Paradisus Playa Conchal
 

Has anyone stayed there? I am looking for an all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica or the Caribbean for my family of five, which includes three children under six. (They are all out of diapers.) A fun and safe children's club is essential. Smaller and more upscale resorts are more my style. Any advice will be appreciated.

Paradisus Playa Conchal would be a good choice. We've stayed there a few times for weekends. The Kids' Club is excellent. We haven't used that particular facility, but have gone in and looked around. It is well equipped for all the ninos from infant to 10 or 12. Excellent staff.

my husband and I took our then 2 year old last summer and LOVED IT! The property is not small by any means but the buildings are low rise (2 story) and all are pretty convenient to all public areas. Food was excellent, staff extremely accomodating and pool and activities fun for all. Our son is not a "joiner" so he enjoyed his days in the pool, at the pool bar, on the playground... the kids staff was excellent - very professional, patient and fun!

Thanks for the reports. It does seem to offer many different activities, and the price seems reasonable.

We booked a 7 day trip for the first week of 2005, with my 2 daughters (20 and 22) and their boyfriends. Some will just hang out others may want to take side trips. Any recommendations for the side trips, activities. We assume we would be renting a car or 4 wheel drive vehicle.

There will be a lot of choices with the hotel tour desk. But with your own vehicle, you can explore nearby areas without losing a lot of resort time--I always hate to pay so much and not stay there to enjoy it!

Suggestions:

Tamarindo--about 15 minutes south

Up the road north:
Brasilito--small Costa Rican beach town--2-3 minutes from PPC entrance

Flamingo--very Americanized, but with a gorgeous beach and sunsets! 10 minutes north of Brasilito

Playa Potrero--a drive on a dirt road through the countryside--10 min. from Flamingo

Playa Penca and Playa Pan de Azucar both in the Potrero area.

ALSO: You may enjoy visiting Santa Cruz, about an hour from Paradisus. Down a country road off of Highway 21, just outside Santa Cruz, you can go about 10km and come to Guayitil, where EVERYONE makes gorgeous and unusual pieces of pottery. You can pick up some nice pieces for gifts here, if that sort of thing appeals. We went there once on a Sunday afternoon and really enjoyed looking around and picking up a few gifts.

Driving around the general vicinity should give you an idea of life in Costa Rica and provide you with some nice experiences. Enjoy!

For 9Stanleys

From the Paradisus you can get to Rincon de la Vieja. It is a little bit of a drive but if you leave early you can still have a good day there. You might want to look into a day trip to one of the lodges in that area. Hot springs, mud baths horseback riding, canopy tour. Something for everyone.

You can go snorkeling/diving around the Bat and Catalina Islands and deep sea fishing is good.

I have been on the dirt road between Flamingo and Potrero many times and quite frequently it is a good place to look for howler monkeys. Potrero will give you a good look at Costa Ricans.