Guanacaste--suggestions for maximizing my stay
 

Greetings! Previously, I really wanted to go to Montezuma and Arenal when in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, however, I already booked plane tickets which fly in and out of Liberia (dumb thing to do before researching). So, after some advice from friendly folks on here (and my own common sense)I've decided not to waste my time with long travels and instead focus on the northern area and maximizing my stay there as much as possible. So, now I need some help with that! If you had only 6 nights in Guanacaste, were flying in and out of Liberia, and were not renting a car, HOW Would you spend your time so that you maximized the experience to the fullest (without going crazy or spending a ample amoun of cash)????? I would LOVE suggestions! I'm new to Fodors, but the people on here seems so helpful!
Thanks a bunch!

What are your interests?

Jerry

First of all, I'd do "playa" research to decide which beach town I'd be staying ..... I've only been to Tamarindo, so can't offer up suggestions on the many other choices you have in that region. One thing I'd definitely put on my list would be Rincon -- haven't gotten there myself, however have been looking at nat'l parks in the area as my boss will be going to CR in July (they'll be staying @ Four Seasons).

RINCON >>>
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34717503

I will definitely do Rincon; I'm thinking about actually staying there for a couple of nights and taking in some tours. I'm not sure, however, if I should go there first or last on my trip. Is Rincon pretty close to Liberia (I'm flying in at 6:30 p.m.)?
The playas are where I'm a little confused. I've read about them until I'm blue in the face (the only beach town that REALLY struck me was Montezuma, but that's out due to the headache of getting there).
I guess I'm looking to sample of variety of activities (not just tours) and also take in a bit of beach time on a beach that is beautiful, yet different (not something I can easily find in the States).
I've noticed that a lot of people recommend Tamarindo; however, I've also heard a lot about it being incredibly overcrowded and filled with the sex, drugs, and rock and roll crowd. I'm not a total square, but I've also outgrown the party scene.
Perhaps, I should stay at a couple different beach locations?
Also, do you believe it is worth it to take a tour to Arenal, or should I try to focus on such activities at Rincon?

Sorry for so many questions! I'm just someone who likes to have everything planned out, yet I don't have much time and don't know what to expect in Costa Rica (of course, that's what also makes it so wonderful!)

Rincon is about 1/2 - 3/4 hour from the airport, mostly because the road in is in bad shape, but a taxi or hotel shuttle shouldn't be bad at all. As for the beaches, I loved Playa Hermosa, which is about 1/2 hour from the airport. It has a decent amount of hotels of all sizes and price ranges and has decent restaurants in the area. Just ask the locals for their recomendations no matter where you end up going, they will always be happy to help. The beach is large, fairly secluded and calm. Howler monkeys in some of the trees and just a very peaceful and relaxing area. You can dive with local shops or take tours. My recommendation. Have fun.

Yes, I agree, Playa Hermosa looks great. I will definitely plan on staying there and at Rincon. Do you think I should also travel just a bit south and maybe stay a night or two somewhere like Tamarindo or Playa Flamingo, or should I just stay in Hermosa and make day trips to such places?
I cannot thank everyone enough for all of the help!

I wouldn't move around between playas--you don't have enough time. You can visit Playa Flamingo and Playa Tamarindo part of one day if you'd like--they are about an hour's drive (and just a little more) to the south. Sunsets at Flamingo are gorgeous! I wouldn't stay in the Rincon if I were you. You can enjoy it plenty with a day tour--try the megacombo--most hotels will know about it. Also check into Villas del Suenos at Playa Hermosa. It comes highly recommended. We're staying there early in July--will know more later!

defintely visit Rincon, you should use Amy at Avispa's tours in Playa Hermosa:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

also visit bagaces waterfalls- as they're known locally, they're free!!

villas sueno is lovely, the beach at Hermosa is clean and safe for swimming, if you want nightlife go to the neighbouring beach resort of Playa del Coco:
http://costa.rica.typepad.com/playa_...ome/index.html

I am going to the region in August and will be staying in Playa Potrero. It's just north of Flamingo. I can't say much other than what I've read. They say it does well to remove itself from the highly touristy area of Flamingo but you can still visit there with no problems.

Anyway, staying and Bahia Del Sol, it looks nice enough and so far I've read decent things about it. Wish I could offer more but I guess I'm in the same situation as you.

Thanks again to everyone who is helping me...I'm really taking your suggestions to heart. Also, thank you for the congrats...it's an exciting time:)
Okay, so I've decided to stay in Playa Hermosa as my home base, take a day trip to Rincon, and then head out to Arenal for one or two nights (and back to Hermosa so I'll be close to the airport again.) It sounds like an exciting time, but now I'm afraid I won't have hardly any time at the beach...Unless, I only stay one night at Arenal. Please share thoughts on this...do you think it will still be a great experience going to Arenal and staying one night, or will it feel way too rushed? I'd like to stay 2 nights, but if I spend one day in Rincon and two of my days arriving and departing, that only leaves me a couple of days at Hermosa...not even full days.
Also, Shillmac, why don't you suggest staying at Rincon? I've gotten some opposing feedback that said I should stay...just wanted to know your thoughts, you seem very knowledgable.
Also, Randy, I was also looking at Bahia del Sol in Potrero...it looks great! I just think Hermosa suits me a little better, but I'd like to head to Potrero (if I have time!)

Keep the help coming please! I am truly using everyone's advice:)

PS--I called the airline, Continental, about extending my stay an extra couple of days, but they said it would cost a couple hundred dollars a person. Unfortunately, I just simply cannot afford that, so I'll have to stick with my 6 nights:(

shillmac - I would like to meet you after reading all your helpful posts through the years. I live 5 minutes down the beach from Villa del Sueno and Claude & Sylvia are good friends.
My cell is 395-6090

Playa Hermosa map and general Hermosa info at - http://www.costarica-realestate.com/...osa%20Info.htm


Michael
Vargas Tours

Michael, we'd enjoy meeting you. We'll give you a call--looking forward to it. . .

Azar - I guess it doesn't matter now, but we went to Tamarindo and had a great time. The beach is beautiful, there are some fun on-the-beach restaurants, we listened to live music in several places, and we tried surfing. We are in our 30s and not huge partiers. The people were wonderfully friendly, didn't see any seediness at all.

Anyway, I'd try to go to Arenal, but that's just me. We also went to Monteverde for one night (spent a total of about 24 hours there), which worked for us but most people on this board wouldn't recommend.

Depends on how you feel about the "travel" part of traveling...but Arenal/La Fortuna is a great area.

Karen

shillmac
Great...I look forward to meeting you. I am usually there with my business partners in the mornings for coffee. You will enjoy your stay at Sueno!

Hey:) Is it easy to arrange a taxi inexpensively from Liberia to Playa Hermosa? Any recommendations? Prices?

Thanks so much!

kaudrey--Tamarindo sounds nice too, but I've already booked Playa Hermosa! Maybe we'll have time to at least spend a few hours in Tamarindo:)Thanks for your suggestions.

You have received some great advice from everyone and I agree with all the posts, now you have to decide what to do. If I may, I would recommend renting a car, this way you can go to Rincon yourself, travel down to Flamingo and Tamarindo or just have the ability to see what you want, when you want. We took day trips from Hermosa to Rincon, Tamarindo, an hours drive, and then went to Bagaces Waterfall, that was awesome. We were the only ones there, but it isn't easy to find and you would need to ask the locals. Anyway, have a great trip.

See you soon, Papagayo. Azar, I agree with ewesthoff--it's an easy area in which to get around--very convenient. You can rent with Dollar or your choice of other agencies right there in Liberia. The signage is good to Playa Hermosa, even in the dark--and as mentioned, it is a very short drive.

Hi from Tamarindo eveyone.
We are here for our honeymoon, styng at the Cala luna villa and very happy with our choice. It's really great.
But that's about it...Tam/do is a tiny village where actually not much to do unless you enjoy surfing. Went to couple of places to eat - we used advice of fodorins and went to Stella and \capitan Suizo / both great. Stella has they own car so they can pick you up and bring back for free. We also fly to and out Liberia and very happy with it..we did not rent a car and very happy with it as well.My dear hubby drives only car with GPS.there are NO street signs and where are you going local folks don't speak english much...so is a best way to get a transportation / it's pretty fair.. Trip to Arinal is a must...we higly recommend to stay over night.unfortunately we find out it too late and have had it in one day, left at 6am, came back at 11pm..there are tours wich will include Monteverdo as well if you go over night.. Our Private tour for two coast us $280.00 all included as well as - lunch ,entrence, and buffet dinner in Hot springs. Entrence and dinner in HSpr alone coasts $60 pp....Anyway we are leaving tomorrow, so when get back home I'll go on line again and answeer questions if you have. Sorry for misspels and etc...got to run..
All the best.
Marina