Our property is located about 200 miles south of San Jose, in Costa Rica’s southern Pacific region, at the tip of the Osa Peninsula where the Pacific Ocean meets the Golfo Dulce. It is 18 km or 11 miles south (35-40 minute drive) of Puerto Jimenez, the Osa's largest town and about one hour from famous Corcovado National Park.

The Osa Peninsula is on the Pacific Ocean side of Costa Rica, just north of Panama. The Golfo Dulce ("sweet gulf") is a huge gulf separating the Osa Peninsula from the Costa Rican mainland. For more information on the Osa and the Matapalo area, visit Matapalo & the Osa Peninsula.

Often, due to flight schedules, you’ll need to stay over in San Jose on your way down to, or back from our house. We have discovered a couple of great, well-priced places - old world style, well-run and charming - the kind we like! They both treat our guests very well. One is San Jose’s oldest hotel and within an easy walk of museums, shops and other sights and the Nature Air terminal. The other is a lovely place with a gorgeous view of the city located near the International airport and the Sansa terminal. We are happy to help set you up in either of these excellent hotels.

Since this is a tropical rainforest, it can be hot and humid at times, pleasantly temperate at others. Because we are right on the water, we often have a lovely breeze and it almost always cools off in the evening. All our beds are equipped with bed fans, so sleeping is comfortable.

Temperatures are normally in the low 80s to low 90's, 70's at night. During the dry season, from mid-December to the end of April, it rarely rains and sun worshippers love it. Temperatures then range from the high-80s to 90s, with March and April the hottest months. Later in the year, August through November, it is generally cloudier and cooler, with temperatures in the 70s.

Early May to July is the beginning of the green season, when it rains a few times a week, usually at night. August through late November is rainier, with the heaviest rains in mid-September to late October. Then the typical pattern is hard afternoon or night rains, followed by bright, sunny mornings. Around mid-June to mid-August "little summer" occurs, when rain is less likely.

The green season is one of our favorite times in Costa Rica. It's not as hot and the jungle is lush. Often we are treated to “liquid sunshine,” with the sun lighting up the intermittent raindrops for a dazzling display. Surprisingly, there are few or no mosquitoes, as they are washed away. Generally it rains 3 - 4 times a week, mostly at night. Rain ranges from mist to several inches an hour. (When it rains that hard, it's unforgettable).

Because San Jose is in a mountain valley its weather is very different from Matapalo. It can be quite cool, so bring a light jacket or sweater for that part of the trip.

It is generally safe to drink the water in San Jose and Puerto Jimenez (although we like drinking bottled). However, the water at our houses is pure nectar, straight from our artesian wells. Don't even think about getting bottled water while there. At our houses you drink and shower with the some of nature's best.

You don’t need a car, as most activities and restaurants are within walking distance and taxis are readily available for anything else. However, some people prefer to have their own vehicle and there are rental cars available in Puerto Jimenez. We can help you arrange this.

Never! Playa Pan Dulce is often deserted, or at most shared by a few. It is a glorious spot to relax; swim in warm, tropical waters; pick up shells; play in waves; watch hermit crabs; spot whales and dolphins; gaze at pelicans; gape at sunrises; stroll under palm trees; explore tide pools. We’ve even had the thrill of seeing baby turtles hatch out there and scramble into the ocean! Ours is one of a string of beaches in the immediate area that are among the most beautiful in Costa Rica.

Generally it is a wonderful swimming beach and quite safe. However, as always with the ocean, caution is recommended. If it seems too big (or too small) you can simply change beaches! The waves become progressively smaller as you approach town, larger as you approach the Pacific. Ours is about in the middle in terms of difficulty. Although sometimes it can be like a lake, other times it has surfable waves. It’s only 4-6 feet deep for 200 yards out and the clean, blue water averages 86 degrees year round. The end of the beach towards our house is somewhat rocky, so it’s advisable to swim at the other end.

This is not a snorkeling destination. There are some places to snorkel nearby, but it is not Caribbean quality. We recommend taking advantage of all this area has to offer and saving your snorkeling for another location. There is a tour of the Golfo Dulce that provides snorkeling gear and will take you to a coral reef with tropical fish (along with swimming with dolphins and a wildlife sanctuary). (See Local Tours, On Water page).

This is a very tranquil and friendly area and we have never heard of any violent crime occurring. However, we do recommend locking up your papers, money and valuable items in the house safe and lockable closets as a precaution and closing the doors to the outside, as you would at home.

This magnificent, 100,000-acre park is a beautiful hour's drive away. Our manager, William, is an excellent (and affordable) guide for this trek. For more information on Corcovado visit Matapalo and the Osa Peninsula.

Known as the “gateway to Corcovado” Puerto Jimenez is 18 kilometers from our property (about a 35-40 minute drive). It's a small, laid back, friendly town with a growing number of restaurants and bars, a bank, airstrip, post office, gas station, dock, several stores and markets, a bakery, hardware store, liquor store and an Internet café.

There are well-equipped grocery stores in Puerto Jimenez. We send you a shopping list of what to expect in advance of your trip. We recommend you stock up when you arrive in Puerto Jimenez, as there are no stores out at Matapalo, where our houses are. However, we can arrange to have items sent out and there are restaurants within walking distance. For more information, visit Getting There and Services.

Usually bugs are only noticeable downstairs in the evening, if at all and easily discouraged with insect repellent. (Any brand that works where you live works in Costa Rica. Repellent containing DEET works for just about everybody, but often natural repellents work fine). Do not bring aerosol type bug spray or other items, as they are not allowed on the planes. Often biting insects are nonexistent. We have experienced much worse in Texas and New England! However, our houses are open with half walls, so it is advisable to be prepared with insect repellent. (There are shutters to pull down in case of rain). The beds have custom fitted nets that keep out everything, including no-seeums.

Our houses run on solar power provided by eight solar panels. They have lights and fans that work perfectly, day and night, and are as convenient as regular electricity. They run on 110 volts, which is just like the U.S., so you don’t need adaptors to charge your laptop or video camera. The only thing our system can’t handle is hairdryers, but nobody cares what your hair looks like down here anyway!

There is plenty of great hiking and exploring you can do on your own. We supply you with a map of the local area which shows you how to find the four deserted beaches within walking distance and the gorgeous local waterfalls. There are also tour guides. (See our Local Tours page). We especially recommend our manager William, who knows the area intimately, has an eagle eye for wildlife and is the best bargain around.

We don't recommend exchanging money at the San Jose Airport (worst rate). You can change what you need for San Jose at your hotel there and then the rest in Puerto Jimenez, either at the bank or at the store where you buy your food. We usually do it at the store, as the bank lines are often long and you don’t save much, if anything. There are banks in San Jose and one in Puerto Jimenez that exchange dollars and traveler's checks and make VISA cash advances (but not MasterCard, and there's no ATM in Puerto Jimenez). American Express is accepted in the Central Valley and parts of the Northwest of Costa Rica, but not in other parts. Stores and tourist-oriented businesses in the Puerto Jimenez area, like restaurants and taxis, take dollars. (Do not count on taxi drivers having change). Some, but not all, also take traveler's checks (1% fee). Those who accept credit cards generally only take VISA. Many tours and others charge a 3% - 7% fee for credit card transactions. Nobody accepts personal checks, as they take up to two months to clear.

In planning your expenses, figure on spending what you would at home and you’ll be fine.

As regards tipping, it depends on how the service is and how you feel. There is a 10% service charge incorporated within restaurant bills, but of course you are welcome to add to this. Taxi drivers own their own vehicles, but if they go the extra mile you may want to tip them.

There is no sales tax in Costa Rica unless you're at a tourist type place. Restaurants include a 3% sales tax in addition to a 10% service fee.

You don't need shots for Costa Rica, although it is advisable to have your tetanus up to date in case of accident. Disease is not common in tourist areas and none of our guests have ever contracted a tropical disease. Many of our friends live here full time and take no special medications or shots.

There is no malaria here, but some visitors choose to take malaria pills. If you do this, you need to take your first dose a week before you leave. Subsequent doses can be purchased at a fraction of the U.S. price at the Clinica Biblica Pharmacy in San Jose. However, we've done it both ways and no longer bother with malaria pills.

Puerto Jimenez has a clinic with a 24-hour doctor on call. There is also a hospital in Golfito, across the gulf. For serious conditions San Jose, which has some great hospitals, is a 50-minute flight by air ambulance.

Matapalo is kid heaven and you haven't gone on a nature walk until you do it here! The children who have stayed here have said it was an unforgettable experience. Away from all the distractions of modern life, the place is wonderfully conducive to family time. (Nothing like getting away from TV, video games, computers, etc.!) Even our teens hang out with us, play cards and games and put on skits.

If you bring toddlers they need to be constantly supervised, inside and out. The yard is kept manicured, but there is wildlife everywhere and of course anytime you're by the ocean strict caution should be observed. In other words, all young children must be kept CLOSELY supervised.

In case of emergency, the best way for someone to get a fast message to you is for him or her to contact us by phone (512-263-1650) or e-mail (casabambu@gmail.com) and we'll get word to you.

As regards your communicating with home, there are Internet, telephone and faxing facilities in Puerto Jimenez. Out at Matapalo, everyone uses marine radios for local communications and there is one in the house.

To insure you get the exact dates you want, you should book the Christmas/New Year's, Easter/Spring Break and even Thanksgiving weeks many months or even a year in advance. Other times, it is advisable to make reservations at least 3 months in advance from Christmas to August. Late August through mid-December there is usually more flexibility, but if you are locked into a schedule it is always good to reserve as far in advance as possible. However, never hesitate to inquire about availability at any time! We do have cancellations, and also book other houses in the area, so can almost always accommodate you.

Life on the Osa is simple and casual. Beach clothes and swimsuits are the usual attire.

Other good things to bring:

• Quick drying clothes
• T-shirts, tank tops, shorts
• A Long-sleeved shirt and lightweight pants for San Jose
• Flashlights (with spare bulbs and batteries) are a must. Large beam recommended
• Binoculars if desired
• Day pack and water bottle for hiking
• Beach towel or mat if desired (beach chairs provided)
• Footwear:
  • Comfortable walking shoes and/or sport sandals;
  • Hiking boots for long hikes (although we wear sneakers);
  • "Aqua sox" (mesh and rubber water shoes) for ocean and creeks;
  • Flip flops;
  Sunscreen (at least 20 spf - 50+ is better)
• Sun hat
• Sunglasses
• Insect repellent (with DEET, although natural often works)
• Antibiotic ointment
• Swimmer's Ear prevention drops
• An umbrella or light rain jacket in the green season
• Camera (plus batteries)
• Books, cards and games
• Spanish dictionary
• Spanish/English dictionary
• Cards and games