We just got back from our trip to Arenal and Tamarindo. We stayed at Tabacon Hot Springs and Resort- it was terrific. The room is not the nicest I have been in but for the price it was great. The hot springs are wonderful, I wish I was sitting there right now. We were able to see the volcano erupt during the day and at night which made Arenal even better. We had lunch at the Arenal Observatory Lodge overlooking the volcano - lunch was really good and the view was even better.

The drive between Arenal and Tamarindo was a bit tough and it took us a solid 4 hours with a stop in a German Bakery that had amazing pretzels. In Tamarindo we started our stay at Hotel Diria. I have to say the negative comments that I had read on this hotel were all true! The service was terrible. We had an ocean view room that was beautiful but we could still hear all the traffic from the main road. The hotel hosted a wedding that went on until 2 am. So by the second day we decided to look for a second hotel. It was not fair to be kept up at night, sleeep on a terrible full size bed, and hear doors slamming and traffic at 6am. We spoke briefly to the manager that did not even offer an apology!

We ended up at Cala Luna up the road from Hotel Diria and off the major strip and it was terrific. We loved how peaceful it was! The king size bed was comfy and the service was wonderful. This was clearly a much classier establishment and it was $15.00 cheaper. The beach at the Cala Luna was rustic and what I pictured Costa Rica to look like but it was not a swimmable beach which was fine with us because my husband surfs so we travel to beaches in search of the biggest waves anyway. We did go and sit on the beach for sunsets and rainbows.

I really enjoyed our stay in Costa Rica and we look forward to our next visit.

It is always fun to hear how everyone enjoys Costa Rica. I did read the reports on Diria (pictures are so pretty) so I opted for Hotel Capitan Suizo right before Cala Luna and that hotel was awesome also. The open bar/restaraunt are next to the ocean. You can swim here also. We walked to Cala Luna and had an ice tea there (eary morning walk south of Capitan on the beach and up through Sueno del Mar Bed and Breakfast and then to Cala Luna's pool bar area). Wished I had asked to see a room. Am glad you enjoyed your stay. Can't wait to go back (and it's only been three months!)

The Diria truly is grossly over rated. I'm one the the many who have posted negative comments about the place - just for the generally sleazy atmosphere.

Everyone has different opinions and experiences of course, but it bewilders me how anyone could have a positive stay there.

Jerry

I was glad to see that it wasn't me, being too picky at the Hotel Diria. We really enjoyed our stay in Costa Rica and I can't wait to visit new towns.

Hi JBQ,

Do you remember the room number or bldg location where you stayed at Tabacon?