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and would appreciate any insight. Thinking of the Paradisus Playa Conchal All Suites, Beach & Golf Resort....it's an all inclusive which makes it easier with the kids. I am really flying blind here (sometimes the best way) so I would like to hear from somebody that has been there, Costa Rica that is not necessarily the hotel.

I went to Costa Rica last summer and it was ok. We stayed near the Arenal volcano for several days and had a pretty good time there. There was a place called Tabacon which has some really nice hot springs that are warmed by the volcano. Great place to go, even if it's just for an evening to relax. We also rode horses to a waterfall and went on a tour of hanging bridges. From there we went to Tamarindo. Personally, I wouldn't recommend that place. It was a dusty little town and we were told there that it isn't necessarily safe to go on the beaches at night. We ended up leaving and heading to Flamingo beach and stayed at a resort there and it was very nice, although there wasn't much around.

All around, Costa Rica wasn't my favorite desitnation, but I only saw two specific areas. It all depends on what you're looking for. I prefer places like Aruba and there isn't much comparison between the two.

(p.s. My avatar photo was taken in Playa Flamingo)

Costa Rica is great, been there 5 times (all of them surf trips). We always stay in Playa Hermosa at the Teraza which is located on the central pacific coast. This is the only are of costa that I am familiar with (and some other surf spots). The ticos (locals) are some of the nicest, friendliest people on earth. Your trip may be for a different purpose from why we visit however it is beautiful. For a family vacation I would recommend somewhere probably Tamarindo where I know there are big resorts and a variety of things to do. Every time we have been we surf all day and go out at night. The town of Jaco just down the road from Hermosa has a bunch of small resorts and bars, restaurants and surf shops however it is rather primative. I have a lot of non surfer friends that visit and several that own property there (in Limon) and they absolutely love the place. I know for people here on the east coast it has become a major tourist destination for both surfers and vacationers. The food is great we always get fresh and I mean really fresh fish and lots of cold beer. Everything is cheap just an awsome place to visit. I would make several recommendations:

1. Like everywhere else there is crime and petty theft, keep your valubales locked up and dont take more than what you need at the time.

2. If you can get a direct flight to the coast. If you fly into San Jose it is a 3-4 hour/75.00-100.00 cab ride to the coast. There is a small airport in Tamarindo. The roed to the coast from San Jose is SKETCHY at best and if you are there during the rainy season there is a good chance the main road will be blocked due to mud slides.

3. If you have never been try it. It is very reasonable as far as price and is one of my favorite places.

miphinz wrote:For a family vacation I would recommend somewhere probably Tamarindo where I know there are big resorts and a variety of things to do.

I do disagree about it being a good choice for a family vacation. I would suggest looking into Manuel Antonio instead. I haven't been there but I wish I'd have done that instead (we were tossed up between the two). But... that's just reiterating my perspective on it. I thought it was a dusty little surfer town with very little to do. I know someone who went to the Oso Peninsula who had a nice time, but I don't know anything about that area myself.

miphinz wrote:2. If you can get a direct flight to the coast. If you fly into San Jose it is a 3-4 hour/75.00-100.00 cab ride to the coast. There is a small airport in Tamarindo. The roed to the coast from San Jose is SKETCHY at best and if you are there during the rainy season there is a good chance the main road will be blocked due to mud slides.

If you do go near Tamarindo, there is the Liberia airport not too far away which offers international flights. We flew into San Jose and out of Liberia. As for the roads, I rented a small SUV and it was definitely an experience driving around down there. Not bad by any means, but different.

If you're interested, you can see some of the photos I took in the areas we saw here.

FunkHouse9 wrote:

miphinz wrote:For a family vacation I would recommend somewhere probably Tamarindo where I know there are big resorts and a variety of things to do.

I do disagree about it being a good choice for a family vacation. I would suggest looking into Manuel Antonio instead. I haven't been there but I wish I'd have done that instead (we were tossed up between the two). But... that's just reiterating my perspective on it. I thought it was a dusty little surfer town with very little to do. I know someone who went to the Oso Peninsula who had a nice time, but I don't know anything about that area myself.

miphinz wrote:2. If you can get a direct flight to the coast. If you fly into San Jose it is a 3-4 hour/75.00-100.00 cab ride to the coast. There is a small airport in Tamarindo. The roed to the coast from San Jose is SKETCHY at best and if you are there during the rainy season there is a good chance the main road will be blocked due to mud slides.

If you do go near Tamarindo, there is the Liberia airport not too far away which offers international flights. We flew into San Jose and out of Liberia. As for the roads, I rented a small SUV and it was definitely an experience driving around down there. Not bad by any means, but different.

Like I said, I have never been to Tamarindo. Although you may label it as a "dusty surf town" there is nothin wrong with that. Surfing for many is considered a family activity. I dont know whether or not it is a good place for a family vacation, I only mentioned it because friends of mine have been either in Tamarindo or close too it with their families. Costa Rica is for some people, ie. people who love the ocean and the recreation that it provides (surfing, fishing etc..). If this is not your thing than you probably would not enjoy Costa Rica. However for many it is a beautiful place with lots to do and worth seeing at least once.

I agree, some people would like it there a lot. It wasn't for me, but I'm only being so down on Tamarindo because cedarkey is considering the "Paradisus Playa Conchal All Suites, Beach & Golf Resort."


If that is the type of place darkey's looking for, I'd think he/she'll be disappointed with Tamarindo where there really aren't any places of that caliber.


The Paradisus is on Playa Conchal next to Flamingo Beach, the place I ended up when I left Tamarindo. I stayed at the Flamingo Beach Resort which was nicer than I had aimed for when I went to CR. FYI, there isn't much to do nearby outside of these places either.[/img]

FunkHouse9 wrote:I agree, some people would like it there a lot. It wasn't for me, but I'm only being so down on Tamarindo because cedarkey is considering the "Paradisus Playa Conchal All Suites, Beach & Golf Resort."


If that is the type of place darkey's looking for, I'd think he/she'll be disappointed with Tamarindo where there really aren't any places of that caliber.


The Paradisus is on Playa Conchal next to Flamingo Beach, the place I ended up when I left Tamarindo. I stayed at the Flamingo Beach Resort which was nicer than I had aimed for when I went to CR. FYI, there isn't much to do nearby outside of these places either.[/img]

Youre right Costa is for some and not for some. If you enjoy the ocean the beach and the laid back atmosphere it provides you should have a good time, personally I love the place.