The domestic Costa Rican airline, Sansa, has released a special promotion for flights between San Jose and Liberia in Guanacaste.  Fly to Liberia for as low as US$35 and turn a 5 hour drive to a 45 minute flight.

Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste located in the North Pacific region and is currently the hottest tourism destination in Costa Rica.  Costa Rica hotels, business centers, resorts and real estate have flourished in Liberia attracting thousands of locals and foreigners that have relocated in this developing town.

Within the past few years, millions of dollars in foreign and local investment have found its way to Guanacaste.  Modern business and medical centers have been developed near the Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport.  International hotels chains have also built modern hotels in the area.

Mountain hotels such as the Hacienda Guachipelin are just 30 minutes away from the airport and offer great adventure tours to the Rincon de la Vieja National Park and Volcano.  Some of the activities include hiking, horse back riding, zip lining, canyoning, tubing down the river and relaxing in volcanic hot spring natural pools.

If you head out towards the west, you will reach the spectacular North Pacific Beaches in Costa Rica.  Some of the most popular beaches include Tamarindo, Flamingo, Nosara, Samara, Ostional and many more.

The special Sansa promotion to Liberia is only valid for the month of February 2009 and restrictions will apply.  Visit the Sansa website for more information.

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Here we go again kids…needed a little R&R and wanted something that I knew was going to be an amazing trip so…hit up the Ocotal Beach Resort, fell in love with it. So… back again, great deals right now out of Toronto, you cannot beat the price and value, this is a 4 star – although the food on the resort other than the grill is probably a 3 at best. But nothing is better than staying in your own bungalow in the Costa Rican Forest by the ocean with bars at either end of the resort and anything you could ever hope for at your finger tips.

Ask to stay in the rooms at the top of the hill. The hike from the beach to your room is a bit hard but it is worth it. We stayed in a Bungalow (there are 2rooms per bungalow and we had both with a connecting door) with a private pool. The view was worth a million bucks. I found the service to be very good and friendly both at the reception, restaurant and even the pool man.

In all if you are looking for a more Costa Rican atmosphere, friendly staff with tons to do in the area then Ocotal is the one!

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We got an bungalow junior suite so the children could have more space to play around and there is a private pool every two bungalows. The layout of the resort requires walking up & down slopes, but it is very easy to get a little shuttle everywhere you go within a couple of minutes.

We spent most of our time at the adult pool which was very private, with a place to eat & a bar.

The food was spectacular. The indoor restaurant which requires reservations is great, but the restaurant which is outdoors, is basically like Olive Garden quality.

Bring mosquite spray, good walking shoes. No need to tip anyone, except we did at the fancier restaurant.

I would like to try it again it was just perfect.

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I was referred to Ocotal by a friend who was there last year and said it was good and the beach was amazing. After reading several reviews I was concerned about the construction and food but took a chance – it was WORTH it! The pool deck and restaurant are great – what a beautiful pool! I found the food to be great – fresh, great presentation, and great taste. The beach is wonderful – so close and easy to access and great that you can take pool loungers there make it the best. My room was very clean, well maintained, and very comfortable. My favorite part of the trip was the staff – what a great bunch of people. Some of them are a bit shy but once you talk to them they are so friendly and helpful. I am looking forward to going back in a couple of months. I saw families as well as couples enjoying their stay.

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For a first timer to Costa Rica, we ended up selecting what I consider the BEST location for a safe jumping off point to numerous local attractions. Ocotal is close to Liberia Airport (about 45 min more or less), and offered what was effectively a ‘private’ beach (since there were few other vacationers around.

It provides the comforts of a resort without the overpriced resort crush. Examples, a local oufitter delivered sea kayaks right to the resort beach; we used the reception staff to book an adventure tour at a local volcano; the massage therapists are available on the beach regularly; the K-lamar Snack Bar staff were ultra-accommodating and helped me practice my Spanish; the kids played in the pool and on the beach with friends they met on site; the security into and on the resort was exceptional; we used Ocotal as a starting point to beach-hop and restaurant hop in Playas de Coco, Conchal, Grande, etc – the list goes on. I’ve never returned to vacation in the same place twice, but I am strongly considering going back to Ocotal with friends or family !!

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