Taia

Hubby and me are going to be staying in Liberia for 7 days in early December --- we are interested in doing day trips from our hotel, but not sure where to start looking for info or prices. Definitely interested in hot springs/mud baths, doing a canopy ride, horse back riding through the rainforest... to start with. Can anyone pls tell me where I can start looking into this stuff, and also, what are other must-see's while in the Liberia area? I heard of a must see "Blue Waterfall" but can't recall the name of it --- does anyone know where this is? Also, is Arenal too far for a day trip from Liberia?

Taia

By the way, I should mention we are staying in Guanacaste. Thanks!!

Jessie_

Guanacaste is a huge province and covers a large territory. Could you be just a little more specific?

Rincon de La Vieja is a great day trip depending on where you are staying. A few of the hotels in that area offer day services for you to go to to sit in hot springs etc.

Taia

We'll either be staying at the Fiesta Premier or Allegro Papagayo. Does that help? Is one hotel better located than the other?

How far is Arenal and Monteverde? Is this possible in a day trip? Thanks!

shillmac

We've stayed at Allegro. Nice place--had a great time there. The newly remodeled Fiesta has gotten good reviews as well. Your hotel will have tour companies offering great day trips. Usually the Arenal and Monteverde trips are overnight because of time/distance. First time we stayed at Allegro, we met people who did both of those overnight trips. We enjoyed staying at the hotel too much (it was our first time in CR) to want to spend a night somewhere else! We were definitely there to relax.

We selected 2 day trips, both to the Rincon de la Vieja. We arrived on Saturday, took a day trip Sunday and Thursday, and left on Saturday. Going into this detail because we really did like spreading our day trips out during the week, but ending up with a day to relax again before coming home.

Would recommend horseback riding at Los Innocentes. Also, the canopy/mudbath/slide tour was a LOT of fun. Had excellent guides both times--used Swiss Travel.

There is a seldom visited waterfall near Bagaces (south of Liberia just off the Interamerican highway). Don't know if Blue Waterfall is the name of it, but I know it is popular with the locals and not heavily visited by tourists. If you go, do give a report. I've not been there, but would like to check it out sometime.

rbrazill

I think the waterfall Shillmac is referring to is caleed Llanos des Cortes. It is just north of Bagaces on the Interamericana. For some reason there is no sign for it when heading south from Liberia, but there is a sign in the northerly direction. If you get to Bagaces, you've gone too far; turn around and you'll see the sign. The entrance is on the west side of the highway, and there is a small soda on that side of the road. Follow the dirt road for about 1/4 mile and there will be a sign which says catarata 1km (it's actually further.) Follow that road until you see a clearing. There will probably be a kid there who will "watch" your car for a small fee. Pay him: it's worth it. The falls are down a short slope. It is a beautiful falls with a sandy beach around it. Maybe the prettiest place on earth. If you go during the week, you may have it all to yourselves.

TripleSecDelay

Taia : Let yer fingers do the typing.
Online resources abound for research.
In addition to this site, try SlowTravel.com, Igougo.com, Frommers.com, and more boards.

Also, the country itself has online resources:

costarica-travelinfo.com
costa-rica-guide.com
infocostarica.com
crstours.com/english/tours.html
insidecostarica.com
nacion.com
ticotimes.net
costaricabureau.com
letsgo.com
govisitcostarica.com

shillmac

Thanks, rbrazill,
This is definitely the place I was referring to and would like to see for myself. You liked it then?

rbrazill

Shillmac: I have been there twice. The place is truly magical, nicer than any other waterfalls I've seen (including Fortuna and Rincon)in Costa Rica. Fortunately, it's so difficult to find that it's not likely to become a tourist destination.Let me know when you are going to be in the area again, and I'll get better landmarks from my friend who lives in Playa Ocotal.

rbrazill

Taia: BTW, while in Liberia, have dinner at Ginger in Playa Hermosa. It is a terrific restaurant.

shillmac

Thanks, rbrazill, sounds great! Will do!

flycatcher06

Hi there, My family is staying at the Fiesta Premier in March and we would love to have directions to both the waterfall and to the restaurant Ginger if you could kindly give them. thanks so much. Everyone is always so helpful!