Hello all,
We are going to Costa Rica for the first time in June and staying at the Occidental Grand in Guanacaste. In reading all the information from you here, it seems that most of you are centered around San Jose. I am a little concerned about things to do and see out where we will be. We want to do a canopy tour and do lots of sightseeing. Are there things you recommend closer to where we will be or are there things you recommend closer to us? A lot of you also talk about Monteverde. Are there some things around there we would enjoy? Thank you for any help you can give. We are very excited!

Hello, near to Liberia is the Rincón de la Vieja Nationalpark. You can make canopy tours at Treetop Trails or Kazm Canyon Canopy Tour. More north is the Santa Rosa Nationalpark with a lot of wildlife and remote beaches.
Saludos
costaklaus - www.costaricaweb.de

You'll be in one of the favorite areas for many people on this board! Guanacaste is wonderful. Do schedule a day outing to Rincon de la Vieja as CostaKlaus has mentioned. The canopy combined with the mudbaths and water slide is a lot of fun. You can also horseback ride up at Los Inocentes--a gorgeous area of tropical dry forest. There should be a tour company at the resort offering these options to you. Also, there is Witch's Rock Canopy Tour near you.

Drive down the coast to the beach areas of Flamingo, Potrero, Sugar Beach, Brasilito, Conchal, and Tamarindo. Spend a little time in Tamarindo or have dinner at Camaron Dorado in Brasilito--incredibly romantic right on the beach. You'll have a GREAT time!

At Grand Occidental, please, please say hello to Hernan. He is a very energetic young man, about 28 or 29, and I believe he is now the director of entertainment. Our family has known him for several years--he's the best person in the world to give you a couple of lessons in merengue or salsa! Tell him Jim and Jill said hello!

When are you leaving and returning? Do post a report of your trip and let us know how it went! Buen Viaje!

Thank you all so much! I greatly appreciate your advice and have enjoyed reading about everyone's adventures on this board. We are going the first part of June. I will definitely post a report when we return. Please keep the ideas coming!

Canopy tours in the direct area:
Witches Rock Canopy, Congo Trail - both are about 45 minutes from the Grand. There are also combination canopy, water slide, horseback riding packages at Borinquen and Buena Vista 1 1/2 hrs from the resort.
Monteverde & Arenal are approx. 3 1/2 - 4 hrs from the resort, maybe a little longer now the rains have started. bring some light rain gear. For watersport activities - go down by the pool to the Diving Safaris booth and they can provide information on snorkeling, diving and fishing. Kayaks are avialble at the resort..free....along with snorkel gear. You are going to have a great time...The Grand just keeps getting better and better each month.
shillmac - I'll say hello to Hernan for you!
Michael
http://www.costarica-realestate.com

Papagayo--you know Hernan? We spent a couple of days with him once on his days off at Conchal. Everywhere we went people seemed to know him. He's a fun guy and a good friend. Thank you!

Michael--you probably know Venancio (Paradisus Conchal)as well. . . . .and Zeidy at Allegro? I notice you are in real estate--how's that going?

Michael,

You have been a great source of info for that area on many boards for many years. Sorry I missed meeting you when you had your other business. It sounded great. I assume it is in good hands and still operating so will look forward to it one day.

Keep up the good work,
Suzie