RDunn

Has anyone seen this resort or stayed there? We (6 women) were planning the usual (Tabacon, etc.) but have a voucher for 3 free nights there due to a purchase we made. It looks fine on the web site, but I'm hesitant as free sounds too good to be true. I did a search for it but no luck. Thanks.

debbie1958

Hi there, we stayed at this resort last March.You can read my travelogue on www.concierge.com. My screen name is Checkers44 or you can just go to travelogues and then to Costa Rica.
I would not at all hesitate to return. Food was wonderful, pool great - employees wonderful. That being said the beach is black sand so not good for laying on the beach and the town is pretty unattractive. It is very central to alot of day trips. We were in a room that was like a suite. They have a website also with info. If you do not mind me asking how did you get the voucher? Let me know if you have additional questions but we would go back in a second!

Suzie2

Drove by it last year. The area around it is awful but have heard that once you are in the resort it is nice. There have been problems in the past with polluted water in that area of the Gulf for swimming but I think they have been working on it and have it cleaned up now.

RDunn

Debbie, We got the voucher when we purchased a new Suburban. My Mother-in-law got one also for purchasing their new van. (Chevy). They still are doing it. Thanks for the info. Sounds like it would be worth doing it since it is free and we could go from there to do excursions. Any other info. that might make it less desirable? Thanks

debbie1958

No there is nothing negative at all about the resort - go you will have a great time. The resort itself is green and gorgeous. If I had to complain about anything and we were there for 10 days the only thing i could say is that the pool chairs were not that comfortable and we are very picky!!! Carrerra is probably 20 minutes. Jaco is about 45 minutes. Manual Antonia is about 2 hours. We took the ferry and went to Curu. We truly had a great time and it is good driving. Do not be afraid to stop along the roadside eateries the food was delicious. At night at the resort there is a show where they lip sync. The Casino was active. There are not many Americans and on the weekends it fills with Costa Rican families and the place is really hopping. Extremely nice people.

RDunn

Sounds like a "go" for us. The price is sure right. Thanks for your review. I really appreciate hearing about it.

jozep347

I'm getting a bit nervous now. My girlfriend and I booked a trip to Fiesta R & C last week for April 3 - 7th. Is it worth us going there and taking the included excursions or should we cancel and just rent a car and drive from place to place on our itenerary? If you've been, please advise. Thanks
Joe

costaricafinca

Dear Joe,
I don't know about the hotel, I found mixed reviews online about it, HOWEVER, there are no rooms in most hotels for this week of the year, and I believe it will also be hard to rent a car for this week, so I think it is a little risky to just drive around without reservations, unless you don't mind the adventure, and are willing to sleep in any place, in case your first choices do not have rooms.
Please feel free to write me directly.
Pura Vida,
Neta Talmor

quetzal1958

We stopped there the other day and they evidently had a wind storm so they are repairing the roof over the stage area and the gym area. Pool, etc are fine and looked beautiful. Bear in mind that this is a Costa Rican resort there are very few foreigners and most people speak spanish. Tropical feel but good service. We tried the Barcelo Playa Tambor this year which was fine alot more nature but harder to get to and service as far as in the restaurant and maids was not good. Having said that for some reason people even when there in a foreign country would rather not be surrounded by the people of that country. everyone at the Fiesta was wonderful and we will be reurning next year - we found there to be more nature and less people at Carrera than Manual Antonio.

shillmac

We were at Fiesta for 2 nigbts (a weekend) last year and thought it was very nice. We, too, would return. The location is excellent, as others have said, for day trips. The staff is good and the food, while not "sensational" is certainly on a par with other AI resorts. The price is very reasonable (we paid about $59 per day per person for AI service) because the is the "Tico All Inclusive"! We would not have gone there except we had a Tico friend who was working with evening entertainment and day activities and he invited us to visit. It was quite a pleasant experience.

shillmac

Also, I assume we are all speaking of the Fiesta Caribbean Village Resort near Puntarenas. Why they named this resort "Caribbean" when it is on the Pacific, who knows? And the name may have changed by now. But also there is the new Fiesta Premier Resort further north in the Papagayo area. It has not been open long. Now there, one would also find better beaches, I think. It bought out and remodeled the old Blue Bay property.

mjer

WE just came back from there 2 wks ago. Our 2nd stay at this hotel. It was great, the staff very accommodating, lots to eat. We booked all of our day trips through the Signature Rep at the hotel. They come and pick you up at the hotel and return. They have 3 pools, a beach bar and grill, main buffet area,an italian rest and seafood rest. Fantastic! We swam in the ocean. Pool towels incl. For souveniers, there's a small store/confectionery there, an internet cafe - cost $2.00 for 1/2 hr. When the cruise ship comes in on Sundays only, take the $5.00 taxi to Puntarenas for souveniers. Cheap prices $4.00 t-shirt, $9.00 leather belt, etc. Also have two grocery stores about 5 minutes away by taxi. Night shows leave something to be desired on Mon and Tues. Much better the rest of the wk. Lots of day trips available. Ask for Carolina. Canopy Tour, River Tour, White Water Rafting, Arenal Tour, Monteverde, Tortoga Isl. tour, Sarchi Oxcart tour with City tour, etc.Re: foreigners, there were people from Canada, U.S., Germany, Quebec. Have fun. Hated to come home. Hope to go back again next yr.

Percy

mjer

Just a small nit picking correct.

when you say there were foreigner from Canada , USA , Germany and Quebec.
Quebec is a province inside of Canada and not a country of itself like the USA and Germany.
With an e-mail address like @shaw.ca , you must be from Canada and therefore you should know better!!!
See I told you I was nit picking
Percy

mjer

The point I guess I was trying to make was, that guests spoke French there so you hear German, Spanish, etc.

jozep347

I appreciate your imput, Mary! Thank you! Being able to compare and read everyone's experiences is reassuring that we'll have a great time! We are teachers and need a well deserved break!

jozep347

oops...i mean "input". I should have proofread that! LOL -blush-

Susielj

To all you people who know Fiesta Resort & Casino, can you tell me the best way to get from San Jose to the hotel? I am going there arriving this Saturday and have no idea what to do once I arrive! First time to Costa Rica. Thanks for all the cheering positive feedback about the hotel!

shillmac

If you are referring to the one near Puntarenas, there will be signs along the highway (the Interamerican highway) directing you. And, as I remember, they are fairly large and easy to spot! Just get on the highway, head west toward Puntarenas and the coast and you will see the signs as you near Puntarenas.

Susielj

Thank you. I wasn't planning to hire a car. Do you know if it will be straightforward to get a taxi and if so, approximately how much I should expect it to cost?

shillmac

There will be a lot of red (orange) taxis outside the airport when you arrive. Any one of them will take you to Fiesta for about $50-$75 (I'm guessing. It's about 2 hours. We have paid anywhere from $30-$40 for about an hour or an hour and a half). It's certainly negotiable. You could hire private in advance, but I think you would be just as well off hiring a taxi.