Honeymoon in CR
Apr 9th, 2006, 09:26 PM
#21
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Near Arenal i believe the south side of the lake there is a quaint little hotel called Los Heros that has clean place and killer Rosti (hashed browns mixed with bacon) sounds simple but really good European food.
Apr 10th, 2006, 07:07 PM
#22
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If anyone could offer any insight to any of my above questions...still trying to figure this out...there are too many choices!
So far...the one thing we know for sure is that we are staying in the Beach Suite at Costa Rica Tree House down on the southern Carribean coast for 6-7 nights in the middle of our Oct. honeymoon.
But we are still trying to figure out what to do at the beginning and the end of our 12 day trip. I would like to choose two of the following places...Peace Lodge, Villa Blanca, Sueno Azul, Selva Verde, Vista Del Valle, Xandari, Finca Rosa Blanca...or anything comparable that I've missed!
We like small open-air barefoot-luxury romantic type places with privacy...willing to splurge on best rooms for honeymoon. We want to see wildlife...particularly love monkeys...and enjoy waterfalls, volcanoes, rainforests, white water rafting, horseback riding, etc. (I think you get the point)!
Please help with thoughts, experiences, suggestions, resort and room recommendations...etc. I'm really stuck on this and need your help...Thanks!
So far...the one thing we know for sure is that we are staying in the Beach Suite at Costa Rica Tree House down on the southern Carribean coast for 6-7 nights in the middle of our Oct. honeymoon.
But we are still trying to figure out what to do at the beginning and the end of our 12 day trip. I would like to choose two of the following places...Peace Lodge, Villa Blanca, Sueno Azul, Selva Verde, Vista Del Valle, Xandari, Finca Rosa Blanca...or anything comparable that I've missed!
We like small open-air barefoot-luxury romantic type places with privacy...willing to splurge on best rooms for honeymoon. We want to see wildlife...particularly love monkeys...and enjoy waterfalls, volcanoes, rainforests, white water rafting, horseback riding, etc. (I think you get the point)!
Please help with thoughts, experiences, suggestions, resort and room recommendations...etc. I'm really stuck on this and need your help...Thanks!
Apr 11th, 2006, 11:22 PM
#24
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Misha,
I don't know anything about Sueno Azul. There have been reviews on this board, though. You might do a search. Selva Verde and La Quinta de Sarapiqui are in the same area and both would be good choices if you want to spend a couple of nights in the Caribbean lowland area and tour La Selva. This area of the Rio Sarapiqui offers a nice float trip (nothing exciting except some interesting wildlife). Other parts of the Rio Sarapiqui have white water.
As for rafting the Pacuare, check out the website for Rios Tropicales. They are a very reputable outfitter. Pick you up in San Jose. Put in is at Turrialba which is indeed between San Jose and Puerto Viejo, but not on the main highway. If you have a map, you drive south from Siqierres (sp?) to Turrialba. You would need to correspond with this outfitter for information about how to work that into your itinerary. There are one day, 2 day (overnight), and I think 2 night packages. Pick up in San Jose is early so you would need to be in town the night before.
As for barefoot, outdoor shower type places, I can't think of anywhere in the central valley where you'll find that. Perhaps someone else will know of something. We have not stayed at the places you have mentioned yet. But they are all in the deluxe accomodation range, get good reviews, and would be good choices for a little luxury! The climate in the central valley is much cooler than the beach areas, getting as low as 59-60 degrees at night/early morning.
Arenal would be a good choice for you as well. There are some very nice (and fairly new) hotels in this area. Check out Lost Iguana. Lots to do--Tabacon Hot Springs is a lovely setting, but the resort has gotten mixed reviews. Much to do in this area, even if you don't get a view of the volcano! Cano Negro Tour would be a good choice.
Truth of the matter is, don't stress too much over your choices. They are ALL good choices. There isn't anything you can select that is not going to delight you, given the hotels you have mentioned.
Be sure and take drive times into consideration so that you don't squeeze too much in, leaving out plenty of time for relaxation! Drive from SJO to Arenal is 2.5-3 hours. Arenal to Puerto Viejo will probably take you 6. I haven't done this drive, so that is just a guess. Everything takes longer than you think it will and longer than it looks on the map! I understand your confusion at this point. It will all work out. You won't have any trouble booking hotels in October, so you have plenty of time to gather information and mull it all over!
I don't know anything about Sueno Azul. There have been reviews on this board, though. You might do a search. Selva Verde and La Quinta de Sarapiqui are in the same area and both would be good choices if you want to spend a couple of nights in the Caribbean lowland area and tour La Selva. This area of the Rio Sarapiqui offers a nice float trip (nothing exciting except some interesting wildlife). Other parts of the Rio Sarapiqui have white water.
As for rafting the Pacuare, check out the website for Rios Tropicales. They are a very reputable outfitter. Pick you up in San Jose. Put in is at Turrialba which is indeed between San Jose and Puerto Viejo, but not on the main highway. If you have a map, you drive south from Siqierres (sp?) to Turrialba. You would need to correspond with this outfitter for information about how to work that into your itinerary. There are one day, 2 day (overnight), and I think 2 night packages. Pick up in San Jose is early so you would need to be in town the night before.
As for barefoot, outdoor shower type places, I can't think of anywhere in the central valley where you'll find that. Perhaps someone else will know of something. We have not stayed at the places you have mentioned yet. But they are all in the deluxe accomodation range, get good reviews, and would be good choices for a little luxury! The climate in the central valley is much cooler than the beach areas, getting as low as 59-60 degrees at night/early morning.
Arenal would be a good choice for you as well. There are some very nice (and fairly new) hotels in this area. Check out Lost Iguana. Lots to do--Tabacon Hot Springs is a lovely setting, but the resort has gotten mixed reviews. Much to do in this area, even if you don't get a view of the volcano! Cano Negro Tour would be a good choice.
Truth of the matter is, don't stress too much over your choices. They are ALL good choices. There isn't anything you can select that is not going to delight you, given the hotels you have mentioned.
Be sure and take drive times into consideration so that you don't squeeze too much in, leaving out plenty of time for relaxation! Drive from SJO to Arenal is 2.5-3 hours. Arenal to Puerto Viejo will probably take you 6. I haven't done this drive, so that is just a guess. Everything takes longer than you think it will and longer than it looks on the map! I understand your confusion at this point. It will all work out. You won't have any trouble booking hotels in October, so you have plenty of time to gather information and mull it all over!
Apr 12th, 2006, 04:58 AM
#25
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Peace Lodge, Villa Blanca, Vista Del Valle, Xandari, Finca Rosa Blanca - consistently get rave reviews.
Personal experience with Peace Lodge and Vista del Valle - liked both for different reasons. Since I have already toured La Paz, I would choose VdV for a return visit.
If it were my choice I think I would choose between - PL, VdV and Finca.
Personal experience with Peace Lodge and Vista del Valle - liked both for different reasons. Since I have already toured La Paz, I would choose VdV for a return visit.
If it were my choice I think I would choose between - PL, VdV and Finca.
Apr 12th, 2006, 02:29 PM
#26
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We just returned last week from celebrating our anniversary. We visited two places we'd never been before in Guanacaste that are definitely very romantic -- www.hotelsugarbeach.com and even better, www.hotelpuntaislita.com
Many couples at Punta Islita on their honeymooon.
Many couples at Punta Islita on their honeymooon.
Apr 15th, 2006, 06:36 AM
#27
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Mishi,
You have a good list of options for your stay at the beginning and end of your trip. We've stayed at Peace Lodge, Vista del Valle, Finca Rosa Blanca and Xandari. Would return to any of them in a heartbeat. But they are all a little different. If you're looking for barefoot open air luxury, I'd pick Vista del Valle in either the Mona Lisa or Llan Llan suites. They both have nice open air showers and private outdoor seating. The restaurant is totally open air overlooking a breathtaking gorge. The grounds there are beautiful. The nicest thing about that resort are the people there. It is a warm, helpful international atmosphere. The others are a little less "barefoot". Xandari is beautiful, the rooms are gorgeous with beautiful views of the valley and gourmet organic food. It is more of a spa atmosphere. Finca Rosa Blanca has unique artsy architecture. Wonderful food is served around a central table in the lodge, and is a good place for conversation with interesting people. The honeymoon suite is gorgeous, or the villas have beautiful private balconies. Peace Lodge has some of the most beautiful rooms we've stayed in. But they are part of an attraction--Waterfall Gardens--which is really interesting, but a little Disney-like in that it is not totally "natural"-it has been enhanced a little. The hotels are all 20 - 30 minutes from the airport, so it's really easy to get there.
Hope this helps. Can't wait to hear about your trip.
Marcia
You have a good list of options for your stay at the beginning and end of your trip. We've stayed at Peace Lodge, Vista del Valle, Finca Rosa Blanca and Xandari. Would return to any of them in a heartbeat. But they are all a little different. If you're looking for barefoot open air luxury, I'd pick Vista del Valle in either the Mona Lisa or Llan Llan suites. They both have nice open air showers and private outdoor seating. The restaurant is totally open air overlooking a breathtaking gorge. The grounds there are beautiful. The nicest thing about that resort are the people there. It is a warm, helpful international atmosphere. The others are a little less "barefoot". Xandari is beautiful, the rooms are gorgeous with beautiful views of the valley and gourmet organic food. It is more of a spa atmosphere. Finca Rosa Blanca has unique artsy architecture. Wonderful food is served around a central table in the lodge, and is a good place for conversation with interesting people. The honeymoon suite is gorgeous, or the villas have beautiful private balconies. Peace Lodge has some of the most beautiful rooms we've stayed in. But they are part of an attraction--Waterfall Gardens--which is really interesting, but a little Disney-like in that it is not totally "natural"-it has been enhanced a little. The hotels are all 20 - 30 minutes from the airport, so it's really easy to get there.
Hope this helps. Can't wait to hear about your trip.
Marcia
Apr 17th, 2006, 06:50 AM
#28
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In trying to plan for my own wedding & honeymoon I recently came across this set of detailed CR honeymoon reports, thought you might find them useful also: http://www.angelfire.com/oz/honeymoonbio/CostaRica.html
Apr 29th, 2006, 08:00 AM
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We just returned from CR, we stayed at Vista de Valle our first two nights there and Finca Rosa Blanca the last night before we left. Both were unique, private and outstanding each in their own way. Vista de Valle has pretty little cottages set along stone paths winding through the hillside. A beautiful view of the valley and good food. Horses to ride if you choose. Be forwarned about the hike to the waterfall, not much upkeep on the safety rails etc. I felt it was an accident waiting to happen. Brooke who works at the reception desk is wonderful. People were very nice there. We had to be moved due to a plumbing problem in our Tea house cottage. They moved us to a two room suite in Exotic Woods. Worked out really well, we were traveling w/ two teens, they enjoyed having there own place next to ours.
Finca Rosa Blanca, boy I wish we could've stayed one extra night here! Incredibly beautiful. Very "artsy" and a delicious (however, expensive) dinner is served here. You feel like you are at someone's private dinner party. A nice romantic place. Pretty paths to walk, they also have a horses on the property that you can ride I believe. Didn't inquire because we were just doing an overnighter to be close to the airport. Very nice staff. If you have other questions, you can e-mail if you like.
[email protected]
Finca Rosa Blanca, boy I wish we could've stayed one extra night here! Incredibly beautiful. Very "artsy" and a delicious (however, expensive) dinner is served here. You feel like you are at someone's private dinner party. A nice romantic place. Pretty paths to walk, they also have a horses on the property that you can ride I believe. Didn't inquire because we were just doing an overnighter to be close to the airport. Very nice staff. If you have other questions, you can e-mail if you like.
[email protected]
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