Costa Rica Expeditions - Rain & Cloud Forest Odyssey??

[hissmonster]

This is my first auction and first win, so please excuse my naivet, but I'm really excited to have one this trip.



It is a combinaton birthday celebration (mom's & mine) and Christmas present to my mom, who is 76 and recovering from eye ailments, which prevent her from driving. This hasn't dampened her adventurous spirit though, after losing her driver's license she jumped at the chance to go to Costa Rica--not the beaches, but the rainforest and volcano.



I've elected to go December 1-10, 2008, to give both mom and me a little time to get in "walking shape" and to learn a little spanish so that we don't sound like complete idiots when trying to order. I know this means that we will miss the turtle nesting, but I really couldn't do it any sooner.



The tour has three "ports of call" San Jose, Tortuguero and Monteverde.



Additionally, there were a variety of optional extras of which I've selected:



In Tortuguero: The Village tour in addition to the tour of the park (included)



In Monteverde: We are going to see the frogs and the coffee plantation as well as the cloud forest tour (included)



In San Jose: We are staying an extra day so we can go to the Volcano.



Were staying at the Tortuga Lodge, Monteverde Lodge and the hotel Grano de Oro.

What I would like to know is if anyone has been on this particular tour and what advice they can provide me on make this a fabulous experience for us both.

Oh please note there are some obvious restrictions you should know: Mom is afraid of heights and has a back condition which prevents her from horseback riding (which she is not happy about) so this prevents us from partaking in the sunset horseback ride or any zipline rides (grin, I can't have her having a heart attack from fear now can I?) Sure I could go, but then what do I do with mom? I want this to be an experience she is talking about for many years to come...so I can leave these activities to another trip, besides I am a writer and photographer and I'm sure I can use any downtime for a story or a review.



If you know anything about the hotels I would love a review.



Again, I'm sorry if the answers to my inquiry are posted somewhere else, I tried looking for it, but I'm still learning my way around.



Thanks again for all your help,



Hiss




Message Edited by hissmonster on 07-31-2008 04:04 PM

Message Edited by hissmonster on 07-31-2008 04:05 PM

[kyshel]

Good for you--we always love to hear about a new member getting a great package.

I can only assist with one question and that's ziplining. I tried to do it and lost it (I was harnessed and ready but, alas...) I watched my husband and his little children fly out on the first line, heard them ALL squeal like little girls on the second. Don't ask about the third one--they said it was a real spooooky line. I met them at the 4th so I could try an easy one--not too high, long or steep. It was a real challenge but I did it, along with the next but that was it for me. I enjoyed watching--so perhaps your mom will want to see you step off and "wheeeeeeeee". She doesn't have to do the line, but I'll bet she won't be the only one. I didn't have to walk too far and it wasn't high to watch--my biggest deal was taking a swing bridge back that freaked me out (I get vertigo easily) but I made it across.
There are some hot springs that might be a nice stop for her--just an idea.
I hope you'll share your experience with us when you return.

[hissmonster]

LOL....OMG that sounds like fun! I am a total adrenaline junkie and not afraid of heights. Unfortunately for me, I'm not going w/ my sister...she would challenge me on who could go down the most lines. Mom on the other hand...sigh...well let me relate this little story.



We took her to Britian for her retirement and as our tour stopped at this scenic viewpoint on the Ring of Kerry and we were all taking photos standing on the cliff, mom spies me standing on what appears to be the very edge. The drop was truly dramatic and if I were tettering on the edge, it would have been, but there was another oh 3 feet before the drop off.



Well, she has a complete panic attack and has to hide on the bus until we were done.



Heights is one fear she hasn't managed to conquer, lol. So if I can't resist the ziplines, she is just going to have to stay at the hotel...LOL

[omegaet]

hissmonster....Monteverde Lodge is a beautiful place.we did not stay there but we did have a late lunch in their dining room on the way back to our lodge. If you take your Mother on the hike in the Cloud Forest Reserve, be aware the trails range from semi-improved to primitive....so a little care needs to be taken(especially, if she has impaired vision)there are a number of cut-offs along the main circular trail, some of which can be steep and quite slippery and are best suited for those wearing good hiking boots.That said, the reserve is a beautiful place to be as soon as the gates are opened in the mornings and before the tour bus crowds arrive (this will easy for you, since your lodge isa short ride to thepark). The birds and monkeys, especiallytend to be most active and easy to spot during the same early morning hours.



Maybe your Mother would be up for some zip lines (most people say it's not about a fear of heights...it's more about the fear of falling and the abrupt stop which concerns them). Your Mother may feel differently after seeing all of the safety gear involved(strong hands are more important than good vision....voiding your bladder before starting is also strongly suggested)..even if she decides not to "fly" along with you, there are paths leading to the firsttower and the guides will probably allow her to walk up for a closer view of you zipping away!The Monteverde linesare one of thebest established andlongest operatingin the country. The SkyWalk is another alternative which you might consider for you and your Mother. If you have not done so already, you might wish to visit this link for more information. http://www.monteverdeinfo.com/



You will likely enjoy Monteverde a great deal......the history going back to the originalestablishment of the communityby Quakers and the general holistic atmosphere is refreshing and a great change of pace.



Enjoy!


Message Edited by omegaet on 08-01-2008 09:53 AM

[hissmonster]

omegaet,



Thanks!!!! The ziplines sound fabulous! Although I read your post outloud to mom and she started to cringe and said..."You're not getting me up there!" So maybe I'll let her tool around the butterfly/hummingbird farm and go w/o her...





And thanks for the info on the trails. Mom suffers from macular degeneratation related to diabetes in her right eye, which means her center vision in that eye is gone, but her peripheral vision is ok. I will make sure she gets really good hiking boots and do you think a walking stick would help?

[omegaet]

hissmonster...didn't mean to infer you Mother needs top of line boots for these trails...just a sturdy boot or rough terrain shoe will do. Most outdoor equipment stores (REI on-line is a good source) stock three-section telescoping trekking poles that compress for easy storage and transport (we usually carry our own poles when we go into areas like this). Most of the tour operators in Monteverde have them available for use.

[omegaet]

hissmonster...there is one other matter you may wish to consider. Each departing air passenger is required to pay a $26 departure tax before proceeding to check-in. Normally, there is a bit ofconfusion occurring at check-in, mainly because several passengers somewhere ahead of you will have forgotten to pay or perhaps did not realize they needed to pay. This typically results in a long line of frustrated passengers in the departure tax line trying to pay and rush to get back in the airlines check-in line to catch their flights.

Don't become one of them.....everything operates on TICO time and shouting tends to slow it down for everyone.

During our last couple of tripswe have taken the time to pre-pay the exit tax upon entering Costa Rica, at the cash desk in the Immigration sectionfor arriving passengers. You may wish to do the same, which will allow you a much smoother departure day, since you will only have to deal with your actual check-in line for the airlines.

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p.s..if you are a coffee drinker, consider sampling some Cafe' Monteverde http://www.cafemonteverde.com/ during you stay in Monteverde. You may find it suits your tastes and consider bringing some home (for your consumption or gifts to your friends).buy the whole beans and grind it when you return home..their ground version tends to bee too fine to provide the best results in our coffee makers back home. We like it for two reasons.great taste and the revenue goes directly to the Co-op. Of course, you will see and be offered Britt Coffee all throughout your trip..however Britt is just another big corporation -- think Starbucks -- while the revenue from the sales ofCafe' Monteverde really does directlybenefit hard working families in the region.





Message Edited by omegaet on 08-10-2008 02:13 PM

[hissmonster]

Wow! now that is good to know. I endure lines, but anything to cut standing in one a little shorter helps a great deal. Oh and on the boots, not going to get her super expensive numbers as I want her to get her money's worth and I'm not sure how much hiking she will be doing after this trip. But, I want to get her a good pair, better than the bargain sneakers she's fond of. I will check out REI for sales too...oh and what's your take on the clothing with built in sun protection and bug repellent? I've seen these advertised, especially for paddlers and whitewater rafting, but I'm not convinced that they are really worth the expense.



Do any of you have experience w/ this type of gear and is it worth it?



Also, I hear that bug repellent is your best friend where we're going? Any suggestions on the best for this area?



I've heard that Tortuga Lodge has repellent at the front desk and that the mosquitos are really "hungry" there, but I have heard a split verdict on the amount of insects in the room and the success of the window screens. Any insight?

[omegaet]

hissmonster....actually, many of the clothing items offered with built in sun protect are quiteeffective and worth the extra money.

Here are a couple of link to previous threads which might be of assistance concerning repellants and appropriate clothing:

http://community.luxurylink.com/luxurylink/board/message?board.id=board-general&thread.id=2689&view=by_date_descending&pag e=3

http://community.luxurylink.com/luxurylink/board/message?board.id=board-general&message.id=6100&query.id=158669#M6100

Columbia, North Face, Ex Officio and Patagonia are some popular manufacturers offering excellent choices in clothing (made from synthetics for easy wash and wear) with built-in sun protection. You may find wash and wear an important factor, since practicality will likely be more important from a weight and simplicity aspect than fashion on this adventure.

You have time to do some perusing and shopping at various web sites, i.e. http://www.rei.com/outletand http://www.moosejaw.com/ and www.patagonia.com for sales and close outs between now and your departure time.

[hissmonster]

Ok Y'all!



I leave on Sunday for this trip. I will be taking notes and will let you all know how it turned out when I come home on December 12th. Any last words of advice?