Provincia de Guanacaste Travel Forum

Hi there and thanks for reading.
I've read the tourism sites online, but am having trouble narrowing down exactly where to go in Guanacaste.
We'll (my gf + me) will be flying into Liberia, renting a car and then driving to the beach to spend about 10 days in late July/early August. Which beach is up in the air.
We don't surf and don't plan to, but would be very interested in snorkeling. From what I've read, Tamarindo is more developed, rowdier (relatively) and more surfing-oriented, so we'll probably stay away from there. Playa Grande has been recommended also, but it seems so close to Tamarindo.
I've been leaning toward Playa Conchal/Brasilito and have found a couple of places to stay. I've gotten recs about Conchal, but it was from tour guides and people who lived there.
For accommodations, we're not looking for luxury. We just want a comfortable, clean and cheap (under $60/night) place to sleep, that's very close, if not on, the beach. It would also be nice to find a place with discounts for the long stay, since we're planning on being on the beach for at least 7 days.
Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance,
Colin

HI,
WE WERE IN CR IN MARCH WE ONLY STAYED IN GUANACASTE FOR 2 NIGHTS AT VILLA DEL SUENOS. IT'S FAIRLY CHEAP AND NICE. I DON'T THINK YOU'LL FIND THE SNORKELING VERY GOOD AROUND THERE THOUGH. THE SOUTHERN PART OF CR IS MUCH NICER CANO ISLAND WAS GOOD SNORKELING AND BALLENA NATIONAL PARK BY BOAT TRIP WAS VERY NICE -SAW OCTAPUS AND MANY FISH- ALSO HAD BOTTLE NOSE DOLPHIN SWIM ALONG WITH THE BOAT.
THE DRIVE SOUTH TO QUEPOS AND DOMINICAL IS ABOUT 5 HOURS BUT WELL WORTH IT. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO FIND GOOD PRICED HOTELS- THEIR ECONOMY IS ALSO HURTING. THE SOUTH IS MUCH LUSHER -I HAD NEVER BEEN TO THE NORTH UNTIL THIS YEAR -IT'S WINDY VERY WINDY WE SAW A TRACTOR TRAILOR TRUCK BLOWN OVER ON THE PAN AM HIGHWAY. THE DRIVING IS CRAZY THOUGH -BE PREPARED!
I WOULD ALSO WARN YOU COSTA RICA HAS CHANGED VERY MUCH- WE HAVE BEEN GOING THERE FOR 10 YEARS NOW AND I'VE ALWAYS LOVED IT'S BEAUTY AND NATURE- BUT THE CRIME IS HORRIBLE NOW! WE WERE ROBBED TWICE -THEY TARGET RENTAL CARS -THE COPS TOLD US THE THEIVES HAVE MASTER KEYS TO THE CARS. THEY ARE ALSO EASY TO BREAK INTO. I DON'T WANT TO SCARE YOU -I JUST DON'T WANT WHAT HAPPENED TO US TO HAPPEN TO YOU. WEAR A MONEY BELT AND KEEP YOUR PASSPORT CLOSE TO YOU AT ALL TIMES- UNLESS LOCKED IN A SAFE. BE CAUTIOUS IF YOUR CAR HAS A LEAK IN THE TIRE -THAT'S A SCAM -YOUR TIRES GOES FLAT AND THE NICE CR PEOPLE COME TO THE RESCUE AND ROB YOU. WE HEARD THEY WILL ALSO LAY DOWN IN THE ROAD IN FRONT OF YOU- BE CAREFUL! WE TALKED TO A COUPLE THAT WERE FOLLOWED FOR OVER AN HOUR -THEY FINALLY LOST THEM.
PLEASE ALSO BE AWARE THAT AMERICAN EXPRESS TRAVELERS CHEQUES IF STOLEN ARE NOT IMMEDIATELY GIVEN BACK TO YOU -THEY WILL INVESTIGATE IT AND IT TAKES A MONTH TO GET YOUR MONEY BACK! CITIBANK MASTERCARD WAS A LIFE SAVER FOR US- THEY SHUT THE CARD DOWN WHEN WE REALIZED IT WAS STOLEN -BUT THEY LET US CALL WHEN WE HAD A CHARGE- GIVE THEM YOUR PASSWORD AND THE NAME OF THE PLACE AND THE AMOUNT AND THEY WOULD LET IT GO THROUGH- I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD HAVE DONE IF IT WASN'T FOR THAT.
HAVE A GREAT TIME -JUST BE CAREFUL!
LAURIE

Wow, sorry to hear that you were robbed. I read something in reviews about a tourist having their room broken into and being robbed, and I've read a lot about the issues with thieves targeting rental cars.
Did they just break into your car, or was your hotel room also robbed? I was planning on getting the damage insurance for the car, in case someone did break in and mess up the window, door locks, etc. But the hotel room thing really worries me, especially since a lot of places don't seem to have safes.

Hi
I remember trying to pick a place to head to in Guanacaste . We finally chose Paya Hermosa. here is a link look at our hotel . WE paid abot $90.00 per night. choice.http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/a3065/9cf/3/ Tos be homest I didn't loke this part of Cosat Rica as well as other areas. It's very dry and barren sort of not lush at all . I would recommend Manuel Antonio or the Caribbean Coast. We had no problems here safety wise though.

Conchal is a nice beach. Of the two hotels you might have looked at, Conchal Hotel is nicer, but away from the beach, maybe 5 min walk to Brasilito, 10 to Conchal. Hotel Brasilito is right on the beach, but I am not crazy about the rooms there - The restaurant is good though, Outback Jax. You might also want to look at Flamingo Beach and Potrero Beach. I stayed at Bahia del Sol in Potrero and it was great. Play Grande is more surfer than Tamarindo, but much lower key.

hi