Joyce Family Travels: Playa Flamingo 2007 Trip Report

June 30 - July 4

When we were planning this trip to Costa Rica, we knew we wanted to split our time between the Pacific coast and the rain forest; however, choosing where to stay on the coast was very difficult. There are tons of resorts, hotels and rentals all up and down the coastline and hundreds of beaches which are all very different from each other (some for surfing, some for swimming, some for fishing, some are rocky, some are sandy, and many are something in between). On top of that, every resort we researched had very mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. We finally choose Playa Flamingo in Guanacaste and the Flamingo Beach Resort based on the price, the not-too-long drive time from the airport, and because it is a white sand beach.

It was about an hour and a half drive from the airport in Liberia. We hired a driver for all our transportation before we left. I contacted over a dozen people and we decided to go with Leo R. because he was recommended on the TripAdvisor forums a couple times and he was quick to reply to his email and easy to communicate with; plus he matched the best rate we had been quoted. We were very happy with our decision to go with him. He was friendly and easy to understand (for a couple of English-speakers like ourselves) and he was very knowledgeable and helpful when we wanted to stop for pictures, souvenirs, lunch or anything else.

Our first experience at the Flamingo Beach Resort, however, left us questioning our choice of accommodations for the start of our trip. Back in February, we reserved a Pool View Room and requested that it NOT be on the 1st floor (because of reviews we read warning against 1st floor rooms). Of course, a couple weeks after we booked, the rate dropped by over $10/night but we were told we would have to cancel our existing reservation and make a new one to get that rate. We did not want to mess with that (it just seemed like it would cause a problem), so as hard as it is for us not to get the best deal possible, we left the reservation as it was.

At check-in (which took a very long time), they were showing a rate even higher than what we booked and they had us on the first floor. After pulling out all the papers, we got them to agree that we reserved the room at a lower rate, but they claimed that they did not have any other rooms available and that we would have to take the one on the first floor but we could try to switch in the morning. We reluctantly accepted. We hauled our luggage down a half-flight of stairs, found our room, and noticed it had a "Do Not Disturb" sign on the door. Thinking that it simply was not removed after the last person checked-out, we opened the door and saw that there was still somebody's stuff in the room!

By this point we were tired, hungry and very frustrated. After complaining, we were told that the room just hadn't been cleaned (not likely that someone left their things behind) and it would be available shortly. We asked for the manager (twice) and the desk clerk disappeared for quite some time and came back with a new story (each time). We never did see the manager. In the end, they gave us a room on the 3rd floor (one magically became available) that was exactly what we booked. We did not get anything extra for our troubles but we didn't press the issue. We were very happy with the room (2319), which had a great view of the pool and it was one of only a few rooms (that were not suites) with an ocean view.

Unfortunately, our disappointment did not end after check-in.

The maid service was poor. Even though we asked twice and left a tip, we could not get a clean drinking glass in the room. The third day we asked the front desk and still did not get one.

Midway through our trip, our room keys were deactivated. We went to the front desk and asked for new ones only to walk all the way back to our room and find that the new ones were not working either. So we walked back and forth again.

We only ate in the hotel’s restaurant once. The food was not very good and it was overpriced. Plus the wait staff were very slow and made mistakes with our order. The only thing it had going for it was that it was air-conditioned while everyplace else is open-air.

There was construction at the hotel but we were not too bothered by it. We liked the pool and it looks like the area will be very nice when the construction is finished. In fact, we truly enjoyed the beauty of the resort.

View from the Pool to the Beach

The Resort's Open-Air Corridors

Our lackluster experience with Flamingo Beach Resort did not dampen our whole experience in Playa Flamingo. We did enjoy exploring the area and it was quite beautiful.

In the course of our planning we had read about a little restaurant called Marie's located just behind the resort (which was not part of the resort). We were a little apprehensive the first evening, as we walked up a short road that was all torn up (because of construction on a new resort/condos just next to the restaurant). We sat at an open-air table under a rain shelter and were greeted by the waiter who, thankfully, spoke English. The menus were two-sided (English & Spanish) and we ordered an appetizer of tortilla chips with meat & cheese sauce and a Coke. For dinner, we ordered beef shish-kabobs and chicken & rice. My husband will eat most things, but I am a little picky and usually do not enjoy food outside of the Chicagoland area. Surprisingly, we were both very happy with the food. It was really very good! And they served large portions, so we got our fill. The beef came with a small salad and potatoes, while the chicken came with a fried plantain. We ate there for nearly every other meal of our stay and we were always satisfied. I highly recommend eating a meal (or several) at Marie's in Playa Flamingo!

Sign for Marie's Restaurant

One of the birds at Marie's Restaurant

We enjoyed the beach. There were big waves to play in and the sunset was gorgeous.

Waves at Playa Flamingo

Beautiful Beach Just a Short Walk from Resort

Sunset at Playa Flamingo

Playa Flamingo

We were amused by the many local small animals we came across.

These Colorful Crabs are Very Common Along the Road

An Iguana Near the Pool Area

We Got A Kick Out of These Bats Sleeping in the Resort's Corridors

While in Playa Flamingo, we booked a Sunset/Snorkel Cruise and an ATV Tour for two separate days.

The snorkeling was not the greatest at that time of day (high tide and poor visibility). I suggest snorkeling at a better time and enjoying the sunset from the beach.