COSTA RICA

San Jose | Pacific Beaches | Rainforest 

Costa Rica is Central America's jewel. It's an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It's also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, beaches galore and a climate built for laziness.

The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains, an extension of the Andes-Sierra Madre chain which runs along the western side of the Americas.

Costa Rica has four distinct cordilleras or mountain ranges -- Guanacaste and Tilaran in the north, Central and Talamanca in the south. Costa Rica is part of the Pacific "Rim of Fire" and has seven of the isthmus's 42 active volcanoes plus dozens of dormant or extinct cones. Earth tremors and small quakes shake the country from time to time.

Costa Rica's central Pacific coast is a tropical playground, year-round. Its evergreen forests meet warm Pacific surf on sandy beaches to provide a unique setting for unforgettable vacation experiences.  it has been referred to as the "Swizterland of the Americas" for it's national parks, environmental stewardship and democracy.

San José

The cosmopolitan capital of Costa Rica is the transportation hub of the country, so most visitors spend at least a few days in the city. It has a more North American feel to it than many Latin American capitals, with department stores, shopping malls and fast-food chains. However, it also has several excellent museums, some great restaurants, colourful markets and a fine climate.

The best of the museums are the Museo Nacional, which has displays of Costa Rican archaeology, colonial furniture, costumes and religious art; the Museo del Oro Precolombino, which houses a dazzling collection of pre-Columbian gold pieces; and the Museo de Jade, with the world's largest collection of American jade sculptures. The most impressive city building is the Teatro Nacional, built in the 1890s. It hosts plays, operas, ballets and performances by the National Symphony Orchestra. The best market is Mercado Central, which bustles rather than buzzes, but has a range of goods from live turkeys to leatherwork, and some of the cheapest meals in town.

Costa Rica Marriott Hotel - 4 Star

Location:

This hacienda-style hotel features the splendor of a 30-acre coffee plantation setting, decorated with antiques for an elegant and comfortable atmosphere, and a magnificent view from all rooms and suites.

Accommodation:

Each of our 248 guest rooms including six suites and one presidential suite is elegantly appointed with a colonial motif: Guests will enjoy special touches, such as a mini-bar, bathrobe, hair dryer; two telephones, cable TC: and a balcony with a view.

Other conveniences include a complimentary shuttle to down-town or to the airport, valet parking, gift shop, beauty salon, business center and 2~hour room service. And a concierge that will make their stay even more comfortable.

Facilities:

• Outdoor pool
• Health club
• Spa
• Sauna
• Whirlpool
• Jogging
• Tennis courtsHigh speed internet access
• 24 hour room service
• Business centre

Dining:

• Casa del cafe (breakfast)
• Casa del sol
• Castilla
• La Isabela (tapas & wine cellar)
• Villa Hermosa (International cuisine)

Pacific Beaches

If you've seen one too many macaws, you can swim or relax on one of Costa Rica's beaches. The Pacific coast has a pleasing mixture of luxury resorts and deserted beaches.Golfito is on the southern Pacific coast, tucked in a small bay off Golfo Dulce and is an important port and jumping-off point for the region's fantastic beaches. Heading northeast from the town, the coast features numerous remote coves, with jungle-lodge accommodations and virgin rain forest backdrop. The coastal Parque Nacional Corcovado, on the Península de Osa, has a huge colony of scarlet macaws. Beaches worth pausing at include Playa Cativo, Playa Zancudo (claimed by the locals to be the best swimming beach) and Pavones (which has some of the best Pacific surf).

The central Pacific coast starts at Uvita and heads north to the Golfo de Nicoya and the city of Puntarenas. The beach-resort town of Jacó attracts package-holiday tourists and those keen to party hard. Puntarenas itself is too polluted for most foreigners to even dip their pinky: finnicky swimmers should head for the dozens of isolated islands that lie just off the coast, such as Isla Tortuga. Good surf close to Puntarenas can be found at Boca Barranca and Doña Ana.

La Mariposa Hotel - 4 Star

Location:

Hotel La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio Costa Rica is perched magnificently on a point overlooking the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park.  Guests can enjoy stunning panoramic views of ocean, rainforest and sky.

They were described in Condé Nast Traveler as - Eden on a ridge - and are a three time winner of their "100 Best Hotels" award.  The hotel also earned a spot in Patricia Shultz's 2004 book, "1,000 Places To See Before You Die".

Accommodation:

Hotel La Mariposa is an award-winning accommodation best known for its stunning 360-degree views of the Pacific Ocean, Manuel Antonio National Park, and surrounding tropical vegetation.  With its Spanish-Mediterranean architecture and 56 well appointed rooms, La Mariposa is magnificent, yet intimate.  They were designed to take maximum advantage of the views.

Deluxe - Quality rooms with comfortable sitting area overlooking the endless expanse of the tropical Pacific and of Manuel Antonio National Park. One king or two double beds. Air conditioning, ceiling fan, bathroom with shower, telephone.

Junior Suites - These airy rooms feature a private terrace with extraordinary ocean views.  King-size or two double beds, telephone and Air-conditioning.

Premier Suites - Luxuriously appointed rooms feature incredible views (highest point in Manuel Antonio), terraces, kitchenette, air- conditioning, phone, cable Internet access, hair dryer.

The Penthouse - The ideal romantic getaway. Panoramic views of beach and rainforest. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets.  Spacious room with sitting area, king-size bed and state-of-the art Jacuzzi on a garden view terrace, cable Internet access, hair dryer.

Facilities:

• Three swimming pools with stunning ocean views
• Landscaped tropical gardens
• Free shuttle service to and from Manuel Antonio National Park
• Craft shop
• Tours of National Parks
• Horseback riding
• White water rafting
• Game fishing
• Eco tourism
• Wedding service
• Room service

Dining:

• Le Papillon (fine dining with panoramic vistas)
• Sunset Bar & Lounge (stunning ocean views)

Paradisus Playa Conchal - 5 Star

Location:

Nestled in the green forests of Costa Rica's magnificent North-Pacific Riviera, the All Suite Paradisus Playa Conchal, spreads its 2,400 lush acres in an enchanted land where challenging golf meets thrilling eco-adventure. Here history meets incredible scenic sights, whith a number of National Parks. 60 km. from Liberia International Airport (LIR). 15 minutes from Tamarindo local airport.

Accommodation:

Distributed in 39 bungalows, the hotel offers 308 large Junior and 2 luxurious Master Suites. Each richly decorated villa suite, opens onto a private terrace and feels more like a private home. Standard appointments include central air-conditioning, spacious living area, mirrored dressing room, cable TV, personal safe, mini bar, and direct dial telephone. Room service is also available 24-hours a day.

Facilities:

• Central Americas largest free-form pool
• Golf course
• Luxury spa
• Tennis courts
• Sauna
• Fitness centre
• Climbing wallNon-motorised watersports
• Kid's club
• Candil Theatre
• Casino
• Meeting & conferenfe facilities
• Shopping arcade
• Tour desk

Dining:

• The Steak House
• Spices (Asian)
• Faisanela (Italian)
• Hoyo 19
• Caracola poolside buffet
• Swim-up Bar
• Fun Pub
• Casino & Sports Bar

Four Seasons Resort Papagayo Peninsula - 5 Star Deluxe

Location:

On a slender Pacific isthmus, fringed by gold-sand beaches, Four Seasons introduces Costa Rica’s finest luxury resort. Enjoy Arnold Palmer-designed golf. Three infinity-edge pools. A tropically serene spa. And dynamic eco adventures on land and at sea , orchestrated with famed Four Seasons perfection.

Accommodation:

The 153 generously sized guest rooms and suites are imaginatively crafted with indigenous woods and stone finishes. Each room seamlessly blends indoor comfort with an outdoor terrace or balcony living area and mesmerising views.  Sliding louvred doors between sleeping and living spaces maximise privacy and invite the flow of fresh sea breezes. Residential-style furnishings and décor draw their inspiration from the natural surroundings: ocean, forest, sunshine or beach. Well-defined work areas allow guests to remain productive, with up-to-the-minute technology for communication and entertainment, including high-speed Internet access throughout.

Extra-spacious bathrooms are cool, airy and inviting, clad in marble and offering signature Four Seasons features: deep soaking tub, separate glass-enclosed shower, large double vanity and in a separate alcove WC with telephone.

Facilities:

• Spa services
• Three Infinity edge pools
• 1,000 square-metre freshwater pool
• Whirlpool
• Children's pool
• Tennis courts
• Arnold Palmer 18 hole golf course
• Fitness centre
• Room service
• Watersports from the resorts 2 beaches
• Horseback riding

Dining:

• Di Mare (Ocean view Italian specialties)
• Papagayo (Continental cusisine)
• Congo's Pool Bar & Grill
• Tico's Bar

Hotel Punita Islita Nicoya Peninsula

Location:

Punta Islita is located in the northwest corner of the province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula. The exclusive resort is perched on a hill between two mountain ridges and is surrounded by lush forest. It is a 35-minute flight from San Jose to the Islita Airstrip. Alternatively, it is a two-hour drive from Playa Naranjo.

Accommodation:

Punta Islita has 30 rooms that overlook the Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains. They all have a private terrace with hammock. They have either one king or two queen-size beds, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, mini-bar, satellite TV, coffee maker and private bathroom. Junior suites have a bathtub that overlooks a private tropical garden, and an outdoor Jacuzzi on their private terrace. Some suites and villas (2 bedroom suites) have a plunge pool instead of a Jacuzzi.

Facilities:

• Spa
• Gym
• Tennis courts
• Conference room
• Infinity swimming pool
• Lap pool

Dining:

• 1492 Restaurant (alfresco local & international cuisine)
• Pool Bar
• Private table prepared on the beach 

Lapa Rios Rainforest Ecolodge Osa Peninsula

Location:

Lapa Rios is a luxury wilderness ecolodge in a 1,000-acre private reserve, near Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula.  Lapa Rios has a stunning hillside location above the beaches at Cabo Matapalo and is 45 minutes from the small town of Puerto Jimenez, reached by small aircraft from San Jose. From the airstrip at Puerto Jimenez you are met by staff from Lapa Rios and transferred to the lodge by 4x4 vehicle. The last stretch is on an unpaved and bumpy road - wildlife is often spotted along the way. The 1,000-acre rainforest reserve is literally on your doorstep with trails from the main lodge. It is a 10-minute stroll to the nearest beach which offers good walks and surfing.

Accommodation:

The main lodge and bungalows are built of local, natural materials and line three ridges connected by walkways and steps. They are situated 350 feet above sea level and enjoy cooling tropical ocean breezes. The stunning thatched main lodge accommodates a well-stocked bar and the Brisa Azul gourmet restaurant. The roof soars to 50 feet with a spiral staircase which leads to a lookout platform above the restaurant. There are great views over the forest canopy and the Pacific Ocean.
Accommodation is in 14 spacious thatched bungalows, all overlooking the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by rainforest. Each bungalow has a private deck and patio garden. There are 2 queen-size beds and private bathroom with 2 washbasins, an indoor solar-heated shower and additional private garden shower. There are fans but no air-conditioning since the only source of electricity is from generators. Hair-dryers are not permitted as they use too much power.

Facilities:

• Small attractive swimming pool & terrace
• Local excursions to the Rainforest

Dining:

• Brisa Azul (gourmet restaurant)

Finca Rosa Blanca - 5 Star

Location:

This ecolodge in Costa Rica is situated above the beautiful Central Valley of Costa Rica nestled in 10 acres amid hundreds of fruit trees and dramatic tropical flora.  This Eco-lodge is the pre-eminent boutique hotel in Costa Rica, with 1 staff member for every 2 guests.

Surrounded by towering "Higuerón" trees and exotic flora, the eco-lodge offers spectacular views of volcanoes, cloud forests and coffee plantations.The inn has over 300 fruit trees, including Orange, Lemon, Tangerine, Grapefruit, "Caimito", Avocado, Macadamia, "Jogote", Lychee, "Cas", "Guanabana", Guava, Cashew and many others.

Accommodation:

The rooms are luxuriously furnished with modern amenities, and cool white washed walls and a private bathroom. Each sunny morning you will wake to an exquisite breakfast, replete with freshly brewed Costa Rican coffee, succulent mango, papaya, pineapple and bananas from the ecolodge own orchards.

Facilities:

• Infinity edge swimming pool (spring fed with chemical free water)
• Games room
• Lounge
• Hot-tub
• Jacuzzi
• Library
• Eco tours (volcanoes, rainforest)
• White water rafting
• Horse back riding
• Coffee excursions
• Winner British Airways Tourism Tomorrow Award 2003

Dining:

• Gourmet restaurant (Costa Rican cuisine, seafood, organic meats)

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