Costa Rica 2007 Planning Page - Mike Baird's Notes
Costa Rica Trip to Corcovado - Jan. 17 - 27, 2007

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Last Rev. Tuesday, March 27, 2007  NOTES IN GREEN ARE THE LATEST AND WERE ADDED 7-7-06

Date (2007)	Itinerary - Costa Rica Trip to Corcovado ...links added below may or may not be the "best" or official links	Related Links
	Available/reserved flights from SBP (San Luis Obispo) to San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO) -- Early arrival Language School options...
Wed. Jan. 17	Jan 17: Arrival Transfer. Overnight hotel Trapp Family. (No meals included) Trapp family Alajuela hotel not far from the airport.	Jan 17:ARRIVING FLIGHT: Amer. Airlines flight No. 739  which arrives at 8:00 p.m. <= note: this was updated 11/18/06 Sylvia arrives on flight AA 2141 from Miami arriving at 9:10 p.m. Trapp Family Country Inn, San Jose Airport Hotel https://www.anywhere.com/costa-rica/destinations/sjo-airport-alajuela/hotels/trapp-family-country-inn The Trapp Family Country Inn is located 2 KM from Juan Santamaría International Airport
Thur. Jan. 18	Jan 18: Breakfast at Trapp Family hotel.  Early transfer to Cerro de la Muerte. Overnight at Trogon Lodge.  (Lunch not included) Dinner included at Trogon Family . Trogon Lodge . Dinner included.	Trogon Lodge http://www.crica.com/hotels/mawamba/trogon.html
Fri. Jan. 19	Jan 19: Full day Savegre area. Overnight at Trogon Lodge. (All melas included) B.L.D.  Trogon Lodge (Quetzals, flycatchers and so much more!)	The Secrets of Cerro de la Muerte http://www.cocori.com/library/travl/cerro.htm
Sat. Jan. 20	Jan 20: Breakfast at  Trogon Lodge . Trip to Corcovado, bus will drop us at Sierpe and return to San José, Casa Corcovado lodge will pick us up at Hacienda en Sierpe (at 11.00 a.m.) and transfer us by boat to Casa Corcovado. Overnight at Casa Corcovado.   ( Lunch and Dinner included at Corcovado).  Casa Corcovado.	<= map re. Corcovado: Pacific Coastal rainforest offers 500 tree species, 400 bird species, including the largest population of Scarlet Macaws, and 140 different mammals--tapirs, sloths, monkey, peccaries, anteaters and several cats.
Sun. Jan 21	Jan 21: Full day to hike in Corcovado . Overnight at Casa Corcovado. (All meals included) B.L.D. (entrance to Corcovado Nat. Park included)   Casa Corcovado  Corcovado Nat. Park	Casa Corcovado (dead link?) http://www.casacorcovado.com/ Casa Corcovado (centralamerica.com) http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/corcovad.htm
Mon. Jan 22	Jan 22: Full day tour included to Caño Island. Overnight at Casa Corcovado. (All meals included) B.L.D. (entrance to Caño Island Nat. Park included) Casa Corcovado. Caño Island National Park	Corcovado National Park (above bad nps.gov bad page may be fixed)
Tues. Jan 23	Jan 23: Full day at Corcovado. Overnight at Casa Corcovado. (All meals included) B.L.D. Full day at Corcovado for hiking, swimming, bird watching, etc. and walks into the tropical forest. Casa Corcovado].	Whale watching info: http://www.aguiladeosainn.com/tours/whales/ in the the Drake Bay area of Corcovado (rates) 1/2 day tour $350.00 minimum or $100.00 per person, or full day tour $600.00 minimum or $100.00 per person. *Our Guide Jose Indio Calvo schiffornis@[remove]racsa.co.cr  says 6-23-06 "It is very likely that we will see Pantropic spotted dolphins on our boat trip to Caño island, and there is a possibility for whales Humpback whales specially."
Wed. Jan 24	Jan 24:Breakfast at Casa Corcovado. 7 a.m.Transfer provided by the lodge back to Sierpe where our bus will be awaiting for us to take us to Manuel Antonio area. (Drop off 09:00 a.m.) (Lunch and dinner not included) Overnight at Hotel Manuel Antonio.  Hotel Manuel Antonio   7-1-06 Norma says: "Jose has secured Hotel Manuel Antonio for us--right outside the park. It does not provide meals. It's more like a nice motel, but we can get breakfast at a little cafe next door and right across the beach is a food cantina that has great grilled fish/salads for lunch very cheap and good. The advantages are that you can just walk into the park from the hotel as soon as it opens at 7 a.m. and walk to the beach across the road whenever you want. The souvenir vendors are also lined up across the road, but if you want to buy stuff they've got a good variety."	Hotel Manuel Antonio (selected 7-1-06) Hotel Manuel Antonio -- Under $50 to $75, Manuel Antonio -- One of Manuel Antonio's original hotels, this economical place has the closest beds you'll find to the park's entrance and is across the street from the beach. Choose from rustic rooms above an open-air restaurant, which are a good option for budget travelers, or larger, newer rooms in a two-story yellow concrete building next door, with cable TVs and air-conditioning. The new rooms have simple pastel drapes and bedspreads and large balconies; be sure to get one with an ocean view, preferably on the second floor. 29 rooms. Restaurant, room service, some fans, in-room safes, some cable TV, massage, bar, laundry service, no-smoking floors, Internet; no a/c in some rooms. AE, MC, V. Address: End of the road to the park, across from beach, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, Phone: 777-1237 or 777-1351, Fax: 777-5172 Read comments by visitors
Thur. Jan 25	Jan 25: Early in the morning we will visit Manuel Antonio National Park (entrance to Manuel Ant. Nat. Park included). Overnight at Hotel Manuel Antonio . (Meals not included). Hotel Manuel Antonio  SEE NOTE 7-3-06 below Swim in afternoon at Manuel Antonio Beach and relax.  ( Monkeys, sloths, birds and more.)
Fri. Jan 26	Jan 26: Early morning transfer from Manuel Antonio to Jacó. Crocodile tour by JD´S Watersport tours , (Crocodile tour included) Overnight at Hotel Arenal Pacífico . (Meals not included). Arenal Pacifico Hotel http://www.arenalpacifico.com near Jaco (see map))  (a beach town)   Crocodile tour by JD´S Watersport tours.	Carara National Park http://costa-rica-guide.com/parks/carara.htm NEW: We will now stay a little away from the busy center of Jaco, at  Arenal Pacifico Hotel http://www.arenalpacifico.com  with a new swimming pool and in front of the ocean.
Sat. Jan 27	Jan 27: Breakfast at Hotel Arenal Pacífico. Transfer back  from Jacó stopping at Carara National Park on the way to Trapp Family hotel in Alajuela. (Lunch and dinner not included) (Entrance to Carara Nat. Park included) Early morning Suspension bridges tour (dropped)  Trapp family Alajuela hotel near the international airport ;	7-7-06 Please note some changes in this version. The crocodile tour (1/26) is included in the cost. and Jose seems to have dropped the Suspension bridges (1/27) tour but I'm sure this could be added if folks wanted it--it was optional in the original version. Looks like there are 11 meals not included.
Sun. Jan 28	Jan 28: Breakfast at Trapp Family Hotel . Transfer to the international airport. "Sylvia will be leaving with us and not staying an extra night at the Trapp Family hotel" Most people depart [AA 2166 10:50 AM] <= note time changed as of 11/18/06	depart early Sunday morning Jan. 28 for home.

Travel lists:
Travel Check List  http://mikebaird.com/guat2001/travel_checklist.htm (this is Mike Baird's way overkill pre-2001 "hierarchical" list from past travel in semi-dangerous areas of Latin America - contains many good pre-trip preparation steps and travel tips)

8-20-06 Clothing Recommendations: Jose says: "I strongly recommend hiking boots. I don't think we'll be crossing streams, but it will definitely be muddy and slippery, boots provide a lot better traction than tennis shoes.  Yes it can be cold at San Gerardo, better fleece or polartec type and again yes we can leave it with the driver, when we go to Corcovado."

Here is a basic packing list that Jim Warner created for the last CR trip (from Norma).
____ Small Suitcase
____ Daypack
____ Passport
____ Itinerary and airline tickets info
____ CR map and book?
____ $$$ ($26 airport departure tax, plus $$ for wine, beer, lunches, gifts, tips )
____ alarm clock
____ Binoculars
____ Camera w/ battery, charger and chips
____ corkscrew/small knife
____ Notebook
____ Small Flashlight w/ fresh batteries
____ Toiletries
____ Sunscreen
____ Insect Repellant
____ Hat
____ Extra glasses
____ Rain parka/poncho
____ Fleece Jacket
____ Long sleeve shirt (mosquitoes)
____ Short Sleeve Ts
____ Underwear
____ Sox
____ Sandals
____ Shorts
____ Zip-off pants
____ PJs
____ Swim Suit
____ Walking shoes/boots
____ Bandanas
____ snacks (nuts, energy bars, dried fruit)
____ water bottle

Barbara Akle adds:
____ "Meds/first aid"

Casa Corcovado http://centralamerica.com/cr/hotel/corcovad.htm  recommends:
* BINOCULARS and a field guide (we recommend "Birds of Costa Rica").
* Sunscreen and insect repellent
* Casual clothing for city traveling
* Shirts cotton or light synthetic, long and short sleeved
* Trousers cotton or light synthetic pants (Jeans not recommended too slow to dry, bring if you want to made horseback riding)
* Hiking shorts
* Footwear: waterproof light weight hiking shoes, river sandals (Teva-type sandals), tennis shoes/running shoes. Make sure you bring TWO pairs of shoes. As soon as one pair gets wet, use that pair any time to you likely to get your feet wet. Go to any length to keep the other pair dry!
* Socks bring extra pairs in case feet get wet * Hat(s) with visor for rain and sun protection
* Plastic water bottle especially for hikes
* Camera and film
* Ziplock plastic bags for spillable toiletries
* Extra prescription glasses and medication (if applicable)
* Small day pack or fanny pack for hikes
* Sweater or Jacket
* Underwear
* Plastic garbage bags for wet items
* Swimwear
* Bandannas
* Collapsible luggage to store extra items in San José

Notes:

(click to enlarge map 4X - ~4.4 MB download) numbers on
map indicate where we will be by the dates in January 2007)

7-7-06 Looks like the "Final" Agenda: (last names excised for privacy)
Itinerary Norma 2007:      
Jan 17:ARRIVING FLIGHT: Amer. Airlines flight No. 2167 which arrives at 9:40 p.m.
Changed 11/18/06 to AA 739 arriving at 8:00PM
Jan 17: Arrival Transfer. Overnight hotel Trapp Family.
(No meals included)
Jan 18: Breakfast at Trapp Family hotel.  Early transfer to Cerro de la Muerte. Overnight at Trogon Lodge.  (Lunch not included) Dinner included at Trogon Family .
Jan 19: Full day Savegre area. Overnight at Trogon Lodge.
(All melas included) B.L.D.
Jan 20: Breakfast at  Trogon Lodge . Trip to Corcovado, bus will drop us at Sierpe and return to San José, Casa Corcovado lodge will pick us up at Hacienda en Sierpe (at 11.00 a.m.) and transfer us by boat to Casa Corcovado. Overnight at Casa Corcovado.   ( Lunch and Dinner included at Corcovado).
Jan 21: Full day to hike in Corcovado . Overnight at Casa Corcovado.
(All meals included) B.L.D. (entrance to Corcovado Nat. Park included)
Jan 22: Full day tour included to Caño Island. Overnight at Casa Corcovado.
(All meals included) B.L.D. (entrance to Caño Island Nat. Park included)
Jan 23: Full day at Corcovado. Overnight at Casa Corcovado.
(All meals included) B.L.D.
Jan 24:Breakfast at Casa Corcovado. 7 a.m.Transfer provided by the lodge back to Sierpe where our bus will be awaiting for us to take us to Manuel Antonio area. (Drop off 09:00 a.m.) (Lunch and dinner not included) Overnight at Hotel Manuel Antonio.
Jan 25: Early in the morning we will visit Manuel Antonio National Park (entrance to Manuel Ant. Nat. Park included). Overnight at Hotel Manuel Antonio . (Meals not included).
Jan 26: Early morning transfer from Manuel Antonio to Jacó. Crocodile tour by JD´S Watersport tours , (Crocodile tour included) Overnight at Hotel Arenal Pacífico .
(Meals not included).                       
Jan 27: Breakfast at Hotel Arenal Pacífico. Transfer back  from Jacó stopping at Carara National Park on the way to Trapp Family hotel in Alajuela. (Lunch and dinner not included) (Entrance to Carara Nat. Park included)
Jan 28: Breakfast at Trapp Family Hotel . Transfer to the international airport. 

SGL Room// Mike
DBL Room// Carole and Phil
DBL Room// Mr&Mrs Unknown <Barbara
TPL Room (where available)// Sylvia, Wendy, Norma
[will change above two to two doubles...]
  

Costs, updated 7-14-06 (checks due to Norma 12-1-06)
Barbara : $1775
Wendy : $1775
Norma : $1775
Sylvia : $1885 (includes one extra night)
Mike : $2141
Phil and Carole : $3550

... plus, a $6 charge per person for wiring the funds to Costa Rica in December...
*meals not covered in your itinerary, *drinks, *tips (usually $5-10 per day for guide; $5 for driver), *departure tax ($26)

From Guide Jose Indio Calvo e-mail: schiffornis at gmail dot com (new 7-26-06)
Includes Hotels and Meals with taxes, mentioned above.
Transportation in a 12 passenger microbus
Bilingual Guide (me)
Room and Board for Driver and Guide.
Entrance fees to Parks.
Tours mentioned above.

Doesn’t include Airport departure Tax ($26 dollars)
Tips and gratuities.
Meals not mentioned above.

We need to pay in full the Hotels and Lodges no later than, by mid December.
The Microbus and Guides part can wait for when you get here.

Recent Planning Notes form Norma:
From Norma Dec. 31, 2006
I checked http://cnn.com/weather  today and San Jose had a temperature of 77 o F. under cloudy skies. Check out the temperatures over the next few days so you get in touch with the warmer climate we'll be visiting. Corcovado will be even warmer and more humid. However, San Gerardo at a higher elevation will require a jacket and maybe even Polartec type jacket in the early morning if you come out birding to see the Quetzals. This heavier garment can be left safely with the bus and driver when we leave on the boat for our time at Corcovado. [Below] is information about tipping and other incidental costs.

Hi, I thought of a few things I should share before we take off for Costa Rica.

I reviewed my diary from my first trip in 2004. I always include what meals I’ve eaten—lots of rice, black beans, chicken, fish, salad and plantain. Generally food is very bland. Bring some Tabasco if you like things spicy! The fruit is wonderful. Most breakfasts and many other meals in the hotels are served buffet style. At breakfast expect juice, cold cereals, eggs, fried plantain and some kind of bread plus excellent coffee.

Remember not all meals are provided which I think is a plus. On the trip in 2004 I kept commenting about “too much food again” as we ate a big lunch and later dinner. I will encourage stops at fruit stands so you can have a light lunch. You might want to bring peanut butter and crackers to supplement. They are available in big supermarkets, but it might be more convenient to bring them. Some plastic ware, a cork screw and small knife are handy to have in your checked luggage of course!

I will ask Jose/Indio (he uses both names) to stop by a supermarket as we leave the city so we can buy some wine to enjoy before meals and other foodstuff you might want. Wine and beer at the hotels has been $2/glass sometimes a bit more in upscale hotels. Chilean and other S. American wines are available at reasonable prices. The reds are very good.

Now about tips. I have checked with Jose and the average for a guide is $10 per day per person and $5 for the van driver per day. If there is super service obviously you can tip a bit more. American dollars are accepted everywhere. I like to have a few colones on hand for fruit stands, but it’s optional. Credit cards are also accepted in most places except for American Express. There may be a little other tipping: $1/day for hotel maids, boat driver out to Cano Island,etc. Meals in restaurants include service but 10% can be added for great service.

There is a $26 departure tax due in dollars—tuck that away in the back of your wallet

Go to a page containing detailed chronological notes that you really don't need
to know about unless you want to understand how this trip evolved.

Costa Rica 2005 by Mike, and Costa Rica 2005 by Norma
and previous Costa Rica Planning Page
Latin America Interests
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