excaper

Can anyone comment on the day trips available from the Playa Conchal resort? We would love to snorkel, see the hot springs, maybe a volcano, especially at night. Most of the tours I have seen seem to leave from San jose and that seems to be a fair distance from the Tamarindo area.

Any comments welcomed!!

Lisa490

WE did the 1/2 day canopy tour out of Tamarindo and loved it! Headed out around 7am was at the canopy place in about 1/2 hour and started in on the zip lines right away. No waiting for other groups. The tour was absolutely wonderful and loads of fun and we were still back at the resort in time for lunch.
Lisa S

excaper

Thanks Lisa. I believe it was your review I have saved for the great information! We would like to do the canopy tour as well. So much to do in such a short time!!

katolb90

I don't have a good answer, but my comments will bring this to the top so maybe a really knowledgeable person can answer.

I think you will be very far from Arenal and Tabacon Hot Springs. Have you checked to see if there are any hot springs near your resort. The closest volcano to you will be Rincon de la Vieja which probably isn't too close either. Should be able to snorkel though. Have you considered splitting your trip so that you can stay in two different regions of the country in order to cut down on travel time?

ParrotMom

Depending when your there go see the turtles laying their eggs (at night)...You must go with a guide and visitors are limited.

shillmac

Arenal Volcano definitely not a day trip option. I drove from Arenal to Playa Conchal in December, and as I remember, it is about 4 hours. The road from Liberia to Arenal is very rough in spots--mainly around the lake. A few years ago, when we stayed at an AI about an hour north of Conchal, there was an overnight tour to Arenal and several opted to take it. Only thing is, you've paid for a very expensive night and day at Paradisus Playa Conchal! There were some really cool day trips offered to Rincon de la Vieja that we took and enjoyed tremendously, but travel time there from Allegro Papagayo was a couple of hours each way. That made for an okay day trip. But Conchal is about an hour further south, so I am thinking that won't work for you.
The only other thing I can think of is to drive out on your own if you have a car. You can check out Flamingo Beach (about 20 minutes north)--at the Flamingo Beach Resort, there is a French couple who own a salon, and she gives WONDERFUL massages for $40 an hour--much cheaper than Paradisus!, Tamarindo (about 15 minutes south), do (as someone said) the tour of the leatherback turtles nesting (this ends in March) at Playa Grande--very close. Also, you can drive to Guatil (outside of Santa Cruz)--an entire village dedicated to the making of some very beautiful pottery. I think you could probably do the nice and gentle float trip on the Rio Tempisque (I forget what that parque is called--Parque Nacional Palo Verde, I think)--I've talked to people who thought it was pretty cool. Also, you are not so far from Barra Honda Caves. Playa Conchal itself has a huge array of activities. . you may not want to get out all that much. You have the ATV tours (guys like this), bicycle trips, the 3 zip lines over pool, GREAT entertainment in the evening provided the dance team is working (not on Monday). kayaking tours, jet skiing, etc. Have fun!

excaper

Excellent information! Thanks everyone! Unfortunately, we are limited to one week this trip. I am thinking another week later in the year or next year may be warranted!