Suggestions for all-inclusive?

[mary-j]

Disneygal, La Mansion Inn is one that I am very interested in too. I like the huge balconies that they have and the views look amazing too. And what about the "Bat Bar". That is certainly very different! The only thing that is putting me off is getting there from Scotland.

[disneygal]

Hi mary-j, Yes I agree, about the transportation concerns.Even from my location in the northeastern U.S. I need two flights to get to Costa Rica, and then another domestic flight. But I've been wanting to make a trip to Costa Rica for a few years, so I may just have to go for it!

[curtiejoe]

hi disneygal



Costa Rica's wonderful in November. My wife and I were just there this past November 4th to 11th. We truly enjoyed a fabulous week at the 5-star, ALL-INCLUSIVEOccidental Grand Papagayo. It sists high on a hill overlooking the blue Pacific and is only a 30-minute van ride from the international airport outside Liberia, in North-west Costa Rica (very handy). We flew non-stop from Toronto to Liberia with no multiple hops at all.



The resort itself is top notch. The grounds exotic and very lush. The buildings and accomodations very classy and luxurious. The beach forms a long crescent of golden sand and there's good snorkeling over coral reefs just off the shore. The scenery is stunning. The food at the main buffet restaurant's always varied (different exotic theme each evening) and delicious, as it is in the two exquisite specialty restaurants - an Italian and a Japanese - that you need to reserve asap after arrival to get a booking (because they seatings quite limited and the meals are to die for as is the service). The Tico staff are beautiful people, very friendly, efficient and gracious. To top of each marvellous day, there's usually live entertainment at the edge of the open-air lobby. One night a solo singer, another a trio: all very talented and entertaining (not at all the usual form of mass-participation shows you get at many resorts).



Many very exciting and adventurous excursions are available for booking from the resort. We booked three. two all-day and one half-day. All turned out to be amazingly good. One took us to the forest at the base of a dormant volcano, Rincon De La Vieja, about 90-minutes from our resort by van. There we flew through the tree tops on zip-lines/steel cables, rode horses into the rainforest, and luxuriated in a hit volcanic mud pack wih dips in the aromatic hot spring pools! Another led us to Arenal lake and Arenal Volcano (the only active one in Costa Rica), a trek through the rainforest in a pouring deluge, dips in hot pools, and a delicious Tico-style meal in a local restaurant. The last outing, was a boat ride across the Gulf of Papagayo to several deserted beaches where we beachcombed for shells, and then snorkeled over corals amid colorful fish!



And the weather was marvelous all week. Sunny most of the day. Warm, a bit humid and a spot of rain in the evening around dinner time!



Go, you'll love it.



curtiejoe

[disneygal]

Hicurtiejoe - thanks for the wonderful review! Sounds like you had an awesome vacation! Glad to hear November would be a good time for Costa Rica from a weather standpoint. The excursions sound very interesting and it seems the hotel was in a good location for those adventures. I have number of details to try to work out. I would like to book a LL package, at least for part of the trip. But figuring it all out is part of the fun, right?

[curtiejoe]

Hi dg



Yeah, did allmy researchfor a great Costa Rican resort on the Internet, relying on LL, tripadvisor, skyauction and several other terrific websites. It was fun and easy and done here in the comfort and privacy of our computer room at home. Gone are the days when you had to rely on a travel agency alone...have a blast doing your own research on the travel details for your vacation..



curtiejoe