Re: Visiting the Area in June -- Can't Wait!     Mimi from UK     August 29, 2010

How was it?

Jennifer Linder from San Diego, CA     August 29, 2010

We spent the second week of our honeymoon at Mother Dear and it was absolutely fabulous. Debbie and Jimmy are so accomodating and the bungalow was spotless and the view was to die for!! Thank you for making our honeymoon unforgettable and we will be back!!!

food     Jordans from Peculiar MO.     August 28, 2010

Seafood in white wine sauce at Maxi's was the best meal of my life to date.

food     Jordans from Peculiar MO.     August 28, 2010

Arrecife restaurant in Punta Uva was unforgettable. We ate almost every meal on the menu at Arrecife and were more impressed each time. We got to know a few locals along with all of the staff. My wife and I hade lots of fun and had a very welcoming feeling from the family that runs Arrecife. We will be back as soon as possible.

Getting to PV     Kara from Long Beach, CA     August 24, 2010

There's 4 of us arriving together in San Jose, and staying in Puerto Viejo for the week. We arrive around 11 a.m. on Satruday, Sept 4 - and depart at Noon the following Saturday, Sept 11. We've booked a rental car, but aren't sure about the driving and if we'd be better off with a private shuttle or the bus...thoughts?

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica     August 23, 2010

Well the best solution for you is to book the whitewater rafting trip on Sept 9. They'll pick you up at the Holiday Inn Express around 6am, you'll enjoy a full day of fun and then at the end of the day they'll bring you to Pachamama or wherever you want to stay.

On the way home you could take the earliest bus out of Puerto Viejo. I recommend the public bus over the Interbus as the schedule is more reliable in the sense that Interbus will make it's last dropoff at the airport and so if there are lots of other passengers it could take a while. The early bus leaves Puerto Viejo at 7:30am (or Manzanillo at 7am so you could get it outside Pachamama) and is scheduled to arrive San Jose at noon. From the bus terminal it's generally a 30 minute taxi ride to the airport. But that's really not leaving a lot of room for delays if anything goes wrong.

Or, you could take a taxi to Hone Creek (5km from Puerto Viejo) and catch the bus that leaves there about 6:45. That is scheduled to arrive at San Jose about 11am.

Less stressful but more expensive is to hire a driver to pick you up at Pachamama and drive you direct to the airport. Cost is $195 for that. Or, of course, you can return the afternoon before and spend another day at the Holiday Inn and maybe see some of San Jose (there's also a HI downtown).

Hope that helps! The friendly folks at Gecko Trail Adventures will also be happy to help you with advice or to book any of this.

CAN SOMEONE PLEASE GIVE DETAIL ADVICE ON WHAT TO DO ?     richard cantave from New york, USA     August 22, 2010

ok guys, this is the situation. my girlfriend and i are taking a "weekend getaway" to costa rica from New York. our flight arrives on september 8th at 6:10pm in san jose. i already knew that we'd most likely have to spend the night there and i get an employee discount ($49) at the holiday inn express. my girlfriend is interested in the rainforest, water rafting and im from the caribbean(Haiti) so i also want to see "different" things that will impress me. i want to stay at pachamama for 2 nights can somebody please tell me the best, most economical way to get there.which bus do i take there, where do i catch it and what time would you suggest to still have time to enjoy the place? our return flight to NY is on sunday september 12th at 2:45pm, would you suggest leaving pachamama early on that day or leaving the day before ?

Hi!!     Allison from Limòn centro     August 22, 2010

I love going there ..Is cute, not just the place also its people ..
You who cook very well.
I hope they keep going just as well, BLESSINGS.!

Valerie from USA     August 22, 2010

We have been to PV many, many times -- even have some land there. Just want you to be aware that there isn't any public transportation. There are taxis... but they don't just cruise around like NYC -- you have to call and wait -- usually a long time. We always rent a car and have never had a problem - just don't leave anything in it. If you're going in two weeks the fishing, diving and snorkeling should be good -- take about a 15 minute drive south to Punta Uva and snorkel there -- gorgeous right from the beach. Speaking of beaches... you'll want to use the one at Cocles just south of PV -- nicest beach and only one with a lifeguard. La Isla Inn has a bar for cold drinks and has a very friendly staff. Have fun!

Patti Payne from Denver Co. USA     August 21, 2010

I stayed at casa tres monos in june of 2010. The garden is beautiful, the location is wonderful. You can rent bikes and ride to both Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo easily. Punta uva beach is one of the best beaches I've ever seen. Great for snorkeling, swimming or just hanging out. In walking distance to some really good restaurants (Selvyns is great!)Close to everything but secluded at the same time. I'd stay there again in a heartbeat!!

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo     August 18, 2010

Do NOT negotiate with a taxi at the airport to come directly to PV; you will not get a better deal than just booking it in advance ($190) and you may very well get ripped off.

If you stay in San Jose overnight, the shuttle companies will stop at almost any hotel, including the hotels we recommend on our San Jose hotels page.

timing options for SJO -> PV     rachel     August 18, 2010

Hello. I am trying to figure out what to do about transport. Any idea how much it would cost (and if they'd do it) if we just tried to get a taxi from SJO to take us straight to PV? I'd rather not stay in SJ if we don't have to, but our flight doesn't get in until 8PM. If we were to stay at a hotel, do I understand it right that some of the bus lines or shuttles to PV will pick up from certain hotels - if so, any idea which ones? Thanks!

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica     August 18, 2010

Podría ver el horario para el buses entre Limon y Puerto Viejo en la pagina de transportation aqui. Abajo del horario para los directos entre San Jose y Puerto Viejo es el horario por buses de Limon.

Roger and Lynn from Gatineau, Quebec, Canada     August 18, 2010

I would like to say that my wife and I stayed at Pachamama for over two weeks in February-March 2009 and it was a wonderful experience. We spent a few days in the house and the rest of our time in the bungalow with kitchen. Bill and Cathy were very helpful with everything. Every time we decided to stay in for a meal the food was prepared by Bill, well presented and excellent. Even thought there was no AC (and we were aware of that prior to booking) the ceiling fan was doing its work. There was always plenty of hot water. There was plenty to see and do on the Caribbean coast. If you are expecting an all inclusive vacation, of course you will be disappointed. It is not meant to be that way and you have to realize that you must be somewhat of a nature lover to appreciate all this fabulous place has to offer. The beaches are just gorgeous and you can visit everything or almost everything by riding a bicycle. Are we planning to go back? Absolutely!
Roger & Lynn
Canada

Share a private van     Frank from Silver Spring, Maryland     August 18, 2010

We (2 of us) are arriving Monday 8/23 around 1100 am at SJ airport and going to Puerto Viejo via private van, Anyone care to share the ride/cost?

Christopher Vega from Costa Rica     August 17, 2010

Me podria indicar cuanto se tarda en llegar a Puerto Viejo desde Limon???? donde agarro el autobus?

John     August 13, 2010

Thanks for helping us put together an amazing and memorable honeymoon. We tried to work with many agencies and they kept wanting to much $ and were limiting in where we could stay. You helped us plan right down to each ride, activity and the type of place we wanted to stay and helped us stay on our budget and make things incredible. We have recommended your agency to all our friends. Keep up the good work! Thanks again! If anyone wants information on how to plan a coast to coast honeymoon, romantic trip and need ideas feel free to contact us through a response to this comment.

diana     August 12, 2010

amazing service!!! i really didnt want to go around booking with lots of places... or spending lots of time looking for the best rates and such.... so when i found gecko and realized that their service and prices were great looking i handed them over my whole week trip - and wow!!! THANK YOU GECKO! YOU ROCK!! (i actually dont know how make money.... hmm... but youre the best!!)

William     August 12, 2010

Heeeyyy. FELICITACIONES Y MUCHOS EXITOS. Jimmy and Debie. Las cabinas y el lugar estan preciosos. UN PARAISO!!!.
Nosotros estamo planeando ir a Limon el 21 Agosto. Ahi les avisamos para pasar a saludarles.
SALUDOS,

Awesome Experienc     Barb and Scott from Middleton WI, USA     August 11, 2010

We used Gecko Trails to book our rafting trip, lodging in La Fortuna, and transportation between Puerto Viejo, La Fortuna and San Jose. Nina patiently answered my many many questions and helped us work out a plan that met all of our travel wishes and stayed within our budget. We had a wonderful time in Costa Rica and really appreciated all of the help we got from Gecko Trail Adventures.

Spanish Classes     Nanouk Brouwer     August 11, 2010

Hi Sammy, I am the owner of Claro Spanish school in Puerto Viejo. I can offer you classes and accommodation in the schoolresidence, not with a guestfamily. Prices are $160 per week for grouptuition 4 hours per day, $8 per night accommodation in a dorm and $ 15 per night in a single room. We offer 6 x per week activities (free of charge) like: junglewalk, salsa dance class,BBQ, massage workshop, Costarican cookingclass, dayexcursion in the weekend to Manzanilo National Park or Cahuita National Park.
You can mail me at: info@s-l-t.com
Best regards, Nanouk

BEST PEOPLE EVER!!!!     Shayne Hilburn from Dallas Texas     August 10, 2010

Gecko Trail booked all our trips while in costa rica and every one of them was great!! Mauricio helped me every step from picking a trip to payment. Mauricio was AWESOME and I still owe him a beer. With all the hiking, rafting, chocolate tour I never got to see him and thank him. THANK YOU Mauricio...YOU ROCK!!!

-Shayne

Vacation of a Lifetime!     Ron & Tammy Lyons from Valliant,OK USA     August 10, 2010

IF you are looking for a place to stay while in Costa Rica. Look no further! TDS was wonderful, quite, clean and totally relaxing. If you are concerned about the distance to the beach, don't be. The walk down the jungle path is short and easy. The beach is AWESOME. Some mornings no one else was there but us. We walked and/or rode bikes into town every day. The road is busy, bumpy and dusty but if you are the outdoor type, you won't mind the ride. The hosts, Brendan and Angie, are super nice and are a wealth of information and help. We stayed a week in the area. It didn't rain the entire time. The banking system is horrific, so find a way to manage your money without them.
We can't wait to go back next summer.

Traveling to P.V. in 2 weeks - recommendations     Dani from Washington DC     August 10, 2010

Hi All...Just want to say this is a great, resourceful website...thanks. My boyfriend and I are staying at a house in Puerto Viejo beginning August 22. We're undecided about a rental car - thinking we may just want to rely on public transportation. Can anyone recommend good canopy tour companies and perhaps some cool day trips (using public transportation)? We definitely want to chill during our vaca, but are also active and want to explore a lot too. Thanks!

Puerto Viejo and Mother Dear     Bob and Barbara Williams from Asheville, NC     August 10, 2010

Debbie and Jimmy, You have created an awesome environment on one of the most pristine beaches in the world. Having dinner on the cabana porch overlooking the 50 meter zone, beach and ocean was an experience we'll never forget. Mother Dear offers so much but then there's Puerto Viejo. The restaurants were great, the crowd eclectic and the birding adventures unbelievable. Thanks for hooking us up with the Grayline back to San Jose it was an easy connection to our flight back. We can't wait to return!!

Jess from Macon Ga     August 09, 2010

Just want to say... I love it there... About to make the thrid trip there.. This time my 3 year son will be with us.. Cant wait.. Just need some info on schools.. If any one knows...

Oh La La     Elka from France     August 08, 2010

Great breakfast! And the crepes our out of this world. After hiking in the morning, we had a really great breakfast, bacon and eggs, croissants, great coffee. Right in front of the beach. Nice and friendly owners.

over priced and boring and a little tourista afterwards     Carol Meeds from Playa Chiquita     August 07, 2010

Lunch for two was $20.00 EACH! My friend had the ceviche, and special salad ...small and boring!!! and one beer. I had the special salad...boring and small and two beers. With the tax and tip, $37.00. The salad was lettuce, tomato, sweet pepper and watered down orange colored French dressing. And we both had the "tourista" that night.

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