Part Two: Choices That Make Me Happy
Okay, friends. We are continuing our tour through the five trip packages Chris and I have been offered as a winner of the Costa Rica Million Dollar Gift of Happiness giveaway. Don’t forget as you read that we weren’t selected because we are special. We won just like you can win, so head over to their Facebook fan page, enter to win like I did, and then cross your fingers, eyes, and toes.
Package #3: Adventure Package (Guanacaste, La Fortuna, Quepos & Central Valley)
Ya’ll. I’m not trying to persuade you, but this package looks like the PERFECT blend of relaxation and activities. Not to mention that every hotel is amazing! Now, I’ll go wherever you vote to send us, but this one might be at the top of my list.
The first day, we are taken by private driver (someone asked if we have a driver on every package option and the answer is yes, and that same driver will be with us the entire trip, AND he or she will be a translator for us when necessary) to our first hotel, the Hotel Capitan Suizo. Hubba hubba.
We’re at Hotel Capitan for two nights and while we’re there we are able to explore the Tamarindo-Playa Grande area, which is situated on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, or relax at the hotel in the pools, on the beach, or treat ourselves to spa treatments at the resort.
On our third day, we jump on a plane to our next destination in the northern plains of Costa Rica, La Fortuna de San Carlos. This area is rich in cattle, pineapples, oranges, ornamental plants and other products that Costa Rica exports. One of the most famous attractions in this area is the Arenal Volcano, one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world! We arrive at Arenal Kioro Hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the beautiful resort at the base of the volcano.
Each room at the resort has a glass-front view of the volcano and a jacuzzi. Wowza! On our second day at the Arenal Kioro, we would head out to the Arenal Hanging Bridges. Now – true. I am scared of heights. But when I looked at the website, it doesn’t seem like I’d be hanging freely over caverns. It’s more like just another way to view the rainforest. I think it sounds awesome!
On the fifth day, we head by private car or plane to our third hotel, the Arenal del Mar Beachfront and Rainforest Resort. The resort is in the Central Pacific area of Costa Rica, adjacent to the Manuel Antonio National Park.
While at this hotel, we spend two days with the options of relaxing on the resort grounds in their pools, jacuzzis, or getting spa treatments, or we could take a guided tour through the rainforest which lines the Pacific Coast, taking us through both the rainforest and the beach.
On the seventh day, we travel to the Finca Rosa Bianca Coffee Plantation and Inn. This hotel is beautiful and we have the option of spending our last two days relaxing and enjoying the beautiful bed and breakfast or touring the coffee plantation.
The next day, we jump on a plane home. And I’ll start to cry and wonder why I don’t have a driver, jacuzzi, and drink with an umbrella to meet me at the Orlando airport.
Package #4: Romance Package (Tropical Rainforest in the North, La Fortuna & Guanacaste)
If you’re into relaxing (I am), yoga (I used to be), or relaxing (I am), then this is the package for you. Or me. We spend the first two nights at the El Silencio Lodge and Spa, which is an eco-luxury hotel that focuses on well-being, peace, and silence. Ahhhhhhh…. Not a bad change from a house full of loud kids and smelly dogs. We spend those two days enjoying spa treatments, yoga sessions, and relaxation.
On our third day, we head to La Fortuna de San Carlos, where we can explore the Arenal Volcano. We’ll spend the next two nights at the Arenal Springs Resort and Spa which has 26 colonial style deluxe cabins with breathtaking views of the volcano. The resort also has private horse stables for hiking or horseback riding through trails near the volcano. On our second day at Arenal Springs, we head down to the village of Maleku where a local guide will explain how the Maleku tribe have lived throughout the years. Later, the tribe will actually perform a ceremony called “God-Nature-Man.”
On the fifth day, we will be “privately transferred” (oooohhh la la) to Nosara beach in Guanacaste. Here, we will stay at The Harmony Hotel, where we can do activities such as yoga, meditation, or surfing for the next three days. On the eighth day, we head home.
I feel more balanced and rested already!
Package #5: Wildlife Package (San Ramon, Quepos and Drake)
Our first day on this vacation would put us in the Los Angeles Cloud Forest, which sounds like a pretty spectacular place to be. We’ll spend the first two nights at the Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel, which is a property with over 2,000 acres of the Los Angeles Biological Reserve and INBio Research Station. While here, we have the opportunity to take bird watching tours, horseback tours through the rainforest, or tours through the Thermal Hot Springs.
On the third day, we head to the Manuel Antonio National Park where we will stay overnight at the Si Como No Resort Spa and Wildlife Refuge. This resort has a “pure vida” vibe that boasts a private wildlife refuge, butterfly aquarium, crocodile lagoon, and amphibian garden. To put me in touch with the creatures and creepy crawlers of the Costa Rican wildlife!!
On the fourth day, we could either choose to work the organic vegetable plantation or in the rescue program for wild animals. Or, if we wanted, we could just hang out at the resort and relax for the day. Which I should probably do since I tend to kill any plants I touch.
On the fifth day, we head to the Pacific lowland rainforest, National Park of Corcovado. Here, we will stay at the Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, a 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park.
We spend the rest of our trip here, where we could choose to spend a day at Cano Island. Here we can picnic on the beaches, snorkel on the coral reefs, or hike up to burial grounds. Once back to the resort, we can spend our day on bird watching tour with a naturalist guide or just relaxing at the lodge. On the eighth day, we fly home.
******
Well, that’s it. All five packages. I’m excited and relaxed and pumped and dumbfounded all at one time. And in a mindset like that, I just cannot decide on a trip. So, that’s where you all come in. Vote below on which trip you think Chris and I should take. We’re so excited to see where you all send us!!! VOTE NOW! (P.S. The poll looks weird, but it works!)
[poll id=”2″]
** This is not a paid or sponsored post. I’m just sharing because IT’S FREAKING AWESOME!**
38 Comments
Katie
Honestly, I voted for 3 not just because you clearly loved it, but also because from what I know of you (as a reader!), that package seems to be the most like what Chris and you would enjoy.
Also, I think that you two deserve some time together alone after all the changes you’ve been through recently, and I think that’s the best package for it. 🙂
Maggie
I had to go with #3 – perfect balance or rest and activities. Given your current lifestyle too much sitting and relaxing and yoga-ing might make you crazy after the first few days : ) It’s also the package I want for myself. So if these fine Costa Rica folks need to give away another trip… I’m right here Costa Rica! I’m right here! Cheers to this vacation – you guys deserve it!!
Katie
Went with three because I loved the arenal
Kioro when we stayed there.
Laura @ Casa del Hansen
I’m with you, chica – Numero Tres seems awesome – and that perfect blend of beautiful scenery and fun things to do that you and Chris seem to cherish (I’m remembering how much fun you told us you had just sitting on the beach during your HS reunion this summer!) So…. GO #3!!!
Jessica
I vote #1 definitely! It seems you and Chris could use more relaxation than adventure. But mostly, I just like the tram, the jaguars, and the resort and spa!
Lindsey
3! Because that’s the one you want! I’m not going to be that vote that sends you repelling, lol!
Meghan
Katie, I’m voting for #3 for you because you want it the most AND……I was in La Fortuna in September, and if you are up for a little bit of driving, you HAVE to go visit Pizza John in El Castillo, which is a tiny village outside of La Fortuna. We ended up at his (one-table) restaurant one night, and it is an evening I will remember forever. Not for the pizza (which was yummy), but for meeting someone who is truly “blooming where he’s planted” and who has such enthusiasm for life and passion for doing what makes him happy. If you do get that package, I’ll message you the details!
Kristin
I voted for 3 b/c I can’t imagine Chris doing yoga.
Liz
Number 3 all the way Katie! Sounds perfect for you two… and yeah, I agree with Kristin – no imposing yoga on Chris. Or you, really, in Costa Rica… y’all need to be enjoying each other and some nice tropical drinks. You can stretch out your muscles some other time… 😉
Whit
Like I said in the previous post, Guanacaste is incredible! Take your dramamine though – the car rides are up windy roads and you can get car sick easily. Have fun!
Kim B
I voted for #3, because I have been to the Tamarindo area and I know you will love it. This package offers things you will both enjoy. While Package #4 sounds so relaxing, it sounds like it may be better suited for a girls only trip. I can’t picture Chris doing yoga and at the spa for an entire week.
alyssa
I vote adventure package because I am what I like to call a ‘room snob’ and the rooms that come with the adventure package look to be the best/high end/most unique 🙂
JenniferLO
So I choose 3 because it sounds awesome and just like something you and Chris would love! But I had to choose, I’d pick #5 because I’d love to work at the wildlife animal rescue!
Silvia
Katie, I am a regular reader but infrequent commenter. I used to live in Monteverde, CR and have been to most places you could go. I highly recommend Manuel Antonio (so, so beautiful inside the park), and strongly discourage Fortuna, as you have to have very good luck to even see the volcano. Feel free to email me if you have questions.
jamie
wow. this is truly amazing. a trip of a lifetime. i will pick number three. because you practically begged us to and because i really couldn’t choose just one. they are all so glorious. while the trip is awhile down the road, i know i’m waiting for details!
Wendy
#3!!! I am with you on this one. The hotels look AMAZING and the volcano very interesting!! Have a great trip!!!
Jen @ Caved In
Are you sure you just can’t do all of them? They all sound amazing but I voted for #3. Sounds like just what you and Chris need. Some fun and some relaxation. I’d probably pick that one too but I would really want to work in the animal refuge. I really hope I get to make that tough decision!
Rebecca @ The Reluctant Housewief
ok…you swayed me! I thought #2 was pretty awesome yesterday…but then you brought #3 into the picture, and I just had to vote for it! Again…have I mentioned that I’m jealous? Because I totally am =)
Becky
I voted #3. Not that it needs explaining because oh my god, that hotel makes me want to move in! You HAVE to take as many pictures as humanly possible!!!
The Life and Times of Me
I went for three because I agree with you it looks perfect. I love the mixture of relaxation and adventure.
Tressa
I voted #3. I’m still so flippin excited for you and Chris!!!!! 😉
Nate's Mom @ Nate is Great
I totally picked #3. The others look great but I’ve got to say, if I was going on a 2nd honeymoon (for free, no less!), I would not want to work on a farm or rescue animals. Both worthy ventures but not when I’m on a vacation of a lifetime. And I picked #3 because a) you love it and b) the photos of the third hotel are just too freakin’ awesome to pass up! So excited for you!!!
Kristin
They all look fantastic! It’s tough to choose one. My husband & I stayed at the Harmony Hotel at Playa Nosara several years ago, and we LOVED it! You won’t believe the dirt roads you have to go down to get there, but it’s worth it. And there may have been a famous supermodel staying there, too. I’m just saying. 🙂 Arenal is definitely a must-do, too! Good luck choosing!
Sarah H.
No one else is saying it..but I’m jealous! This looks AMAZING! Good thing you have babies or else you’d never come home!! I want to read through them all again before voting 🙂 When are you going?
Sarah H.
OK…I even watched all the videos on their fb page..I don’t want you to say your readers didn’t think long and hard about this choice 😉 I vote #3. GREAT hotels! Although staying at the bottom of an active volcano makes me nervous–it isn’t called the adventure package for nothing! And did you know sloths were so cute? I didn’t!
Kathleen
#3 You and Chris need to lay around in gorgeous hotels looking at views and doing NOTHING. Now, THAT’S a vacation!
Ashley @ A Recipe for Sanity
You have me obsessed with Costa Rica! I had to vote for #3…it just sounded like the perfect blend of fun and relaxation. It seems to have everyone!
Now if only I could win a trip… 😉
Jenna@CallHerHappy
I changed my mind from #1 to #3. I have to agree with you. Perfect mix!
Tammy
Number 3 looks amazing! I know you two will have so much fun with whatever you choose. I live in Costa Rica and can give you a few tips since I have been to Monteverde, La Fortuna, Manuel Antonio, the Animal Refuge in Playa Chiquita and a lot of the beaches in Guanacaste. So excited for you!
Tammy
OH! I forgot to add that I can help with the lingo down here since we use that a lot and it can be pretty confusing compared to regular spanish.
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Bellah
I voted for #3 because it sounded the most fun. Its what I would choose. Plus, if you do that romantic package, you just might make gracie a big sister.:)
Casey
Gonna be honest, here… I didn’t vote. I couldn’t decide. So, I’m letting your other readers vote for you. See, Hubby & I spent and entire summer exploring Costa when we were in college. Trip of a lifetime. We didn’t stay anywhere that cost more than $20 a night, and, whichever package you choose, I highly recommend spending some time being a local… if you have that kind of free time! Eat at some local restaurants, hang out by the soccer field or around the town square. Visit the town church (bound to be amazingly beautiful).
That being said… La Fortuna & Nosara are two of my favorite places in that country. Manuel Antonio was awesome as well. Some other places I love are Mal Pais & Puerto Viejo, but I didn’t see those in any of your packages.
Oh, AND… we definitely ate breakfast at that hotel in Tamarindo. We were staying in Playa Grande, but hiked over to Tamarindo for a surf session one morning and decided to grub there. It was delicious. 🙂
Cindy
I choose number1. It just seemed the best relaxing vacation that the two of you need.
Katrina P
I vote for package # 1because it would wonderful to see the animals in their native habitat and the fact that you’ll be able to interact with the local people is also a plus.
Ashley
I’ve been to Arenal before and it is AMAZING!! It is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. The cloud forest is incredible and we had to opportunity to go horseback riding in the rain forest. We stayed in a different hotel but I’m sure they are all equally gorgeous! I vote for #3 and I hope you two have an amazing trip!
Julie P.
Ok. I voted for #3. My husband and I lived in Fortuna for SIX MONTHS!!! IT is AWESOME!!! Seriously, it is as beautiful as the pics shown.
Whatever you choose though, you will have a blast!!!!
Chris R
Hi there and congrats on the win! I just won this the other day and in the process of choosing… oh the choices! I am leaning towards the same one you chose as well! I hope you guys have a wonderful time!!!!