gailkk

Hello everyone:
I'm wondering if anyone can compare the experiences of San Gerardo de Dota and San Gerardo de Rivas. My husband and I want to spend two days hiking at least partially in cloud forest. We would love to climb Chirripo, and I know we're both physically capable of doing it in 2 days, but I'm afraid we'll be rushed. But, we're also very much "on the go" types, and love to take in a lot of activity. And we want to get the best of wildlife for the time we have (orchids, quetzal, tapir, paramo if possible to do Chirripo).

After this, we're taking a transfer to Sierpe, then on to the rest of our trip in Drake Bay.

Which of these options would you go with?

1 - San Gerardo de Dota, 2 nights
2 - San Gerardo de Rivas, hike Chirripo park one day and Cloudbridge one day
3 - Hike Chirripo summit, 2 days (first overnight in SG de Rivas, second overnight at crestones, summit and descend all on 2nd hiking day)

Thanks!

shillmac

Your interest in Chirripo sort of answers that question! San Gerardo de Dota isn't the place you'd want to be for that purpose. We love the Gerardo de Dota area because we enjoy the cool weather and it is a great place for highland birds. We go there for that reason and we don't typically see other types of wildlife. Quetzals--that's another story; lots of them!

gailkk

I'm willing to take either route - the tough hike or a more laid back version. We just want to see the best wildlife, plants (DH spent some time as a conservation biologist!), waterfalls, views, and we're not sure which place is better for that.

I'd love to see quetzals, but not a requirement. Although I've decided that "resplendent" is my new favorite word

shillmac

Isn't it a wonderful word? I must make a note of teaching that to my 5th graders in vocab class this year!

This is a hard one to advise on. There are plants aplenty at San Gerardo de Dota, just not that much wildlife outside of the birding, which I love. Savegre Mountain Lodge provides nice accomodations and excellent guiding. They have a waterfall at the end of a 1.5 hour or so hike. Horseback riding, trout fishing, but I wouldn't call it a place where you'll be as active as you might prefer to be. Very relaxing, though.

gailkk

Hmmmm...very tempting. I need to force myself into some relaxation! But I keep justifying Chirripo by telling myself that Drake Bay is the relaxation part of the trip Thanks again for the advice. I wish January would hurry up and get here already