SATA's Costa Rica Fam Trip (October 2007)

By Patricia Heckmann, Festival Tours

Costa Rica, despite being such a tiny country, draws well over a million visitors every year, and it is easy to see why. The incredibly varied topography means you can cruise a cloud forest one day, climb a volcano the next, and enjoy the sun and surf on a beautiful beach on the third.

Located in Central America, and bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the south, the Caribbean Ocean to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Costa Rica, the size of West Virginia, and chock-full of protected national parks is an eco-adventure paradise. Beautiful, warm, welcoming, friendly, and peaceful, Costa Rica is the perfect couple or family getaway just a 21/2 hour flight from Miami.

Martinair, our sponsoring airline, was wonderful! Our group of twelve Travel Agents met in Miami’s International Airport, and flew round trip to San Jose, Costa Rica’s charming, capital city, short 21/2hour flight away. Martinair’s on board service is excellent, flight attendants smartly dressed; a fresh and healthy snack and coffee and tea served after meals a delicious treat.

We arrive to San Jose’s Juan Santamaria International Airport right on time, breeze through customs, and are greeted by Eduardo, our guide, and Marco, our driver, both from our host ground operator, Expediciones Tropicales, who remain with us for the remainder of our whirlwind four day visit.

The Barcelo San Jose Palacio, our host hotel in San Jose is lovely. The lobby breathes class, with beautiful lush plants and birds of paradise all around, an elegant Casino, and a beautiful restaurant. A lively band is playing in the lounge, and the atmosphere is delightful. Rooms are very nice, large and comfortable.

Next day, an early wake-up call and we enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast including fresh fruits, cheeses, yogurts, cereals, juices and omelets. A great way to start our day! We depart the hotel at 7:45 a.m. for Playa Tambor, a scenic four hours car and boat ride away. From San Jose, our drive takes two hours to board the ferry at Punta Arenas for a wonderful one hour fifteen minute boat ride, and then a 30-minute drive to our hotel, the beautiful Barcelo Tambor Beach.

This popular all-inclusive resort is located on Bahia Ballena on the central Pacific coast. To fully experience all that this beautiful beach resort property has to offer, a minimum stay of three nights is strongly recommended. Facilities include a gorgeous swimming pool, Jacuzzi, children’s playground, gym, a beautiful butterfly farm, horseback riding, an ecological park, Casino, beauty salon, gift shop, mini golf, and the beach! A Spa is coming in 2008. Nighttime entertainment includes a colorful folkloric show featuring lively Costa Rica music and dance and a disco. A wonderful resort, great place to relax, and soak in the sun and surf!

After a delicious breakfast, we depart our hotel for the beautiful Arenal-Fortuna area, arriving mid-afternoon for check-in at the charming Arenal Volcano Inn. The view of the volcano is spectacular, an incredible sight on a beautiful clear day. The hotel has a warm, welcome feel, small and cozy with all the resort amenities you could ask for. Rooms are large and most of our group enjoys an afternoon massage in their wonderful spa before lunch. The restaurant is delicious and the specialty is pizza!

In the evening, we meet with various local suppliers from the Arenal area for instructive table-top presentations. Over a dozen local suppliers are represented, demonstrating how much there is to see and do in the Arenal area. The Arenal Volcano is one of the most active in the America’s, nightly putting on a fireworks show for all to enjoy. The nearby Tabacon Hot Springs is an incredible experience. There is horseback riding, white water rafting, and a safari float for a milder, kinder river experience. You can also kayak, enjoy canopy tours, canyon tours, visit local farms, and bungee jumping for the young at heart!

Next day, we begin with an early morning Safari Float Tour, a wonderful, relaxing way to start our day. This is followed by several site inspections of nearby properties. Lunch is at the new and exquisite five-star Arenal Kioro Hotel. Its owners are from Costa Rica, and take great pride in their beautifully landscaped property, first class service, top-notch amenities, and serene atmosphere to experience the natural beauty of your surroundings. Suites are spacious and beautifully appointed, and the restaurant has the perfect view of the volcano. All will remember our delicious lunch.

Then it’s off to the wonderful Tabacon Grand Spa Thermal Resort. This resort hotel has several styles of rooms available and is considered a five star property. After our site inspection, we are off to incredible Tabacon Hot Springs. It is hard to imagine that this magical place exists with its rivers, pools, and lush landscaping. It is on with our bathing suits for a wonderful swim in this truly beautiful tropical paradise setting.

We enjoy a delicious dinner at the Ave del Paraiso Restaurant, and then depart for the capital, arriving to our hotel, the Barcelo Palma Real, in downtown San Jose at 10:30 p.m. The hotel caters to business clients, but is perfectly fine for the leisure traveler wishing to enjoy San Jose’s many local sightseeing options, or for over night stays before heading off to one of the many destinations offered in Costa Rica.

Next morning, we enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast, hotel site inspection, and are sadly off to the airport. “Pura Vida”, the popular Costa Rica expression meaning “pure life”, is happily enjoyed by all.