Suggestions re where to visit before heading to Osa

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azimut21
azimut21

I will be arriving in Costa Rica SJ on 16 July very late, after 30 hours flight I will spend 1st & 2nd night in San Jose.

Later on the 22 July I will be flying to P Jimenez to meet some friends to hike the Corcovado Park and after a day or 2 in Drake Bay & around. Any tips and advice of where and what best to do before flying to Osa? After Osa I was planning Tortugero, rafting Pacuare & the Caribean area before flying back to S Jose & back to Europe. My main means of travel will be bus, collectivo, and similar for nearby routes.

Initially I was thinking Arenal and/or Monteverde but from comments on this site it seems this is not the right time to visit as volcano is not active and not right weather for Monteverde.

Thanks

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mrmoto
mrmoto

Head to Pt Viejo Sarapiqui area for a few nights, easy bus and great nature/bio diversity.

Stay at this B&B, owned by one the most revered conservationist in the country, trying to save habitat for the Macaw.

http://posadaandrea.wix.com/andreacristina

How are you getting from Sirena Ranger Station to Drake Bay? The main advantage of DB is to access Corcovado via boats, so why not continue to hike the loop from Sirena to La Leona/Carate and back to DB? Then you don't need to bring any gear or bag but water/food...going to DB, would mean taking boat back to Corcovado San Pedrillo for another day trip. I see no point in going to Pt Jimenez and Drake Bay, its one or the other...you can bus between them but it takes most the day and in rainy season getting to DB is cakewalk, big river outside town limits access, most of DB people and workers and goods come in via boat from Sierrpe...

When leaving DB, if thats the case, head on a boat to Sierrpe, then a taxi to Palmar Sur/Norte of no bus, then bus from Palmar to points north, either Uvita/Bellena/Dominical/Quepos or SIDG and Cartago/SJ

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cmc527
cmc527

I am also visiting DB July 7-10th. But I arrive in SJO July 1st (Late Evening) I have rented a car from July 2-7th and looking for some options. Because I am leaving Friday and I am running out of time I have tentatively planned 2 night at La Fortuna and 2 nights Monteverde. I need a 5 day route which takes me out of SJO and back to catch my flight to DB. If you find some alternatives, let me know.

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mrmoto
mrmoto

Okay I am totally confused with all these post.

If you have 5 days from SJ with rental car, I suggest Arenal area, a lot to do and great climate, and also hit Tenerio/Celeste Waterfalls and either Cano Negro or Sarapiqui via Sarchi/Grecia Poas...

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cmc527
cmc527
In response to #3

Thank you mrmoto!

Do you think rubber rain boots are necessary to bring for hiking during this time of year and for DB?

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mrmoto
mrmoto

Well, yes, but, they are not very supportive for hiking all day in, compared to a good trek/hike show with laces....21KM in rubber boots my feet would be hurting, and its best tuck in a micro fibre pant too, as to not chaff your skin with the inside of the boot on your calves...

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azimut21
azimut21
In response to #1

thank you very much for your advice Mr Moto. I am meeting a friend in PJ, going to Carate to spend a couple of nights at Luna Lodge, then we hike from Carate to Leona to Sirena - we overnight in Sirena and then I boat out to Drake. The company organise the hike will transfer our big bag from PJ to Drake. Is Cano Island worth a visit?

Re departure, if I wish to do the Pacurare river, should I fly back to San Jose from Palmar and then take it from there? Thanks so much for your valueable tips.

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