Has anyone stayed at the Flamingo Beach Resort in Playa Flamingo? Is it worth the money to go there? They want around $200 per night for 2 adults and 2 kids (10 and 15 years old). Any other hotel recommendations either on the beach or near the beach either on or near Playa Flamingo.

Does anyone know anything about the Flamingo Marina Resort? It looks like it is less expensive then the Flamingo Beach Resort?

We stayed at the Flamingo Marina in a timeshare a few years ago. It is a nice resort. Not luxurious but clean and comfortable. It has a nice pool and a very convenient location for day trips. It is about a 10 minute drive from Tamarindo. There was a tour company office in the resort which was great. We had a wonderful time there.

I have stayed at the Flamingo Beach Resort and found it to be very nice.

The beach is beautiful and there are several very good restaurants nearby. Though I haven't been there in some time, I can't believe they are only charging $200 a night! Is this some kind of special deal?

I Don't know if your looking for fancy, but my husband and I always stay in Tamarindo at the Pasiatempo just off the beach. It's bungalows surrounding a nice pool with a resteraunt. The bungalows are one room with a big bathroom and private porch with table and hammock. We paid $65.00 a night if you can believe that. We love it there because it quiant,clean and the owner is from Minnesota. Nice beach, resteraunts and shopping. We golfed in Flamingo which was great and the resort looked real nice, but not much else to do. Good Luck--I may have spelled pasitiempo wrong---Check it out!The kids couldhave there own bungalow for that price!!!!

I thought that Tamarindo was very touristy and crowded. That is why I chose Playa Flamingo. Do you think that Tamarindo is a better choice for my kids? How far is the hotel Pasiatempo from the beach? When you say that there is more to do in Tamarindo then Flamingo, what do you mean? I was thinking about staying at the Flamingo Marina Resort.

Melissa: I think what Sschaub means is that there is no town at Flamingo Beach, just a couple of nice resorts and restaurants, i.e. the kind of place you'd want on a honeymoon.

I think your kids would love Tamarindo. It's full of surfers and funky shops and eating places and you can rent bikes, horses, etc.

But you could stay at Flamingo and drive over to Tamarindo - it's only a few minutes away.

Although it isn't on the beach (and not all that close either), we have enjoyed Pasatiempo. It's a cool little place!

I'm a little surprised by Flamingo Beach Resort prices. Just recently I received an e-mail for a special they were offering for $99 per night. We have stayed there several times for $69 per night ($99 poolside), the last time being last summer. Check their website for specials. . perhaps there is one! We've never paid $200 per night. That seems a little pricey for that hotel. It's nice, but older. . .could use some updating. . .great location, though. We've always liked it there.

I wouldn't do the all-inclusive there as the food isn't that great. Breakfast is okay. Just okay. Sometimes they offer AI rates. . .

Either place would be good. Have you thought about Hotel Sugar Beach?

I stayed at the Playa Flamingo back in '99. Loved it! It's a great place, but kids may be a bit bored.

It's got a nice pool with a great swim up bar, and nice restaurant for breakfast on the beach. The beach is lovely. Friendly staff.

Good restaurants close by, Maries...awesome fresh seafood. Just past Maries is a cool, low key, thatch roofed bar. Following the dirt road, just up the hill, overlooking the marina is a restaurant and disco.

I went on a package tour, with airfare from Boston. I think I paid $600 or $700.00.

Tamarindo is a 30 minuted cab ride down a very, very bumpy road. Did see some horses crossing the road. Tamarindo has a very international feel, kinda funky, with a mix of surfers and backpackers. Lots of shops. I got the impression it was a party town at night...not that there's anything wrong with that

Thanks again for all advice so far. I still can't decide on what hotel and beach to go to. I have narrowed it down to 4 hotels:
Hotel Bula Bula-Playa Grande-Hotel is not on beach but a 5 min walk to it.
Flamingo Marina Resort-Playa Flamingo-Is this hotel a far walk to the beach in front of the Flamingo Beach Resort?
Hotel El Velero-Playa Hermosa-Worried about all the construction here?
Hotel Sugar Beach-Playa Pan de Azucar-Is the beach very rocky? And is it a pain to get here cause of the unpaved roads?
Any suggestions? We want a good beach to be able to swim in and relax with no riptides.

Of all these places, your best spot for a swimming beach would be Playa Flamingo, probably one of the calmest beaches in the area.
Playa Grande (Bula Bula) is a gorgeous beach but for surfing, not swimming.
Sugar Beach is OK but it won't be as easy to get around to make day trips as it would from the other spots and I think your kids could get bored there.
Playa Hermosa (El Velero)is one of my favorites and I go every year in February. Some have complained about construction. Didn't see it much last year but it may have picked up quite a bit from what I've read.
I may not be much help here, but I think your best bet may be Flamingo or Hermosa for water sports (other than surfing)as entertainment for the kids.
El Velero has clean but basic rooms right on the beach.

Thanks for your response. I guess I'll probably decide between El Velero in Playa Hermosa and Flamingo Marina Resort. If we went to El Velero, how long is the drive from Monteverde to Playa Hermosa? Also how long is the drive from Playa Hermosa to Tamarindo?

Another place that gets good reviews at Playa Hermosa is Villa del Sueno (or something like that). I think it is slightly more $$ than El Velero. You might check the website.
www.villadelsueno.com

Flamingo Beach Resort is the only hotel on the beach in Flamingo. It's the best choice, IMO. It's a 5-10 minute walk from Flamingo Marina Resort to the beach.

Yes, Playa Pan de Azucar (Sugar Beach) is a little rocky. And true, your children would probably be bored there. And yes, it is a bit out of the way to get to.

We stayed at Hotel Velero for three days at Xmas time. I didn't notice any construction but maybe they were not working during the holidays. it is very basic but clean and the location right on the beach can't be beat.Very small pool, more like a dipping pool.