Here is a basic itinerary. Please help me decide on one of those itineraries. I'm basing all this on the cheapest airfares I could find. We can really only do the cheapest airfares.

Option 1: (probably not a wise choice, but I really wanted to go to BdC).
Arrive in San Jose 6/14 at 12 noon
Depart for PJ on 6/15 at 6am
Depart for San Jose on 6/17 at 7:20am
Depart San Jose for Atlanta on 6/18 at 1pm

or

Option 2:
Arrive in SJ 6/14, 12noon
Depart for Quepos at 14:00
Depart for SJ 6/18 at 11:15 (or 7:45am)
Arrive in SJ 6/18 at 11:40 (or 8:10am)
Depart SJ at 1pm for Atlanta

-----------------------------
I was hopeful in going to BdC, but since I'm having trouble getting flights there, just the getting there part may be too expensive.

kippy - not sure if you saw my post on your thread a couple days ago but wanted to make sure you knew.....You'd said the possible flight to Quepos left at 4pm, but it actually leaves at 2pm (14:00) - which doesn't give you a lot of wiggle room if your flight arrives at noon. You'd have to be out of the Int'l airport no later than 12:40, take the 20-30 taxi ride to Pavas which would give you about an hour check-in. Same problem coming back, I definitely wouldn't take the later flight, by the time you taxi to SJO you'd only have 50 minutes to check-in.

As much as I love BdC I wouldn't do it for 48 hours when it also makes you spend 2 extra nights in SJO.

Just me, I'd look into taking Interbus to Manuel Antonio instead. They have a 3pm departure which would give you plenty of time and you'll get to see a bit of CR on the drive there.

tully - Thanks so much. I saw your reply on the other thread. I appreciate your info so much. I'm so glad you posted that...what if I went ahead and booked it, thinking it really was 4pm?!

I didn't realize that in order to fly on NatureAir that I would need to go to a DIFFERENT airport! You are really helping me not to make some huge mistakes here. Thanks so much!

I'd like to find out more about the interbus. Do you know how to look at their schedules online? Also, if our flight arrives in SJ at 12 noon, is that too much lag time before the bus departure? Would we have time to eat at a fun restaurant? Do you get on the interbus from the main SJ airport?

Their website is https://www.interbusonline.com/default.asp you can look at the schedule, prices etc. One thing - no they don't pick up from the airport. They pick up from the Garden Court/Hampton Inn/Green Turtle complex a 3-4 minute drive down the road, so you'll need to take a taxi there for a couple bucks. The Garden Court has a Denny's - does going to a Denny's in CR qualify as fun? So you have to select the departure point as 'Rio Segundo' and then select which of the above to be picked up at. I think having 3 hours would be perfect actually. I had about the same time 2 years ago but due to a flight delay and then no gate at SJO I almost missed the Interbus to Arenal, literally made it as they were ready to go.

I'm sure someone, at some time, has booked Nature Air not realizing it leaves from Pavas! Sansa is right next to the the Int'l airport, uses the same runway but yes, Pavas is 20-30 minutes away.

Actually, I just looked it up and Interbus does pick up from the airport but I'd take a pass - they charge $7 per person, when a taxi will do it for $3-$4 for the both of you.

Thanks again Tully! Even though we aren't going to BdC, I'm getting excited. Fun is a state of mind. We can have fun in Dennys or where ever we are! I'm just happy to be going to CR!

I just e-mailed Costa Verde about reservations, and 14 minutes later, I received a reply! They have availabilities in either

- an Efficiency,
- Studio a/c,
- Studio-Plus at Costa Verde II - Adults only building; no a/c or TV.

I think we'd either get the studio or Studio-plus at CVII. I think we'd probably like AC though. Want great view. Probably would like to keep breakfast items in kitchen.

All this makes me wonder if it will rain the whole time we are there?? I thought I'd have lots of trouble finding a place to stay...

I'd go with CV II. At worst, if it's too hot the first night they may have availability & you can switch. But the views are to die for, whereas the Studio rooms are nice but not much view (usually jungle).

Tully, Thank you again. I have been communicating w/Costa Verde. I'm amazed at how quickly they respond.

Regarding Interbus, I just checked, and maybe I did something wrong. I selected traveling from San Jose to Quepos. It says the pick up is at ADVENTURE EDUCATION CENTER AT 2:35 PM and the drop off is at BEST WESTERN KAMUK. It also says the drive will be 4 hours. I thought it was a 3 hour drive.

Should I purchase bus tickets this far in advance, or could I wait until the day of June 14th when we are there? I don't know how much advance planning I need to do for a bus. Thanks!!




Service Price Sub-Total Status
000152-093051 2 ADULT ON 1604 SAN JOSE - MANUEL ANTONIO #2 (SAN JOSE TO QUEPOS)
TRAVELING ON SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 2008
PICKUP AT ADVENTURE EDUCATION CENTER AT 2:35:00 PM
DROP OFF AT BEST WESTERN KAMUK

I'm curious about the bus thing, too. If we book them now (for a June trip) , do they have online ticketing to print off?

kippy see my post from 11:28 last night on exactly how to book. To recap - Pickup point: "Rio Segundo" (select pickup at Garden Court from the drop-down) and drop-off "Manuel Antonio" (select CV from the drop-down).

It sounds like what you selected was departing San Jose (which is not where the airport is) and arriving in Quepos.

Thanks Tully - I do think I read much too quickly last night! Today I selected Rio Segundo and MA as you said. I found the drop down menus after clicking "Price Service." Thanks again for your wealth of information!! I am getting closer every day!

On Interbus, it is $70.00 for 2. On Nature Air it is $74.00 for 2. I'm tempted to do the Nature Air flight, departing at 1400. We are bringing carry-on luggage only.

If we arrive in SJ at 12 noon w/carry-on luggage only, do you think we could get to Pavas by 1pm, and then get on a Nature Air flight at around 2pm?

You're kidding! Where in the world are you finding Nature Air for TWO for $74--what a deal. Heck, yes, I'd choose that one, too!

I finally was able to tie my husband down for 10 minutes to talk about trip. After we both looked together at options, he said lets just do Bosque del Cabo!!

Last night we booked the RT Nature Air flight, (I hope BdC still has a room available!) and yes, we payed the top price for the flight going back to SJ. I have e-mailed back to Bosque to get reservation form faxed to me, and I inquired about a driver.

**However, we are still trying to keep costs down...is there was a cheaper option from getting to Bosque from PJ and then vice versa. Arrival time in PJ is 6:50am on June 15. Departure time in PJ is at 7:20am on June 18.

Congrats! Think you'll have a short but great time at BdC, if anything it'll just make you come back for more. Don't think you can really get any cheaper than the $25 per person (roundtrip) to Bosque & back. You can try & ask taxi's but I wouldn't think any of them would take you for less than $25 each way.