campjulie

Thank you to everyone who has helped shape our plans. We started out with a particular resort in mind that we wanted to plan the entire trip around. But as it turns out, we are not even going to that area! This process has been so much fun. I wanted to share with you all what we have booked:
Flight to SJ - 1 night @ Marriott (points!)
Drive to Arenal (TriColor Rental Car)
Lost Iguana - 3 nights
Drive to MA - Buena Vista Villas in Tulemar - 4 nights
Leave our car in MA
Fly Nature Air - Quepos to Puerto Jimenez
Bosque del Cabo - 4 nights - Deluxe Cabina - Toucan!
Fly Nature Air to SJ
1 night @ Marriott (yes, points!)

All of the above is booked and everyone that we have worked with has been so helpful. Now I can take a break from our trip planning and work the busy season of our business. I will post again for more advice as our trip draws nearer.

Again, I wanted to thank you. We feel like we got professional advice and have a wonderful and well planned trip to look forward to.

If anyone has ?s about the planning phase with the particular places we have booked, I would be happy to share my limited knowledge.

I must also say, if the people we have talked to in Costa Rica when booking are typical Tico Folks, what an amazing country!

shillmac

Yes, that is the best part. You are going to love the warmth, hospitality, and generosity of the people. Sounds like you have an excellent itinerary--simple, not rushed, great locations. Isn't it cool when you work with it and work with it (the itinerary) and all of a sudden, you just "know" you've got just the perfect plan. Definitely part of the fun!

fishee

hi julie,

Your trip looks great -- you're staying at all the locations and resorts we've considered.

We have 8 nights but we don't arrive into SJO until the evening so feels like only 7. I think we're leaning towards Arenal (Silencio Del Campo?) 3 nights, MA 3 nights (Costa Verde or Si Como No), and La Paz (Peace Lodge) for last night.

The other option is MA 3 nights and then flying to Osa for 4 nights (Bosque Del Cabo or sis is asking about Cordovan Tent Lodge). It's good to know that we could drop the rental off at MA, fly to Puerto Jiminez, and then fly to SJO the same morning we head back to the states.

So you feel as comfortable with Tricolor as with the U.S. companies like Dollar and National? Could you tell me how much your rates are and how you established contact? thanks!

Mixter603

Fishee, I just confirmed my rental car with TriColor. I went to their website:
www.tricolorcarrental.com
and sent them an email and I received a reply back in a day or two.

Hubby and I are renting a Suzuki Jimmy for four days at the cost of $164 which includes all the mandatory insurance, free mileage and all taxes. They are also picking us up at the airport when we return from Bosque del Cabo (Nature Air) and taking us over to the rental office. All correspondence with TriC. was via email. Hope that helps.

GlMcGuire

Hi campjulie,

Your tour really looks nice - Buena Vista Villas are great!

I would change the first night at san Jose, my idea when I stayed at CR was to start see Costa Rica right from the start, san Jose is not Costa Rica for me - cloud and rain forest are.
My first 2 nights at CR were at a lovely hotel called Lands in love 70 minutes from the airport and 50 minutes from Arenal it's an inspiring place with a unique ambiance, you sit outside your room and you're in the middle of a cloud with a massive jungle surrounding you.
Google lands in love reviews to get more info
You are absolutely right about CR people! when here you'll hear pura vida all over.

kibbygirl

We're also planning a trip in November. You mentioned renting a car with tricolor and leaving it in MA--I didn't see they had an office in MA or Quepos. How did you arrange that. We'd like to rent a car in MA with tricolor and drive it back to San Jose.

By the way, when in November are you going? We'll be arriving on the 14 and staying 2 weeks. This is going to be a long 9 months!

RShipp1

All i can say that i stayed at the lost iguana few months ago - was great, clean with very good service

campjulie

I have been away for awhile. Sorry for the delay in responding everyone.

fishee: Regarding TriColor, I called and spoke with a representative while I was on their website. We are booking a Nissan V Trail 4x4 automatic. For $80 they will come to our hotel in MA and pick up our car. All of their rates include taxes, insurance and unlimited mileage. As far as my comfort level, from what I have read on this site, they are reliable.
Your hotels all look great. Peace Lodge is one that is on my list for our next trip. I usually stay away from the Marriott type places, but with points it makes it more affordable to stay at niver places during the rest of our stay.

I think Arenal + MA or MA + Osa would be great. Personnaly, I was not planning to go to the Osa, but the more people I talked to convinced me this is the top of my list for CR. So we revised our trip around Bosque del Cabo.

kibbygirl: We leave on the 17th for two weeks! Are you travelling with kids? Do you have places booked? I need to get everything planeed before May as my work schedule will not allow much time to plan at that point. I love all the research and help from this site.

kibbygirl

We are traveling with kids--we'll have our 5 year old and 15 month old and my sister will have their 10 and 8 year olds. we've rented a villa in MA and then we'll stay at the peace Lodge for the last 2 or 3 nights! Looks like we'll be there at the same time. Are you also traveling with kids?

campjulie

Yes, we will have our 9 and 7 year olds with us. In MA we are staying in the Buena Vista Villas. I would have loved to stay at the Peace Lodge. It sounds wonderful and gets great reviews.

Did you consider getting down to the Osa area? Probably a bit tougher to pack more in with the 15 month old!

kibbygirl

We didn't look into the Osa area, but i have a strong feeling this won't be our last trip to Costa Rica. From everything I read, i think it's going to be a spectacular place and a good place to travel with kids. I've never planned a trip so far in advance though. It's going to be a long 9 month wait!