Costa Rica

[Mr Cancun]

Just got back from Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Anyone thinking of going, should !!!

Stayed at two resorts, the Occidental Grand Papagayo & the Paradisus Playa Conchal in the Royal Service section.

Any specific questions and I can try & answer.

[Rissask]

Welcome home!

What airport did you fly into- is that Liberia?

Was it super hot and humid, that would be my question. Also- how is the fishing, if you know?

and um- pictures and a trip report please? Don really wants to go there one day.

[Mr Cancun]

Flew into Liberia, the airport has one hanger for arrivals (YES, hanger with two ceiling fans). No "light" to press for GO !!

It was 98 degrees there, hot but not Mexico humidity hot. Stays that way pretty much year round (I think).

As for fishing, I personally didn't have time to go this time but I saw two different couples who went and were mixed as results. One boat caught a lot of small snapper, the other boat had (8) Tuna and lost a sailfish. I plan on going next February for myself to partake. Will try to load some pics on here lately, just dumped to the hard drive & haven't had time to download yet to photobucket.

Let me just say that it is a very nice, different vacation for me.

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by Mr Cancun

Any specific questions and I can try & answer.

Any pictures?

[Mr Cancun]

Pictures soon and Happy B-day Thor !!!

[Rissask]

Thanks for the answers; looking forward to seeing some pictures.

You should see Manzanillo's airport, too. One short runway, right along the ocean, which is kinda scary- then one teeny tiny concrete block building.

How were the beaches- swimmable, clean, rough surf or calm? is it quite lush/tropical there, the photos always look more green and lush than Mexico to me.

[Sukidog]

My running buddy just got married there. She had a great time. Not sure what the name of the resort she stayed at, but I do know that it is being taken over by the Hilton. She had the time of her life.....

[Thor Henning]

Originally Posted by Mr Cancun

Pictures soon and Happy B-day Thor !!!

Thank you!

[Mr Cancun]

Originally Posted by Rissask

Thanks for the answers; looking forward to seeing some pictures.

You should see Manzanillo's airport, too. One short runway, right along the ocean, which is kinda scary- then one teeny tiny concrete block building.

How were the beaches- swimmable, clean, rough surf or calm? is it quite lush/tropical there, the photos always look more green and lush than Mexico to me.

The Beach at the Papagayo was "okay". The water is clear but had more black sand there.

The Beach at Conchal was much nicer and almost had the "PdC" light blue color. The beach was sand and shell. Sometimes hard to walk on.Water clarity was really good and I found some decent snorkeling to the right of the hotel. You can only walk out about 20 feet from shore and then the big drop off (where the dark blue water shows). Not many waves on those two beaches, everyone heads to where the Barcelo resorts are to surf. Right past the Paridissus resort was a restaurant (where we had a great meal at sunset) called the Cameron Dorado. Beach there was awesome with some crashing waves. Water temperature was perfect, not cold nor hot. I still like the beaches best in Mexico but could live on these too !!!

Sorry, still haven't downloaded my pics yet to photobucket. I think I am cut off at work from doing so !! lol
Will try this week to have up.

[Rissask]

Sounds really nice. Thanks again, looking forward to seeing some pics.

[TAPPY]

Looking forward to some pics ! Did you go on any tours ?

[Mr Cancun]

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Looking forward to some pics ! Did you go on any tours ?

It was somewhat a "business trip" so didn't have much time, going back in February and will do some then. Everyone I talked to raved about the RTV ride on the beach. I saw some fly by and looked like a lot of fun.

Okay, started (finally) to down load pics.....here is the first teaser

[Thor Henning]

[Mr Cancun]

Well, I guess I should go ahead and least give ya some pic shots !!

Uneventful 3 hour and 50 minute flight direct from DFW to Liberia airport. Landing was smooth and we were taken aback at the size of the airport, one hangar for the one runway there. We did hear later from our transportation company (TAM) that the airport was built by Ollie North when ousting Noriega in Nicaragua.





Our TAM lady(Esmerelda) was waiting outside as we whizzed quickly through customs (2 agents) and quickly moved past the hay & chickens(just kidding).



Esmerelda loaded us up in her 4x4 truck and we headed off to our first hotel, the Occidental Grand Papagayo where we were upgraded to VIP in the front lobby.



After checking into the resort, we were shown to Bldg. 7, our room which was very nice and sat upon the hill at one of the highest points. The room was comfortable, a welcome letter, basket of fruit and champagne was waiting !!!







We quickly changed clothes and headed down to the pool area for my first drink since last year and some water volleyball.

More to come if ya want me too, I still only got about 1/4 of the pics downloaded.......arggggggggghhhhh (been so busy and they are 10 mega pixel sized pics that take for ever to download). This was just the first of two resorts that we were able to taste on our first visit to Costa Rica !!!

[TAPPY]

hotel looks very nice

YES - keep them coming !!!