JoBurritt

I'm having trouble deciding between these two places for a family trip to the Osa Peninsula for 3 nights. I'd appreciate any advice anyone can give me. The one thing that isn't a big deal to us is the snorkeling trip to Cano Island that LaPalmoa offers--we're not big snorkelers.

Bosque del Cabo has its own trails and seems to offer more activities, but I really love the looks of LaPaloma (on the web) and they've been really nice during a recent e-mail correspondence.

Any insights? Thanks!

belle

Th owners of Bosque del Cabo couldn't be nicer, and, in fact, they vacation at La Paloma! The trip to Cano is nice, even if you don't snorkel. We saw many dophins on the way that swam along with our boat and while my husband was in the water seeing nothing, I saw HUGE turtles on the top! La paloma will not let you request the cabina you want... we got stuck in the crappy one behind the Sunset rancho. I had requested ANY one but this one, but after the Sunset was vacated they let us have it for the same price! Absolute heaven! Greatest view of Cano Island and Drake Bay. Guides, staff, and food very good . Same for Bosque, but the area is very different. Many more animals, at least when I was there, to be seen on that side, and more easily accessible. PT. Jimenez can be quite lively, especially during the rodeo. Need to know what "family" means? Owners of Bosque have children seven and twelve now? At la Paloma there may or may not be other playmates around. Everyone is "really nice" when they are trying to book you....

JoBurritt

Thanks, Belle, although I'm not sure I'm any less confused than I was before! It sounds as though you liked both places.

I've e-mailed Bosque and am awaiting a response, but my concern is that their website seems to indicate that the only accommodation they have for 5 is Casa Miramar, which is actually 3 separate buildings. I'd really rather all be in one if possible. Did you see Casa Miramar or Casa Blanca when you were there? If so, what did you think?

You said there seemed to be more animals at Bosque. Did it seem more rainforesty and remote than LaPalmoma? Were the cabinas as nice there? It's hard to tell from their website.

Did you drive to Pt. Jiminez? If so, how was it?

You asked what "family" means. Well, in our case it means a slightly overweight and out-of-shape, yet still fairly physically capable 49-year-old mother, a slightly overweight, but very physically able 52-year-old father, two daughters, 19 and 23, and a son, 17. We're definitely not a super outdoorsy, hiking/mountain-climbing family. The kids are all pretty athletic, however and we'd much rather explore than lie on the beach all day. We're fairly adventurous and up for moderate hikes, zip-lines, kayaking, etc. A few hours at a nice beach would be fine, too. We're not birdwatchers per se, but would love to see macaws, monkeys, sloths, etc. in their natural surroundings. On the other hand, we are not campers and like a nice shower, meal, and bed after our day-time adventures! (Wusses!) Our time on the Osa Peninsula would definitely be the most laid back, rustic portion of our trip. Does that help you to help me decide which place would be better for us?

One more silly question. Did Bosque offer more food choices than LaPaloma? Most of us aren't seafood-lovers (and we live in New England--go figure!) and it seemed from the website as though LaPaloma might serve more seafood with limited other choices.

Thanks for any guidance you can give me!

Jo

bd

The food at La Paloma is excellent, but they do serve it family-style for all guests. I don't believe we had any choice at all, so if you have picky eaters it may be a problem. The owners and staff are extremely accomodating, so I'm sure if you told them you don't like seafood, they would find other options for you.

belle

For your group, if you want to all stay together under the same roof, I would have to recommend la paloma...the sunset rancho. (no bathroom upstairs though) There are three beds downstairs and a queen and single(?) upstairs. You should always pack some comfort food, but the food there was great and I don't think we ate seafood once during our week there. We had a most delectable steak one night. Vegetarians can request special meals. There were a few lunches when we weren't out on a tour where the food was less than desirable. Cold spagheti salad that I didn't care for, but the bread is always fresh and delicious. (Their packe lunches were some of the best I've ever had.) Evening meals were ALWAYS delectable and desserts scrumptious! Scarlet macaws and white faced monkeys are fairly common on the walk along the beach and the squirrel monkeys at the hotel right below are fun to watch. From the rancho and pool you can see the macaws fly over. I flew into Pt. Jimenez, (Agujitas too) much faster and what a view! There I saw other different, yet interesting, wildlife...a five foot, ok, maybe four, fer de lance and babies. Do them both if you can! There are no guarantees as to what you will see in any given area at any time. Try to do them both! If you have a four wheel, the owners at either place can advise you how to get from one side to the other in a vehicle. Kinda risky in the rainy season crossing the river. From what you have told us, looks like drake bay would be your best choice.

JoBurritt

Thanks again, Belle! If the only different animal I would see at Bosque were a snake, I think I'd be perfectly happy in Drake Bay! LOL!

Seriously, thanks for all of your insights. I didn't realize the Sunset Ranchos had so many beds.

I have to say, so far I'm much more impressed with La Paloma in terms of cusomer service. They've been much more responsive to my e-mails.

Thanks for the food report, too. La Paloma's website specifies that they serve chicken, shrimp, and fish, so I figured we'd be lucky to hit one out of three main dishes that the kids would eat. I'm glad to hear they branch out a bit more than that. I figure that for 3 days we'd certainly survive without eating the main dish of the dinner meal and just eating the side dishes anyhow.

Does the area around La Paloma still seem more wild/rainforesty/rustic, etc. than Manuel Antonio and Tamarindo even though it's not as isolated as Bosque?

I love your idea about doing both Bosque and La Paloma, but I don't think it'll happen on this trip! I'm having enough trouble convincing my husband that the kids will make it through 3 days in the comparative wilderness. I don't think I'll ever sell him on double that! Plus, with college-age kids, there is definitely a limit to what we can spend on this trip!

Last question--at least for now--hope I'm not testing your patience! I'm a bit confused about driving to Drake Bay. All of the guide books I've read imply that you can only drive as far as the Sierpe River and then you have to be picked up by boat. Yet, some posts I've read on travel boards make it sound as though you can drive to Drake Bay. Do you or anyone else know any more about this? I'm completely confused about this.

Thanks again!
Jo

JeanH

The boat trip from Sierpe to Drake Bay is half the fun of getting there. I know you can now fly to the Drake Bay airstrip, but many of the lodges are still having people arrive by boat. We certainly enjoyed our trip when we stayed at Agula de Osa last February.

JoBurritt

Thanks, Jean, that explains why some of the lodges still have you come by boat when you fly in. But, if we're driving to the Osa from SJ or Quepos, can we actually drive into Drake Bay or do we have to leave the car and take a boat to cross the Sierpe? One of my guidebooks mentions a new road into Drake Bay, but the author says he isn't sure of its usability, especially during the rainy season.

belle

Sorry, I confused you on the driving issue. It is possible to drive from the Pt. Jimenez side to the drake bay side of the peninsula, depending on the river, but not from Sierpe that I know of, or from SJ, without going first to the PJ side. La paloma will arrange your transport if you decide on them, and also, depending on the weather you may fly into Palmar Sur, get on a boat down the sierpe, (magnificent mangroves), or if the pilot thinks the landing is safe he will put you down in Drake bay and then a jeep will pick you up and transport you to Agujitas (we had to wait several hours for the pick up and still had a bit of trouble crossing the river), then you get in a boat at the surf for a short trip to the hotel. Owners and managers make these decisions on a daily basis depending on the weather. We did one route going in and another departing. I'm glad we got the chance to experience both. This particular area, either side, does not seem really rustic to me, or "wild". Your family should find everything they need on either side of the penisnsula. I would also like to add there is a canopy tour I know of and hotels can arrange for you, near Drake bay that the teenagers enjoy immensely and there is only ONE Sunset Rancho at La Paloma. Check out their site if you haven't already. You probably have since they've emailed you. They were building one other rancho when I was there last May and they may be calling it Sunset Rancho Two or something. Take the one closest the river if you can. Juts out right over the bay, with spectacular, er, sunsets! Aguila de Oso gets great sunrises from the rooms, but the sunset is obscured slightly. Being from the east coast and frequently seeing spectacular sunrises, I opted for the sunset view. Some from the West coast were stunned by the sunrise vista. Depends on where you're from...where you've been....all is subjective.

Suzie2

A note on the food. My husband hates seafood so we just warn the lodges ahead of time that he is allergic to seafood and they always make sure there are options. Most places have options anyway.

Suzie2

The grounds at Bosque are much more conducive to the softer life and the wildlife comes to you if you prefer to just wander around the beautifully planted grounds around the place. Plenty of strolling areas where you can just look around and see beautiful birds and plants as well as more challenging hikes. Lots of lawn areas with flowers planted.

JoBurritt

Do you think they'd buy it if I told them that 2 of my kids inherited my "seafood allergy"? LOL!