Sunsets In Costa Rica
Going to the Central American country Can Be A Getaway or Honeymoon
Written by Rob English
When my wife, Cheri, and I stepped off the plane this past March at the open-air pavilion Liberian airport, the Costa Rican heat felt like Florida in August. This was our first trip to Costa Rica and we did not realize how many buildings were open without air conditioning. Looking for our luggage at baggage claim, we noticed a black lab sniffing the luggage and getting treats from their handlers when they spotted planted contraband.
We found our driver, Jose, waiting for us amongst what seemed like hundreds of drivers and set out for the Pacific Coast town of Playa Tamarindo. The hour-and-half drive was beautiful as we passed fields of sugar cane, drove over the mountains and into the tiny town of Tamarindo. This coastal town is a mix of old and new Costa Rica and new million-dollar estates and high-level resorts.
Our destination was the Sueno del Mar (translated “dreams by the sea”), a new Bed & Breakfast hidden among the ‘beautiful’ foreign-owned vacation homes. Why did we pick this part of Costa Rica? Well, our friends, Tui Frye and her husband, Ashton, are the innkeepers. We met Tui when she was the executive director of the Lake County March of Dimes and she had been asking us to visit for the past three years. Tui was born in Costa Rica and was raised in the United States, could not turn down the opportunity to return, but work (if you want to call it that) in Tamarindo. Tui and Ashton work with Sueno’s general manager, Kris Betz, a native of Kentucky.
The Sueno del Mar features six individual rooms. We had the honey-
moon suite situated on the second floor above the kitchen and veranda. The suite looked out over the tropical pool gardens and the Pacific Ocean was no more than 200 feet away. Each room features a private outdoor shower with hand-painted tile, air conditioning (a must) and furniture made of driftwood.
On our first evening, Ashton recommended one of his favorite restaurants overlooking the Pacific. We dined on fresh fish, regional wine and fresh fruit for dessert. As the house band played we watched our first of many gorgeous sunsets.
We ate breakfast every morning at the outdoor dining area next to the pool enjoying a different native dish each time. As we dined each morning, we were visited by native birds and an occasional squirrel looking for a handout.
While at the Sueno, it was hard to beat relaxing in the wooden chairs on the beach and reading a good novel. Late in the afternoon we would grab drinks from the “honor bar” (guests use a dry-erase board as they take wine, beer or water), and head down to the beach for another outstanding sunset. If you love sunsets this has to be one of the best places in the world!
We wanted to do the zip lines so we decided to go the next day. The next morning Jose, our driver, met us at 7 a.m. along with another couple to take us two hours inland on our canopied rainforest adventure. The day consisted of an active volcano view, mud bath, lunch, zip lines and a 1,000-foot waterslide. A ride on a zip line is an adrenaline rush; the trees and wildlife become a blur as you whiz by on the cable. I have to admit I did not think Cheri would do the zip lines and she was a little hesitant at first. After the first line though, she was hooked (so to speak) and enjoyed all of the legs as much as I did (one leg was 1,000 feet long)!
A couple of days later, we had Jose take us on a jungle river cruise where we saw many native species of birds, iguanas and crocodiles. We also visited a mangrove forest to see the beautiful Macaw. As we looked into the mangrove trees, there were hundreds of the beautiful birds. Costa Rica is the size of West Virginia and is home to 10 percent of the world’s species of birds. On the way home, Jose treated us to dinner at an outdoor restaurant in one of the small villages.
Costa Rica is known for gold jewelry, ceramics made in pre-Columbian fashion and exotic wood products. Tamarindo’s downtown had many tourist shops to buy all the souvenirs and gifts you would want, but we enjoyed purchasing from the natives outside of town and the street vendors who would approach you even as you dined outside the restaurants.
This area of Costa Rica is known for some of the best fishing, surfing and diving/snorkeling in the world. Tui, Kris and Ashton can make all the arrangements with reputable operators so all you have to do is show up and have fun. One of the best areas to snorkel is directly off the Sueno’s beach, where you will enjoy the tropical fish, starfish and experience occasional cuts on the rocks if you are not careful.
On our last evening, we had to enjoy one last sunset, glass of wine and the sea sounds in the background. I now understand why so many Americans retire to the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. I can’t wait to go back again!
Travel Tips
Most hotels, shops and restaurants take credit cards and U.S. dollars, but have some Costa Rican colones on hand.
All travelers need a tetanus shot and those visiting remote areas need both hepatitis A and B vaccinations.
Dry season is December through April and rainy season is May through November. Rates are considerably lower in the wet season.
Unlike Mexico, haggling with store owners is considered rude.
Plan on some traveling if you want to visit the rainforests, jungle cruises and volcanoes.
Honeymoons
Here are 33 honeymoon ideas and the cost with a booking from May 31 to June 7, 2009 and chartered from Orlando to the destination. Cost of airfare and hotel is per couple.
Europe
Madrid: (ME Hotel Madrid) $3396
Rome: (River Palace Hotel) $3658
London: (Royal Horseguards) $4096
Athens: (Herodion Athens) $4143
Paris: (Garden Elysee) $4494
Asia
Bangkok: (Silom City Hotel) $3228
Tokyo: (Park Hotel) $3927
Dubai: (Habtoor Grand Resort) $4018
Hong Kong: (Langham Place) $4248
Beijing: (The Peninsula Beijing) $4986
Australia and South Pacific
Sydney: (Amora Hotel Jamison) $2964
Fiji: (Outrigger) $3846
Tahiti: (LeMeridien Overwater Bungalows) $6781
Africa
Cairo: (Sonesta Hotel And Casino) $3055
Nairobi: (Fairmont The Norfolk) $5188
South America and Mexico
Mexico City: (Eurostars Suites) $1633
Buenos Aires: (Mine Boutique) $2578
Rio De Janeiro: (Leme Othon) $2902
Cancun: (Sun Palace)* $3012
*Billed as a couples only all-inclusive resort.
United States
Las Vegas: (Luxor) $1266
New Orleans: (Bienville House) $1856
San Francisco: (Argonaut Hotel) $2064
New York: (Park Central) $2154
Honolulu: (Sheraton Waikiki) $2999
Canada
Niagara Falls: (Sheraton On The Falls) $1579
Toronto: (The Royal York) $2042
Montreal: (Sofitel Golden Mile) $2748
Banff: (The Fairmont) $3543
Driving Distance (Hotel only)
Miami (The Palms South Beach) $1323
Universal (Portofino Bay)* $1757
Disney World (Grand Floridian)* $3780
*Does not include theme park tickets
Cruises (Leaving Cape Canaveral)
Bahamas (4-night) $678
Western Caribbean (6-night) $1998
Eastern Caribbean (7-night) $2498
Information source: Expedia.com
If You Go
What: Sueño del Mar, Bed and Breakfast
Where: Playa Langosta, Tamarindo, Costa Rica
How Much: Rooms start at about $150 a night in the green season and range to $325 in the Christmas/New Years season.
More Information: (+011) 506/2653-0284
or www.sueno-del-mar.com
Rob English
Editor & Publisher
Email: Rob@EnglishCommunicationsInc.com
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