shillmac

Hotel Conchal does look good (we checked it out a couple weeks ago), but I'm so attached to Hotel Brasilito right on the beach. Noisy, but exciting, you know?

I seemed to always be taking photos of empty plates! I'd forget to do it before. . .

Enjoyed the photos, plumboy!

shillmac

Forgot to mention, thanks for the photos of Brasilito. One of my favorite places in Costa Rica. 5 years ago it was SO nothing (even more than now, if you can imagine), and I liked it even better then. I spent a week alone (while in school) at Hotel Brasilito, right across from the Indira on the corner. The bar was always hopping at night! Twice a year, they build wooden seating in the big plaza and have a big weekend party with rodeo, etc. Now THAT's noisy--it was going on first time I stayed. They were building it when we were there on the 9th.

petite43

I loved your pictures!! Brasilito is one of my favorites too & we had a blast at the rodeo there a couple of years ago. I was hoping to get back to Playa Grande next month but looks like I'm going to the Bahamas instead. Certainly not my first choice but being in the travel industry I need to take advantage of the perks when they come up. Thanks for sharing your pics!

shillmac

Bahamas is always good! We used to go there all the time when the kids were little--there were always great deals in the summer. Which island?

petite43

The Sandals resort in Nassau. We're only staying 4 nights so it will be a nice change to take a short/direct flight & not have to be at the airport for 2am. As long as it's not really crowded I'm sure we'll enjoy it. Always having the beaches basically to ourselves in CR has spoiled me...

tully

Never get tired of BdC pics and especially that view from Congo!

plumboy

Glad y'all like them.

Wow, a rodeo in Brasilito -- now that sounds fun!

We got the low-down on Indira Bar -- the 'interesting' nighttime activities that go on ;-) It's such a cool building, but I believe we were told it was going to be torn down -- but maybe they've been threatening that for years. My partner thought it would make for a perfect place to shoot a high-end fashion editorial spread -- the faded out colors and the way it's crumbling into the ocean. I hope it stays.

shillmac

Me, too. It's an institution. My husband and son used to go over and hang out when we would stay at Hotel Brasilito. I especially remember being there one Christmas. Did it ever look like it was doing busy at night?

parrmt

Oohh I loved them plumboy! Wonderful fotos. I too think the view from Congo is the best. We were next door in Mariposa, loved the view there also. Glad you posted them, better late than never right?? Thanks!!

amyet

Great pictures! I can't wait to go to BdC in February. I requested the Congo cabin after reading such great things and seeing the wonderful view. It's already spoken for, however he said they will try to put us in the Lapa cabin. I am learning so much here on these boards and love reading about everyone's trips.

plumboy

Don't worry, Lapa is beautiful too; it's right next to Congo. They're all great; I don't think any of them can be disappointing.

janenicole

Great shots! Each time I see BdC photos, it makes me sigh... Enjoyed looking at Brasilito - someplace we don't see many photos of on this forum.

Also liked the photo of Tamarindo from the air - too many highrises, yes, but not nearly as bad as I had made it out to be in my head!

plumboy

Yeah, I know what you mean. I didn't spend any time in Tamarindo -- didn't even go into it -- but, I agree, from the air it didn't quite live up to what I was expecting to see -- maybe in a few more years.

Melissa5

plumboy, we're going to Bosque del Cabo for the first time in January 2010! I enjoyed reading your trip report. I liked your description of the cicadas...the eerie singing in the distance. I love the sounds of nature...so different from life in the city. I love falling asleep to the sounds of nature.

I'm glad you both had a wonderful time, in spite of any pre-trip anxiety. In our case, it's me that has some pre-trip anxiety. My husband is a biologist so he's happy we're going. I'm the anxious one, but I know I'll love it. The last time I had my "rainforest fix" was our first family trip to Costa Rica (Arena, Monteverde, Manuel antonio) several years ago. This time, it's just the two of us!

Question: I was wondering...when you said 3 of the cabinas seem to be higher up and therefore catching more of a breeze...which ones were those, do you remember? I live in San Diego where the weather is mostly mild year-round, and we don't get many humid days either.

volcanogirl

plum, your photos and writing are just charming and beautiful. Thanks for telling such a great story! I loved all your pics - nice to see all the beach shots too to get an idea of what they're like. Looks like a wonderful time!

plumboy

@Mellissa5: Well, I've only been to BdC once, so I'm not sure if my memory is going to serve me correctly here or not, but I seem to remember -- or else it just seemed like it -- but it seemed to me that Mariposa, Congo and Lapa were on slightly higher ground (and maybe another one?). At the time, I remember thinking that they might catch a better breeze.

But, again, I may be totally wrong about this. You might be better asking one of the folks who've been many times. It's been said many times, but, really, any of them are going to be great. They all have their own little percs I think.