siempretrvls

I just wanted to chime in and say that I completely agree with not letting a few negative comments cause you to dismiss the positive ones. On NOT ONE of my trips did I ever see or experience crime or gringo tax. I also wanted to just correct you Shillmac in including Casa Chameleon as starting at $350 night. Their rates are $235 night. They only went up $10 for 2008!

Not a big deal but I personally enjoy it more than I did Florblanca, which is where we stayed on our first visit to Mal Pais/Santa Teresa in 2004(I clicked on my name because I thought I wrote a trip report in 2004 but I'm only seeing 2005 posts for some reason).

Anyway, Florblanca was/is nice, but since I can pay for the room and private chef for what it would run for just the room at Florblanca and I personally enjoy the privacy and personal service at Casa Chameleon, I think it's a no brainer. I just noticed that and wanted to point it out.

Especially since I feel the same way about the owners of Casa Chameleon as you do the BDC owners Shillmac! Not trying to send you a dig just wanting to clarify!

steph270

alw1977
don't have second thoughts...you will love CR. I started reading all the posts on here about the flat tire scam etc., and i think JeanH said it best, there are more people than ever goung to CR so of course you will hear more negative remarks. I will be leaving a week from tomorrow (feb.19) and will be at BDC from feb 24 thru feb 28, staying in the house that probably received the negative remarks. I'm sure everything will be wonderful...i have a lot of faith in the wonderful advice i received on this site . I will let you know as soon as i return though!
shillmac, that was a great post...your input has always been helpful and you are exactly right about those "off days" we have...i manage my husbands office (solo physician...family practice) and i am running the "whole show" this week because the other woman in my office took one of her vacation weeks prior to our leaving...i'm sure i will have a few moments myself this week! (i will really be looking forward to CR!)
Suzie2..are you excited....it's just around the corner for us! I had a bat in my "parlor/sitting room" in my house in nj too....(our house is over 200 yrs old)...that was quite intersting to see a bat hanging upside down over our tv..haha

shillmac

Thanks, siempre, I stand corrected. I should have checked before I included CC in my mention. I was basing what I wrote on what I THOUGHT was a good memory of having checked their site a few months ago.

I know what you mean. In our years of travel at CR, we have met several owners of hotels whom we have found to be lovely people, hard working, caring, busting their rears to satisfy guests. People we count as friends and will always stay in touch with. Negative reviews are sometimes necessary, but unfair reviews need to be pointed out as they don't paint a true picture.

We are very fond of the owners of Hotel Villa Bonita, having met them 5 years ago at another hotel. That said, Hotel Villa Bonita has its nitch, and is best for a particular type of clientele. With its close proximity to the airport, it's perfect for late arrivals, early departure. Likewise, BdC is perfect for those who place a priority on wildlife and hiking.

So, of course, not everyone is going to agree on every hotel! Good thing or there wouldn't be room at some of them for all of us!

siempretrvls

Shillmac,
I completely agree with you on all counts-as usual!

nina

Steph, We're leaving on the 19th too! You're probably on our Delta flight from JFK?

We live in CT, not far from you.

tully

So the OP hasn't replied, I wonder if a decision was made?

steph270

nina,
oh no, we are in the other new jersey, (that is south jersey haha! exit 36 we are flying out on spirit right out of atlantic city...what's your itinerary?

nina

Hi Steph,

Day 1 We arrive at around 3:00 pm, so we go to the San Jose Marriott for the night then

Day 2: have a 6:00 am pick up to raft the Pacuare, they'll return us to La Fortuna

Day 3 - La Fortuna
Day 4 - Drive to MA
Day4,5,6, MA
Day 7 - Drive to Vista del Valle
Day 8 - Poas, Doka, 4:00 pm flight home

Suzie2

I am so excited! As, I am sure, all of you are who are heading down soon. Hubby keeps calling me with news of flowers blooming, new waterfalls found on and near the property, monkeys and jaguarundis seen, a ceramics class he took, organic gardening classes he is taking at the Skutch place. I am glad only the wildlife here in Ohio can hear my not so ladylike comments as I shovel my up hill quarter of a mile long driveway for the umpteenth time and haul yet another wheelbarrow of firewood into the garage so the dogs and I can keep warm in this -10 wc (wind chill) weather.

Hope you guys are having fun today on the east coast! I blew real hard to get it out of here. The sun is shining and I hope the 100 lbs of salt that I am getting ready to put down melts the ice here.

Having worked in my husbands medical office off and on for years, my sympathies. He is retired now thank goodness.

Snow showers predicted for the three days before and including the day I leave. Hope I make it. Hope all of you make it too! I will be listening for those east coast accents in SJO on the 19th if I do. We should have Fodors baseball caps made so we can find each other. I will be the one with the ridiculous amount of luggage. I am bringing stuff down for the house.

Coming on here periodically has helped me get through this last 5 1/2 weeks of hubby being gone. Talking about CR and adding my experiences to helpfully make your trips more fun has kept me going. I think my friends here are sick of it. The advice and info does tend to be a bit biased on these forums We are all here because we love CR.

Gosh, has it been 5 years since I recommended that other place to you shillmac? Time does fly.

We ran into someone from another board about 9-10 years ago in San Gerardo de Dota. We didn't realize who each of us was until we got back and started chatting on the travel forum again. They own property there. You never know where and when you will run into another forum junkie. Happy travels all and to those who are leaving soon, have a wonderful time.

alw1977

It's been a busy weekend/week. After initial reservations about the trip, we're going for it. I still haven't decided on reservations near SJO or in Arenal, but I'll get around to that in a few weeks. We're not going until May, so I have time.

I'm sure I'll have several questions before all is said and done. Thanks to everyone for your thoughtful responses. I'll be sure to return the favor with an extremely wordy, detailed trip report. You might even get pictures.

shillmac

We met Humberto & Carmen at Vida Tropical in 2003. I have no idea how we knew about that particular hotel! It was an experience. . .

I still get e-mails from people who are thinking of staying there because the hotel, at least as recently as 3 months ago, still has our names posted as references. They really need to remove us and I tend to direct people elsewhere!

There is new ownership, though, and I hope they are doing well. Like most places, they have their niche. Not sure what their prices are these days, but $25 certainly appealed to us in 2003!

tully

Glad to hear you are going thru with your plans. I think with all the advice & comments here you will be just about prepared for anything! Sorry if I asked but when are you going in May?

maureencol

I just returned from 9 days...Cano Negro...La Fortuna....Monteverde and Manuel Antonio. I too was a little worried about driving, crime etc. We just took the usual precautions and things went fine. I did love it! Actually, had to take my son to the hospital the day before we were scheduled to leave. (Things turned out fine) Will give more details in my trip report.

But I hope you won't get so intimidated that you cancel. I think as you see from this board that the majority of people have great experiences. You always run the risk of having some problems and they can be more intimidating if you are out of your comfort zone. Only you can decide if you want to go for it or not.

volcanogirl

Maureen, how did you like Monteverde? I would love to hear your thoughts on it; it's one of the spots we haven't been to yet.

maureencol

Volcanogirl, I actually loved Monteverde. One of my favorite places. I think it was due to where we stayed...right on top of the canyon with the cloud forest below us and the band of coati's and monkeys that would come to visit right outsite our door. That was our most favorite place to stay. I would HIGHLY recommend Rainbow Valley Lodge. Only $30 per night per room ($15/person) and it was beautiful. A little past the town but still close in but you felt like you were in paradise!!!The weather was nice and cool. Also, the guide we had in Monteverde National Park was excellent. AND, we got the best view of a Quetzal right at the end of our hike! So, to summarize...Loved It! :=)

volcanogirl

maureen, that sounds wonderful; I've been leaning towards Monteverde, but I always hear mixed reviews. My husband would love to see a quetzal - how did you guys hire your guide?

maureencol

Volcanogirl, We got our guide through Rolf, the man that owns the cabins we stayed in. When I reserved them he asked if we wanted a guide reserved so he took care of it and also scheduled our zipline tour once we had arrived. We paid the guide and the zipline directly the going rate so he does not get a cut. The guide's name was Raphael and he has been a guide for 10 years. It was so cute how excited he got at seeing the quetzal. I actually think he was more excited than any of us! I asked him, after 10 years, doesn't he get used to sightings and he said, no everytime it is a thrill for him! When you pay at the park, they ask you if you need a guide. You might be able to request him.

volcanogirl

m, how cute that he's still exuberant, sounds like a great guide. I checked out the view from your cabin, and it was amazing. I'm looking forward to your trip report once you get all settled in.

Melissa5

alw1977, I also consider myself only moderately adventurous. But I loved Costa Rica and will go back someday. I had so many fears!

I love to travel but I have my anxieties about every trip we take. I solve them by planning the trip my way...I accomodate the needs of everyone in the family.

Plan the trip to Costa Rica your way. If you don't want to drive, have someone drive you. Shillmac is an expert on Costa Rica. We did drive by the way, but that is because my husband is a skilled and fearless driver.

By the way, we personally didn't think that Costa Ricans were bad drivers...in fact, there wasn't that much traffic on the roads once you get out of the city. But it is a bit scary having to found a mountain curve and find a truck coming in your direction. But we found Costa Rican drivers to be more courteous than California drivers, if anything.

Wow...I have to go right now. If I can help, just ask.

Bats flying in your face if very funny. On a night tour in the Monteverde area, there is a hummingbird feeder which has a type of bat at night at the feeder. My husband the biologist placed his face within the wing span of the small bats on purpose, and he thought it was a delightful experience. I am not kidding you. He was thrilled. He was not harmed in any way. They were small bats. Actually the hummingbirds were scarier than the bats, as they are fast and fearless flyers, those hummingbirds!

Enjoy...talk to ya later...

shillmac

Hi Melissa, long time since you've posted. I hope all is well with you and yours. .