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Our trip - July 17, 2011
We had a great time on the Costa Rica Jungle & Rainforests trip. A few thoughts to those who are going:
1. I was very glad that I brought: Keens (Waterfront type - need toe protection and something that can get wet), rain poncho (not a raincoat - you can stay cooler with a poncho and you can keep your backpack dry underneath), American cash (every place we went accepted $, but not all accepted credit cards), Bonine (for motion sickness on bus rides and small plane trip - even though neither were THAT bad), benedryl cream for bug bites, pepto-bismol or other stomach meds (food was great, not spicy but just different, so we had minor issues. Water drinkable pretty much everywhere), soap/shampoo (didn't like the hotels' offerings), more than one bathing suit (and for the ladies, one that can be worn under shorts).
Also wished for more quick dry clothes - not just for raft trip but for other days when we got damp from the rain. The two days in Tortuguera were wet, and nothing dries out there! We had lots of rain, but it was mostly at night, and didn't get in the way of our activities too much. Didn't think we'd need warmer clothes, but San Jose was cool, so was wishing for jeans and long sleeves/jacket that night.
2. Activities at Hacienda Guachipelin were somewhat different than what we understood them to be. The "tubing" during rainy season can be VERY sporty - rushing rapids along a rocky river. Most people thought it was rather dangerous - just be aware of what you are getting into if you do it. For the folks that did the volcanic mud bath (it's not a bath - they paint you with mud), it was a longer walk there that some of the older folks had trouble with, and a swinging bridge that scared a few folks. We did the horseback ride to the waterfall. It was nice, but with all the water, the water around the falls had too much current and it scared my 11 yr old. Again, depends on time of year and how much rain, but just know this is possible.
3. Trip was a good mix of activities and down time - good pools in all hotels for kid fun in the afternoons and evenings. We saw lots of wildlife - from that perspective, the trip was all it was cracked up to be. Enjoyed seeing the industry of Costa Rica - pineapple plantation, coffee plantation, and a view of a banana processing plant. Trip would have been better, especially for my daughter, with more interactive activities to help with kid bonding early on. Our guide was good and very nice, but not much of a "camp director" type. I also would have appreciated some entertainment of some kind, as we weren't exposed to Costa Rican music or culture that much. Not much to do after dinner except pool.
4. It's early to bed, early to rise there! Even though I know better, I was surprised when it got dark around 6:30 in July!
Would be happy to answer more questions!
1. I was very glad that I brought: Keens (Waterfront type - need toe protection and something that can get wet), rain poncho (not a raincoat - you can stay cooler with a poncho and you can keep your backpack dry underneath), American cash (every place we went accepted $, but not all accepted credit cards), Bonine (for motion sickness on bus rides and small plane trip - even though neither were THAT bad), benedryl cream for bug bites, pepto-bismol or other stomach meds (food was great, not spicy but just different, so we had minor issues. Water drinkable pretty much everywhere), soap/shampoo (didn't like the hotels' offerings), more than one bathing suit (and for the ladies, one that can be worn under shorts).
Also wished for more quick dry clothes - not just for raft trip but for other days when we got damp from the rain. The two days in Tortuguera were wet, and nothing dries out there! We had lots of rain, but it was mostly at night, and didn't get in the way of our activities too much. Didn't think we'd need warmer clothes, but San Jose was cool, so was wishing for jeans and long sleeves/jacket that night.
2. Activities at Hacienda Guachipelin were somewhat different than what we understood them to be. The "tubing" during rainy season can be VERY sporty - rushing rapids along a rocky river. Most people thought it was rather dangerous - just be aware of what you are getting into if you do it. For the folks that did the volcanic mud bath (it's not a bath - they paint you with mud), it was a longer walk there that some of the older folks had trouble with, and a swinging bridge that scared a few folks. We did the horseback ride to the waterfall. It was nice, but with all the water, the water around the falls had too much current and it scared my 11 yr old. Again, depends on time of year and how much rain, but just know this is possible.
3. Trip was a good mix of activities and down time - good pools in all hotels for kid fun in the afternoons and evenings. We saw lots of wildlife - from that perspective, the trip was all it was cracked up to be. Enjoyed seeing the industry of Costa Rica - pineapple plantation, coffee plantation, and a view of a banana processing plant. Trip would have been better, especially for my daughter, with more interactive activities to help with kid bonding early on. Our guide was good and very nice, but not much of a "camp director" type. I also would have appreciated some entertainment of some kind, as we weren't exposed to Costa Rican music or culture that much. Not much to do after dinner except pool.
4. It's early to bed, early to rise there! Even though I know better, I was surprised when it got dark around 6:30 in July!
Would be happy to answer more questions!
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Comments
They place a little infrared (I think?) light under the turtle so you can really see the eggs coming out, and if you stay long enough, you'll see her start to cover her nest up. We left then (this process can last hours). They have 8pm tours and 10pm tours (through the park service, not through Tauck), and as I understand it, Tauck gets tickets to one or the other. You may wait awhile before they spot a turtle (and there's no guarantee they will), but if you do the 8pm tour, they won't wait long enough to bump into the 10pm folks.
Probably a longer answer than you wanted, but just thought I'd explain it a little more. I'll hope you will have a lovely night, as we did, and that you will get to witness the egg laying as well. Tortuguera is quite an experience - loved it!
This is a very casual trip, so almost anything other than your bathing suit is acceptable!
Ziplining is done on Tuesday afternoon of the trip that starts on Sunday evening. Sky trek is the name of the company - you can google for more information.
Yes, July is a good time for turtles, August may be even better from what I read. We saw them on our trip on Thursday night. Not always guaranteed, but they only even attempt to do it on the July/Aug trips.
Some people brought the flashlights - you can use them for a little while when walking to the beach to see the turtles, but have to turn them off when you are on the beach itself.
I wouldn't see a need for the refillable water bottles - Tauck supplies bottled water all the time.
DO bring your green bag to pack for Tortuguera!
Be sure to report back!