jdp867

I already asked this question at the end of my trip report, but really need to figure out whether to keep trying to make this April trip work so I thought a separate thread might help. We have flights in and out of Liberia but really want to base at Peace Lodge. Anyone know how long it would take to get there? thanks. Jill

sandyc

That's going to be very difficult. If you want to base at Peace Lodge, you should fly into San Jose.

Sandy

jdp867

We are waitlisted for SJO (trying for free tix). Now thinking we'll head to Monteverde first (or Arenal) and then go to Peace- flying out of SJO, so that's good.

shillmac

Jill, you are looking at a drive or transfer of about 5 hours. You could fly from Liberia on a domestic airline, but I agree with Sandy, it would make more sense to fly into SJO. It's usually cheaper to do that, anyway. You already have your flights booked, right?

I can't believe I'm saying this, because I don't think I'd do it myself even if I had unlimited funds. . .BUT, given your parents' taste for luxury hotels, you might consider the Four Seasons near Liberia. It is on the Papagayo Peninsula, about 30 minutes from the airport (or more really by the time you drive through the FS property). It is probably as luxury as you can get in that immediate area.

Also on the Papagayo Peninsula (or nearby) are the Grand Papagayo Occidental, the Fiesta Premier, and the Allegro Papagayo, all-inclusives.

You might also look into Playa Ocotal--I think there are some nice villas there, but haven't been there, so can't comment much on it.

In the Tamarindo area, about 1.5 hour south of Liberia, you have the very nice AI, Paradisus Playa Conchal. In Tamarindo itself, consider Capitan Suizo or Cala Luna, both on the luxury side, but not to an extreme.
Also in Tamarindo, is a very nice, small B&B that gets good reviews--Villa Sueno del Mar (hopefully I got that right--haven't thought about that place in awhile). We've always thought we'd like to stay there. The owner also owns the very high end hotel Flor Blanca in Ste. Teresa.

Near Playa Flamingo is Hotel Sugar Beach, also a very great place to stay, if you don't mind being a bit isolated down about 2-3 km of unpaved road. From any of the Liberia area hotels, you could do a day trip to the Rincon de la Vieja Parque Nacional.

If you are intent on basing yourselves at Peace Lodge, just plan on losing the better part of 2 days to vehicle riding. It's an interesting drive, but your time could be better spent!

Not luxury, but certainly very nice, also near Liberia, in the Rincon de la Vieja area, check out Borinquen Hotel or Guachipelin. They would be great places to stay for 2 or 3 nights. The Rincon is a wonderful park to visit--and not crowded.
Good luck!

shillmac

You posted just ahead of me. It would be great if you could get into SJO instead of Liberia if your interest is in that area! Again. . .good luck!

jdp867

Thanks for all the great suggestions. 4 Seasons is ridiculously expensive given so many options in CR. My parents would consider it for their own portion of the trip but they do not want anything to do with 90's heat- we live in Atlanta and can get that anytime. My Dad is 71- wants to be comfortable. Thus, many of those great ideas might not fly him, but I will look into them for our own edification.

We are waitlisted for SJO, but got a flight out of there. Will most likely go to Arenal or Monteverde from LIR, and then to Peace. THanks

shillmac

Enjoy!