cocokimmie

We are traveling to CR for our first time this July, my husband and I plus our 7 year old son. We are flying into San Jose, then flying down to PJ and will stay at a vacation rental about 10 minutes outside of Puerto Jiminez. Because we don't know how my son will do on this type of vacay and because he is an extremely picky eater, we chose a vacation rental instead of BdC or another ecolodge. Freedom and flexibility are key, as is the ability to head to the market. We will spend 5 nights on the Osa and will connect with local guides to go deeper in.

I've pored over the CR threads and am thinking of a couple of different areas for the second leg of our trip. I am looking at heading back to Atenas as a base, seeing that we could do many activities within a relatively short (1-2hr) drive (volcanoes, rainforest, river rafting, beach). We are also looking at MA or Dominical. We do love the beach and I am intrigued by the sea caves I've read about in Playa Ventanas near Uvita. We will have about another 4-5 nights where ever we choose to go. The birding and wildlife is important to us. I am interested in the weather on the Pacific coast at that time of year.

It is important to us to have accessibility to a grocery. We like to stay away from big resorts on the beach. We will fly back home out of San Jose.

Thank you in advance!
Kim

cocokimmie

I'm continuing to research and would love some thoughts on the following itinerary:

San Jose to Osa, stay 4-5 nights on Osa at vacation rental, connect with local guides in PJ as we want to venture out.

Go from Osa to Ojochal, probably 2-3 nights. I am thinking that we drive from Osa, but is this a good idea? Or maybe hire a driver? We definitely want to see the sea caves at Playa Ventanas and do the horseback riding to the waterfall. Is there anything else we should not miss in this area? We are thinking about a B&B/hotel in this area and have viewed some from TA, but any personal recommendations would be welcome. Again , we are a couple traveling with our 7YO son. A pool is a must

From there head on to Atenas area so that we can visit Poas Volcano and LaPaz and hopefully just relax for another 4 days or so. Then head back to Houston via San Jose. Again, it look drivable from Ojochal to Atenas, but would love to know if this is a bad idea. When we travel we do typically rent cars so we can venture out, but we have never been to Central America.

Thanks!
Kim

acomeara

Hi, others will have to weigh in on the drive from Ojochal to Atenas, which I haven't done, But we go to Ojochal every year so I think I can help answer some of your other questions. You can easily do the drive from PJ to Ojochal, I think it's about 2.5 hours. You will definitely want your own (4x4) car in the Ojochal area because things are spread out and some of the dirt roads are pretty steep.

I wouldn't worry too much about having a picky eater at CR restaurants, every single menu has spaghetti, grilled chicken, hamburgers and other simple fare. But there is a grocery in Uvita (called BM) where you can pick up what you need. Playa Ventanas is beautiful, one of our favorite beaches.Note that most of the day the caves are full of water (crashing waves, quite dramatic) and it's only at low tide that you can walk into them. I haven't done the horseback ride as our kids are too small, but I've heard it's fun. Other beaches we love are Playa Tortuga (in Ojochal) and Punta Uvita/Whales Tail. Take a drive up the mountain to visit the fish farms and see some of the waterfalls up there, they are lovely in the middle of the day when it's brutally hot on the beach. The beach in Dominical is fun for people watching in the middle of the day too though, there are lots of lunch places and the road by the beach is shaded and has lots of surfer hippies out selling their jewelry and stuff. Our 2 boys love it. You might also check out Hacienda Baru, I think an 8 year old would be in heaven there, but after the Osa it might seem kind of tame : )

Dominical is the most touristy area you'll find down there but there are no big resorts really. We've stayed at a couple of the hotels (we rent houses now). We really liked Finca Bavaria in Uvita. It has a lovely pool and they have a private path to an excellent beach (take note, you have to cross the road). There are loads of nice places though...really depends on your budget. I have heard that people complain about noise from trucks on the road now...so you might not want to pick a place close to the road (many of the beach front ones are).

In Ojochal I personally wouldn't recommend the b&bs in the village, seems like it would get awfully swampy down there, but I could be wrong. We usually pick places that are up the mountain a bit so there's a breeze. There are loads of top notch restaurants in Ojochal. All in all, it's a lovely area and if you like beaches and hate crowds you'll be in heaven. Enjoy!

acomeara

Hi- just realized you are traveling in July which may affect driving... rainy season. I've never been down there then (we always go in the dry season) so hopefully someone else can tell you if the roads around PJ will be hard to traverse. I assume you would have to cross a river or two (meaning drive through it, lol...not usually as bad as you might think, but kind of scary your first time!)...may also be some issues with washed out roads. If you are dealing with a local tour operator they should be able to give you the low down.

tully

The road out of PJ should be fine. The new, paved road is finished so it makes it a lot faster and easier. Time sounds about right, I know from Uvita to PJ it was 3 hours, but that was with the new road only 1/3 finished. If you stay up farther N in Dominical, there is a nice place just S of town overlooking the ocean, it's called Shelter from the Storm, They have little villas you can rent with kitchens, great owners. From there you can do Hacienda Baru, the various beaches, the caves, etc.

cocokimmie

Thank you both for your replies! I appreciate not having to worry so much about the food situation.

Our preference in the Uvita/Domincal area is a vacation rental. I am having trouble finding one that will rent for 3 nights. I will check into the b&b and Shelter from the Storm. The advice about staying up higher in elevation is great!

I will check back in once I've done some more research!

Thanks!!!

Kinkazote

Near Shelter From the Storm are three Puertocito house rentals that would fit your needs. They are closer to the beach (private paths to same) and on the ocean side of the highway. They are completely private (including pools) with good to stunning views. Search for "The edge at Puerto Cito", #613 at Costa Rica Bedfinders. Recent renovations and improvements done here. Search for "Rainforest Estate at Puertocito", #13 at Costa Rica Bedfinders. Very close to the beach. And Flying Toucans, at flyingtoucans.com, managed by the same lovely couple who manage Shelter From the Storm. We have stayed here (FT) and are going again in May. Lovely pool and views that will take your breath away. All three are oceanside of Cuna de Angel hotel. Two "supermarkets" in Uvita to the south and another in Dominical to the north. Hacienda Baru is minutes to the north, the serpentarium is about ten minutes from that. Easy access to many beaches and the Whales Tail.

acomeara

Further south in Coronado we stayed in this house last year - I think they have a daily rate in July. http://www.vrbo.com/230756
My review is under "Familyof4."

xelas

If renting a car be sure to take a 4x4 SUV. Road after Puerto Jimenez requires it, and also many places up the hill in Ojochal/Uvita/Dominical area. Driving from Dominical area to Atenas is fairly simple, about 4 hrs, good paved roads. Even in a rainy day it will not be a problem.

cocokimmie

Thank you everyone for all of the recommendations. I am hoping to flesh out everything with my husband this weekend and will post. I really appreciate all of the input!