Hi,
Hoping for a comparison of the Capitan Suzio and Tropico Latino and the surrounding areas.

I seem to be having a trip planning break down. I have already made reservations for us (my husband, our daughter, who will be seven, and myself) to stay eight nights in Santa Theresa at Tropico Latino. We had planned to fly to Tambor, from San Jose, and to be driven from the airport to the hotel. We had planned to body board, maybe take some surf lessons, take a horse back tour and generally laze about. I am now trying to change our travel dates and not getting a reply from the hotel. I am also wondering if we will be "missing out" by not seeming more of Costa Rica.

I would really appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thank You,
Gem

I've been to both, but I have not been in Tamarindo in about 7 years and I've heard it's 'grown' quite a bit since then! I was in Santa Teresa a couple years ago. Santa Teresa is MUCH smaller than Tamarindo, although there are still plenty of places to eat as long as you don't spend more than a week there as then you may have to repeat some places, which is not necessarily a bad thing as some are quite good! Santa Teresa will not have all the 'tourist amentities , such as a bank and rental cars that can be found in Tamarindo, and there are only a couple of very small stores in Santa Teresa, but seemed to have most of everything one would need.
I think the Santa Teresa area in general is much prettier than Tamarindo, as it's 'greener', and is just more 'small town'. As for the hotels, Capitan Suizo is much nicer with a/c available, etc., but I loved my stay at Tropical Latino and would probably go back there again over Tamarindo. Although, I don't have any kids either. There are more 'tours' and activities in Tamarindo. That's my 2 cents for what it's worth!

JUST CAME BACK FROM CR LAST MONDAY.HAD A GREAT TIME.I STAYED AT CAPITAN SUZIO AND LOVED IT.THE PEOPLE WERE GREAT,WENT TURTLE WATCHING AT NIGHT.THERE WAS ONLY ONE FAMILY THERE WITH SMALL CHILDREN,BUT THEY SEEMED TO HAVE A GOOD TIME.NONE OF THE STREETS ARE PAVED.THERE IS A TOU RGUIDE I WOULD RECOMMEND AND HIS NAME IS WARREN GAMBOA.
TELEPHONE IS 653-0345
KARL

Thank you, both, so much! It really helps to hear what others have experienced.

Ally- Did you combine Santa Thersa with another part of Costa Rica? We are planning on about a week there. How long did you stay?

Very Best Regards,
Gem

On that trip, we combined Nosara and Santa Teresa. Stayed in Nosara 5 nights, then Santa Teresa for 3 nights, but once we got there we wished we had longer! In fact, we had only made reservations at Tropico Latino for two nights, but loved the area so much we then moved to the Mal Pais Surf Camp an additional night. (Tropico was booked) Had we known we would like the area so much, we would have cut our time in Nosara a night ot two.

Ally,
Thank you for your help!
I am trying to change our reservation and the new dates only have a garden view near the beach available. Do you think that we would be disappointed not to have the ocean view?
Thank you!
Gem

Are you talking about Tropico Latino? When I was there, none of their 6 or 8 cabina's had an ocean view.....well, actually maybe the first one does. They are built perpendicular to the beach so the one closest to the beach/pool will have a view from the patio, but not the room itself, and while this one is closest to the beach, it's also closest to the restaurant/pool so would have less privacy. All the cabinas are so serarated by 'gardens' for privacy, I'm not even sure the second one would have a view. Maybe they built more since I was there a couple years ago?
I'm actually a little confused about what property you're talking about, so if you're talking about Capitan Suizo, NO I don't think you'd be too disappointed with a garden room.

Hi Ally,

I think that Tropico Latino has added some bungalows since you were there. I think that there are ten now (and the new ones have a/c). The new ones are the ocean view bungalows. Sounds like the garden view ones are nice, too?

My husband has now become very concerned about the drive from Tambor to Santa Theresa. Could you tell me how long it takes and how much of it is really rough?

Thank you so much for all your help!!
Gem

Wow. New Bungalow's with A/C??? Well that sure sounds like the ticket! The other's are large with a king and twin bed, but the bathrooms are not all that large, and, they are a little dark as they have so much vegetation surrounding them. They do have VERY large covered patio's with a hammock and a couple chairs, but If I could get one with A/C and ocean view, I'd go for it! Since they will also be newer, you may be dissappointed with one of the garden rooms once you see the new ones, can't say as I've not seen them myself. But how much time will you spend in the room anyway?
I answered the 'road' question to the best I can recall on your other post. Basically, I'm not exact on the time, but I would not worry about the condition of the road too much. Yes, it is dirt and gravel, but it's not like the 'dreaded' road to Monteverde.

Hi Ally,

Finally sorted it all out and we are now booked at Milarepa. Tropico did not have rooms for our new dates and Milarepa looks very nice. Do you think that 9 nights is too long? My husband is not one for driving or riding long distances, does not want to go to the volcano and really just wants to be at the beach. I did not know if staying all nine nights in Santa Theresa would nice and easy or start to get old and that we should try to do something else. Would you have wanted to stay 9 nights?

Thank You!!
Gem