May 1st to May 15th Trip Report - Liberia to Nosara
Apr 30th, 2012, 05:16 AM
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May 1st to May 15th Trip Report - Liberia to Nosara
It is the day before our Costa Rica trip, which we have been planning for a year and a half. This is our first visit. We have rented a house on VRBO in Nosara for two weeks. We have a car reserved at National to be picked up at Liberia Airport. There are three of us traveling from Chicago, Dayton, OH through Atlanta. My husband and myself in our early 70's, and our daughter in her late 40's. We have our boarding passes on Delta printed out. We have a chart of money exchange. We have a couple hundred dollars in Colones just to get us started. We have stopped the mail and newspapers. The plants are watered. We will take our two dogs to the boarder this am. We will wrap up the packing today. We have one bag to check, which is free on Delta, and we each have a carryon. We will go to bed early tonight. Our flight leaves out of Midway at 6am.
Apr 30th, 2012, 08:20 AM
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Yes, passports are in hand, and credit card companies have been informed. We just got back from dropping the dogs at the boarder. I will finish my last minute packing. I am coloring my hair and doing my nails this afternoon!
May 3rd, 2012, 07:19 AM
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Day 1 - Tuesday
The alarm went off at 2:15am, and we were "up and at 'em" Easy one hour drive to parking lot near Midway Airport, and short shuttle ride to airport. Our flight left at 6am, and we met up with DD in Atlanta, and boarded our 10am flight to Liberia. No food served on plane, but we able to purchase a couple of tasty sandwiches for $8.50. Arrived in Liberia at noon. Immigration was a breeze, and a shuttle was waiting to take us to National Car Rental where we had reserved a 4WD Toyota Rav4. We were on our way in one hour from arrival. It was an easy ride to Nicoya where we stopped for a few groceries. Shortly thereafter the pavement ended, and we were on a rough gravel road. We arrived at Marlin Bill's at 3:30 where we were to meet the house caretaker who took us to the house. We were totally tired, and only unpacked a few things. We went to dinner at El Pepperoni, which is close to the house. I had ravioli and DD and DH had calzones. The portions were generous and quite good. Our bill was under $30. We took showers and went to bed early. It had been a long day. The house we rented is very nice, cable TV, internet, 2 1/2 baths and 2 bedrooms. We have a beautiful pool and a 3 minute walk to the beach. We are in Playa Peleda.
The alarm went off at 2:15am, and we were "up and at 'em" Easy one hour drive to parking lot near Midway Airport, and short shuttle ride to airport. Our flight left at 6am, and we met up with DD in Atlanta, and boarded our 10am flight to Liberia. No food served on plane, but we able to purchase a couple of tasty sandwiches for $8.50. Arrived in Liberia at noon. Immigration was a breeze, and a shuttle was waiting to take us to National Car Rental where we had reserved a 4WD Toyota Rav4. We were on our way in one hour from arrival. It was an easy ride to Nicoya where we stopped for a few groceries. Shortly thereafter the pavement ended, and we were on a rough gravel road. We arrived at Marlin Bill's at 3:30 where we were to meet the house caretaker who took us to the house. We were totally tired, and only unpacked a few things. We went to dinner at El Pepperoni, which is close to the house. I had ravioli and DD and DH had calzones. The portions were generous and quite good. Our bill was under $30. We took showers and went to bed early. It had been a long day. The house we rented is very nice, cable TV, internet, 2 1/2 baths and 2 bedrooms. We have a beautiful pool and a 3 minute walk to the beach. We are in Playa Peleda.
May 3rd, 2012, 08:07 AM
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Day 2 - Wednesday
We are in Playa Pelada. We were up early. We made a pot of the local coffee, and it is delicious. We did a little exploring of the area. Checked out our pool, and walked a short distance to the beach. The sand is smooth as glass and the waves were rolling on. There was only one sunbather at the beach. DD went for a swim in the pool. We decided to go to the bank to exchange some money. One person at a time is allowed to enter, and you are scanned with a wand for weapons. Then you take a seat and wait your turn. There are two people seated at desks to serve you. Since there were over 30 people ahead of us we decided to come back another day. We then went to lunch at Marlin Bill's. I had a Dorado sandwich, DD had turkey and DH had a burger. No compaints, and the bill was under $40. We got directions, and went a short distance down the road to a fish market, which is actually a small house where a fisherman sells fish from his freezer. We bought a nice size Dorado filet for $8.00. We stopped at Cafe de Paris on the way back for some fresh bakery delights. We checked out the surfer beach at Playa Giones, and spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool. We saw our first Coati Mundi alongside the road. We kind of have a plan not to drive at night, as advised by the locals. We will eat our major meal at lunch time.
We are in Playa Pelada. We were up early. We made a pot of the local coffee, and it is delicious. We did a little exploring of the area. Checked out our pool, and walked a short distance to the beach. The sand is smooth as glass and the waves were rolling on. There was only one sunbather at the beach. DD went for a swim in the pool. We decided to go to the bank to exchange some money. One person at a time is allowed to enter, and you are scanned with a wand for weapons. Then you take a seat and wait your turn. There are two people seated at desks to serve you. Since there were over 30 people ahead of us we decided to come back another day. We then went to lunch at Marlin Bill's. I had a Dorado sandwich, DD had turkey and DH had a burger. No compaints, and the bill was under $40. We got directions, and went a short distance down the road to a fish market, which is actually a small house where a fisherman sells fish from his freezer. We bought a nice size Dorado filet for $8.00. We stopped at Cafe de Paris on the way back for some fresh bakery delights. We checked out the surfer beach at Playa Giones, and spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool. We saw our first Coati Mundi alongside the road. We kind of have a plan not to drive at night, as advised by the locals. We will eat our major meal at lunch time.
May 3rd, 2012, 05:32 PM
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Da3 - Thursday
We slept a little later this am. We went to the bank, and there was no waiting. We then drove into Nosara, and went to the Super Mercado. This is a nice store that carries a lot of American brands. The upstairs carries miscellaneous household items. We stopped at a beautiful Catholic Church, and looked for the post office. I saw a flag out front, and went inside only to find out I was in the Police Station! The post office was two doors down, and I was prepared in my best Costa Rican to purchase cinco stamps to US. As I stumbled over my request, the clerk answered me in perfect English! We went to Rosie's Soda in Playa Guiones which is next door to Marlin Bill's. My DH and I each had a Cosada, which was quite good, and the DD had a ham and cheese sandwich. Our bill was $22.00. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool. We went to Olga's on the beach at Playa Paleda to catch the sunset and grab dinner. DH and I each had tacos carne and DD had a burger, all good. The sunset was pretty. Dinner was $34.00. When we got back to the house we had to shoo a crab out with a broom!
We slept a little later this am. We went to the bank, and there was no waiting. We then drove into Nosara, and went to the Super Mercado. This is a nice store that carries a lot of American brands. The upstairs carries miscellaneous household items. We stopped at a beautiful Catholic Church, and looked for the post office. I saw a flag out front, and went inside only to find out I was in the Police Station! The post office was two doors down, and I was prepared in my best Costa Rican to purchase cinco stamps to US. As I stumbled over my request, the clerk answered me in perfect English! We went to Rosie's Soda in Playa Guiones which is next door to Marlin Bill's. My DH and I each had a Cosada, which was quite good, and the DD had a ham and cheese sandwich. Our bill was $22.00. We spent the rest of the afternoon in the pool. We went to Olga's on the beach at Playa Paleda to catch the sunset and grab dinner. DH and I each had tacos carne and DD had a burger, all good. The sunset was pretty. Dinner was $34.00. When we got back to the house we had to shoo a crab out with a broom!
May 4th, 2012, 05:43 AM
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Love reading your report! My family of five (me, spouse, and three young adult kids)will be there at the end of this month. We are staying in Playa Guiones. I will be searching out your report for good eats and activities. What's the daily weather like?
May 4th, 2012, 06:10 AM
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The weather has been mixed sun and clouds, but very hot. There have been brief showers in the afternoon or in the night. We have not had to curtail any of our activities. Where are you staying in Playa Guiones? I think you might enjoy the horseback riding. They go right by our house a couple of times a day on the way to the beach....looks like a lot of fun.
May 4th, 2012, 05:17 PM
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Day 4 - Friday
DD spent the am at the pool, and she is paying the price tonight! DH went to gas up the car. I should note that the gas stations are full service, and it is customary to tip the attendant. We noted we had gotten some white paint on the frontend of the rental. The station attendant rubbed some stuff on it, and a tiny bit of paint, and DH was "good to go"!
DH went off to get a massage and DD and I walked to the beach. Well, the waves got us, knocked us around, and DD lost her prescription glasses to the ocean! Pool time in the afternoon, while DD rested. A couple of Ticas came by in a truck loaded with fruit. We bought a bag of oranges, and two mangoes for $3.00. Dinner tonight was at Panchos, chicken fingers for the DD, chicken enchiladas for me, and tacos for the DH. Bill was under $40.00, drinks included.
DD spent the am at the pool, and she is paying the price tonight! DH went to gas up the car. I should note that the gas stations are full service, and it is customary to tip the attendant. We noted we had gotten some white paint on the frontend of the rental. The station attendant rubbed some stuff on it, and a tiny bit of paint, and DH was "good to go"!
DH went off to get a massage and DD and I walked to the beach. Well, the waves got us, knocked us around, and DD lost her prescription glasses to the ocean! Pool time in the afternoon, while DD rested. A couple of Ticas came by in a truck loaded with fruit. We bought a bag of oranges, and two mangoes for $3.00. Dinner tonight was at Panchos, chicken fingers for the DD, chicken enchiladas for me, and tacos for the DH. Bill was under $40.00, drinks included.
May 5th, 2012, 01:19 AM
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Having fun reading your report. Just a heads up about mailing things from Costa Rica. We sent post cards one trip, and none of them ever made it to the states. Their mail is notoriously unreliable. We were staying at one hotel, and the American owner asked us to mail a stack of her bills for her once we got back to the U.S. We didn't even know her, and she trusted us more than the CR postal service. We mail our post cards once we get back to the states - quicker and more reliable. I hope your daughter has an extra pair of glasses so she can still see beautiful CR!
May 5th, 2012, 12:07 PM
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Skacian - we will be staying in a condo near Harmony Hotel. I am concerned about our drive to the Liberia airport when we leave CR (we arrive via San Jose). Our flight out of Liberia leaves at 1:00 pm. How early do you think we need to leave Playa Guiones?
May 5th, 2012, 12:19 PM
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It took us 2 1/2 hrs. to drive from Liberia to Playa Guiones. When you leave out of Liberia you have to pay the departure fee, and then be in line two hours before your flight home. I know exactly where you are staying.....nice area with lots you can walk to, including the beach.
May 5th, 2012, 07:07 PM
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Day 5 - Saturday - Happy Cinco de Mayo!!!
We slept in this am. We heard there was a fisherman down by Olga's that sells fish, so we headed down there. He had a freezer full of fish that he had caught last night. We bought a red snapper that he fileted for us for a little over $10.00. We went to Pancho's Supermarket, which is the closest market to our store. We were pleased to find English is spoken there. You must try a "Trit", which is an ice cream cup with graham cracker crust....so good. We did the pool in the afternoon, and the sunset at 6pm. We have some neighborhood dogs that have adopted us. We put fresh water out for them, and they follow us to the beach, so cute. We went to Pancho's for dinner tonight, as they had a band. It was actually a trio, and the music was mellow enough you could be heard when you talk. DD had a burger, DH had tacos, and I had the pasta w/pesto and artichokes. We all had drinks, and the bill came to $44.00. The place was packed, and we had a good time.
We slept in this am. We heard there was a fisherman down by Olga's that sells fish, so we headed down there. He had a freezer full of fish that he had caught last night. We bought a red snapper that he fileted for us for a little over $10.00. We went to Pancho's Supermarket, which is the closest market to our store. We were pleased to find English is spoken there. You must try a "Trit", which is an ice cream cup with graham cracker crust....so good. We did the pool in the afternoon, and the sunset at 6pm. We have some neighborhood dogs that have adopted us. We put fresh water out for them, and they follow us to the beach, so cute. We went to Pancho's for dinner tonight, as they had a band. It was actually a trio, and the music was mellow enough you could be heard when you talk. DD had a burger, DH had tacos, and I had the pasta w/pesto and artichokes. We all had drinks, and the bill came to $44.00. The place was packed, and we had a good time.
