Costa Rica

[midtown 3,345]

Its sold out and its prepaid on Hoets.com for $113 a night.  And its listed at $185 a night in the green season so Im feeling pretty good about it .  Its only an 8 room property.   and based on my confirm email from the hotel its owned by Tulemar Resort.

[midtown 3,345]

Its almost sold out and its prepaid on Hoets.com for $113 a night.  And its listed at $185 a night in the green season so Im feeling pretty good about it .  Its only an 8 room property.   and based on my confirm email from the hotel its owned by Tulemar Resort.

[justhookit 4,191]

If it’s a Tulemar property it’ll be great. And they are really helpful setting up any excursions you decide you might want to try. Everyone goes zip lining and it’s touristy, but the white water rafting and the waterfall rappelling are really fun if you decide to do anything and have the time.

[Dbeasy 15,041]

If it’s a Tulemar property it’ll be great. And they are really helpful setting up any excursions you decide you might want to try. Everyone goes zip lining and it’s touristy, but the white water rafting and the waterfall rappelling are really fun if you decide to do anything and have the time.

My kids did that and loved it

[Dbeasy 15,041]

If it’s a Tulemar property it’ll be great. And they are really helpful setting up any excursions you decide you might want to try. Everyone goes zip lining and it’s touristy, but the white water rafting and the waterfall rappelling are really fun if you decide to do anything and have the time.

My kids did that and loved it

[Chewbacca 7,766]

51 minutes ago, justhookit said:

If it’s a Tulemar property it’ll be great. And they are really helpful setting up any excursions you decide you might want to try. Everyone goes zip lining and it’s touristy, but the white water rafting and the waterfall rappelling are really fun if you decide to do anything and have the time.

I do remember that they have a couple of off site properties.  Very possible that this is one.

 

The highlight of our trips was a day long waterfall tour with Paddle 9.  Great day, lunch was amazing at this tilapia farm, and fun guys to be with all day.  Might be a bit tame for just mdmost (with the exception of the final waterfall with the natural slide), but I loved it.

 

And definitely do the Tulemar sloth tour.  Only takes an hour or two and there are sloths all over the property.  They research and track them, so they know where they are.  Lots of other wildlife (monkeys, toucans, parrots) on that property as well.

Edited September 19, 2018 by Chewbacca

[midtown 3,345]

39 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

I do remember that they have a couple of off site properties.  Very possible that this is one.

Its on their site listed as "nearby vacation rentals".   Looks like lots of fun options even if it rains.  

Edited September 19, 2018 by midtown

[HornPhD 1,368]

6 hours ago, midtown said:

Its on their site listed as "nearby vacation rentals".   Looks like lots of fun options even if it rains.  

You'll be close to Manuel Antonio National Park, which has some nice beaches. No waves and not too crowded when we were there. I think one beach is more secluded than the other. 

[midtown 3,345]

I'll get into MA around 11am on Friday the 12th.  Got the 8am interbus and Ill have to catch a bus sometime on Monday since my flight back is at 6am.

I have half a day on Friday.  All day Sunday and most of the day on Monday.  Saturday I have an all day offshore charter.  What should I do the rest of the days?

Definitely want to hit the park and get a nice hike in.  Should I kayak?  Whitewater raft?  ATV tour? Should I go chasing waterfalls?

Edited September 21, 2018 by midtown

[justhookit 4,191]

I’ll go against what most people would say and tell you not to do the National Park, especially on a short trip. You’ll have more fun doing any oh the other tours, or even exploring by yourself. If the weather is good you could even head down to Dominical which is 30 minutes south. Good beaches, very few tourists, and a cool little brewery.

[midtown 3,345]

Quick follow up.  Final plans.  I've got an all day off shore Saturday and rafting Sunday.    The rest of my time aka half day Friday and Monday morning are open.  Monday morning I am hoping its not raining so I can just chill out on the beach in front of my hotel before eventually heading back to SJO.    I assume Ill be sitting on my balcony reading and having a drink and listening to the rain but Ill get stir crazy so I need a few restaurants and bars recommendations in MA.   Friday afternoon could be a good day to do a little MA bar hop with my rain jacket on.  Also how much cash should I take?  I owe the boat $400 and $100 tip.  Assuming I can ATM in the airport to pay the taxi to my hotel in San Jose.  

[Chewbacca 7,766]

My three favorite restaurants down there are probably within 1/4 mile of each other (maybe a little farther) and none of them are fine dining.  For breakfast, Cafe Milagro is great.  Really good coffee and food.  For lunch/dinner, we love Sancho's (Mexican place run by expats) and the Falafel Bar (run by Israelis).  They are all right there by Tulemar and are our favorite places to eat.  Never have been that impressed with the more expensive places down there.

 

As for the cash, I always bring more than I need because I don't want to be trying to find an ATM in a foreign country.  The boat might take plastic (mine did).

Edited October 9, 2018 by Chewbacca

[midtown 3,345]

I fine dine in NYC.  I dont need to do it in CR unless its something truely unique.  Those places all look good.   Thanks. 

Last question.   

I have a 630am flight Tuesday so I have a 3 star hotel by the airport and just planned to find some type of transpo back to San Jose Monday afternoon, grab dinner and crash earl and spend most that day in the MA area.  Two bus companies have told me that last shuttle is around noon.  My thinking now is to take the noon shuttle get to San Jose and get a place downtown and maybe do a walking tour or something.   Any thoughts on that?

[Chewbacca 7,766]

How much is the shuttle?  We've always just done a private van but we have always had 5-10 people.  Gives you a lot more flexibility in the schedule.  I've never spent more than a few hours in SJ.

[midtown 3,345]

5 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

How much is the shuttle?  We've always just done a private van but we have always had 5-10 people.  Gives you a lot more flexibility in the schedule.  I've never spent more than a few hours in SJ.

Shuttle is $50.  Private van is $180 for up to five.  Hardest part about traveling solo.

[Chewbacca 7,766]

You could always fly the puddle jumper to San Jose.  Quepos has an airport.  No idea how much it costs, though.

[Reagan1k 3,024]

We've done a van - again....with a group.

I've seen the video a buddy took of his takeoff and landing on the San Jose - Quepos and back flights and I decided to take a pass.

The drive isn't bad...YMMV with a shuttle. I love seeing changing scenery and the countryside in other countries, so I'm with the drive.

I'd bet dollars to donuts that the shuttle stops at the Tarcoles River as well.  That's the croc bridge so many people love.

I'd check on some more shuttles.  There has to be more shuttles going after 12pm.  I think our vans come from supershuttlescr.com or something like that.

I'd rather spend more time in Quepos/M.A, and less in San Jose for sure, but that's just me.

[midtown 3,345]

Thanks.  Ill stick with the original plan and find some type of bus, shuttle, or burro.  Maybe Ill be able to pair up with a few people and share a van once I'm there.  

[justhookit 4,191]

Yeah, like I messaged you there’s only one reason to spend any more time than you have to in SJO.

i love Sancho’s. There is a great Italian place you could go to Saturday night after fishing in Quepos called L’angolo. It’s tiny and a dive but it’s great. Or if you catch fish go to Runaways at the marina and have them cook it. There’s an ATM at the marina that is safe to use and dispenses US dollars or colones. Take plenty of 1s and 5s. Everyone there will take dollars but you’ll get screwed on the change back. I pay with my bank card everywhere I can.

i’d also do some bar hopping on Saturday night in Quepos. Hit up Wacky Wanda’s which will have the most Americans. Place only holds bout 25 people but they will almost all be expats or fishing people. They can point you in the right direction for other bars.

[justhookit 4,191]

Oh, and the Quepos airport is closed for renovation/repair. No timetable on when it will be usable again.

[midtown 3,345]

Thanks and props to hookit.  

[Dbeasy 15,041]

Really appreciate the info I got on this thread a year ago. It resulted in one of the best vacations my family has ever had, if not the best. We hit the Arenal area and the Quepos/Manual Antonio area, staying at Tulemar (amazing).

On my bucket list is to land either a sailfish or marlin. I’m not a huge deep sea fisherman, but in about 10 trips in Hawaii for marlin, and a few other places, I’m o’fer. I want to head down to Costa Rica with the wife and a friend and try to catch sailfish or marlin. What month would you guys go, and where would be the best place?

[justhookit 4,191]

Right where you were in Quepos. Or if you want to stay in a new place Los Suenos/Jaco. Doesn’t matter fishing wise because the boats from both marinas fish the same spots.

January thru April is prime sailfish season with February and March usually a red hot bite. Fishing grounds are fairly close to shore. And usually about an hour boat ride from the marina. The good years you might release 10-40 sails per day when the bite is on. Slow years it’s more like  2-20 per day. Last few years there have been more marlin mixed in during January but who knows if that trend continues.

CR now has the best marlin fishing in the world as far as numbers go. June thru August it’s not uncommon to catch 10 blue marlin per day and sometimes more. But that fishing is a long way out usually well over 100 miles offshore so to fish out there boats do overnight trips and fish multiple days. It’s expensive ranging around $3000 a day. If you want info on that I’ve got it.

[Dbeasy 15,041]

While I’d love to do the overnight trip, I don’t think I can get my wife to do that, and the cost is a bit prohibitive. I might be more interested in Jaco just because I haven’t seen that part.

When I did basic fishing (not sailfish, it was June)in Quepos it wasn’t that great. We caught a few but it was relatively uneventful. If I go out of Jaco I want to make sure to get a good captain and boat.

[midtown 3,345]

What do you think I'll be catching Saturday hookit? I know Dorado are around. Was really hoping to get a sailfish.

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[justhookit 4,191]

There are always a few sails around. You’ll get some shots at them I’d guess. There have been some marlin caught lately too. I’ll try to get a current report. Our boat is out of the water so we haven’t fished, but I know some of my captains friends have been going on good weather days

[justhookit 4,191]

14 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

While I’d love to do the overnight trip, I don’t think I can get my wife to do that, and the cost is a bit prohibitive. I might be more interested in Jaco just because I haven’t seen that part.

When I did basic fishing (not sailfish, it was June)in Quepos it wasn’t that great. We caught a few but it was relatively uneventful. If I go out of Jaco I want to make sure to get a good captain and boat.

While only about 45 miles up the road towards San Jose from Quepos/MA, Jaco has a completely different vibe. It’s nothing like Arenal either. It’s more of a party and surfing town. Best way for me to describe it is that it’s crowded like Quepos, but more modern with lots of restaurants, bars, shops, a decent casino, and condos. Los Suenos is 5 minutes away and it is an enormous gated, private resort with a Marriott hotel and lots of nice houses and condos. The marina is there. It doesn’t really feel like CR to me, but I prefer staying there instead of Jaco.

The best charter captains in CR are based out of the Los Suenos marina and they get completely booked during the prime season. The best guy there IMO is Mike with http://www.epicfishingcostarica.com/. Followed closely by world famous Bubba Carter http://captbubbacarter.com/. 

If y’all decide to go back to MA, there are very good options there too. http://www.frenzysportfishing.com/ is the best true charter, but if you get lucky I can sometimes get people on to private boats.

[midtown 3,345]

Really enjoyed that fishing report off the frenzy website from March 2012

[justhookit 4,191]

Lol yeah they are much better at fishing than updating with actual reports.

Their captain Jose and first mate Marco have been together over 10 years. Guy Harvey charters that boat when he is in town to fish and film if that tells you anything.

[Shaddie 1,651]

23 hours ago, Dbeasy said:

Really appreciate the info I got on this thread a year ago. It resulted in one of the best vacations my family has ever had, if not the best. We hit the Arenal area and the Quepos/Manual Antonio area, staying at Tulemar (amazing).

On my bucket list is to land either a sailfish or marlin. I’m not a huge deep sea fisherman, but in about 10 trips in Hawaii for marlin, and a few other places, I’m o’fer. I want to head down to Costa Rica with the wife and a friend and try to catch sailfish or marlin. What month would you guys go, and where would be the best place?

Sailfish are nice but to me roosters are more fun. Off of quepos you should live bait around the rocks. Also can be scary when tide is up and boat gets close to rocks. 

All of the fishing around there are easy to get to due depth change close to shore. 

Have fun and get us some pics so I can get off my ass and book another trip.

[Chewbacca 7,766]

Sailfish are nice but to me roosters are more fun. Off of quepos you should live bait around the rocks. Also can be scary when tide is up and boat gets close to rocks. 
All of the fishing around there are easy to get to due depth change close to shore. 
Have fun and get us some pics so I can get off my ass and book another trip.

Yeah, next time we go i think we will do an onshore trip. Sailfish was a bit of a disappointment to me. They don't fight all that hard, but they are pretty.

[Shaddie 1,651]

My favorite place to stay is La Posada. Right at the gate of the park and great people who take care of you. Have a 2 bedroom apt. Upstairs with open balcony. Monkeys will come play right beside it. Have to book early cause they fill up fast but worth it. 

Also nothing better than going to sports bar down the road when CR national team is playing. 

 

[Shaddie 1,651]

30 minutes ago, Chewbacca said:

42 minutes ago, Shaddie said:

Sailfish are nice but to me roosters are more fun. Off of quepos you should live bait around the rocks. Also can be scary when tide is up and boat gets close to rocks. 
All of the fishing around there are easy to get to due depth change close to shore. 
Have fun and get us some pics so I can get off my ass and book another trip.

Yeah, next time we go i think we will do an onshore trip. Sailfish was a bit of a disappointment to me. They don't fight all that hard, but they are pretty.

Roosters aren't a spectacular fight but very rugged. You will also catch other fish so it is not waiting for a bite while trolling. Also last time I went boat didn't have bait so we caught that before fishing. Also lots of people have never heard of a rooster and are amazed when they see pics.

[justhookit 4,191]

On 10/10/2018 at 12:02 PM, midtown said:

Really enjoyed that fishing report off the frenzy website from March 2012

Wish I had better news for you but unfortunately other than dorado they aren’t catching much. Green water has pushed in and the billfish have mostly moved out. It can change quickly though so hope it goes well

[midtown 3,345]

Wish I had better news for you but unfortunately other than dorado they aren’t catching much. Green water has pushed in and the billfish have mostly moved out. It can change quickly though so hope it goes well

Well fuck. Guess I'll just go back to the office.

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[midtown 3,345]

Fishing wasn't great. 3 Dorado. Biggest was 30is. Fun time and weather cleared up. Marlin hit the teaser but that was it.

Can't wait to come back in Jan or Feb.

Quepos is more my style. White water rafting tomorrow.

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[justhookit 4,191]

Sorry but I was pretty sure that was going to happen. You just got unlucky on the timing. 2 weeks ago you would have been fine and so would probably a few weeks from now. They cook your dorado at runaways?

[justhookit 4,191]

And yes I love Quepos. I hardly leave the area between the marina and Wacky Wanda’s except for fish tacos at Sanchos, lunch or dinner at agua Azul, and playa biesanz, 

[Chewbacca 7,766]

And yes I love Quepos. I hardly leave the area between the marina and Wacky Wanda’s except for fish tacos at Sanchos, lunch or dinner at agua Azul, and playa biesanz, 

No Falafel Bar?

[justhookit 4,191]

Not a fan but that’s not my type of food. I know a lot of people like it though. They opened a location in the marina but it didn’t make it and my guess is it was mostly due to the fact that the marina still doesn’t get much of the tourist foot traffic unless people are there for an activity. That probably won’t change until they get the marina hotel built. They need that in a bad way. The lodging options in Quepos proper suck.

Edited October 14, 2018 by justhookit

[Chewbacca 7,766]

Not a fan but that’s not my type of food. I know a lot of people like it though. They opened a location in the marina but it didn’t make it and my guess is it was mostly due to the fact that the marina still doesn’t get much of the tourist foot traffic unless people are there for an activity. That probably won’t change until they get the marina hotel built. They need that in a bad way. The lodging options in Quepos proper suck.

Yeah, a hotel down by the marina would be great for all those businesses down there.

[midtown 3,345]

Sorry but I was pretty sure that was going to happen. You just got unlucky on the timing. 2 weeks ago you would have been fine and so would probably a few weeks from now. They cook your dorado at runaways?

That's how it goes. Was still a great day. Rained hard in the steam out. 15-20. But clear the rest of the dayyl.

 

I did have runaways do some of my catch. Ceviche and grilled. Not impressed. Brought the rest to my hotel... So much better today. I still have more to eat tomorrow.

 

There are some really attractive ticos on the beach today.

 

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[midtown 3,345]

I meant MA is more my style. Has dinner at balu Friday The marina is sterile af.

 

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[justhookit 4,191]

How was the rafting?

i love the marina but it’s definitely better when there are a lot of people in town fishing. 

[midtown 3,345]

How was the rafting?
i love the marina but it’s definitely better when there are a lot of people in town fishing. 

Rafting was a blast up to level 4

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[midtown 3,345]

Wow. I was on this river last Monday

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[justhookit 4,191]

Yeah I heard about that and thought of you wondering if it was the same river. Don’t know if they had big rains after you left or it was delayed runoff from the rains before you were there.

[justhookit 4,191]

Looks like I’m fishing 6 tournaments down there this year. Short tournaments are in Quepos and the longer ones in Los Suenos.

Jan 10-12 and 14-19

Feb 15,16 and 25- Mar2

Mar 25-30

Apr 26-27

Can’t make any promises but if anyone is down there around those dates, especially the day or two before the tournaments, I can probably get you out fishing. Just let me know here or private message.

 

 

 

[Born to Run 6,569]

Any fishing tips for Thanksgiving week? I’ll likely be staying in Dominical again and surfing with the family quite a bit, but would like to get in on something, be it Inshore or off. Even Light tackle fly fishing would be cool. I used to fish quite a bit offshore out of Poc and would mate in exchange for a ride-so I’m useful on a boat.
Any inshore down that way?
Any way to pool with other anglers? 2-3k + for a FAD trip isn’t the best use of my limited travel funds.

[midtown 3,345]

On 10/24/2018 at 2:03 PM, justhookit said:

Yeah I heard about that and thought of you wondering if it was the same river. Don’t know if they had big rains after you left or it was delayed runoff from the rains before you were there.

Yup.  I was supposed to go on Sunday but the guides called the hotel and said it was too dangerous due to the rain in the area the night before and boy did it rain (apparently I used a different outfitter).  We went on Monday instead.   My guess is that group of tourists had a short time table and maybe pressed the outfitter to go rafting.   The fact that a guide in a kayak died is the biggest clue of how dangerous that water was.   Our raft "captain' said he was trying out for the world championships.  Those guys are serious.

 

17 hours ago, Born to Run said:

Any fishing tips for Thanksgiving week?

 

PM Hookit.  He steered me right.