Anyone want to see pics of Costa Rica?

[MrCancun]

This pic was taken close to Linda's house (or at least in her neighborhood). The street going up the hill was walled on both sides and only one car at a time could go by.



And looking from the other side of the narrow road.



Our last stop before getting to the Paridisus was at the infamous Camaron Dorado (Golden Shrimp). We were introduced to the owner of the restaurant, Jaime. From what Gustavo said, this same land had been in the family for almost 300 years. After talking to Jaime, he invited us to come back for a romantic dinner served on the beach at night and to watch the beautiful sunset which we readily agreed to do after we got settled in.

[raquelle261]

Fantastic pics. Mmmmmm dinner on the beach at sunset sounds great!

[rodman]

Thanks for those pics, may I add a few more from the area?
Here's sunset from Playa Hermosa, south of your first hotel, in the mouth of the Papagayo bay

The beaches have combinations of sand....white, tan, black(volcanic), and you will encounter lava rock on Playa Ocotal. This pic is from the restaurant deck atop the hill at Ocotal Beach Resort

And this guy was mooching breakfast fruits

Another view from the same site, an island close to shore, way down below the restaurant

In the same very close vicinity, is the Casa Villa Blanca, a 12-20 room B&B, with a pool, very nice gardens, patio breakfast area, and 4-6 parrots that entertain you while you have your breakfast......the "crew" brings out the birds while they are setting up breakfast, cooked in an outdoor kitchen, they feed the gang, and the birds all do some sort of routine, talking, singing, screaming...stuff that parrots do.....
I think this guy's name is Wally, and he is the ringleader of the pack....

This shows the hotel from a ways away, hard to see, lots of foliage, as they had just finished their wettest October in years.....

Imperial is one of the most popular beers, along with Pilsen....and the signs are everywhere....for all the restaurants and bars..........this is for the Father Rooster restaurant on Playa Ocotal...

I was doing the driving, so any road site shots, well, they did not get taken.....we did come across a sad site, a car crossed the center line, and went through a barbed wire fence, and down a cliff/hill/jungle....they were down the hill at least 100 feet, and when we came by there was a wrecker, pulling it up, and about 30 spectators......not sure of the outcome, but at the Hotel El Velero the next day, the desk clerk said that they were tourists, and in a hospital, so I started slowing down immediately...and drove more like my grandmother than I have ever done.....!

[Cosmo]

Great report Bill, love the shot of Wally. We ate at Houllihans over by where we all saw the Los Lonely Boys show, that was a fun deal. Keep the pics going our way...

[MrCancun]

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Great report Bill, love the shot of Wally. We ate at Houllihans over by where we all saw the Los Lonely Boys show, that was a fun deal. Keep the pics going our way...

Thanks Cosmo, I know where it is, my youngest daughter works at the Barnes & Nobles facing Houllihans. Were you living in Dallas when there was a Houllihans near North Park??

Those were the days !!!!

[MrCancun]

Cool pics Rodman. We went on a business trip (kind of) so that is why we stayed all-inclusive. We might end up going again next February when we can explore some more.

[love2travel]

Hello,
We are planning our first trip to Costa Rica in late June, early July. Our travel agent suggested Occidental Grand Papagayo. But I would love some thoughts from those of you who have been there. First, we are in our late 50's. Due to our work schedule, we are out of shape. We love the ocean, used to scuba dive in the Caymans.
Would love honest thoughts on... how bad is the rain in June/July? What about the insects and humidity? How strenuous is zip lining & canyoning? Thanks for you thoughts!

[rodman]

Love2travel:
As I believe I said, get the Fodors book, and read up on the area...and decide ahead of time as to some of the possible side trips to take. There is supposed to be some good scuba diving in the area you are thinking. The Ocotal Resort has a number of dive boats, and go out daily....we did not do ziplining, so I can't answer that.....Research is the key! Enjoy the adventure

I also went on Amazon and found 3 pretty good maps of the country, one by toucan guides, out of Colorado, and International Travel Maps....from Vancouver....they got us around pretty well...

[love2travel]

Hi Rodman,

Thanks for the reply to my post. I know I can get/read the Foder's book. But, that wasn't my question. I wanted to get feedback from someone who had recently been to Costa Rica on vacation. Not from someone selling a book. My questions were: 1. How bad is the rain in June/July? 2. What about the insects and humidity? 3. How strenuous is zip lining & canyoning? In other words, this IS my way of doing research.
Thanks again.