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Old 05-16-2008, 04:35 PM
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Default Anyone want to see pics of Costa Rica?

I just got back about 3 weeks ago from Guanacste, Costa Rica. Stayed at two resorts, the Occidental Grand Papagayo and the Paridisus Playa Conchal.
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Old 05-16-2008, 05:02 PM
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Left DFW on a Saturday morning



Uneventful 3 hour and 50 minute flight direct from DFW to Liberia airport. Landing was smooth and we were taken aback at the size of the airport, one hangar for the one runway there. We did hear later from our transportation company (TAM) that the airport was built by Ollie North when ousting Noriega in Nicaragua.





Our TAM lady(Esmerelda) was waiting outside as we whizzed quickly through customs (2 agents) and quickly moved past the hay & chickens(just kidding).



Esmerelda loaded us up in her 4x4 truck and we headed off to our first hotel, the Occidental Grand Papagayo where we were upgraded to VIP in the front lobby.



After checking into the resort, we were shown to Bldg. 7, our room which was very nice and sat upon the hill at one of the highest points. The room was comfortable, a welcome letter, basket of fruit and champagne was waiting !!!



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Old 05-16-2008, 05:33 PM
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Wow, this place looks lovely. Thanks for sharing your pics. Costa Rica is somewhere I have never been and if I am honest know very little about. Looking forward to seeing some more.....
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Old 05-16-2008, 06:00 PM
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My Uncle and Aunt went to Costa Rica.......they LOVED it! OGP looks beautiful!
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Old 05-16-2008, 06:34 PM
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I have a buddy in telecomm business and he travles alot. He was in CR for two weeks and freaking hated it, but he stayed inland. He said it was cold, rained like hell, streets were muddy and the food sucked. Then he just went again last week closer to the coast, had a day off and drove to the beach and loved it. Two different world he said. Guess that's like spending time in Riviera Maya and then heading inland an hour or so.
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Old 05-16-2008, 07:53 PM
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went to Costa Rica a few years ago and stayed for 3 weeks traveling all around the country..........never stayed at a resort there and never would .....some of the nicest places were around Quepos........awesome places there on the hillside....Costa Rica is beautiful.........bring on the pix
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Old 05-16-2008, 08:49 PM
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We are definitely curious about Costa Rica! Admittedly, we are not really resort people (althought it looks fabulous). I would be interested in pictures and commentary about sights and destinations "off campus" so to speak. While we are living in this area of the world, it is easier for us to explore it now with the kiddos rather than later when we have moved on to God knows where. Bring it on!!
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Old 05-16-2008, 10:18 PM
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Nice pics Bill, looks like a great time...
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Old 05-16-2008, 10:19 PM
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Here are some pics of the pool area from the main lobby.





And here are some pics of the drive to the resort







And I would like everyone to know that the roads are NO longer bumpy leaving the airport to your resort. They have all been paved and new roads are starting to be constructed with all the building of new resorts down there. There are about 2-3 big name resorts being built in the Papagayo beach area.
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Old 05-16-2008, 10:25 PM
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Here are a few more pics from the OGP





The Occidental Grand is not a large resort but there are quite a few steps to walk up at. Not really built in mind for those who might need wheelchair access.

Here is the view looking up from the pool are to the main lobby.



If looking up from the pool, the second level to the far left was a nice air conditioned bar area with comfy furniture. You could sit inside or out on the deck. Next to it was the sports bar/disco.

On the far right where there are no windows, that was where the VIP guests registered and it had a bartender, large screen TV, and pool table up there.





We ended up going to the Disco early and they were letting us choose whatever music we wanted to hear.
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Old 05-16-2008, 10:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrCancun;32137
Here is the view looking up from the pool are to the main lobby.

[URL="[IMG
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m31/MrCancun/Costa%20Rica%202008/CostaRicaApril2008059.jpg[/img]"][/url]

Looks beautiful!! Reminds me of a time I spent at the Ritz Carlton in St. Thomas...in a former life.

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Old 05-16-2008, 11:01 PM
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Thanks everyone, will try some more tomorrow, still haven't downloaded all the pics yet to photobucket. We stayed at two resorts, the next one is even better !!!
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Old 05-16-2008, 11:52 PM
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Awesome photos, thanks for sharing! Looking forward to more.

Costa Rica is definately on my "list".
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Old 05-17-2008, 08:21 AM
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Interesting thread..thanx.

I have a huge fear of heights and was sitting on the floor of a bus long ago travelling from the airport in Acapulco down to the town (honestly). One of the passengers looked down at me and said "Don't ever go to Costa Rica!"

So how did you find the hills in Costa Rica?
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Old 05-17-2008, 09:11 AM
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And I was told by some friends who visited that there were
BIG BUGS

in Costa Rica and I wouldn't last a day.

The reason why we have not visited.

Nora
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Old 05-17-2008, 01:50 PM
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I have a huge fear of heights and was sitting on the floor of a bus long ago travelling from the airport in Acapulco down to the town (honestly). One of the passengers looked down at me and said "Don't ever go to Costa Rica!"

So how did you find the hills in Costa Rica?


The hills didn't bother me so much...except for the stair climbing. When we left the Occidental, the Paridisus was laid out nicer with no steps to climb.



And I was told by some friends who visited that there were
BIG BUGS

in Costa Rica and I wouldn't last a day.

The reason why we have not visited.


Didn't remember any bugs....could have been but do not remember any problems.
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Old 05-17-2008, 02:00 PM
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Here are some walking to the beach pics at the Occidental