Costa Rica and Panama

December 30, 2004 8:50 PM

vacation filter - has anyone traveled in southern costa rica? (osa peninsula, pavones) and northern panama (bocas del toro etc.)? if so - specific recommendations/suggestions/warnings for travel in the region?
posted by specialk420 to Travel & Transportation (3 answers total)

For a general grounding, go have a good look 'round at this site, created by a couple of biochemists living in Colorado who have spent a lot of time in Costa Rica. There is an amazing amount of practical information and advice here.
posted by taz at 11:51 PM on December 30, 2004

In the Osa Peninsula, look into the Corcovado Lodge Tent Camp if you want to be near the wilderness. For high-end accomodations, there's Lapa Rios. My friends and I stayed at Iguana Lodge. It's still a bit pricey, but if you're at all like us or the guests we met there, you will not want to leave. You can also get much cheaper accomodations right next door at the Pearl of the Osa (same owners as Iguana Lodge).

We used Baker's Moon Handbook for Costa Rica. It has tons of information, but don't be surprised if a little of it is outdated.

If you're with a group of people, consider renting a car. Buses and taxis can get you anywhere in Costa Rica, but a rental car (4WD with high clearance is highly recommended if you want to get off the beaten track) will be faster, give you more freedom, and might not cost much more overall.

If it's within your budget, I'd say the flight from San Jose to the Osa Peninsula is worth every penny. My friends and I were the only people on the plane and the pilot let my friend ride in the copilot's seat.
posted by driveler at 10:33 AM on December 31, 2004

Response by poster: thanks for tips - iguana looks really nice.
posted by specialk420 at 7:31 PM on January 1, 2005