

ahart27

Sammy C

what outfitter did you use for the dolphin/sunset tour? Was it worth the money?

Thank you!

sammyc

All I know is that the name of the boat was 'Pink Panther' (and the color of the boat was bright pink!). It had a canopy over it so you don't get sunburned...and believe me, it gets hot in the sun!
You really can't go wrong w/ any outfitters. They all follow the same itenerary/location. I feel it's definetly worth the money ($65 pp). Look around though, maybe you'll get a better deal on other websites/hotels.

ahart27

Sammy,

Thank you so much for the information! I really appreciate it. Can't wait!!