Hello fellow Tweeters,



I want to thank all 12 responders to my query. I have compiled your feedback
and want to share it with everyone. Many lodges were mentioned multiple
times. I would have synthesized the info further, but I'm on a plane and I'm
not allowed to use my wireless mouse, so I'm "winging it" with the keyboard.
In addition to all the lodging nuggets, I made three observations that might
be useful: (1) January is an excellent time to visit, both bird- and
weather-wise; (2) many lodges are not easy to get to-don't assume you can
fly from Seattle to San Jose and get to your lodge the same day; (3)
although a few of the lodges have rooms in January, many are fully booked
through January and beyond.



Here are the Tweeter recommendations (in alphabetical order, almost), along
with some of your comments:



Arenal Observatory Lodge ( <http://www.arenal.net/observatory-lodge>
http://www.arenal.net/observatory-lodge).



Bosque del Cabo and Bosque del Rio Tigre. Both on the Osa Peninsula.



Cloud Forest Lodge ( <http://monteverdecloudforestlodge.com>
http://monteverdecloudforestlodge.com). Maybe my least favorite, although
great too.



El Toucanet in Copey. The food was excellent. The owners of the lodge are
from California. Free bird walks every morning.



La Selva. Great, but it is an educational dorm, so don't expect a hotel.
There is an enormous variety of birds at La Selva. Very popular so book well
in advance. The trails are pretty much handicap accessible. It's also called
OTS (Organization for Tropical Studies). We didn't stay there, but stayed
relatively nearby in a cute little hotel called La Quinta (great food, bats
roost on your screens during the day).



Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero. Located between the canal and the Caribbean,
it's in a beautiful location, great swimming pools, walking distance to the
beach and the (very small) town. The Montezuma Oropendulas have nests in the
palm trees on the grounds and howler monkeys are nearby. Toucans flying
overhead, boat tours with amazing local guides to visit monkeys, sloths,
herons, wonderful food in an open-air dining room right on the water. The
challenge to Tortuguero is getting there. It's accessible only by small boat
or small plane. I would definitely try to get a puddle-jumper flight out of
San Jose to the small Tortuguero airport. Tortuguero is EXACTLY what you
think of when you think "Costa Rica".



Lapa Rios. Seems awesome but pricey.

La Paloma Lodge on Drake's Bay. On the north part of the Osa Peninsula.
Amazing spot and good birding. They lead trips into Corcovado National Park.




Rancho Naturalista Lodge ( <http://www.ranchonaturalista.net>
http://www.ranchonaturalista.net). Great grounds, good on-site guides, and a
lovely deck overlooking the feeders where you can enjoy delicious coffee
along with the birds. There are Snowcaps there.



Savegre Lodge ( <http://www.savegre.com> http://www.savegre.com).



Si Como No. Outside the Manuel Antonio Wildlife Refuge. It's right off the
pacific coast, has beautiful rooms and views and quick access to the
wildlife refuge.



Also, this Road Scholar trip (for those of us of a certain age):
<http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/dailySchedule.aspx?dID=1-76W3TJ>
http://www.roadscholar.org/n/program/dailySchedule.aspx?dID=1-76W3TJ



Janine Anderson, CPH

Anderson LeLievre Landscape Design

206 618 6054

www.anderson-design.net