Costa Rica

November 9th

Left home at 6.30 a.m. to Valencia to collect flight IB 327 at 8.50 a.m. to Madrid.

From Madrid got a 12.30 p.m. flight to San Jose arriving in San Jose at 3.50 p.m. local time

A rather long journey

Collected a  Toyota Yaris at the airport and we drove directly  to Hotel (Car cost for 2 weeks $352 plus $168 insurance)

This was when we first realised how bad the roads were in Costa Rica driving in the dusk over seriously bad potholes –   arrived safely but dark by the time we got to Herradura.

Beautiful Marriott Complex – lovely  de-luxe room on the ground floor with easy access to restaurants and pools

Total for 5 nights inc taxes and breakfast  $1,165,00

November 10th

Full day on our own relaxed after a long journey and swam in the pools and listened to many Americans enjoying themselves.      Did not swim in the sea as rather a volcanic beach but there was a great marina.

Overnight at Los Sueños Marriott Hotel

November 11^th

Intended to do The Savegre River full-day adventure at $95 per person but unfortunately, the weather was bad and the river was too full of water to be safe for beginners like us.

We decided to explore the region and drove to the nearest town of Jaco which was definitely slightly third world and the roads again were awful.   Jaco seemed to be a young surfers’ holiday centre.   Had a nice cocktail in a local bar and returned to the hotel.

Enjoyed the evening dining in the Los Suenos

November 12th

Another partly rainy day but drove to Manuel Antonio National Park which consists of 1,680 acres of primary forest, swamps and tropical woodlands.   The coastline here was glorious with long strands of white sandy Pacific Ocean Beach fringed by jungle.   Many monkeys and birds should be able to be seen but again, unfortunately, the weather was bad so decided to drive back to the hotel. On the way back looked at the Hotel  Si Como No  a famous award-winning hotel – but we were pleased we were staying at the Marriott (see leaflet)  Again back  to nice evening dining in the hotel

November 13th

Another chilling out at the hotel pool drinking cocktails – again partly cloudy so lots of reading

November 14th

Checked out from Los Sueños Marriott Hotel and drove to San Jose and stayed overnight at Real Intercontinental Costa Rica Hotel (Deluxe room was $155 inc breakfast). This was quite a way out of San Jose but next to an amazing shopping mall where we enjoyed ourselves for the afternoon. Then had a lovely evening in the hotel.

November 15th

Checked out from Real Intercontinental in San Jose and drove to Arenal, to stay overnight at the Arenal Paraiso hotel near the Arenal Volcano.  The volcano has quite a history.  Superior room @ $105 inc breakfast & taxes.

Somebody should have warned us about the roads as it took much longer to travel than we anticipated.  Again the weather was cloudy and arriving at the hotel we could not see the Volcano which was supposed to be opposite our wooden house!!   Picture postcard bought to show how it should look-    Had a meal at the hotel which was a little disappointing.

 

November 16th

Buffet breakfast then we took a tour of the Volcano walking through the forest – but again the clouds were so low we could not see the top of the volcano but could see puffs of smoke falling from the clouds.  Went and had a swim in the hot springs and a cocktail by the pool in the rain – and finally a massage in the Spa.  In the evening drove out and found an amazing restaurant which should have been with a volcano view but the weather again stopped this but a fun place to dine.

Photos from a visit to Arenal

November 17th

Checked out from Arenal Paraíso Hotel and drove to overnight at Paradisus Playa Conchal Hotel in Conchal Beach. It was a Melia at the time but is now called Westin. We had an all-inclusive! booking in a Junior Suite. The only time we have had a  ¨eat anything/drink anything¨ inclusive cost holiday. It could grow on you.

This was the worst journey along the side of the lake into big potholes and it took all day to get to Conchal.  But the journey was worth it when we finally arrived even though again the weather was not with us.

November 18th to 23rd

Spent a wonderful 6 days in this hotel but cancelled the Corobici river trip as we knew how far we would have to travel on the bad roads.   So chose just The Congo Trail Canopy tour at $59 per person (The highlight of the holiday and an experience we will always remember) and to think Jo nearly chickened out!!!

We found also another river trip that was closer.

The hotel had a huge range of different things to do – or it was wonderful just to chill out with cocktails by the pool or swim in the sea off a beautiful sandy beach. We went on a sea trip

 

On the 24th we checked out of the hotel drove ourselves to the airport (Liberia) for the 18.30 return flight, and had to allow at least 7 hours in view of the bad roads.

The total cost of the holiday was €6,000 including €1,200 on flights

A lovely country and we would like to return one day