Sharon Koenig’s family vacation by Ann, the Costa Rica Travel Expert

Sharon and her husband and 6 year old son took a vacation to Costa Rica Feb 8-18, 2012.   Ann, The Costa Rica Travel Expert,  helped Sharon with the vacation planning and here is what Sharon had to say.

To Ann from Sharon Koenig (Family of three)

Hello Ann,
Our vacation to Costa Rica was really great!  The Solid Car Rental Company worked out really well. We were so pleased to have our hotel pick us up at the airport and drop us off when we departed. It really made our travel experience stress free. The car worked out well. However, I would recommend that others follow your advice and rent a slightly larger 4WD. The Jimmy worked just fine but b/c of its’ short wheel base, it was not particularly comfortable on the dirt roads — the only roads — to Mal Pais. The roads weren’t even bad! The agent from Solid Rental Car came to our hotel with the car just as scheduled on the morning after our arrival and the paperwork was just as expected. We returned the car to our hotel on our final day in CR and another agent picked it up. It was very easy and just as planned. No surprises.

Hotel Buena Vista , near the airport was beautiful and a wonderful first/last night room for us. I was concerned about finding it on our own on the return trip but it is sooo easy…. one road from the airport directly up the mtn to the hotel, no more than 15  minutes, absolutely peaceful and not one beep of traffic b/c we were essentially out of town.

Our stay  the Playa Selva Tree House in Mal Paisfor 3 nights was really good.

Costa Rica Sunset

The last 4 nights our stay at the  Pachamama was also really good.  The owner Franz is an absolute gem of a person. We stayed in the big house and it was gorgeous. The gardens are perfect. We mingled with the other guests — 2 young couples. Franz arranged and joined us for a Valentine’s dinner 5 minutes away up on the hill at Brisas del Mar. Gorgeous views and fabulous food.

The best swimming beach is directly across from the main intersection of Mal Pais/Playa Carmen when you enter the town — 5 minutes from the places we stayed. We drove everywhere b/c the dust from other cars is too much — although  we are big walkers at home.  The beaches in front of our property were rocky — not okay at all for swimming but nice for walking and watching sunsets.

Thanks for your help in planning our Costa Rica Vacation.  We will definitely recommend you–you can use our name and email as a reference.
Regards,  Sharon and family