Let me start by saying how amazingly helpful this forum has been for researching our first trip to CR at the end of August. Thanks to all for the contributions! We are very psyched for this trip!
I know this is a frequent thread theme, but we have a good idea for our itinerary but have a few questions, with apologies if these have been asked and answered in other threads.....
My GF and I are going, and after the day into and last day in San Jose, still have around 2 solid weeks of travel time. Our plan is to rent the 4x4 in SJ and drive around, staying in mid-range accomadations, with perhaps a splurge somewhere. Here are the general areas/regions we want to hit, for a combination of hiking, snorkeling, kayaking, wildlife/nature, chilling, and more chilling:
Arena/La Fortuna
Monteverde
Nicoya Peninsula - to definitely include Montezuma and Mal Pais, and likely one or 2 more areas, although not looking like we want to go to Tamarindo.
Possibly Manuel Antonio
Puerto Viejo area.
The areas in question are Tortuguero and Osa,as we would love to get to one of them, if not both! - for a variety of reasons flying isn't something that will happen.
For tortuguero, we were thinking about driving to Limon and taking a boat, however threads have suggested Limon isn't the safest place and I have concerns about leaving the rental there for a couple days. is there another convenient way to do tortuguero?
How accessible is Osa in late August by car, and is it realistic to include it in this general itinerary? Is our intinerary too tight for the time we have there?
I have also read that back up plans are a good idea during green season. I am nervous, however, about not having advance reservations for hotels/lodging, yet at the same time being charged a nighty's stay if we have to change plans due to weather. Will it be possible to do these on the fly and still get into somewhere good? Is it a waste to bring my laptop to get on the internet to search and coordinate reservations on the fly?
Again, apologies for any questions already answered. Also, any recs on great places to stay or any other input is greatly appreciated!
David and Sarah
.....errrr sorry for the spelling accommodations, night , itinerary hehe, typing too fast!
Hi David and Sarah.
We are going to C.R. in november 07, and as far as i have researched the way to go to Tortuguero can be done in several ways. Take a look at this webpage
www.tortuguerovillage.com where they have listed all the options.
We are going to OSA well and are thinking of either Jinetes de Osa or Las Caletas.
I think we will fly in as we do not want to leave a car somewhere in Sierpe or Palmar, i dont think you can go any further than that, but someone else on TT might know that.
Have a great trip looking forward to hear from you.
Jesper
OSA is a must-see. Give yourself time for it, though - because it's not easy to get to/from - and you'll want to stay a little while to make the long journey worth it! And it's pretty unique.
Tortuguero - you can leave your car in a variety of places, not just Puerto Limon. Actually, Moin is the ferry stop (about 30 minutes outside of Puerto Limon). And that's the long, but beautiful, ferry ride - 3 hours long. A shorter ferry ride leaves from outside Cariari - the ferry itself is only 30 minutes, but it is about 45 minutes to 1 hour on a bumpy road to get there. Safety with a vehicle is an issue almost anywhere in Costa Rica - unless you can find a protected driveway (some hotels offer that!)
Here's a suggestion:
- Pick up car in San Jose. Drive to visit the drivable sights -- Arenal/Monteverde/Manuel Antonio/Nicoya Penninsula
- Leave car in Tamarindo Airport or other regional airport. Fly to Osa.
- Visit Osa. Fly to Tortuguero.
- Visit Tortuguero.
- Take the ferry/bus or fly back to San Jose. Go home.
Just one of many possibilities...
Don't worry about not having reservations -- you're in the off season. Just show up.
Leave your laptop at home -- that's just one more expensive thing to worry about. There's plenty of internet cafes that are cheap everywhere (except expensive in Tamarindo).
Girl115 gave a good option flying to these places probably more economical and for sure time saving, good advice for your laptop leave it home, Moin near Limon has a guarded parking mostly for people like you going to Tortuguero if deciding to go by car.
The Osa is doable in August, but the Pacific side of the Costa Rica will be experiencing a lot more rain than the Caribbean side the last two weeks of August.
You have too many destinations on your I-wish list, and time is your enemy with only 12-14 days. You may have to stay in the San Jose area the first and last nights depending on your arrival and departure flight times. Figure, as a Rule of Thumb, 3-days in each major location.
So, that leaves you with four places. You will be doing a lot more driving than chillin' though.
I suggest that you pass on the Osa and Nicoya this trip, and focus on the Monteverde and Arenal area for two and two, then head to the Puerto Viejo de Talamanca area for some sun and fun. You can do Tortuguero from here as a multi-day tour or stop in Moin on the way back, park in the secure lot, and take the boat up and back on your own. You will still be moving around, but it won't feel like a marathon. PM me if you want some specific recommendations. Enjoy
I would have to disagree respectfully with #6's comment... you sound like you're the type (could be wrong) that would greatly enjoy both Nicoya and Osa. Puerto Viejo is out of the way of most of your destinations and it really isn't the most enjoyable area.
I know, I know!! Inevitibly a couple people will jump on me for that comment, but I have to throw it out there. I personally had a good time there a year and a half or so ago, BUT I also witnessed a point blank murder with a shotgun while sitting at a bar there (10 feet away from our seats), and 1 week before my buddy and I arrived, a girl was knifed on the beach at night. In addition (I am not bs'ing about any of this), I believe it was a Swedish couple on their honeymoon that were both raped and beaten in their bungalow about a kilometer out of town. This all happened within a week and a half of my stay there. There was a small drug related war going on with Colombian and Panamanian drug gangs there, so maybe it's all better now, but it isn't the safest place... I've been to far more dangerous countries and areas, so it wasn't so unusual for me and my buddy, but you might find it unnerving.
Safe and fun travels!
Oh and Limon isn't a great place to leave your rental vehicle either, depending on the security of the location you'll be dropping it off! Leave the laptop at home and go to the numerous internet cafes...
Thanks for the input and advice.....2 weeks is plainly not enough time. Work really interferes with important stuff like travel!
After more searches of threads, car to Osa is out. We will just have to get Sarah enough Xanax for those little planes:)
The stories of Puerto Viejo do cause some concern, however I am wondering if there will more rain on the Nicoya Peninsula than on the Caribe. Plus I love spicy food!
We are leaning towards dropping PV and just doing Tortuguero on the Caribe side, any thoughts? What has become clear is that many things will have to be left for the next trip to CR.......
trusted partner
