COSTA RICA + Plus

[omegaet]

If you are planning to go to Costa Rica andvisit any of the LuxuryLinkauction properties(we stayed at Hotel Punta Islita www.hotelpuntaislita.com and loved it), consider adding a few extra days andmake the drive from San Joseto Monteverde.... this can be along and bumpy drive.especially the last few miles up the mountain after you leave the hard surface of the Pan American Highway. Monteverde is at least a step and possibly a leapback in time.almost like a hippie commune from the 60s. Monteverde is some what isolated andlocated in a cloud forestnot a rain forest.that translates to being damp a good portion of the day, but usually not dripping wet. This microclimate contributes to this unique environment....and makes for interesting trekkingand spottingwildlife in the naturepreserves. Most accommodations are simple (no 5 stars resorts) and the restaurants are adequate but not luxurious.LL does offer a packagethroughCosta Rica Expeditions whichincludes 3 nights at the Monteverde Lodge... a very nice place, but not in the same league as Punta Islita http://www.luxurylink.com/auctions/auc_detail.php?id=160847&;nav=



One option, not to be missed, is Sky Trek/Sky Walk which offers a great canopy tour by walking their system of trails and suspension bridges and riding their zip lines. Their zip lineconfigurationis generally consideredthe best system in the entire country (take alongyour digital camera or camcorder....'cause your friends back home will never believe you did this').they have the longest cable slides and the fastest speeds (you can by-pass certain cables, if your enthusiasm dwindles). Safety is #1 with this operation and its nice to know when you are sliding along a cable at very high speeds more than 400 feet above the ground (staff members accompany each small group and are there to assist at any time)....f.y.i.mountain rescue teams from all over Central American come to train on these zip line and suspension towers.a pretty strong endorsementfor the safety standards observed. Interested in additional information just go to:www.monteverdeinfo.com/.














Message Edited by omegaet on 10-07-2008 04:10 PM

[bonniejoy03]

Great post about CR. I love Punta Islita. This year will make our 5th visit there. I though, would rather fly fromSan Josebecause of the roads. However, the trip isn't as bad from Liberia Airport to PI. Also, if you purchase Nature Air fly pass, you can incorporate a few destinations. On one of our trips, we actually got to fly into Samara Beach (lovely.) and had the PI driver take us from there to PI. Another interesting place to visit if you like spas is Los Altos de Eros. It is in Northern Costa Rica about 1 hour from Liberia Airport. The closest beach area is Tamarindo. It is a charming inn managed by two lovely people. The canopy tour must be done on your visit. Though, do check the company. It seems that there are an increasing number of canopy tour companies popping up. Also, tour rafting on the Reventation or Pacquere (excuse my spelling.) These are wonderful. The guides are very skilled. CR has alot to offer and I would suggest visiting sooner than later. It is a paradise.

[Mountie]

bonniejoy03, you seem like one of the experts on Costa Rica. I have been thinking about going to a Club Med inMexico, but maybe Coast Rica would work out for me. Have any of the places you have visited been all-inclusives? It seems like the food and activities can get to be quite an expensive add-on when visiting many resorts. How did you find getting along with just English during your trips? Are the airports close to the beach resorts or do you have to drive a long distance? Did you rent a car or jeep or did the resorts provide transportation? Thank you.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Mountie. Oh, please consider Costa Rica. I really cannot comment on the all-inclusives there. I have heard nice things about them. First, I highly recommend Punta Islita. Breakfast is included. The food is not that expensive. Also, there are two other places to eat. First, the Monkey Bar. It is a "cab" ride away and there is a cost for that. The views are wonderful and it is a casual, inexpensive place if you want to get a change of pace. Also, down the road from PI is a cute little open air restaurant. We just call it "Joses Place" (not sure of the real name.) It is a great place to get a few beers and an inexpensive meal. You are correct that the meals and activites can add up but it depends on how much you want to do and what activities. I like the smaller "boutique" style properties. Most of the all-inclusives tend to be alittle larger than I like. It really is nice to know a few words of Spanish to help. My Spanish has improved but I AM NOT FLUENT! (even though I THINK I am!) The airports are not really close to the beach. For Liberia airport, the beach properties are about 1 hour away...not a big deal. In San Jose, we always fly Sansa or Natureair to the beach. There are two airports in San Jose, Sansa flies out of the main one and Natureair flies out of another one. We never rent a vehicle in Central America due to the roads and because their domestic air system is wonderful. We have used drivers in the past. Most of the properties or some travel companies such as Discovery Travel (ask for Ken) or Elegant Adventures can provide this service when planning a trip with them. I know this is long-winded and a little rambling. Hope it helps. I would love to be of more assistance. I am familiar with some of the other properties in Costa Rica so maybe I can help. Also, do look at Morgans Rock in Nicaragua. It is "sort of" all inclusive. It is also close to Costa Rica so you can combine both trips. I

[Mountie]

bonniejoy03, I have actually started to consider traveling to Costa Rica because of all of the nice things have written. I also check on Spirit Airlines and they are going to begin offering very low fares between Fort Lauderdale and San Jose, Costa Rica starting in April. I can use a low cost carrier to get to Fort Lauderdale, so this could be a trip for me. Now I am starting to look at some of the different destinations available from luxury link. Thank you.

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Mountie.Wow. Not aware that Spirit would be flying to San Jose. (are you sure San Jose or will they fly to Liberia?) On LL, check out Punta Islita to bid on. Also, Finca Rosa Blanca. We have stayed at Tango Mar and I see the villa at Tango Mar is open for bids. Gaia is a new small luxury hotel of the world (just like Punta Islita.) It looks wonderful and I have heard positive feedback. If you decide to go, consider what type of trip you want. There are many "touristy" areas. If that is what you like, ok, however, there are smaller, quaint locations and properties. If this is your first time I would recommend: white water rafting, a canopy tour, visiting a local school, nature walks through the rain forest.

[Mountie]

bonniejoy03 wrote:

Hi Mountie.Wow. Not aware that Spirit would be flying to San Jose. (are you sure San Jose or will they fly to Liberia?) On LL, check out Punta Islita to bid on. Also, Finca Rosa Blanca. We have stayed at Tango Mar and I see the villa at Tango Mar is open for bids. Gaia is a new small luxury hotel of the world (just like Punta Islita.) It looks wonderful and I have heard positive feedback. If you decide to go, consider what type of trip you want. There are many "touristy" areas. If that is what you like, ok, however, there are smaller, quaint locations and properties. If this is your first time I would recommend: white water rafting, a canopy tour, visiting a local school, nature walks through the rain forest.





bonniejoy03, I went back and checked the Spirit Airlines web site and they will begin operating their flight from Fort Lauderdale to San Jose in April. I don't think I would be able to travel down there until maybe May or June, so maybe I can get luck and get one of their cheap fares. If the price is right on the air fare and I can get one or maybe two of the luxury link packages at bottom prices, then I think I will try to make the trip. I have been reading some article from the Internet and noticed that a lot of Americans, Canadians and Europeans are buying second homes and condos in Costa Rica. I'm sure I will be back to you for some tips! Thank you.

[bonniejoy03]

Mountie: Good luck and keep us informed about Spirit Air. We fly to Costa Rica once or twice a year. The other carriers keep changing their schedules so I would be interested in what Spirit can do. Yes, you are correct. Alot of real estate is being purchased in Costa Rica. Also, Nicaragua and Panama have become "hot" real estate destinations for retirees and others. The climate is mild and the prices are less than they might have in Florida or Arizona. Costa Rica is growing so quickly you need to experience it before it becomes too touristy. It is funny to see all the ReMax and Century 21 signs in Nicaragua. You can't image the beautiful properties going in especially near the Costa Rica border. I know of someone who was looking at buying a large amount of land in Costa Rica during the past year. The price has gone up significantly. They regret not purchasing years ago.



We are going back in November (just there in January) and we are using two LL packages also. I am just putting the finishing touches together (international air and domestic air in CR.)



May or June would be a beautiful time to go!

[kyshel]

I have taken children to Allegro Papagayo AI and would recommend it for the budget traveler. For a first-time experience, LIR airport is easy to use, easy to pick-up car rental (get insurance--it's required--but shop around) and main road is very nice. I would recommend the Grand Papagayo but the other Guanacaste resorts are supposedly superior, but priced accordingly.

Witches Rock ziplines are quite good--safe, fast, fun,well-guided, etc--you don't really have the option to easily chicken out after the first few. I had to stop (4 or 5?) and pass.

I believe La Mansion Inn is a great value on LL (must have car to seek cheaper meals--it's very up$cale) but they have a batcave for a bar!

I personally would not care to drive around or near SJO.

[bonniejoy03]

kyshel. Thanks for the information. We used Liberia airport for the 1st time in January (we always had used San Jose.) It is very unique! We had some transit problems and the whole airport staff couldn't do anything to assist us. I really commend the airport staff and airlines. Also, if you are flying into or out of Liberia, I would suggest "Los Altos de Eros". It is a very small spa resort. There are only 4 rooms and then a 1-bedroom unit. The property and service are fantastic. It is about a 20 minute drive to the beach however, Los Altos provides complimentary transfers. Breakfast is included. Dinner is only included on Tuesday and Saturday. They do have complimentary shuttle into Tamarindo for dinner.Also, Liberia airport is a nice base to explore Nicaragua. Natureair has transfers into Granada, Nicaragua. Granada is a colorful, historic city. Lots to explore in the small city and also surrounding Lake Nicaragua.