Costa Rica, Must Do's & Don'ts

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Well, after looking into locations that still offer good value for the dollar, we have decided to go to Costa Rica. It's a 6 hour flight, direct on Jet Blue. Reasonable air fair, and proximity help make the decision.

II has a number of timeshares in various locations, these two are "select" resorts......


Hotel and Club de Playa el Parador • HTL
Punta Quepos, Puntarenas, Costa Rica


The Sanctuary Resort & Spa • STY
Playa Azul, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Has any one stayed at either of these resorts? Any suggestions on where to stay, best time to go, what to do, what not to do, & what to expect, etc., would be greatly appreciated!

BTW....What part of Costa Rica would you suggest visiting?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I have no knowledge but LIKE the name Sanctuary

What does googling tell you?
Trip Advisor?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I have no knowledge but LIKE the name Sanctuary

What does googling tell you?
Trip Advisor?

I checked Trip advisor, and this one has mixed reviews. I think it's to remote for us, tho. we need to be closer to the main attraction.
The Sanctuary Resort & Spa


I can't find anything on Trip Advisor about this one, but googled it, and I think it also has a spa.
Hotel and Club de Playa el Parador


I did find the Marriott Los Suenos Ocean & Golf Resort, on Trip advisors. It has great reviews, and seems to be in a good location for day trips. It's expensive, tho. $375 -$400 + dollars a night. Didn't I read somewhere that the hotels in Costa rica where inexpensive?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I think most are also all inclusive, no?

Do u have any Marriott Reward Points to soften the blow

Travel Costa Rica - The Sanctuary Resort and Spa

Packages & Events
Summer Package
May 1st - December 15, 2008

One Bedroom Cottage for Two
7 nights
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner plus all non-alcoholic beverages
$1,880.00 - total package for two persons - Taxes and gratuity included

The Perfect Fusion of Nature and Luxury

Cushioned between the exceptional cobalt blue sands of Playa Azul and the verdant green rainforests of the Guanacaste Peninsula, The Sanctuary invites you to a luxurious vacation experience designed to pamper you, balanced with romantic yet wonder-filled adventure. We created our accommodations with pura vida, "the good life," in mind - each designed with the warmth of Guanacaste tropical décor and plantation-style architecture and located just steps from the dramatic backdrop of the Costa Rican coastline. If you listen carefully, you can hear the gentle song of the surf whispering, "I have arrived at The Sanctuary."

Your ideal Costa Rican vacation home awaits you at The Sanctuary. Make one of our lovely seaside cottages your special place for the ultimate romantic getaway. Our spacious two - bedroom condominiums are perfect for your family vacation. Need a little less room? Stay in a cozy balcony room with a garden or partial ocean view. For the ultimate in sheer luxury, spoil yourself in a sprawling Mediterranean villa with a panoramic vista of the Pacific Ocean. Whatever you are longing for, The Sanctuary is the ideal resting spot for the tropical vacation of your dreams.

Gaze at Costa Rican Sunsets from your Seaside Cottage

The Sanctuary has taken seaside cottages to a whole new level of luxury. Our generously designed cottages offer you two stories of pure tropical bliss. A sumptuous master retreat spans the upper-level and flows into an adjoining romantic terrace. Gaze at Costa Rican sunsets and starry nights, or simply succumb to the hypnotic soft surf of the Pacific Ocean.

A lower-level living room becomes an instant respite as you move through the French doors out onto your own private patio. Enrapture yourself with ocean trade winds perfumed with the alluring scent of tropical fruits and flowers from our resort gardens, all within view. Relax in a private outdoor shower crafted with local volcanic rock. No, you are not dreaming!

All two-story Seaside Cottages feature:
Guanacaste tropical decor with plantation-style furniture
Living room on the main floor and master retreat on the second floor
Kitchenette with microwave, coffeemaker, blender and mini - refrigerator
Hair dryer, iron with ironing board
Direct TV
Optional Cribs, available upon request.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I think most are also all inclusive, no?

Do u have any Marriott Reward Points to soften the blow

I don't think that either of these are all inclusive. No mention of it in the II description.

I do have points, but I just thought that Costa Rica hotels were cheap. Wasn't planning on using them, but maybe I will. Cat 6

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I don't want an all inclusive, but I think it may be optional. I have a strong feeling that this resort is too remote for me, anyway. BTW, that's a summer package. Rainy Season. I think this is a winter location. Dec - April is prime.

Summer Package
May 1st - December 15, 2008

One Bedroom Cottage for Two
7 nights
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner plus all non-alcoholic beverages
$1,880.00 - total package for two persons - Taxes and gratuity included

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Sanctuary



Travel Costa Rica - The Sanctuary Resort and Spa
Check the pictures on the bottom of the seaside cottage - looks gorgeous - and the price above include all meals.....I think it can be AI optional....

ACTIVITIES & SPA
EVENTS
SPORT FISHING
DIVING & CRUISES
SURFING & KAYAKING
TOURS & HORSEBACK
SPA TREATMENTS
YOGA & FITNESS
GOLF

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

I don't want an all inclusive, but I think it may be optional. I have a strong feeling that this resort is too remote for me, anyway. BTW, that's a summer package. Rainy Season. I think this is a winter location. Dec - April is prime.

Summer Package
May 1st - December 15, 2008

One Bedroom Cottage for Two
7 nights
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner plus all non-alcoholic beverages
$1,880.00 - total package for two persons - Taxes and gratuity included

I thought you were looking for NOW....when are u thinking of going - and yes, i have NO idea where this is - other then Paradise

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

I thought you were looking for NOW....when are u thinking of going - and yes, i have NO idea where this is - other then Paradise

I don't want to go during the rainy season, so I guess the winter.

[billymach4 Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close billymach4]

[QUOTE=ArtsieAng;230410]Well, after looking into locations that still offer good value for the dollar, we have decided to go to Costa Rica. It's a 6 hour flight, direct on Jet Blue. Reasonable air fair, and proximity help make the decision.

Angela,

When did JetBlue aka (B6) on Flyertalk start to fly to Costa Rica? I don't see the destination on their map? Is this some sort of charter flight?

Bill

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

[QUOTE=billymach4;230504]

Well, after looking into locations that still offer good value for the dollar, we have decided to go to Costa Rica. It's a 6 hour flight, direct on Jet Blue. Reasonable air fair, and proximity help make the decision.

Angela,

When did JetBlue aka (B6) on Flyertalk start to fly to Costa Rica? I don't see the destination on their map? Is this some sort of charter flight?

Bill

You're right. My DH told me that last night. Not sure what he was looking at, but he obviously made a mistake.....That's the reason I do most of our vacation planning.

From what I could see doing a quick search from JFK, looks like LACSA Airlines is offering some good deals. $359, 5 hr direct flight, Jan 09 @ taca.com

[eal Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close eal]

You can find some Costa Rica timeshare reviews OY

Here is a link to a resort that rents nightly/weekly that is really beautiful

losalmendrosrentals.comindex1

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

I own a week at Melia Paradisus Playa Conchal in Guanacaste if you are interested. I wouldn't go until Nov/Dec. or later.

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

When did JetBlue aka (B6) on Flyertalk start to fly to Costa Rica? I don't see the destination on their map? Is this some sort of charter flight?

BTW, I just checked today, and Jet Blue flies from JFK to San Jose, Costa Rica. SJO

[Pat H Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pat H]

My offer of the Melia is still good but it is remote and all inclusive.