The Hotel Brasilito does not have any ocean view rooms available during the nights I will be there. Does anyone have recommendations for other budget hotels (about $70 or less per night) in the Brasilito/Conchal area?

If not I'll just go ahead and book the non ocean view rooms at Brasilito.

Thanks!

These rooms at Brasilito are very basic, but we've stayed there and they are clean.

Right down the road, try the Flamingo Beach Resort--we got a special deal for $79 per night. I realize this is more than you are thinking of paying, but it is a heck of a deal!

Shillmac,

The Flamingo Beach Resort does look very nice and we could swing $79, but the website is telling me it will be $119 per night. I think we'll just stick with Brasilito; we don't need anything fancy.

FBR isn't fancy by a long shot!

When I looked at their webpage a few months ago, it was advertising $79 poolside through Septmeber. When I tried to book it, it came back to me at $109. I called and they immediately offered me the $79 price.

Much depends on time of year. They usually drop it back down for Aug. and Sept.

It's been a few years since I stayed at Brasilito. I stayed one night in one of the rooms on the "backside", then was able to move to one of the two oceanfront rooms. We always enjoyed staying in the oceanfront rooms. And they used to be $35, backside was $15 or $20! That was before AC and hot water. . . .still, one of my favorite places. I'll have to say, though, I wasn't too thrilled about that back row of rooms. I'm sure they done some upgrades, though. New management a time or two since then (2003).

http://www.resortflamingobeach.com/s...cfm#SpringFall

FYI, I looked at the website again and the special price is indeed there, but it has gone down to $69 and $79. It is listed under Specials and Packages, the Bed & Breakfast Special. It might be worth looking into.

Well Shillmac, I just e-mailed FBR and asked about their special. I hope the pool construction will be done by August. Having a pool is a must for us gals. As it looks now we will have a total of 5n/4ds in that area. I'm a little worried as to how we will fill our time. We will already have been to the rincon area. Any suggestions?

For sure try Rio Celeste for a day trip. Just leave early.. The road has been re-done all the ay to Upala.. Also an afternoon sunset sail on the Lazy Lizard.. Sunday at Lola's on Playa Avellanas a must... Canopy tour about 25 minutes away.. They will pick you up at your hotel.. A great horseback ride out of Playa Conchal... And not to far to leave early in the morning and go to the hanging bridges then a nice soak in Arenal Hot springs and come back to this area.. I like this new hotel in Brasilito called Conchal Hotel 55$$ a night just next to a great place to eat Il Forno.. Right now there is ALOT of construction in Flamingo.. I would stay at Sugar Beach hotel... For the peacefull great stay... Flamingo will come around when the great new shopping center is completed just next to the Flamingo beach Resort.. There are a handfull of great places to eat too..

Maybe it's just me, but the idea of traveling back and forth between the Flamingo area and Arenal doesn't appeal to me. Too far.

Spend some time at Playa Grande, Playa Avellenas (as bfish suggested), take the Congo Trail out of Playa Potrero up to Playas del Cocos, Hermosa, Ocotal area. Spend some time in Tamarindo (lots of shopping), drive down to Guayitil, a few km from Santa Cruz and check out the pottery.

You might also look into doing the Palo Verde tour. Your hotel will know something about it.

Hotel Sugar Beach is a good option, but will be more $$ and more remote. Which is okay, if you don't mind that. You'll not have that great stretch of beach that Flamingo offers, though.

Everytime I hear of construction, I cringe. We return to this area every year and there's always SO much more every single time. I wish it would stop already, but know that it won't.

You can go kayaking from the beach at Playa Conchal, I think. There is a group that operates out of the Paradisus Conchal hotel (separate from the hotel, though) on that beach--all kinds of water sports.

Thank you bfish & Shillmac, both of your suggestions were great. We will already have seen rio celeste from La Carolina lodge and I was thinking to hit Guaitil on the way to Mal Pais.

I am now thinking to do only three nights in the Flamingo area then head down to Samara for two nights before heading to Mal Pais for three nights.

Love those choices!!

Sounds like a good plan, ccg. Have a great time! Wish our paths could cross!