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Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

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MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

OMG!!!! What an amazing vacation this was! Costa Rica was nothing what we expected.

We flew into the capitol city of San Jose on Friday, May 25th. And stayed at the Costa Rica Marriott for one night... absolutelly GORGEOUS! Like a huge beautiful spanish housienda.

Parital view of the Lobby
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Pool
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View from Lobby Balcony
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On Saturday we left for Manuel Antonio (we arranged for private transfer by our hotel in Manuel Antonio, it's only a 20 minute flight from San Jose, but I will not fly on small planes)

On our way the driver stopped at a well known bridge about an hour north of Manuel Antonio and we got to see this:

Crocs at the Targoleous River
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Just before the main town (Quepos) leading into Manuel Antonio, we had to cross this bridge that used to be an old railroad crossing. They laid wooden planks across it so cars can get across. It's only one way, so if there's a long line of traffic coming from the other direction, you have to wait until it's clear for you to drive across. We had to wait 25 minutes before we could cross. The locals call this the Oh My G-d Bridge:

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Finally, after a 3 1/2 drive through the windy roads, we arrived at our resort for the week. Buena Vista Villa's and Casa's. We rented a one bedroom private villa for the week. Words and pictures do not do this place justice.

View from front door:
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View from Balcony
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Bedroom:
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Balcony:
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View from Balcony:
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Sunset from Balcony:
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The resort had a private beach. Very nice, quiet. We were there in the off season, so there were not that many people. They had men that worked at the beach, would set up your chair anywhere you wanted, bring you a towel, drinks...etc... was VERY nice and relaxing.

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Message edited 6/11/2007 9:20:53 PM.

Posted 6/11/07 8:49 PM
 
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Aga
hello baby Albert

Member since 9/05

7750 total posts

Name:
Aga

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

wow it truly looks amazing!!!! thanks for sharing and glad you had a great time Chat Icon

Posted 6/11/07 8:52 PM
 

mtnmama

Member since 5/06

4794 total posts

Name:

Message edited 7/6/2009 11:56:11 AM.

Posted 6/11/07 8:53 PM
 

mtnmama

Member since 5/06

4794 total posts

Name:

Message edited 7/6/2009 11:56:28 AM.

Posted 6/11/07 8:56 PM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

There was so much to see... one day we went about an hour and a half north to Carara National Park to go bird watching. Costa Rica has something like 850 species of birds, including the endangered (in Costa Rica) Scarlett Macaws which our tour guide spotted on the side of the road just hanging out in the trees:

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Poison Dart Frog we saw:
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On to the main event..MONKEYS... everywhere!

Every morning around 5:00-5:30 we would be wakened by the sound of the Howler Monkeys off in the distance. Usually around 6:30-7:30 am, we would start seeing this around the villa: ( we also saw them some mornings playing in the hammock of the villa next to us)

White Face Monkey
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One morning we were fortunate enough to see this JUST OUTSIDE our bedroom window.

Squirrel Monkey (endangered in CR)
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Eventually this guy along with a friend ended up here on our balcony!

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(I LOVE this pic!)
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Posted 6/11/07 8:57 PM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Other things we saw in and around Manuel Antonio -

We went to the National Park twice while we were there. Once in the morning and again a few days later in the afternoon. Here are pics of some more of the wildlife:

Three Toed Sloth:
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These guys are all over the place:
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White Face Monkey at the National Park
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Posionous Grasshopper
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One of the highlights was getting to see this guy in the wild! A Howler Monkey that was not all that happy we were there. They are known to be agressive towards people (even though they stay high in the trees) and have been known to deficate and then throw it at people. Chat Icon But they are not easy to see, and we had the most awesome tour guide who was able to find them for us. An even bigger treat was that there were about 6 in the tree and they were so active (usually they are not)

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Again, Costa Rica was simply amazing. We plan to go back perhaps at the end of the year and explore more of the country.

Posted 6/11/07 9:06 PM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Posted by cpanyc

Can I ask-what kind of things did you do during the day?



Lots, and mostly in the mornings. We would be back at our hotel just after lunch. Most of the tour groups give lunch after the tour. This is what we did:

Day 1 - Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 2 - Carara National Park (bird
watching, an hour 1/2 north of Manuel Antonio)

Day 3- Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour. This was the only day it rained and rained HARD just about the entire day.

Day 4 - A.M - Beach P.M back to Manuel Antonio National Park

Day 5 - A.M Catamaran Boat for what we thought would be Dolphin Watching (saw none), The anchored for a while so people can snorkle and they served lunch P.M. Went to a local Nature Reserve walked around the Butterfly Farm.

Day 6 - Horseback riding through the mountains, got to swim at the base of a waterfall, followed by lunch on a ranch.

Day 7 - DH went back to Manuel Antoino National Park, I went to the beach before we headed back to San Jose for our early morning flight the next day.

My favorite activity however was every afternoon we would just sit on the balcony reading, and bird watching. It was the perfect mix of activities and relaxation.

Posted 6/11/07 9:38 PM
 

Lisa
I'm a PANK!!!

Member since 5/05

22334 total posts

Name:
Professional Aunts No Kids

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

WOW!!! Looks like a BEAUTIFUL place and sounds like you had a wonderful time!!

the place you stayed looms just like the pictures from the website of the resort!! Chat Icon

Posted 6/11/07 10:15 PM
 

Jenziba
?

Member since 5/05

6265 total posts

Name:
Jennifer

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Great pics! Glad you had such a wonderful time!

Posted 6/11/07 11:13 PM
 

bayla
Love my two kiddos :)

Member since 8/06

7178 total posts

Name:

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

missy
it looks amazing :) my step brother went a couple moths ago and also raved about it. The pics are great, i am so happy you guys had such a wonderful tripChat Icon

Posted 6/11/07 11:42 PM
 

2PreciousBlessings
The Perfect Pair

Member since 5/06

19861 total posts

Name:
Best Wife & Mommy

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Beautiful pics!

Posted 6/12/07 6:58 AM
 

Geraldine
Lovin Life........

Member since 5/07

2388 total posts

Name:
Geraldine

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

wow.............. the wildlife is amazing... glad you had a great time.....Thanks for sharing

Posted 6/12/07 7:25 AM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Thanks everyone! We really wanted to extend our trip, but we both had to get back to work. Here's a link to more pictures if anyone is interested:

Costa Rica

Message edited 6/12/2007 9:17:45 AM.

Posted 6/12/07 9:14 AM
 

klingklang77
kraftwerk!

Member since 7/06

11487 total posts

Name:
Völlig losgelöst

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Great review! Your hotel looks amazing as do all the wildlife pics.

Posted 6/12/07 9:42 AM
 

baghag
:P

Member since 5/05

10278 total posts

Name:

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Holy animals! Chat Icon You got some great pictures. Chat Icon

Posted 6/12/07 10:03 AM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Posted by baghag

Holy animals! Chat Icon You got some great pictures. Chat Icon




Chat Icon Chat Icon DH and I are nature/wildlife nuts

Posted 6/12/07 10:12 AM
 

~Colleen~
my loves...

Member since 5/05

9129 total posts

Name:
guess

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Sounds like a fantastic vacation and the photos definitely back that up!

Posted 6/12/07 10:45 AM
 

SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!

Member since 12/05

20105 total posts

Name:
Lauren

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

We went to CR last year, the best vacation I've ever been on!! We also so lots of howler monkeys and spider monkeys!
I totally remember that bridge too, crazy, right? I loved the tropical rainstorms too.
IF you do go back I totally recommend Tabacon - the hot springs are AMAZING!

Posted 6/12/07 3:23 PM
 

sasha96
lovin' my 2 little ladies!

Member since 5/05

7401 total posts

Name:
Julianne

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

It's almost like my honeymoon all over again...thanks for sharing the pics! That bridge was unreal and the wildlife is amazing. I loved Manuel Antonio. I liked Arenal too and Tabacon was ok. I'm glad I stopped there too to see/feel/hear the volcano and to go in the hot springs.

Posted 6/12/07 7:01 PM
 

LIMOMx2
...

Member since 5/05

24989 total posts

Name:

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Looks like a fantastic vacation!!!!!!! Those pictures are gorgeous and so is that hotelChat Icon Chat Icon

Posted 6/13/07 12:58 PM
 

MrsRbk
<3 <3 <3 <3

Member since 1/06

19197 total posts

Name:
Michelle

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Posted by sasha96

It's almost like my honeymoon all over again...thanks for sharing the pics! That bridge was unreal and the wildlife is amazing. I loved Manuel Antonio. I liked Arenal too and Tabacon was ok. I'm glad I stopped there too to see/feel/hear the volcano and to go in the hot springs.




Thank you again for your help!

Yes, next time we go, we want to go to Arenal and stay at Tabacon. We want to go to the Guanacaste area and also to Monteverde. We would LOVE to go to the Osa Penninsula, but since the only way to get there (as there are no roads) is to fly, it's unlikely we will ever get there unless they pave a road to it!

Posted 6/13/07 2:43 PM
 

astroqueen74
Vibrant Health

Member since 1/07

2822 total posts

Name:
Karina

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

wow very nice!

Posted 6/22/07 11:32 AM
 

Lauren09
LIF Infant

Member since 9/06

189 total posts

Name:
Lauren

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

it looks gorgeous!!! we're planning a trip there soon! i can't wait.

Posted 6/23/07 3:33 PM
 

pugmama
April already?

Member since 3/06

5297 total posts

Name:
Erica

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

Beautiful! I was there for one day on a cruise and have always wanted to stay at a place like you did.

Posted 6/24/07 8:45 AM
 

alnem
This is gonna be a good year!

Member since 2/06

9562 total posts

Name:
Emily

Re: Our May 25-Jun 3 trip to Costa Rica!

beautiful pics! so glad you guys had a great time!

this makes me realize that i reallyyyyyy need a vacation!Chat Icon

Posted 6/24/07 12:23 PM
 
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