IgoUgo

San Jose Journals

Costa Rican Odyssey

Best of IgoUgo

A March 2000 trip to San Jose by Travelin Fools

Quote: Enjoy our coast-to-coast odyssey from our arrival at the International Airport near Alajuela to San Jose, River trips on the Pacuare, Reventazon, Corobici and Coto Brus rivers,the beaches of the southern Pacific coast and the Caribbean, day trips to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Manuel Antonio National Park, Poas and Arenal Volcanoes.
  • Cheer!
  • Flag
  • Print

Costa Rican Odyssey Best of IgoUgo

Overview

Quote:
Day trip to Poas Volcano River trip on the Pacuare River Day trip on the Reventazon River Manuel Antonio National Park Monteverde Cloud Forest Day trip on the Corbici River Arenal Volcano Cahuita and Puerto ViejoQuick Tips: Less than ten minutes away by bus or cab from the international airport is the small city of Alajuela. We really enjoyed staying here because it has everything that San Jose has except all the people and the museums, but is much more tranquil. It's a good place to stay, especially if you arrive at night due to its proximity to the airport. If you really need to do business in San Jose, bus service is plentiful, cheap and frequent....Read More

Posada Del Sol Best of IgoUgo

Hotel

Quote:
While we have enjoyed many different accommodations in Costa Rica, our favorite thus far has to be the Posada. It is a small, neat motel nestled between private residences. There are five or six pleasant rooms, each having a private bath, a combination of double and single beds, a fan and an outdoor patio. The Posada is approximately 1 1/2 blocks from the beach, and restaurants and mini markets are a stone's throw away. Perhaps its best feature are the proprietors, Leticia and Mariela, who are incredibly friendly and helpful and maintain a small reference library and lend or exchange books.

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

Posada Del Sol
P.O. Box 126-8000
San Jose, Costa Rica
506-787-0085

San Clemente Bar and Grille Best of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Quote:
We found ourselves wandering towards the San Clemete at different times of the day. For breakfast we enjoyed the Hungry Surfer special with unlimited coffee for about $2.00. Lunches and dinners included burgers, salads and freshly grilled fish for $4.00 to $8.00. Don't forget to sample the owner Mike's homemade hot sauces. While the cuisine catered to American tastes, the familiar gallo pinto and other Tican staples were always available on the menu. This was a great place to hang out and take advantage of the bulletin board, play at the pool and football tables and pick up on the local scene. The San Clemete is also the bus stop, post office and taxi stand. The restaurant is a...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

San Clemente Bar and Grille
The main street in Dominical
San Jose, Costa Rica

White Water Rafting Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "White Water Rafting on the Rio Coto Brus"

Quote:
Although the tour company we went with specializes in trips on the Rio General we were lucky enough to call when they were planning a rafting trip on the little known, seldom run Rio Coto Brus. After being picked up at our motel we were driven down the new highway south to Ciudad Cortez in a comfortable 20-passenger bus. We then turned inland and traveled up the main highway alongside the Rio Terraba. This journey took about 1 1/2 hours and turned out to be a tour all by itself. After arriving at the put in and a quick safety briefing, we were off down river. Within five minutes, we saw our first tribe of squirrel monkeys and had negotiated the first of many rocky rapids. Our 4 hour trip continu...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

White Water Rafting
Pacuare River
San Jose, Costa Rica

Poas Volcano Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Poas Volcano Day Trip"

Quote:
This trip is most easily accomplished if you stay in Alajuela since the volcano is not far. From Alajuela, you also have a good view of Poas' summit and the weather up top. It is often rainy, so the best time to go is usually early before the clouds build and obsure the views of the caldera. A rent-a-car would be good for this trip, since you can decide at a moment's notice if the weather looks right, but public buses leave daily in the a.m. from Alajuela and San Jose. Bring rain gear or an umbrella although the latter along with rubber boots can be rented at the park's info center. There is also a short hike to a lake situated in an ancient crater of Poas.

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

Poas Volcano
about an hour outside of San Jose
San Jose, Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
This is one of the can't miss spots in Costa Rica. Unfortunately most people don't miss it so you can always expect it to be crowded! That said, it is still one of the best locales to visit. Buses depart from San Jose's Coca Bus Terminal at regular intervals for the 4-5 hour trip to Quepos/ Manuel Antonio. The beaches, and there are 3 within a 15 minute hike from the park entrance, are beautiful. The wildlife plentiful (bring bananas to feed the White-face monkeys), and the snorkeling fantastic! A hike on the Punta Catedral trail or on the inland trail system should yield some good wildlife sightings. The port city of Quepos is a 15-20 minute bus ride away from the park entrance(fee) and is a go...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio Park Road
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Arenal Volcano Best of IgoUgo

Attraction

Quote:
Arenal and the town of Fortuna are about a 4 hour drive or 5 hour bus ride from San Jose. Arenal is the quintissential volcano, conical shape, cloud-shrouded, with ash and debri rolling down its steep sides. If you're lucky you may catch one of those perfect nights when the whole upper slopes of the volcano are glowing red! Staying in Fortuna and using it as a base to take day trips from is the easiest way to go. A wide variety of lodging and restaurants make Fortuna the logical choice due to its proximity to Arenal. If you have an extra day plan on a trip to the Tabacon Hotsprings about 8 miles from Fortuna and at the base of Arenal. Hiking in the National Park and whitewater river running are ...Read More

Member Rating 3 out of 5 on November 11, 2000

Arenal Volcano
Near La Fortuna, 90 miles NW of San Jose
Alajuela Province, Costa Rica

About the Writer

Travelin Fools

Travelin Fools
Overgaard, Arizona

Popular San Jose Hotels

Holiday Inn Aurola
User Rating: 5 out of 5
Hotel Presidente
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Casa Conde Apartotel Suites
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Hotel Santo Tomas
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Crowne Plaza Corobicí
User Rating: 4 out of 5

Arenal Volcano
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Poas Volcano
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Museo del Oro
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Poas Volcano
User Rating: 4 out of 5
Sarapiqui - Boat Tour
User Rating: 3 out of 5