Monica

Is this a really stupid idea? I've been wanting to go for some time and I have a window of opportunity (kid one is getting more self reliant and kid two is not yet on the way). I know we won't be able to do any hard core hiking and stuff like that.

Dawn

Monica...we will be doing the same thing next November when our now 10m old will be 18m! We changed our vacation plans from going to Germany to CR because my brother lives there (we won't be staying with him though, just nice to have a contact in the country) Have you had any ideas about where you want to go? We plan on going to San Jose for first 3 nights (that is where my brother is) then off to the beach for 6 nights...probably to the resort melia playa conchal though not convinced of this place yet. Let me know what you are thinking and maybe we can share some ideas!

Mguel

I was in Costa Rica just 2 weeks ago and I remember seeing tourists with babies. It shouldnt be a problem at all. Your hotel might even be able to find you a sitter if you were comfortable with that. People usually go out of their way for people with little ones down there.

Monica

Dawn: Yep, I just talked to my pediatrician who doesn't have a problem with Costa Rica. I've got to figure out where we're staying, though. I was there once before with a flakey ex-boyfriend and want to do the trip right this time! I don't think we're going to stay in San Jose longer than one day, we're more interested in nature. I know we want to visit Manuel Antonio for at least a couple of days. Other than that, I don't know. We'll probably pick a couple of locations (one near Manuel Antonio and the other probably near Arenal) and travel around those bases.

Kimberly

I would go - It sounds like a relatively safe country and traveler friendly. I am taking my 8 month old and 3 year old in 3 weeks for my brother's wedding in Quepos. I was definately nervous about taking them when we first were making plans but after talking to our pediatrian (top from Georgetown University)I felt okay with taking them. THe main things I'm worried about are the weight limitations for the puddle jumper plane from San Jose and Quepos and how many diapers and baby food jars to take. I'm going to ask about the status of cribs in the hotels where we are staying. Good luck!

Monica

Kimberly:<BR>Post back and let me know what it was like! I'm pretty sure they would sell diapers in San Jose (not sure about Quepos) so you wouldn't have to fly with them. I'd pack the babyfood, though, I've seen some strange babyfoods in other countries (UK) and you don't know where they're importing them from in Costa Rica. While you're there, if you go to Manuel Antonio, could you evaluate the feasibility of taking a rugged, compact jogging stroller on the main trails? My daughter has started to hate being in the backpack but she still tolerates a stroller.

Iza

Kimberly, are you really taking a 3 year old and 8 month old baby on one of those tiny planes? You are brave.<BR>One piece of advice, having flown on both Travelair and Sansa planes: definitely take Sansa. They have bigger planes with a bit more space (12 passengers as opposed to 4 or 5) and have two pilots instead of just one. <BR>And to Monica, I think you can take a stroller to Manuel Antonio park - the main trail is really a fairly decent dirt and gravel road so a sturdy stroller would be fine there.