I want to first thank everyone- I picked up some vital tips here- money, fishing, driving, and car rentals. I haven't had much input myself because I haven't been to CR yet, but will be there in a couple of weeks. We will be staying at the Grand Papagayo in the Guanacaste region ( I think it's near the four seasons)- can anyone recommend some places that we can drive to in an hour or two? Our kids are 9 and 12. We'll probably drive to Tamarindo one day,and we're fishing one day. We're interested mostly in just site seeing.
Thanks.

I don't know what I did, but if this reply shows up twice - Sorry!

Message: Hom_ER - I was trying to remember just what the Grand Papagayo was, and remembered something that sent me looking. And yes, the Grand Papagayo was formerly the Costa Smeralda. I have included a thread here that might be of interest.

Now, we were at the Costa Smeralda during our first visit to CR, which was in 2001, so my info is quite old.

At that time there were tour offices in the hotel, where you could book day excursions.

The town of Coco is a little town for some shopping, browsing, food, local bars, fishing, etc.

We rented a vehicle and did some driving around, even drove to Monteverde, hiked around in the Cloud Forest and spent the night. But this is a long trip.

I know there is a waterfall that some have mentioned. You might search for this - "Llanos des Cortes. It is just north of Bagaces on the Interamericana"

We drove to the Corbici river and went rafting, which was more of a float with a few small rapids. But enjoyable, great guide that worked hard to show us lots.

Percy has a wealth of knowledge in this area. You might try typing in Percy in the search area at the top of this page. I know Percy has given in depth info on lots to do in this area.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34570951



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thanks, dfarmer!

Hom_ER, while at GP, please say hello to Hernan from Jill and family from Oklahoma. He will be the director of the entertainment group. Very energetic guy, people person and a fabulous dance instructor! Everybody's friend--be sure and make his acquaintance!

No problem, shillmac. Thanks for the intro. By the way, I clicked on your hyperlink and started tracking your posts- i stopped after #450- you're like the "Costa Rica Concierge"!

Hom_ER

First let me say Hi to dfarmer and to shillmac( welcome back from the Bahamas..I know who stole the show there !!)

You will of course enjoy the Grand Papagayo.
Been there have not stayed there.

You are across the water from the Four Seasons.
If you look on the Costa Rica Map for the Gulf of Papagayo and you see where the "Playa Panama" is....

Well that little penninsula "hanging " over is where the Four Season is ..right at the tip !

You are about 20 minutes to Playa Coco.
This beach has a little town there as mentioned by dfarmer.

It is not easy walking about there for two reasons:
1. The heat ( it will be about 95F)
2. There are no sidewalks, so you sort of walk along the road.

But the children can have some ice cream here and the two of you can have a beer or ( coke)..... also

in town right by the beach there is a nice shady little park area, which is a welcome rest/relief from the heat.

To see something within a 2 hour drive:

1.The Palo Verde Tour would be nice and your children will certainly enjoy the animals and birds especially the white faced monkeys that come right onto the boat.

2. Rincon de la Vieja.. there is a water slide here that your children would have the time of their life going down this slide...as shillmac can attest !!!

3. Monteverde and Arenal are too far away.

4. Tamarindo is also a nice place to drive around and site see and stop off off for a treat.

5. You know when you are at Coco beach you are not far away from Ocotal resort.

In fact you will see the turn off sign to Ocotal Resort as you drive down the main street of Coco Beach.

Go here for lunch or a drink and just admire the great view from this hilltop restaurant... now that you are here ( in Coco Beach), take the short drive (3 miles) to Ococtal !!! sip on a drink and look out at the Lovely Pacific Ocean.( super view isn't it !!)

You may also want to go with the children to Liberia, since you are driving around and want to site see.

Go to the part of town where those nice white buildings are and you will know why it is nicknamed "The White City."
Also if you want to see the famous Guanacaste Tree ,then when in Liberia go to the Central Park and in the Northwest corner you will see this huge tree!!

Let me just add that the Costa Rican do not say Liberia the way we do...
The name of the town is "Lee- Veddy-Ahh".

Also since you are driving , you can drive to Allegro Papagayo resort and from here drive to the Four Season..you might as well site see this place if you have time!!

Oh yes, when you are driving to Allegro Papagayo....look out at the ocean ,that beach is the Playa Naranjo...and you see that Rock in the distance...that is Witches Rock.( a good surfing place)...

okay now you see that forest back of the Witches Rock....that is the famous Santa Rosa National Park.... I am just trying to orientate you as towhere you are!!

If you want to get in contact with a very good tour guide( in your area) that only does small group tours let me know and I will give you all the details of how to contact him

Hope this helps a little, and I am sure other will give you more choices of places to see.

I could have mentioned for you to drive to Santa Cruz...then Nicoya ..then Smara but this is a long drive and you want to stop and see also,not just drive and look out the car window.

Percy

I just have a couple of suggestions to add. From Grand Papagayo you are very close to Playa Hermosa, which has a great little restaurant for dinner called Ginger. You are also about an 60-90 minute drive to Playa Conchal which is one of the prettiest beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. It is horseshoe shaped and consists of crushed shell, so the "sand" is bright white. You can also do some shallow water snorkeling there. Right near Playa Conchal is Playa Flamingo which also has a great place for lunch called the Happy Snapper.

I agree with rbrazill.

Gingers is a nice place and you can sit on the second floor deck and people watch as the traffic goes by.

I stopped her for a beer as the temperature was 95F as if I needed an excuse !!!

And like brazill mentioned you can sort of beach hop along the Papagayo Coast, from Tamarindo to the Four Seasons.

You really cannot go wrong ,to whatever beaches you go to .!!

Have a good time,which I was going again !!

Percy

Thanks, hom_ER--and Percy has given you some very useful information as well--as has rbrazill. You are sure to have a great time. I think the Happy Snapper is actually in Brasilito, a tiny little Costa Rican beach town between Conchal and Flamingo. Another excellent dining option in Brasilito is Camaron Dorado (on the beach), very atmospheric and beautiful in the evening before dark. Not particularly easy to find, but everyone will know where it is.

Also in Playa Hermosa for great dinners:
Villa del Sueño and Finistiere (sp) - it's up the hill but well signed...
Cheers,
Andrew