cmerrell

Maybe VG is planning a surprise appearance at BdC when we're there, Hip! She doesn't want to spoil it by telling us her travel dates... How fun would that be!?

I hope you get to see some turtles on your trip, Hip. It is really cool to see them preparing their nests and laying their eggs. It sounds like you've got quite an interesting itinerary lined up for next month; Tortuguero, Dominical, BdC... You're doing a day trip on the Pacuare too, if I remember correctly. It sounds wonderful! You'll have to fill me in on everything you've done, once I make it down to BdC. I wish I had more time for this CR trip, but I had to juggle it with Peru and certainly didn't want to shortchange <i>that</i> trip! If only I were independently wealthy with unlimited time on my hands... Oh, the damage I could do on the travel-front! ;-)

hipvirgochick

True cam -- you never know! ;-)

Yes, I'm looking forward to the trip being both semi-solo and also meeting up with you guys. You are so lucky to have made it to Peru this year as well. I keep thinking I should switch to shorter trips, and try twice a year, but never do it. Airfare is also quite expensive from Seattle so it saves a bit to go once for more days.

volcanogirl

You guys are cracking me up! cam, your turtle experience sounds amazing. We're going mid-July - hoping that's late enough to see some turtles. I wonder if any of us has passed in the airport. We should all get orange t-shirts that say, "Hi, my name is ___" so we can spot each other!


I missed shillmac at BdC by one day. We didn't see Kim and Phil much because they were in Alaska during our stay, but I met Kim on our last day when we checked out, and she was telling me about shillmac, tully, hip, etc. I thought it was funny she knew everyone's Fodor's name! cam, your Peru trip sounds wonderful; I'm glad you guys finally got to go.

cmerrell

I like your t-shirt idea VG. We'd have to use our Fodor's names, of course! "Hi, my name is Volcanogirl!"

Just think of the great looks you'd get! ;-)

I'm glad your trip details are coming together and hope you and Hip both really enjoy Tortuguero.

Peru was excellent. Put it on your "to visit" list!

cheryl_b

Vgirl, we are also going mid-July! Gotta get me one of them groovy orange t-shirts, too - and a snappier name to put on it!

We will surely be criss-crossing the country at the same time. Arenal, Cano Negro, Tortuguero, and some open days. From all the threads I've read, I KNOW we are all going to have an amazing trip. Thanks, guys!

hipvirgochick

Um, orange isn't really my color. ;-)

volcanogirl

hip, I don't think orange is anyone's color. But it is the color of Fodor's - maybe peach now!


I was curious about the national park tour - is that canal-based only, or is there hiking on trails as well? Can anyone clarify for me?

I've asked CRE some questions, and they just e-mail me back without answering my questions. It's kind of frustrating. Their answers are very abrupt. I think I'm having some buyer's remorse.

volcanogirl

For some reason this thread didn't top, so I'll try again.

Can you guys tell me what the national park trip entails? See my question above.

rivet

The park is the more "intimate" sections of the waterways - more narrow, shallow, more winding and pretty. The boats often idol along very slowly as the guides spot wildlife... it is "the" destination for kayakers.

The only "walk" that we have been able to do in Tortuguero is at the far end of the town, which borders on the park buildings. You need the entrance ticket to do this and there were a few plants labelled and we saw a few cool things but I would not consider it a highlight in Tortuguero. And it is definitely not a hike.

There is not a ton of wildlife even in the park, nothing like what I picture the Osa has, but boating in the canals toward the lodges is great fun and it is inside the park where I have had that thrill that comes with the rainforest reflecting off the water. An entire boat load of people sit quietly. A blue morpho is twice blue against the water. Unforgettable moments - like snow falling straight down or stars twinkling in the early morning sky on the prairie.

volcanogirl

Thank you so much, rivet. When I asked my rep at CRE about the park, his e-mail response was "you're not getting that tour" which basically seems to be his response to any question I ask so I really appreciate your help.

rivet

Glad to help, volcanogirl.

I don't understand how CRE can take you to Tortuguero and not go in to the park? On all our excurions, our boat stops at a small building beside the town and each passenger pays the fee. Then the boat heads to the right, and we enter the narrower canals.

Maybe your rep needs to talk to the tour guides and boat operators. There must be some confusion.

Of course you will let us know how that part of your holiday turns out. I hope you love Tortuguero!

cmerrell

You'll have to let us know how it works out with CRE, VG. I hope they end up doing a great job for you!

volcanogirl

I am not getting a good vibe from them at all. All our experiences with people in CR and in the tourism industry have always been so warm and friendly. Really I just wanted to know the details about our trip. I asked for a schedule because I've seen so many other people post theirs about their activities, etc. and he just e-mailed back that they'll call me the night before and let me know the pickup time. Then when I asked about going out to see wildlife, he e-mailed me that it's $12 per hour. When I asked details about the park - i.e. does it involve any hiking or is it all boating, he said I wasn't getting that tour and gave me no information about the park. I guess I can do any tour I want but I have to schedule it and pay for it - I think. There's no hi, hope you enjoy your trip, nothing like that. It seems weird to me. When I showed my husband the e-mails, he wanted to cancel the whole thing because he's getting a bad vibe, but they're supposed to be a good company right?

hipvirgochick

Hi Vgirl -- Trying to stay positive for you because I'm sure you will have a wonderful time. On day 2 it does say they take you into a boat tour into the Nat'l Park, so I don't know why they're telling you they don't. Also, by the amount of time they say the boat trip is from put in to Tortuguero, it looks like they must put in pretty far south, Moin propably, rather than Squirres which someone else mentioned. Or maybe they just allow more time for wildlife spotting, which would be good. Since the company and the lodge get pretty good reviews I wouldn't think that part will be disappointing even though it looks like you'll be paying a bit more. My package includes a trip into town, morning boat tour and jungle hike. Plus they have optional tours for additional cost and kayaks you can use independently (for free I think).

Anywya, I'll be back on July 4th so I'll let you know how it all goes!

colibri

CRE is supposed to be an excellent company. I didn't go with them just because I read so many positive reviews on Modesto and had an excellent response to every e-mail from his wife, Fran. I hope it all goes well for you since we loved it and wouldn't hesitate to book with Modesto again.

There are some trails at the end of Tortuguero village, as rivet says. They begin at the national park office, some parts are often under some water due to all the rain. We didn't go, but the young Dutch guy who was with our group did and photographed some snakes, gorgeous flowers and more monkeys. Your $10 admission that you pay on the early AM boat tour covers you for the hike also.

Some companies do offer both hiking and boating trips, but Modesto did not.

The fewer the number in your group, the smaller the boat that can be used. We took out one of Modesto's smallest and were often the only people on the canal. We passed by boats from Matawba, Evergreen, CRE that must have had 25 or 30 people in them. They couldn't go down some of the canals that we did, so we felt quite lucky.

I'm sure you will have a great time since you love Cano Negro so much!

Patty

I'm looking forward to reading all of the Tortuguero trip reports! I'm still on the fence about it. I'm almost thinking of changing the timing of our trip to coincide with turtle season. If you don't mind, could someone ask their guide about early morning hatching tours later in the season? I posted a question on this yesterday http://www.fodors.com/community/mexi...ching-tour.cfm Specifically I'm curious about the likelihood of success in late September/early October. Thanks!

volcanogirl

Okay, I am keeping a positive attitude. Maybe I should tuck Fran and Modesto's number into my luggage! Honestly, I was interested in them, but then I read about Shell's experience, so I switched. Argh. I think/hope? we will love it once we are there.

rivet

You will love it...I hope you keep your reservation with CRE. Fran and Modesto are experienced guides, but very reserved. Other guides can be equally as experienced but can make your boating more enjoyable.

colibri

Sorry rivet, but I've got to disagree about Fran and Modesto being reserved! Modesto was extremely friendly and open with us, telling us all about growing up on the Mosquito Coast, his family, how he and Fran met, his son being a guide, etc. He met us for all of our meals, helped us look for frogs at night, told us about all the towns we passed on the way, history of the small farms along the canals, just super.

On the way back to Moin, Modesto told us that Fran can tell from the tone of e-mails before the tour which groups are going to be fun, which are more reserved, not as interested. Fran had told him that he was going to have a blast with the seven of us - she could tell from the questions that I asked and partly because we were such a mluti-cultural group from U.S., Germany, Denmark, Holland and Canada.

Maybe it's because Fran and I discovered that we are both former Michiganders that he was so open with us?!

Anyhow, VG, I hope your CRE guide will be excellent and that you'll enjoy your Tortuguero experience. I don't know about July and rainfall, but that can sure make a difference in the quality of your experience. If I'd had three days of rain, I might not have the same great memories that I do.

colibri

Forgot to ask, VG - is your lodge on the beach side or the other side of the river? It seems like there are several lodges on the far side. Laguna Lodge backs up to the beach so you can hear the waves crashing all night from the back row of cabins. A lot of the lodges don't have beach access - not that you can swim, but it's still nice to walk along it and see the waves.