Hello!

After debating back and forth a million times where to take our next vacation, we have decided to spend part of it in Costa Rica (we have 12 days total) - we think we want to splurge and stay at the new Four Seasons Papagayo when that opens. Plan to do lots of forest activities, hiking, seeing as many animals as possible!! We are HUGE wildlife lovers.

However, we also want to combine another destination nearby and easy to get too, that has great snorkeling and diving.

We are looking into Honduras, Belize, and Panama...

But, we are so STUMPED!!! Where would you choose to go in addition to Costa Rica, and why?? What hotel/resort should we look at?

We definitely want the place that has the best chances of seeing large marine life. Don't need super-luxury accomodations like the FS in Costa Rica, but hubby needs a place that has A/C!!!

Thank you SO much everyone!!

I would check out Pamama; it's close and I am told that it's what CR was 20 yrs ago.

I e-mailed the Four Seasons who told me they did not have a date yet for opening. Do you have a date?

The Four Season's website appears to be taking reservations from 1/17/04 on. Has anyone heard any buzz about the new hotel?

There is a direct flight right out of San Jose down into Panama. 12 days really isn't much time for Costa Rica alone and 5 days up in the Papagayo area won't really show you much of CR's beautiful rainforests. That area is considered the dry forest and although there is some wildlife it is not what you might find in other areas. There are limited day trips from that area. Your best bets if they are offered are trips into Santa Rosa or a day trip up to Los Innocentes for horseback riding. Rincon de la Vieja is a very good trip if you aren't too far from it.