Which locale/hotel in northwest CR?
 

We are making our second trip to CR next January (11th-25th). Our itinerary is
arrive Liberia; 4 nts at Villa Belmar (aka Seville Resort) on Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste
rent car
4 nts in a lodge in hiking area - this is where I need your help
4 nts in Montezuma at Ylang Ylang
drop car at Tambor, fly to SJ
2 nts Xandari before return to LA

For our second 4 nights, I want to pick a lodge with the best access to easy hiking, river trip, good birding. These are some places in the area that sound appealing: Rincon de la Vieja National Park (NP) and/or Palo Verde NP, Rio Celeste Waterfall in Tenorio NP, Cano Negro. I cannot find any good driving maps of this area!

I have considered staying at Sueno Celeste B&B but think Celeste Mountain Lodge is better located for two of the parks. There is also Tenorio Lodge. Please comment.

In the above region, how does the river trip in PV Nat Pk compare to the Cano Negro boat trip???

Hi Robbie, We have visited CR four or five times, and stayed near all but Palo Verde NP. We liked Rincon the best for hiking and wildlife. For seeing wildlife by river, I can't imagine any river but Tortuguero outdoing Cano Negro. I'd like to visit it if there is!

Thanks Cattail. We visited Tortuguero last trip, too bad it was pouring rain most of the time, in late December. We also did a wonderful mangrove tour from our lodge near Drake's Bay in Osa. Now seeking more nature splurges.
How long were in Rincon de la Vieja? What were your favorite activities/spots?

Robbie, we stayed at Rincon de la Vieja Lodge for four nights. With their popular activities program, I was very worried that I had made a wrong choice and it would be crowded, but we liked it very much. It was easy to lose any crowds by hiking on our own and not eating lunch in the restaurant. There are a number of good trails that leave from the grounds, and we hiked in the park as well. The hike to the crater was closed, unfortunately. but the trails past bubbling mud pots and spectacular waterfalls were absolutely wonderful!

Besides the hiking, our favorite things were watching howler and white-faced monkey troops cavorting through the trees, swimming underneath the waterfalls, and soaking in the hot springs.

I've been curious about Montezuma, so I'll be interested to hear how you like it!

Wait. YOU are staying four nights; we were there for three nights ;) We wouldn't have minded an extra night though.

Thanks Cattail, I'll look into this. Any others want to comment?

If you'll be in Rincon for 4 nights, I highly recommend a day trip over to Rio Celeste. It's the most incredible waterfall in Costa Rica with brilliant turquoise water. We stayed at La Carolina and absolutely loved it.

One year we did a daytrip up to Buena Vista Lodge at Rincon - lots of activities offered there such as thermal pools, mud baths, hanging bridges, hiking trails, horseback riding. To be honest, the Rincon area is where we have seen the least wildlife out of seven trips to CR.

We didn't see much wildlife either at La Carolina (though we thought it was great), but loads at Rincon. go figure ;)

Hey Cattail - too funny! I found La Carolina a great birding lodge, but only saw howlers, blue jean frogs and sloths right on the property itself.

Nothing beats the Osa and Tortuguero for wildlife!

Only? LOL! We didn't see close to that. A viper in a tree, a dart frog, neat birds. No monkeys or sloths.

I agree - the Osa rocks!

I agree about OSA. Actually the places I mentioned are near Rio Celeste and Tenorio NP. So we'll do a day trip to Buena Vista Lodge. Their website says its $40pp for thermal pools, no mention of mud baths. How recently wee you in the mud there?

Robbie-it's been about 4 or 5 years since we went to Buena Vista. For the mud "baths" you didn't actually get a pool of mud, but had it applied all over your body and let it dry, then washed off and got in the thermal pools. At least that's what I think I remember - long time ago!

thanx colibri.
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I'm bookmarking for good info.