Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...

Daytona Beach...
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Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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A few months ago we started planning our adventure trip (with your help!) Shortly after we had the general idea finalized (including Rio Celeste, canyoneering in Arenal, Pacuare rafting, etc) and several of the parts put into place, I turned up pregnant. Definitely a great thing, but not so compatible with my adventure trip since I'll be closing in on the end of my 2nd trimester by the time we go.

Trip cancellation would mean a huge loss of $--- nonrefundable flights, a few hundred dollars in nonrefundable deposits, etc. Overall more than $1500 down the drain right off the bat. Doc says it is still OK to go (and even cleared me for "light activity" such as class II/III rafting, light hiking, etc as long as all stays well) but obviously this was not the point of the trip, and some tour operators are turning me away, leaving gaps in my itinerary and not much else that I am excited about doing.

Now I have a long, expensive vacation that I am not even excited about. I know it pales in comparison to the obviously good things happening, but it is still bumming me out to think about spending this much money for a trip I am frustrated with. (If I was booking a vacation now, it'd be a cruise or perhaps Europe, nothing strenuous.) Please help!

Atlanta
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1. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Well this way you get a baby moon. I had my kids young and we were WAY to poor for a baby moon.

You can still enjoy Costa Rica pregnant. I understand how you feel. We had a house boat trip planned with a big group of friends when I found out I was pregnant. It did make the trip a different kind of trip.

Change the trip into a relaxation trip instead of adventure trip. It will be a LOOOOOOOOOOONG time before you will get another relaxing vaction once the kids start coming. I would plan a bunch of massages, maybe on the beach. There are some nice tours that are more mellow. What have you booked that you can't change? Maybe we can help you come up with some ideas.

Grecia, Costa Rica
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2. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Congrats to the poster, and a great way to look at things from Mrolfes. You can still visit Costa Rica and have an amazing trip, just not the one you thought you were going to have. Focus on relaxation, nature, and the magic of the world around you, I think you will be surprised how much fun your time here will be.

Cheers

Inca

Daytona Beach...
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3. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Nothing except hotels (so far) has proved unchangeable... it's just a lot of replanning and possible expense. Can change hotels but deposits are steep at some so trying to stick with as much as I can.

We are ending our trip at a luxury hotel so we did extend our stay there a little (going with relaxation theme like you suggested) Hadn't figured in much beach time as we specifically chose CR (instead of Caribbean) b/c we live about a block and a half from the beach and wanted something we couldn't do at home. Looking at it as an opportunity for a babymoon is definitely a good way to make lemons from lemonade! (A skill I am still working on, obviously.)

So far I have been told (or have figured out) that I can't do (even if Dr cleared, which he would for some)

-Canyoneering (understandable but VERY disappointing)

-Any rafting (8 y/o can go but not fit pregnant women with Dr's notes?)

-Kayaking (don't understand this, kayaking is not generally hard!)

-Stand up paddling (fair enough)

-Any canopy tour (probably reasonable but sad)

-SCUBA (OK, reasonable)

-Surfing (No problem, don't even know how)

-Any real hiking (I am just going to take myself to Rio Celeste I think)

-Hot springs (should be able to do warm just not really hot... risk lessens later in preg anyway)

-Horseback riding (no problem, see surfing)

-Bike riding (at all???)

This pretty much leaves our itinerary with nothing on it but hotels.

I have been given the options instead of birdwatching and essentially flat or very close to it hiking, also SkyTram in Arenal.

Any ideas of at least somewhat exciting tours (esp in Arenal or Playa del Coco areas?) that would be OK? I am not even sure now how I am going to get from San Jose to Arenal as we were taking the one-way rafting tour. Another "one way" tour would be excellent...

And yes to massages! :)

Edited: 10 years ago
Costa Rica
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4. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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You can:

Walk the rainforest trails, including ones that have canopy bridges.

Hike to the Rio Celeste

Take a boat trip on Lake Arenal

Have a project to take photos of all the bromeliads you see or all the orchids you see or all the frogs you see

I don't understand what kayaking has to do with it - but what about canoeing?

Take a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park or Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge. Go fishing at Cano Negro.

It's kind of like growing older -- there are many things you can no longer do but there are definitely compensations. Of course, your "compensation" is a beautiful new baby!

Now for some harsh words: Stop whining about what you can't do and start planning what you can do. Your focus will be in a different direction but that's OK. Plan on doing some things that will immerse you in the culture of Costa Rica and Costa Ricans.

It's a beautiful country and there are many many things to enjoy here without the adrenalin rush.

Felicidades on the upcoming event - you will still have a wonderful vacation.

nebraska
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I'm sorry but it sounds to me like you've got your priorities aschewed. You are really coming off as being very selfish. The care of your child begins as soon as you know you are pregnant and in my opinion that should be paramount to "having" to take a relaxed vacation!

I get that you are a very active couple. But this is just the beginning of having to alter your lifestyle a liftle for a child. I hope for your sake the baby isn't as colicky as you seem to be

Punta Uva, Costa...
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6. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Cograts! Be thankful that you can go to CR, is a beautiful country with much to offer for you. Enjoyed it, lots for you to see and do even though you are pregnant!

Daytona Beach...
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7. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Thanks to all who have had constructive ideas to offer--- that's why I posted here. Of course I am disappointed about the change from an adrenaline-filled trip to a more sedate one--- and of course that disappointment is miniscule when compared with my delight at having a new baby to welcome. Still, I booked a costly trip that used up a lot of my and hubby's vacation time and now I am trying to find fun things to do with it even when some of the activities I (and my Dr) think are appropriate are not allowed by tour operators. This is a large point of my frustration.

I wrote this post to ask about ways make the best of what is clearly going to be a far different trip than I had in mind when I took the vacation time and paid for air tix and deposits. I have received some great ideas and hope to be able to use them--- I see lots of massages, canopy bridges, Rio Celeste and other light hikes in my future. Thanks again to all who had helpful ideas.

Atlanta
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8. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Bit harsh joyceh.

The_Dylaness- go ahead and whine. I know how you feel, and I know you will get over it. You have a lot of changes coming at you quickly. The first trimester is an emotional rollercoaster. Now if you have a boy and he is 15, like mine, then you really have something to whine about. Lucky for me I can have some cheese with my wine.

Embrace your inner sloth, become the sloth. Bring a book and actually read the whole thing. Maybe the last time you get to read an adult book and actually get to finish it for awhile :) Bring some blow up rafts and just float. That should be an acceptable activity for you. The hot springs are a tough one. I remember sitting around many jacuzzis with just my feet in the water with an ice water while everyone else had beers and all the way in the jacuzzi. I would suggest not planning anything else and wait till you get there. There will be plenty of options.

Grecia, Costa Rica
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9. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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Way harsh Joyceh... think you missed the point.

Plenty for you to do Dylaness, have a blast, take lots of photos, live life to its fullest as much as possible.

Cheers

Bethesda MD
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10. Re: Was excited about trip but now regretting my plans...
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I assume the issue with kayaks is to avoid strenuous paddling and the jostling associated with whitewater. Assuming a physician oks it, you could consider riding as basically a passenger in a 2-person kayak on flat water (like Lake Arenal), estuaries, or slower rivers. Tortuga? Costco sells inflatable Sea Eagle kayaks cheap, BTW.

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