Barcelo Playa Langosta ??
 

Our travel agent has booked us into the Barcelo Playa Langosta for a week in December. We are not familiar with the property or the area. Any comments on either would be appreciated. It is said to be a 4 star property in a great location for our priority of just relaxing!! Shopping nearby, food, etc???

Hi Michael... we are also booked into the Playa Langosta for January and i am having a hard time finding anyone that has been there at that resort.. if you happen upon anyone who has been there could you foward me any information thanks or when you get back you could share some of your experience with me Wendy

Michael and Wendy,<BR><BR>We (early 30s couple) were there last Feb. for 3-4 days.<BR>(Beware, after you check in, you have to go down a large flight of stairs, then up more stairs unless you're on first floor - can you tell we weren't and we'd OVERpacked!)<BR><BR>That said, the resort is nice, not great....Service was sometimes good: friendly young entertainment staff, some (not all) friendly servers, bartenders, front desk/sometimes bad: kept forgetting to leave us towels or coffee, burnt out bulb in bathroom.<BR><BR>Pool was nice. It was VERY HOT there! To get a chair near the pool, put your stuff there at breakfast time.<BR><BR>Beach was nice, have to drag your own chairs around, careful of stong riptides.<BR><BR>Food is OK....Basic buffet type...sample and learn...with omelette station in AM, maybe some type of stirfry station or other station at lunch and dinner. Didn't try other restaurant - it was always empty. Snack bar/Pool bar not bad (drinks not that strong).<BR><BR>Town IS within walking distance..maybe 20-25 minutes, but it was so hot we opted for taxis--$3-4. Several really good restaurants in town--quite a variety (we even got a rather decent take-out pizza to bring back to our room), small shops (comparison shop-alot have same stuff-different prices!)<BR>Tours are available in town (probably cheaper than through hotel) and local operators may approach you on the beach with fliers for their businesses.<BR><BR>All in all, we didn't have a bad experience, just not &quot;out-of this world!&quot; We are returning to CR again this year, and will be staying there in Feb. for 3 of our 14 days! <BR><BR>Hope I was of some help...we knew nothing of the resort when we went last year, so.....<BR><BR>Enjoy your trip!! (Post questions if you want and I can try to answer them.)

Thanks RaeEllen for the info!! My wife will now generate the really LONG list of specific questions!! Stay tuned if you can...

Hola Michael and Wendy,<BR>I&quot;ve spent time there and have just purchased a condo on the premises. I'd be happy to give you lots of info and links to go to. Restaurants galore in town - 10 min. away. Weather in Feb. is very hot as it is their summer. I have all the names of places to eat that are superb. Will you rent a car at all?<BR>Adios<BR>Marilynn

Hello Michael,<BR>Since Barcelo is an all-in-one hotel many guests tend not to leave the premises which is a real shame. I would suggest that you rent a car or a scooter and explore the area. Snorkeling is fun in Langosta, but swimming and surfing is better and safer in Tamarindo. Don't miss the Leatherback Turtles which lay their eggs in nearby Langosta. Tamarindo has a wide variety of restaurant and you can eat at a different restaurant every night. If you come at Christmas time though beware, the beach gets extremly crowded.<BR>I have a website with more info about Tamarindo at http://tamarindobeach.net

Hello, this is the wife now (Michael's) with the LONG list of questions.<BR><BR>No, just kidding, there's just a few things right now I'm curious about.<BR><BR>First of all, as far as activities goes, what is available in the near vicinity? What would you recommend doing and what would you NOT recommend?<BR><BR>I've read quite a bit about restaurants and places to eat, so I won't get into that, but is there any special foods or dishes we should definitely try? Something local and very traditional for the area (i.e. fish)?<BR><BR>Also, what kind of things would be nice to buy as souvenirs, again, what's traditional for the area?<BR><BR>And last but not least, I understand the weather will be very hot late December/early January, so I suppose shorts, tank tops etc. is good for daytime, but does one need to bring any dressier outfits for evening wear, or is it pretty much anything goes? We'll probably have our dinners both at the hotel but also elsewhere, are any of the restaurants fancier than others as far as dressing goes?<BR><BR>Thanks so much for all the info already provided by you. This ia our first trip south of Mexico, so we're really excited and anxious.<BR><BR>Thanks, Benita

Hello Benita, <BR>Besides the Turtles you should go on an sunset sailing cruise, definitely worth it. There are lots of souvenir shops in the area (I have one) with a wide variety of gifts. Just browse once you get there and you'll see what you like. I would stay away from tropical hardwood boxes though. They may be beautiful but you wouldn't do the environment a favor. As for dressing: shorts, sandals, t-shirts. No one dresses up in Tamarindo.. ever, it is very casual. It will be windy in Dec/January though which can make it somewhat cool in the evenings (thinking long sleeved t-shirt kind of cool). Enjoy your stay in Tamarindo!

Hello IIka and Marilynn... for your insight... do either one of you know of any reliable locals who would be good tour guides i really perfer to support the little guy rather then the big tour companies ...we are interested in going to the Volcano and checking out the rain forest... i also would like to know if it's okay to feed the monkeys .. thats if there will be any around were we will be staying in Playa Langosta but we will be coming to town for a visit or 2 or 3 or 4 when we (6 adults) get there in January we will come bye and visit you.. thanks for all your help... i checked out your (IIka) web site and i think it has some wonderful pics.. and i just want to let other people know that when i return back home in Feb. i will try and give a detailed reveiw of the Playa Langosta and any other adventures , food etc.. service .. rooms

Thanks for the compliment on the website, Wendy! You should see plenty of Howler Monkeys in Tamarindo, however they are not tame and will not come and eat out of your hand. At the Vista Villas Hotel they have a couple of monkeys they raised since birth, you could probably hand feed them (they do have pretty big teeth!). Arenal and rain forests are at least two to three hours away, you best deal is to go with a local tour company as they will fill up a little shuttle bus thus making it more economical. If you rather go with the 'little guy' go the the Hotel Tamarindo Diria, in front of the hotel you will see a line of locals offering taxi services. Be sure to shop around before deciding. I have a book shop on the main road of Tamarindo (the only one in town), feel free to stop by if you have questions.

hello agian..IIka.. i will definatly stop bye and vist you..we will be arriving in Costa Rica (Tamarindo area) on the 24th of January 2003 and will be staying for 2 weeks..as it is my husbands a mine 25th year anniverary on the 27th of January...and we will have some friends coming with us..i am really getting excited about this trip and am looking forward to meeting the friendly people there.. take care.. all i have to do now is get my sun screen and im ready...

Hola again Michael,<BR>If you want to see the cutest monkey and some beautiful macaws go over to the Best Western Hotel - tell the manager that I told you about baby Lucy that they are raising - wish I knew how to put her pic with me on this - adorable. They keep them in back of the restaurant area. Best Western has the best American hamburgers and margharitas. Also, eat at Pachangas -yum yum - I can't wait to go back on Feb. 15th and have my own place to stay this time. If you like the area let me know and if you return I can rent you our condo - (3 bedroooms and baths facing the ocean.)<BR>Enjoy!!!<BR>Marilynn