Provincia de Puntarenas Travel Forum

I am thinking of moving to san rafael from fl. What is the elevation? How is the climate? Are there many american's,canadan, or europeans living in the area.

There is a group of 8 adults and we are having trouble deciding which zipline tour to take. It is either Titi Canopy or Canopy Safari. Some of us have ziplined in the past so fear isn't an option. We know that both tours are highly recommended. We want the funnest, and most thrilling.

I will be traveling to Jaco soon. Does anyone know which hotels are decent and especially who allow men to bring their dates from the Beatle Bar back to their rooms without harassment?

Thank you,

Happy Traveler

Hi,

I am going to Quepos from May 25th to June 3rd, and I have a bunch of questions which I'm hoping someone can help me out with! We're flying into San Jose, and are thinking about renting a car for the week so we can drive around - are there other, better options (i.e. busses, shuttles, etc)? How long is the drive from San Jose to Quepos?

We are staying in Parador Resort and Spa - has anyone heard of it or what it's like?

We are staying in Quepos the entire time, but plan on doing many excursions and day trips - any suggestions for the best ones?

Finally, I've heard a lot about the green season in CR. Should I expect mostly rain? Should I pack warm clothes? AND...WILL I BE ABLE TO GO SWIMMING and lay out on the beach?!!!?? - or is it too cold???

Sorry about all the questions - any info will help, I am just looking to be as prepared as possible :)

Thank you!

I WILL BE FLYING SANSA INTO QUEPOS/MANUEL ANTONIO SO BAGGAGE IS MINIMAL. HOW DO I GET STUFF I MIGHT BUY BACK HOME? ARE THERE SHIPPING COMPANIES LIKE UPS OR FED-EX IN THE AREA AND HOW ARE THE RATES? HAS ANYONE USED THE LOCAL STORES TO PURCHASE OTC MEDS (ANTIDIARREA),CLOTHING AND EVERYDAY ITEMS?

Hi everyone,

I heard that there is a macaw sanctuary in Aranjuez that can be visited (some cruise ships apparently offer trips to the sanctuary). However, I can't find any contact details or website. Can anyone help me? Does anyone here have any information about this sanctuary? I haven't found out where the town of Aranjuez is and how to get there either...

I know there's a macaw sanctuary (Flor de Mayo) of "Amigos de las Aves" in (or near) Alajuela. But that's not the one, I'm looking for.

Thanks in advance for your answers!

Best regards,

Kiki

Hi all!

I am a costa rica 'virgin' planning my first ever getaway to the region to escape the sinking economy and take advantage of my current unemployed status...hee hee. I do NOT have a lot of money...I had a public interest job before this whole fiasco and am not sitting on a pile of layoff money or savings or anything like that. I am definitely looking to go budget all the way but still be able to explore a beautiful area, be safe and have a really inspiring and relaxing time. I will be flying into San Jose airport and thought I would take the bus to Mal Pais/Santa Theresa for half the time and then go up to Montezuma for the rest of the time and back to San Jose for the return flight. I'd like to know what the best mode of transport from malpais to montezuma would be. I assume public bus? I am thinking of staying at Casa Zen in malpais and the luna llena hostel in montezuma. Any thoughts/warnings/recommendations???

I'm excited to plan this trip and welcome any input from those who have been there. OH almost forgot...I'm vegan (although mainly for health reasons/dislike of meat/dairy industry practices) and thinking about eating local fish while there but want to make sure I have enough vegan options too.

THANKS!
Jessica

I have been looking into studying abroad this summer and came across the School of the World website. The website is nice, but I can't really find any reviews on the school. Just wondering if anyone has heard of it or attended classes there? Or even if anyone has any other suggestions of places in South America to study. I appreciate your help!

Hi all I will be in Jaco for 3 months from Feb1-April31 2009. I am coming by myself. Would love to meet up with some people vacationing or living there for some drinks, get to know the area, etc. Let me know if anyone wants to meet up. My email is jarrettmp@gmail.com

Hey all,
I am doing some trips to Costa Rica in March and will be hitting up the Osa Peninsula. My plan would be to get into Corcovado from Pto. Jimenez either via Carate or La Palma. Then hike to La Sirena, stay 2 nights probably, and hike out to San Pedrillo and continue onto one of the nice beach lodges on the Bahia Drake.

I would appreciate if you could answer any of these questions:
1) What is the best way from Jimenez to either Carate or La Palma?
2) Are guides easily acquirable in Jimenez or at the ranger stations and how far ahead do they need to be booked? And how much do they charge?
3) Can you camp anywhere in the park or only at the ranger stations and are there other lodging options within the park?
4) Can boats be chartered from La Sirena heading northwest towards Drake?
5) How physically/technically grueling is the hike out to Pedrillo?
6) Has anyone stayed at any of the lodges on the Drake bay and can you comment on your experiences?
7) What is a good local operator that can put together the whole thing?

Many thanks,
Gabriel

Hi, Also we will visit Puntarenas for one day. The privately owned tour operator is sold out for that day. Does anybody know a local with a van who can take us out sightseeing?

Regards,
Karen

Hi
I am traveling to CR in a couple of weeks and going to head down to Corcovado national park. Whats the view on either doing the full hike into the park and camping at sirena, or do you think you see just as much if you stay in Carate and do day hikes?

thanks
Taz

My girlfriend and I are going to Costa Rica in November. We heard about a free film festival in Montezuma called the Montezuma International Film Festival.

Does anyone know about Montezuma or the festival there?

Hi all,
does anyone know how long does it take to drive to Montezuma from Liberia?
How are the roads? What is the best route to take, Road 21 all the way? Or take the 21 then 163 in Jicaral?
How is the road between Pavones and Jicaral?
Is the 21 after Jicaral, nice scenic drive along the coast?
We are fairy experienced in driving in CR, in the past we drove to Osa, Puerto Viejo, etc. several times.

Many thanks,

Pura Vida

Yvonne

Hi We arrive at the airport @ noon and want to get to Jaco. Where is the best place to catch a bus if there is one? And anyone know any inexpensive places to stay in Jaco for the night? We are catching the fast boat to Montezuma the next day at 10:30 a.m. at Herradura beach.

Also we will be in San Jose 12/30 and 12/31; we leave on 1/1/09. Any suggestions on fun places to stay for a few days and new years eve in San Jose?

Thanks
Joy

Hi, I am sailing from Norway to Australia at the moment, and have to leave my family, and boat somewhere safe for two weeks, can anyone give me an idea if PJ, or indeed anywhere in that area is safe? My children are 11 & 9 yrs old.
Many thanks for any comments/suggestions.
Buc B

hey guys,
we have a reservation at the Los Suenos Marriot near Jaco City. We arrive August 1st at 10am at San Jose airport and want to get there right away. What are the best public transportation possibilities? Do we have to go into san jose city first? When the airport bus brings us to the center, where do we find the bus to Jaco from there?

thanks!

Will be staying with family, wife + 2 children 10 & 11 at Barcelo Playa Tamboe Resort beginning July 26th for 5 days. Does anyone know of a good tour guide to set up a Canopy Tour. I have seen several mentions of a fellow named OCTVIO or OCTAVIO but I do not have an email address for him. Anyone have good experience with local tours.

We are traveling to Quepos for a week in June with 4 kids in their 20's. We see many pictures of the Quepos Streets and read about the nightlife, but every picture of the streets or bars looks practically vacant. We're concerned they will be bored to death. Can anyone give us additional info? Thank you very much for the help!!

Osa Peninsula advice - Where to go, lodging and adventure tours?

Hi all, We are heading to CR end of May and considering Osa as a place to visit for about 4 -5 days. We are looking for adventurous activities, beautiful beaches, an authentic/rustic experience and moderate prices. My questions to you are:
1 - Which part of Osa (jimenez, drake bay, etc) best accomplishes this? (adventurous activities, beautiful beaches, an authentic/rustic experience and moderate prices)
2 - Is there any suggested lodging that is moderately priced and lends a clean but nature-oriented experience?
3 - What are some of the best activities for two highly curious, eco-loving and adventurous people?

Thanks for offering your help!!

The picture says it all. We are nuts love to dress in ridiculous costumes (or are they costumes?) and love to meet people that are good mates. (Think Australian) We will be surfing, zip lining, horsey riding, rafting and stuffing our face.. Oh yeah, drinking blended girlie drinks, and mingling with people on unfamilar territory. If you are a fun guy or girl or a group email us. We'd love to meet up.
Cameron

My best friend and I are going to be in Quepos March 14-15 looking for some fun people that may want to hang in a group. I am on the right and both my buddy and I are fun and like to have fun.
Cameron

Hello,

Can anyone give me any info on buses that go from Quepos to Jaco? Things like schedules, total travel time, cost. My husband and I are planning on traveling from Quepos to Jaco late April of this year and would preferably want to leave early in the morning.

Thanks for your suggestions!

are there no cheap places to stay that are geared for surfers moving day to day?

Hi I'm going to Costa Rica for 10days. 3days in Jaco, 6 in Santa Teresa, and 1 day in San Jose. Any advice or tips would be helpful. Bar, nitelife, saftey, sights. Thanks!

Just wanted to know what the night life was like during the week? I have a big group of young people who like to party, is Manuel Antonio the place?

Hi yall. We're going to Montezuma pretty soon. What are the beaches like? White sand? Black sand? Because we hate tanlines, we were looking at how liberal they are with being topless. Anyone know?

Thanks!

a & j

Sorry, but I accidently posted this in the general Costa Rica forum, and wanted it here instead. Anyway, I will be in Jaco without a car, and want to get to Turrialba. Is there bus service directly to Turrialba from Jaco, or must I first return to San Jose and then catch a bus to Turrialba. Thanks for your help.

Hi - have read that Carrara/Tarcoles are the places to see the macaws in northern CR. If you go for a walk in Carrara during the day, what are you chances? Is the bridge the best at dusk and what time is dusk in Costa Rica. Being from the northern US dusk changes here year round - what about in CR? Also, where can one stay near Tarcoles as you don't want to drive too far after dusk I would think. We are somewhat budget conscious travellers. Thanks.

I will be in San Jose and Quepos in Novmeber... anyone live there?? I have a condo/hotel in Quepos but I think it is about 10 minutes North of Manual Antonio, I am looking for anyone that has ever sayed up in the fishing town north of Manual antonio- are there beaches in North Quepos, Has anyone ever stayed in CONDOHOTEL LAS CASCADAS???