Golfito to Dominical
Jan 8th, 2006, 08:19 AM
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Golfito to Dominical
Hey there folks --
Went to CR last year for the first and fell in love. This year we're headed to Golfito (Zancudo beach) to catch a concert and then up to Domincal. Then to Quepos for one night to catch a Sansa flight back up to San Jose and then to Tamarindo. Here's teh question: What's the best way to travel from Golfito to Dominical and then from Dominical to Quepos? We'd planned on just getting on a public bus, but not sure now if that will work. And, by the way, how the heck do I pack only 25 lbs. for a 10 day trip?!
Thanks!
Lisa
Went to CR last year for the first and fell in love. This year we're headed to Golfito (Zancudo beach) to catch a concert and then up to Domincal. Then to Quepos for one night to catch a Sansa flight back up to San Jose and then to Tamarindo. Here's teh question: What's the best way to travel from Golfito to Dominical and then from Dominical to Quepos? We'd planned on just getting on a public bus, but not sure now if that will work. And, by the way, how the heck do I pack only 25 lbs. for a 10 day trip?!
Thanks!
Lisa
Jan 8th, 2006, 09:20 AM
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Never used the public bus, someone else can help with that.
As to your question on packing! Chuckle!
For one thing you may always travel with a rolling bag. These don't work very well in CR, so ditch that and grab your duffle bag. A duffle bag weighs pretty much nothing, whereas a rolling bag weighs anywhere between 6 and 12 lbs. Trust me, I have weighed them all, and we travel to CR for 10-12 days with only a duffle and backpack. Even with the 25 lbs, I still come home with items never used!
You also may be thinking of throwing in your hair dryer and curling/flat iron. Ditch those too. Everyday is a bad hair day in CR, so a hat/cap and/or pony tail holder are much more important than the hairdryer.
Now you are down to clothing - only your lightest weight clothing. No denim, much to heavy and will never dry. I now know which are our lightest clothing, but I have weighed each and everyone of my husbands shirts on my postage or food scale!! Yes! and he was only allowed his lightest ones.
Now personal items - I am sure everyone thinks I am nuts on this, but I truly only carry the amounts that I will use. No large bottle of shampoo, etc - just the amount I will need (12 days - about 24 pumps into a small bottle). Only a few of everything, a few advil, a benadryl, a few bandaids, a small amount of cleanser and moisturizer, etc - not the entire bottle/package of everything. Doesn't sound like it will save a lot of weight, but every item adds up quickly.
Get the idea? Think of previous trips and how much you took but never used. Don't pack that this time. You will be surprised at how little you really need.
Shoes, wear your heaviest pair on the planes. Do your favorite shoes have those chuncky heels, no need for those unless you want a sprained ankle. Flip flops, light weight sandal, etc.
Pack your camera, binnoculars and such in your backpack.
It is really liberating to learn to pack lightly.
Now do a dry run. Pack it and get on the scales.
As to your question on packing! Chuckle!
For one thing you may always travel with a rolling bag. These don't work very well in CR, so ditch that and grab your duffle bag. A duffle bag weighs pretty much nothing, whereas a rolling bag weighs anywhere between 6 and 12 lbs. Trust me, I have weighed them all, and we travel to CR for 10-12 days with only a duffle and backpack. Even with the 25 lbs, I still come home with items never used!
You also may be thinking of throwing in your hair dryer and curling/flat iron. Ditch those too. Everyday is a bad hair day in CR, so a hat/cap and/or pony tail holder are much more important than the hairdryer.
Now you are down to clothing - only your lightest weight clothing. No denim, much to heavy and will never dry. I now know which are our lightest clothing, but I have weighed each and everyone of my husbands shirts on my postage or food scale!! Yes! and he was only allowed his lightest ones.
Now personal items - I am sure everyone thinks I am nuts on this, but I truly only carry the amounts that I will use. No large bottle of shampoo, etc - just the amount I will need (12 days - about 24 pumps into a small bottle). Only a few of everything, a few advil, a benadryl, a few bandaids, a small amount of cleanser and moisturizer, etc - not the entire bottle/package of everything. Doesn't sound like it will save a lot of weight, but every item adds up quickly.
Get the idea? Think of previous trips and how much you took but never used. Don't pack that this time. You will be surprised at how little you really need.
Shoes, wear your heaviest pair on the planes. Do your favorite shoes have those chuncky heels, no need for those unless you want a sprained ankle. Flip flops, light weight sandal, etc.
Pack your camera, binnoculars and such in your backpack.
It is really liberating to learn to pack lightly.
Now do a dry run. Pack it and get on the scales.
Jan 8th, 2006, 11:04 AM
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I am laughing. I've already hit up my haidresser for trial sizes of shampoo & conditioner, and saved the sample sizes of moisturizer, etc. from the "free gifts" that come with cosmetics. Live without a hairdryer? That may be the hardest. Figured on wearing running shoes on the plane, and throwing in a pair of sport flip flops. After lugging around my ginormous, obnoxious bag last year, I am ready to downsize.
Jan 9th, 2006, 05:19 AM
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I wish- I have heard great things about this from the good folks in Zancudo.
This is the big event of the year down there - hopefully I will make it down next year. We really like Zancudo.
Same goes for Bonnaroo.
This is the big event of the year down there - hopefully I will make it down next year. We really like Zancudo.
Same goes for Bonnaroo.
Jan 11th, 2006, 12:51 PM
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I'll post a trip report and let you know how the concert was. Hoping maybe some of the folks from Gov't Mule or Allman Bros. might show. Derek Trucks has been at the concert in the past. Lol -- I still have no clue how to get from Golfito to Dominical! Maybe Taj will know.
Jan 12th, 2006, 06:11 AM
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I started to answer your question but realized you wanted to do Golfito- Dominical in one day.
I guess if I had to do it in one day I would catch the early flight out of Golfito to SJ, then bus or drive to Dominical. The bus is also a good choice (I rode one from Punta Banko to Golfito and enjoyed the trip) but I am not sure where you make your changes after Golfito.
Had I more time I would take the ferry across to Puerto Jimenez, spend a night in Jimenez, bus overland to Drake Bay, spend a night or 2 then hop the boat going upriver to Sierpe and bus or taxi from there- being so close to Corcovado without visiting is almost criminal.
From Dominical to Quepos is easy- there is only one way- catch a ride with someone or ride the bus- it is known as a very bumpy road that sometimes in unpassable in times of high water.
I am sure you realize that you are going from one of the most remote areas of CR to one of the most developed- Tamarindo will seem like Venice Beach after Zancudo. I think you are trying to do a lot in 10 days and were I in your shoes I would kick it the whole time in Southern CR.
Check on Lonely Planet Thorn Tree for other options on travel.
As well, you always have the option of a private tranfer, which can be sort of nice.
Go over to Lonely Planet and PM me if you have more questions.
I guess if I had to do it in one day I would catch the early flight out of Golfito to SJ, then bus or drive to Dominical. The bus is also a good choice (I rode one from Punta Banko to Golfito and enjoyed the trip) but I am not sure where you make your changes after Golfito.
Had I more time I would take the ferry across to Puerto Jimenez, spend a night in Jimenez, bus overland to Drake Bay, spend a night or 2 then hop the boat going upriver to Sierpe and bus or taxi from there- being so close to Corcovado without visiting is almost criminal.
From Dominical to Quepos is easy- there is only one way- catch a ride with someone or ride the bus- it is known as a very bumpy road that sometimes in unpassable in times of high water.
I am sure you realize that you are going from one of the most remote areas of CR to one of the most developed- Tamarindo will seem like Venice Beach after Zancudo. I think you are trying to do a lot in 10 days and were I in your shoes I would kick it the whole time in Southern CR.
Check on Lonely Planet Thorn Tree for other options on travel.
As well, you always have the option of a private tranfer, which can be sort of nice.
Go over to Lonely Planet and PM me if you have more questions.
