Please help with Costa Rica trip
Jul 15th, 2009, 08:52 PM
#22
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Good move jenski -- I replaced my old Keens with new Keens last trip and also bought a headlamp. Loved it. Got the kind you could wear around the waist. Your face can get a little buggy depending...
Osa can be a bit more expensive as far as getting there and tours, but sure worth it. It's my favorite area in CR so far and can't even imagine a trip without going there. Lots to do in Arenal too -- don't miss the Cano Negro tour.
Osa can be a bit more expensive as far as getting there and tours, but sure worth it. It's my favorite area in CR so far and can't even imagine a trip without going there. Lots to do in Arenal too -- don't miss the Cano Negro tour.
Jul 15th, 2009, 11:55 PM
#23
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Thanks, colibri; I'll put it on my list!
Jen, I think that's a good combo for you. Those are two of my favorite areas. Arenal has so many great adventure activities and the volcano, and the wildlife in the Osa is jaw-dropping.
Jen, I think that's a good combo for you. Those are two of my favorite areas. Arenal has so many great adventure activities and the volcano, and the wildlife in the Osa is jaw-dropping.
Jul 16th, 2009, 08:41 AM
#24
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We planned an 8 day trip to CR and it was wonderful. There is something for everyone. I travelled with my husband and 2 daughters ages 19 & 24. We flew into San Jose and a driver from Eclipse Tours met us and drove us to Arenal ( a 4 hour ride). We stayed at Arenal Manoa which was a very nice resort with a great view of the volcano, although we did not see the volcano at night due to rain.
We booked our excursions through the hotel. We packed a lot into one day. We started with being picked up at our hotel at 7:30 am by Jose and his driver Fernando. Jose toured us through the Hanging Bridges which was a 2 hour hike thru the rain forest. We spotted sloths, monkeys, blue jean dart frog and plants and flowers and so many things. You definitely need a guide for this tour.
Our next stop was La Fortuna waterfall. We climbed down many "stairs" to get to this awesome site. We were rewarded for this by swimming in the pool beneath the falls...priceless!
Our next stop was a terrific lunch at the Luna Grille.
After lunch we went to Arenal Park to hike for 2 hours around the volcano. A beautiful view of Arenal Lake and some wildlife was seen. By 3:30pm this place was way too crowded, so was not as enjoyable as our other 2 destinations.
We ended our day from 5:45-9:30pm at the Tabacon Springs to soothe our weary and achy bodies. We arrived at dusk, so we could not really appreciate the property and it was pretty crowded. We had a dinner reservation at 8:30pm at Tabacon Buffet and then our driver picked us up at 9:30pm. The total cost per person for this combination tour was $150. These were all areas we wanted to explore but we had a limited time in Arenal, so this suited our needs.
The following day we went to Sky Trek/Tram at 9:45 am for the 10:30 appointment which was an exhilarating experience. The rest of the day we relaxed poolside having seen everything we wanted before we moved on to Manuel Antonio.
Once again we were picked up by Eclipse Tours at 9am for the long ride to MA at 2pm. We stayed at the beautiful Parador Hotel for 4 nights with its beautiful view and infinity pool and complimentary shuttle to MA Park. The MA Park beaches are beautiful with abundant wildlife. We also did the Naranjo River White Water Rafting trip with Iguana Tours (Class 3&4)...very adventureous.
On our last day in MA we were picked up at 2pm for the 4hr trip to San Jose Marriott at the airport to prepare for our early morning flight.
We booked our excursions through the hotel. We packed a lot into one day. We started with being picked up at our hotel at 7:30 am by Jose and his driver Fernando. Jose toured us through the Hanging Bridges which was a 2 hour hike thru the rain forest. We spotted sloths, monkeys, blue jean dart frog and plants and flowers and so many things. You definitely need a guide for this tour.
Our next stop was La Fortuna waterfall. We climbed down many "stairs" to get to this awesome site. We were rewarded for this by swimming in the pool beneath the falls...priceless!
Our next stop was a terrific lunch at the Luna Grille.
After lunch we went to Arenal Park to hike for 2 hours around the volcano. A beautiful view of Arenal Lake and some wildlife was seen. By 3:30pm this place was way too crowded, so was not as enjoyable as our other 2 destinations.
We ended our day from 5:45-9:30pm at the Tabacon Springs to soothe our weary and achy bodies. We arrived at dusk, so we could not really appreciate the property and it was pretty crowded. We had a dinner reservation at 8:30pm at Tabacon Buffet and then our driver picked us up at 9:30pm. The total cost per person for this combination tour was $150. These were all areas we wanted to explore but we had a limited time in Arenal, so this suited our needs.
The following day we went to Sky Trek/Tram at 9:45 am for the 10:30 appointment which was an exhilarating experience. The rest of the day we relaxed poolside having seen everything we wanted before we moved on to Manuel Antonio.
Once again we were picked up by Eclipse Tours at 9am for the long ride to MA at 2pm. We stayed at the beautiful Parador Hotel for 4 nights with its beautiful view and infinity pool and complimentary shuttle to MA Park. The MA Park beaches are beautiful with abundant wildlife. We also did the Naranjo River White Water Rafting trip with Iguana Tours (Class 3&4)...very adventureous.
On our last day in MA we were picked up at 2pm for the 4hr trip to San Jose Marriott at the airport to prepare for our early morning flight.
Jul 16th, 2009, 10:46 AM
#25
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Molc-taking notes on what you did in the Arenal, thank you.
Volcanogirl-would you recommend doing the Cano Negro trip if we are also going to the Osa? Someone (can't remember who) said they thought I should skip the Cano Negro since we're also going to Osa, not sure why though....
Volcanogirl-would you recommend doing the Cano Negro trip if we are also going to the Osa? Someone (can't remember who) said they thought I should skip the Cano Negro since we're also going to Osa, not sure why though....
Jul 16th, 2009, 12:22 PM
#27
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I'm not volcanogirl, but would still recommend going on the Cano Negro trip even if you're going to the Osa...if you have the time. Two totally different experiences and both great.
Regarding Keens, I replaced my "Venice" style with the "Whisper" style this year and used them to hike all over. Up and down muddy and rocky trails, through streams and lagoons, they were great!. Lightweight and conform to your feet so great traction and very little slipping.
Regarding Keens, I replaced my "Venice" style with the "Whisper" style this year and used them to hike all over. Up and down muddy and rocky trails, through streams and lagoons, they were great!. Lightweight and conform to your feet so great traction and very little slipping.
Jul 16th, 2009, 12:29 PM
#28
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Mine are quick dry and open; they are wonderful. I got them at REI. Best thing ever for rafting and the beach.
I really liked both tours, just like hip. Cano Negro is fun because it's a boat trip along the water. I would do that first to get your first taste of wildlife, and then go to the Osa. You'll see caimans, water birds, bats and things like that at Cano Negro that you won't see on the Osa.
I really liked both tours, just like hip. Cano Negro is fun because it's a boat trip along the water. I would do that first to get your first taste of wildlife, and then go to the Osa. You'll see caimans, water birds, bats and things like that at Cano Negro that you won't see on the Osa.
