sparklegem

Hello!

Just getting started planning our trip to the Osa that we did not get to take before.

I had thought that we would stay at Bosque del Cabo and a few days before that at the Iguana Lodge to get some beach time and to off set the cost of BDC. I just looked the prices at Iguana Lodge and they seek much higher then I remember. Infact, they are only $60 less the what we would pay at BDC since we are traveling with our daughter.

Does anyone have some suggestions? Are there any new great places that have opened up since I was last thinking about the Osa (about three years ago)?

Here are our perameters: I want to spend time looking at monkeys and toucans and hopefully see a sloth. My husband and daughter are not very good at roughing it (and scarred of bugs). A swimming pool would be a plus.

We do not have to have time at a beach.

My daughter has seven days off from school and we could add a couple more if we needed to.

I guess that we could maybe, maybe spend six nights at BDC and a night in transit each way. It seems like it might break our budget to spend so many nights at BDC.

Does anyone have some ideas? I would love to hear what you think!!!

Thank You,
Gem

sparklegem

Oh, I think that before when I was pricing everything that I was looking at The Pearl. Anyway- I would still love to hear from all the nice Fodorites out there.

Thanks,
Gem

shillmac

You could have a wonderful experience with 4 or 5 nights at Bosque del Cabo. We were there 3 a couple of years ago, and didn't feel slighted at all (although we could have enjoyed another night or two). Just thinking of your budget!

Several posts have been favorable toward Lookout Inn. You might run a search and see what the prices are there. When are you going?

sparklegem

Hi Shillmac!!

Thank you for your reply!

I think that we are going to try four nights at The Pearl and four nights at BdC.

Do you have any room suggestions for BdC? We are thinking of staying in a standard cabina.

Thank You!
Gem

sparklegem

Oh P.S.,
We are going March 29- April 7, 2007.

shillmac

We'll be there a couple of weeks earlier. Sorry to miss you guys. . .

We stayed in El Sol (standard) 2 years ago and it was lovely. There were 2 double beds rather than a king. I think perhaps the deluxe cabinas have more of a wrap around porch. The standard cabin has a porch all across the front--it was quite nice, we thought. Worked very well for us.

We are going to sample the deluxe in March, but you won't be disappointed with a standard if that is what you choose. Sure is nice to look forward to, huh?

Sometime, I want to go to this area and do what you and so many others do--stay in two places. I think that would be just perfect!

sparklegem

Hi Shillmac,

It is great to hear from you. I am sorry that we will miss you. It would be fun to meet.

I am so glad to hear that the standard cabins are nice. Is there one that is less desirable that we would want to avoid?

Yes, it is so fun to look forward to. I am just waiting to confirm with BdC and The Pearl so that I can purchase our plane tickets.

What are your travel plans for this trip? I would love to learn about your trip!

Very Best,
Gem

shillmac

There are others more qualified than I about the other cabins. They all looked to be about the same, and ours had a nice unobstructed view of the gulf below.

Our plans are to spend 3 days at Savegre with our daughter, granddaughter, and the other grandparents. Then on to Manuel Antonio (Costa Verde) for 3 days.

After that, everyone flies home except my husband and I. We are heading up to Arenal for 3 days, Bijagua (La Carolina) for 2 days, Playa Hermosa for 4 nights (Villas del Sueno), back to airport area for overnight. Flight to Bocas del Toro--4 nights there. Back to Puerto Viejo/Manzanillo (Caribbean side--Azania Bungalows) 2 nights. On up to Tortuguero--2 nights at Laguna Lodge--then last night at Vista del Valle.

We are doing a few things we haven't done before and revisiting some favorite areas like we always do. We are going to Manuel Antonio not so much because it is one of our favorite places, but because the rest of our group hasn't been there and it's such a great place for wildlife viewing.

It will be our first time at Tortuguero, Bocas del Toro, La Carolina. We are trying new hotels in Manuel Antonio, Arenal.

I'm getting anxious, but right now am staying focused on our older daughter's upcoming wedding on Tortola. I'm leaving Monday for Puerto Rico (where she lives), then sailing with them on their boat over to Tortola June 9-10. The rest of the family will meet us on Tortola June 13 for one week. Lots going on!

Good luck with all your planning. It's nice to have it all in place and then start looking forward to it!

sparklegem

Shillmac,

Thank you for sharing your next trip with me. It was fun to look up all the places that you will be going. It sounds like an amazing trip.

Your trip Monday sounds wonderful! Congratulations to your daughter. Have a wonderful, magical trip.

Best Wishes,
Gem

shillmac

Thanks!