Costa Rica

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Ecotourism in Costa Rica

A March 2002 trip to Costa Rica by Petuniaz

Manuel Antonio ParkMore Photos

We rented a 4 wheel drive, hiked to volcanos, toured the coffee & banana plantations, stayed at research stations, hiked rain/cloud forests & primary jungles.

  • 8 reviews
  • 1 photo

Ecotourism in Costa RicaBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Started from San Jose. Drove to Iruzu volcano for day trip, then to Selve Verde Research Station NE)to hike primary jungle w/guides,lots of birds, stayed deep in jungle in bungalow w/howler monkeys @ night, 1mi hike to room from lodge. Arenal Volcano hiked onto Lava beds, then thru canyon to La Fortuna Waterfalls, swam in pool. Saw Fir De Lance snake up close in local swimming hole. San Luis Biological Research Station, awesome stay. Eat w/researchers at long dinner table, view of mountains, hikes to Santa Elena & Monteverde Cloud Forest, stay in bunkhouse or cabinas, food cooked over wood stove by locals, send free guide w/us all day. Canopy Tour awesome/educational. Manual Antonio Nat'l Park most beautiful secluded beaches ever seen.

Quick Tips:

Hotel Colinas in LaFortuna, view of volcano from bed, ask for 3rd floor corner room. Internet downstairs.

Best Way To Get Around:

Rented 4 wheel drive which is a necessity if you are renting, had stabilizer bar welded for after it broke. Bad roads, don't drive in the dark. Stop signs mean nothing. Military checkpoints at more populated areas, be calm and honest. Use ATM's, travelers checks were difficult in out-of-way places we visited. Take US bills for tips. Can't bring seashells back.

Regency TowersBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "La Colina"

Ceiling fan, clean bathroom, 2 double beds, is overlooking cliffs to ocean, minutes to Manual Antonio Nat'l Park, great hosts originally from Colorado. English spoken, great food, eat outside.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Regency Towers
2511 S Ocean Blvd Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
(843) 448-8516

Los Tules ResortBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hampton Inn"

Absolutely awesome, near the San Juan Santamaria Airport, stay out of San Jose if you can, this hotel offers the best service I have ever had anywhere in numerous countries. Can walk to restaurants, shuttle to airport, English spoken.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Los Tules Resort
BLVD FRANCISCO MEDINA ASCENCIO Puerto Vallarta, Mexico 48330
52-322-224-5425

Sand Acres Beach Club & HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Quality Inn Hotel Centro"

Huge room with 4 double beds, English spoken, friendly staff, can walk downtown safely at night, close to lots of restaurants and night life. Ate at local Sodas featuring local cuisine and atmosphere, no English at these, however.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Sand Acres Beach Club & Hotel
Maxwell Coast Road Christ Church, Barbados
(246) 428-7141

Summer Bay Resort Las VegasBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Selva Verde Lodge"

A large lodge with nice rooms, hammocks with each room, dining room openair or indoor, meals can be included with lodging or not, your choice. We choose to stay in the bungalows in the primary jungle, they are open air w/shutters/tin roofs, alligators in the swamp below your boardwalk to the bungalow. Howler monkeys eerie sounding in the night, candle for light in room, had poison dart frog in bathroom, feel very much a part of the jungle, must be adventurous to stay out there, most stay at lodge. Hired guides into jungle, educational, lots wildlife/birds. Saw iguana fighting in trees, float trip down river.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Summer Bay Resort Las Vegas
3950 Koval Lane Las Vegas, Nevada 89109
(702) 731-6100

Orange Lake Country ClubBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Hotel Colinas"

Ask for Rm 33, can see a volcano from bed! Nice balcony, great rockers, internet access downstairs, eat next door at restaurant owned by young couple, great place, hotel owner Flor very nice man, helped us get rental car welded by locals, family lives there with him, speaks English, helps to arrange volcano tours, we liked Sunset tours best. The little village is at base of volcano, only 2 streets wide. Very authentic. More pricey resort areas a few miles up the road.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Orange Lake Country Club
8505 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy. Kissimmee, Florida 34747
(407) 239-0000

local sodas (restaurants)Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

We ate at local sodas all over the country which are numerous, small and family owned. They serve a daily dish called casado, usually has some type of gallo pinto which is rice and beans, and chicken. Plenty to eat including drinks for $3-$4 US per person. We would eat a full dinner with 3-4 beers for less than $10 US. Great value, great education and you are experiencing the country at the Tico level instead of as a tourist. Most sodas don't speak English.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 26, 2002

Manual Antonio National ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Manuel Antonio Park
We hiked in the beach entrance past the concession stand about a mile and came upon the most beautiful beaches we've ever seen, crystal blue water, warm, secluded coves in which to sunbathe and swim, lots of monkeys and exotic birds, trails thru the lowland jungle by the beaches.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Petuniaz on September 27, 2002

About the Writer

Petuniaz
Petuniaz
East Tawas, Michigan

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