A Visual Costa Rica Report
#1
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Join Date: May 2009
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A Visual Costa Rica Report
Hello,
I am happy to say that my girlfriend and I had an amazing trip to Costa Rica in August. We were there for a week and divided our time between Arenal & Manuel Antonio. Since I am not the best writer my report is mostly visual. Please feel free to ask questions!
Favorite Costa Rica Experiences: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Lake Arenal, Eco Termales, Nuevo Arenal, Gingerbread Restaurant(Nuevo Arenal), Sky Trek, Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Falls, Mango Moon(dinner & drinks), Biesanz beach, Cafe Milagro, Ronny's Place, & Finca Valmy Horseback Riding.
Least Favorite: Hotel Villa Bonita, Luigi's Pizza(Arenal), The Falls(Manuel Antonio).........
Please enjoy my Costa Rica slideshow!
http://slideshows.adampass.com/fodors/index.html
Best,
Adam
[email protected]
www.adampass.com
I am happy to say that my girlfriend and I had an amazing trip to Costa Rica in August. We were there for a week and divided our time between Arenal & Manuel Antonio. Since I am not the best writer my report is mostly visual. Please feel free to ask questions!
Favorite Costa Rica Experiences: Arenal Observatory Lodge, Lake Arenal, Eco Termales, Nuevo Arenal, Gingerbread Restaurant(Nuevo Arenal), Sky Trek, Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Falls, Mango Moon(dinner & drinks), Biesanz beach, Cafe Milagro, Ronny's Place, & Finca Valmy Horseback Riding.
Least Favorite: Hotel Villa Bonita, Luigi's Pizza(Arenal), The Falls(Manuel Antonio).........
Please enjoy my Costa Rica slideshow!
http://slideshows.adampass.com/fodors/index.html
Best,
Adam
[email protected]
www.adampass.com
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
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Great photos, Adam. I'm so glad you and your girlfriend had a nice time. Too bad you didn't like Hotel Villa Bonita. Maybe if you had actually stayed there! It's never been advertised as plush, but the ambience is friendly, the rooms are comfortable, and in dozens of times, we've never seen it not be spotless. I do think, had you and your girlfriend given it a chance, you would have been pleasantly surprised. But, to each his own! Glad you made it home safely and enjoyed your vacation in beautiful Costa Rica.
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Thanks everyone!
RAC: thanks! Yes, hopefully we will see some of those shots on their website!
glover: Those are all stars! It was the most intense star cover I have ever seen! A few people told me it reminds them of the skies out at sea.
shillmac: I am disappointed that we did not enjoy Villa bonita. I was looking forward to it. I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised. It was difficult to find, so by the time we got there we were already drained. I would not have called the room spotless. As far as plush this is what it says in Lonely Planet, "Rooms are comfy, with plump white pillows and deep mattresses." I know they didn't write that but I used the word plush meaning very comfortable. Maybe not the right adjective but nevertheless we didn't find it very comfortable and a little bit unsafe feeling. Maybe if we had arrived in the daytime this would have been a different experience. The atmosphere might be great, but when looking for a hotel near the airport to get in late and leave early I think the hotel is not ideal. Anyways like you said to each his own! Thanks for checking the work out!
RAC: thanks! Yes, hopefully we will see some of those shots on their website!
glover: Those are all stars! It was the most intense star cover I have ever seen! A few people told me it reminds them of the skies out at sea.
shillmac: I am disappointed that we did not enjoy Villa bonita. I was looking forward to it. I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised. It was difficult to find, so by the time we got there we were already drained. I would not have called the room spotless. As far as plush this is what it says in Lonely Planet, "Rooms are comfy, with plump white pillows and deep mattresses." I know they didn't write that but I used the word plush meaning very comfortable. Maybe not the right adjective but nevertheless we didn't find it very comfortable and a little bit unsafe feeling. Maybe if we had arrived in the daytime this would have been a different experience. The atmosphere might be great, but when looking for a hotel near the airport to get in late and leave early I think the hotel is not ideal. Anyways like you said to each his own! Thanks for checking the work out!
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Join Date: Aug 2003
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Sounds like you had a great trip! Thanks for posting. Your pictures are wonderful, especially love the volcano pics at night. Arenal and MA are definitely 2 scenic areas to visit.
I'm sorry that you had difficulty finding Hotel Villa Bonita. If I remember correctly, there are only a couple turns once you get off the main exit, so maybe it had to do more with being in an unfamiliar area. Even though I wouldn't interpret the verbiage Lonely Planet used to mean "plush", it's definitely a comfortable, clean, convenient to SJO place to stay and the owners are wonderful. For $50 a night with a great breakfast and free internet you won't find me complaining!
I'm sorry that you had difficulty finding Hotel Villa Bonita. If I remember correctly, there are only a couple turns once you get off the main exit, so maybe it had to do more with being in an unfamiliar area. Even though I wouldn't interpret the verbiage Lonely Planet used to mean "plush", it's definitely a comfortable, clean, convenient to SJO place to stay and the owners are wonderful. For $50 a night with a great breakfast and free internet you won't find me complaining!
#18
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You may find it very helpful to get a mini tripod head to use with the pod. It's a little pricey but increases the functionality of the gorillapod exponentially. Depending on your camera size you may need a bigger one as well. I used the latter with a pretty heavy set up.
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-482-.../ref=pd_cp_p_1
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-484R.../ref=pd_cp_p_3
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-482-.../ref=pd_cp_p_1
http://www.amazon.com/Manfrotto-484R.../ref=pd_cp_p_3