Does any one know of a good all inclusive hotel to stay at in the North Pacific region of Costa Rica. I have looked at Melia Playa Conchal but out of our price range

I have also heard some bad things about the city of Tambor. How is that citiy is it safe?

I'm curious as to what you've heard specifically about the 'city' of Tambor! It's a small fishing village which is starting to get a lot more recognition for the beauty of the area. I'm sure it would be just as safe as any small town in CR.
Since you're asking about all inclusives, I assume you're interested in Barcelo Palya Tambor? Honestly, this is not the best place to go. It's located on a bay, not the open ocean, so the water and sand are not very pretty. If you want to stay in this area, the Tango Mar Hotel would be a better choice. Although not full all inclusive, they do have pagkages that include some meals.
There is another all inclusive near Tamarindo, the Barcelo Langosta you might want to look at if you HAVE to have all inclusive. Personally I would never go to CR for an all inclusive, and the Barcelo Resorts have questionable if not downright wrong environmental issues when building their resorts, but that's your choice.
If you just want a big resort for the amenities but not necessarily for the 'all meals and drinks included', you might also want to look at the Marriott Los Suenos near Jaco.

We were there in August, and like you found Playa Chonchal out of our price range. We settled on Occidental Allegro Papagayo, and found it to be great for the price. Do a search on the resort, and you'll see my trip report.

I personally think that unless you have young kids and really, really want all-inclusive, Costa Rica is best experienced at one of the many small hotels. Service is better, food is better, rooms are usually better and you'll get a more personal experience.

Casey

Hi Dan:
There are about eight all inclusives in this area. Try looking at Sunquest Tours page as they have them all listed - Fiesta Premier Resort & Spa, Costa Smeralda, Allegro Papagayo, Barcelo Playa Langosta, Giardini Di Papagao, El Nakuti, Ocotal Beach Resort and Sol Playa Hermosa
You can download the brochures in a PDF file. They are under "Western Canada Specials" http://www.sunquest.ca/
Good Luck

Ok - until a few minutes ago, when I read the trip report from the previousposter - and this thread, I was all set to book my first trip to CR at Playa Conchal. Now, since poeple seem to be so postive about going it on your own, I ma definitely having secodn thoughts.

Can someone give me a run down of what one would expect to pay for a week, with meals, at one of these smaller places vs. the all inclusive?? My husband and I are open to touring on our own (I am sure he will love the driving cahllenge!!)- if it feasible and/or practical.....and what does car rental run???

My husband and I traveled on a Northwest World Vacation during April of 2002. We had a direct flight from Detroit to Liberia, stayed at the Melia Playa Conchal for seven nights, including transfers and breakfast for $795 per person. Some people that we met who were traveling from Minneapolis and Canada paid less. We understood that some people were offered AI at the resort, but we were not. We ate dinner at restauarants on the beach in the town of Brasalito, which is a few minute walk down the beach, for under $30 total with drinks at night.