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I recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica for 11 days during the Christmas holidays. It may be of interest to some to hear about those experiences, which I will try and summarize here.
First, it was a family trip (sorry Reno, no info on the chicas). We arrived in San Jose and had dinner the first evening at the top of a small mountain, at the "Monestary" restaurant (OK, I may get a lot of names and spelling wrong here, but I'll do my best anyway). The food was good, and the view was magnificent. We stayed at the Hotel Herradura, which had beautiful gardens and pool.
The views all around Costa Rica remind me of Hawaii - the sea, mountains, clouds, and sunset all in a single view.
The next day we traveled to the Arenal Volcano area (an active one at that), staying at the "Los Cabos" mountain resort. These small cabins were modest but clean, and the surrounding pools and gardens (with volcano view) were great.
The trip from San Jose to the Arenal area would have been a real nightmare if I had been driving myself. Fortunately, we had linked up through a travel agency with a local guide. This guide did all the driving for the 1 1/2 weeks, as well as knowing the local restaurants and sights.
It was a surprise to me to find out that the guide also worked part time in a clerical position for a local sportsbok - Coastal. The guide, for whom we learned to trust and respect, had positive things to say about the guys that run Coastal. I will probably post up there as a new customer as a result of this experience.
The hot springs at the Tabacon Resort (Arenal Area) were unbelievable! A large park with many swimming areas, bars, waterfalls, etc - all fed by the natural hot springs of the volcano!
Both evenings at the Arenal area we drove to the nearby town of La Fortuna for dinner at a local restaurant. Here was one of the sights that really sticks in my mind - my two boys playing basketball in the local public park alongside local Ticos. While my boys and two locals shot hoops, there was another group of 5-6 older local boys playing a game of basketball - all using the same goal! To me, this signified the friedliness of the Costa Rican people above all else on the trip. In most parks here in the states this couldn't have happened.
Next, we traveled to the Pacific coast to Herradura Beach, to the Los Suenos Marriott Resort. This is a great secluded area with its own golf course, restaurants, marina, spa, and the works. This resort would please anyone with expensive tastes and the desire to have all the luxuries that one desires.
The Marriott Los Suenos has a new casino, albeit a small one. The games there are similar to Las Vegas games (Rummy for Blackjack, Canasta for Roulette), but there are some significant differences that makes the odds less desirable. For example, hitting 21 in two card (blackjack) pays only even money. I was told that some pending legislation would make it possible in the next few months to offer true Las Vegas games and odds.
There isn't really any nightlife in Herradura, so we traveled one night to the local beach town of Jaco. This place is bustling with people, probably more locals than tourists. They have a very lively disco, with lots of young chicos and chicas dancing their hearts out.
We took a couple of day trips to nearby Quepos, for fishing, horseback riding, and beach going. There is a national park there, Manuel Antonio, that is really enjoyable.
Everywhere we went, we met friendly and helpful local Ticos. Walking on the roads, driving the vehicles, working in the bars and restaurants - everyone seemed happy and friendly. They accepted Americans and tried to speak English when it was obvious that I couldn't navigate the Spanish ( I knew "cerveza" and "bano", and learned "pura vida").
Although I did not take the time to look up any sportsbooks in Costa Rica, I'll have to do so next time. There are some, such as Jazz Sports, that have a land based resort and casino which would be fun.
I am looking forward to returning to Costa Rica sometime in the future.
[This message has been edited by sportshobby (edited 01-05-2001).]
First, it was a family trip (sorry Reno, no info on the chicas). We arrived in San Jose and had dinner the first evening at the top of a small mountain, at the "Monestary" restaurant (OK, I may get a lot of names and spelling wrong here, but I'll do my best anyway). The food was good, and the view was magnificent. We stayed at the Hotel Herradura, which had beautiful gardens and pool.
The views all around Costa Rica remind me of Hawaii - the sea, mountains, clouds, and sunset all in a single view.
The next day we traveled to the Arenal Volcano area (an active one at that), staying at the "Los Cabos" mountain resort. These small cabins were modest but clean, and the surrounding pools and gardens (with volcano view) were great.
The trip from San Jose to the Arenal area would have been a real nightmare if I had been driving myself. Fortunately, we had linked up through a travel agency with a local guide. This guide did all the driving for the 1 1/2 weeks, as well as knowing the local restaurants and sights.
It was a surprise to me to find out that the guide also worked part time in a clerical position for a local sportsbok - Coastal. The guide, for whom we learned to trust and respect, had positive things to say about the guys that run Coastal. I will probably post up there as a new customer as a result of this experience.
The hot springs at the Tabacon Resort (Arenal Area) were unbelievable! A large park with many swimming areas, bars, waterfalls, etc - all fed by the natural hot springs of the volcano!
Both evenings at the Arenal area we drove to the nearby town of La Fortuna for dinner at a local restaurant. Here was one of the sights that really sticks in my mind - my two boys playing basketball in the local public park alongside local Ticos. While my boys and two locals shot hoops, there was another group of 5-6 older local boys playing a game of basketball - all using the same goal! To me, this signified the friedliness of the Costa Rican people above all else on the trip. In most parks here in the states this couldn't have happened.
Next, we traveled to the Pacific coast to Herradura Beach, to the Los Suenos Marriott Resort. This is a great secluded area with its own golf course, restaurants, marina, spa, and the works. This resort would please anyone with expensive tastes and the desire to have all the luxuries that one desires.
The Marriott Los Suenos has a new casino, albeit a small one. The games there are similar to Las Vegas games (Rummy for Blackjack, Canasta for Roulette), but there are some significant differences that makes the odds less desirable. For example, hitting 21 in two card (blackjack) pays only even money. I was told that some pending legislation would make it possible in the next few months to offer true Las Vegas games and odds.
There isn't really any nightlife in Herradura, so we traveled one night to the local beach town of Jaco. This place is bustling with people, probably more locals than tourists. They have a very lively disco, with lots of young chicos and chicas dancing their hearts out.
We took a couple of day trips to nearby Quepos, for fishing, horseback riding, and beach going. There is a national park there, Manuel Antonio, that is really enjoyable.
Everywhere we went, we met friendly and helpful local Ticos. Walking on the roads, driving the vehicles, working in the bars and restaurants - everyone seemed happy and friendly. They accepted Americans and tried to speak English when it was obvious that I couldn't navigate the Spanish ( I knew "cerveza" and "bano", and learned "pura vida").
Although I did not take the time to look up any sportsbooks in Costa Rica, I'll have to do so next time. There are some, such as Jazz Sports, that have a land based resort and casino which would be fun.
I am looking forward to returning to Costa Rica sometime in the future.
[This message has been edited by sportshobby (edited 01-05-2001).]
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