MamaF

Today was my first time at Fodor's travel talk and I was pleasantly surprised at the information and response that everyone was giving. I did not read anything that pertains to my up coming trip so I thought I would ask for your help. Thank you in advance!!

My daughter is in Costa Rica right now studying at a language school in FLamingo and living with a host family in Potrero. My husband and I are planning to fly down there on June 19 for a week. We were told it would be best to fly into Liberia not San Jose. Oh course there are not many flights into Liberia. I will be flying out of Grand Rapids, Michigan and my husband out of St. Louis (we are in the middle of relocating) Of course I missed some good priceing two weeks ago and now I find the prices are higher.

What I need help with is:
1. Has anyone stayed near Flamingo? if so what hotel do you or don;t you recommend? I got the Fodor's travel book (never go any where without reading one first)they recommend Colores del Pacifico in Playa Potrero and Hotel sugar Beach north of there and Flamingo Marina Resort. Any feed back on these hotels.

I was thinking of renting a car to get around but my daughter is not advising it because it will not be easy to get around. Do you suggest renting a car or just doing the tours?

Any suggestions on finding better prices on flights or hotel and flight packages?

I would apreciate any help.

shillmac

Hi! We are doing the exact same thing this summer, and have extensive experience in the Flamingo area! Our daughter, too, will be studying there beginning June 7. We are arriving SJO June 21, renting, driving over to Flamingo to spend a week with her, then we will travel around a bit while she finishes in Flamingo and transfers to Heredia for 5 more weeks (college credit). We will be staying at the Flamingo Beach Resort. . .you would LOVE it! About a 5 min. walk from the school, great pool, nice rooms, great beach front right across a little road from the pool. We were able to get $69 per night (about half) through Travelzoo last month. This was through the end of June. You might could persuade them to let you in on the deal (you had to book by Apr. 12). June is typically a low season for the hotels, and they might prefer to fill a room for less than not to fill it at all! We love having a car in this area because there are a lot of places to go up and down the beach. The ones you mentioned, also down south about 20 min. to Tamarindo is a LOT of fun! Try eating at Camaron Dorado on the beach in Brasilito. Great restaurant! Enjoy! Hope your daughter's experience is terrific! I studies for 3 weeks myself last year with CPI. . .2 weeks in Heredia and another in Flamingo. As for flying in and out of Liberia, it is nice if you can find the flights. Yes, they are limited. We have flown in there on charters, but since they've opened up to commercial airdcraft, we've not been able to find anything that we wanted. We usually just head on to San Jose. It's a long (5 hr.) drive to Flamingo, but very pretty!

MamaF

Dear shillmac,

Thank you so much for your response. Our daughter will be at CPI for the next seven weeks. She has been in San Jose with a group from her University on a mission trip. Today she was to get on a bus to the coast and meet her host family and I think she starts her classes on Monday. Is your daughter with CPI also? If they are in classes together will be a very small world!!

I think I will look into Flamingo Beach Resort. Thanks for the information. I have heard some good things about it but wasn't sure if I wanted to stay near the school or more near where she will be staying. My husband had gotten some info off the internet about the resort and had wanted me to look into it more so now with your recommendations I will.

I have found a flight with Delta that will connect with a flight my husband can get out of st. Louis to Atlanta then into Liberia.

The Lord will maybe we will meet down there. I am starting to look forward to the trip. I don't speak any Spainish. I was suppose to take lessons this year but I didn't. So I guess my daughter will have to do all the talking for me. Thats ok she needs the practice.

Thanks again I will take your advice.

shillmac

Is Franklin your last name? I want to tell my daughter. Her last name is McDaniel.

You will absolutely LOVE the Flamingo Beach Resort. . .we have watched so many beautiful sunsets from here, and the pool area is excellent with swim up bar, etc. Rooms are not luxury, but certainly nice. You'd pay a fortune per night for this place in Hawaii! This is also a nice wide beach for walking. .and probably the whitest sand you will see anywhere in Costa Rica (a country not known for white sand)!

BTW, there is a French couple, Chris and Carolina, who own a little salon at the resort. . .best massage I've ever had. . $40 cash for 1 hour. She is phenomenal. .little tiny thing with very strong hands! Chris is a hairdresser. Very nice people.

MamaF

shillmac, yes our last name is Franklin. Our daughter is Jessi or Jessica but since there is no Spainish sound for J she usually goes by Maria.

I thank so much for all the insights and tips. I am starting to really look forward to our trip. I got us bookded at Flamingo Beach Resort and they still had the $69 a night. Believe me I WILL take advantage of the massage for that price. It is something I have always wanted to do but they were always SO expensive.

shillmac

GREAT! You won't be disappointed! We might run into you there!