Barcelo Playa Langosta
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
We arrived at the airport in Liberia, where we were met by a
friendly local, who would drive us to our hotel. We expected a bus, but since
we were the only two going to Barcelo that day, we got a private, brand new
pickup truck with a very comfortable back seat. The driver spoke excellent
English and was very knowledgeable about the country. It was an enjoyable and
educational hour’s drive. He told us
that today, Costa Rica has a large agricultural sector which includes banana,
coffee, sugar, and pineapple exports. In the last 20 years, the technology and
eco-tourism of the country have made people from all over the world Visit Costa
Rica. Costa Ricans enjoy a high standard of living. This is because the country
boasts a high literacy rate, and a stable government that has functioned
without the armies for more than 60 years. Also, the land ownership is
widespread in the country.
The Barceló Playa Langosta hotel is located in Tamarindo, on
a magnificent beach in surroundings of exceptional natural beauty. It is
located 50 minutes way from Liberia International Airport and just 2 km from
the city center.
Check in was swift and efficient and our room was more than
satisfactory, with an ocean view.
We were impressed
with the well- kept pool area and the white face monkeys in the trees overhead
were a definite plus. They watched us and we watched them, with no interaction
other than complete fascination. We walked into the town along the beach. Bay
Wrens, Mangrove Swallows and beautiful Tody Flycathers flit from tree to tree
in a colourful dance. Costa Rica is paradise for bird watchers and nature
lovers. Tamarindo is a town located on the Northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica
in the Province of Guanacaste and has several shops where tourists can purchase
souvenirs of all kinds. The main
attractions are surfing and eco-tourism. We walked back to the hotel on the
road and felt completely at ease and safe.
Playa Tamarindo is a long beach, with excellent waves near
the mouth of the estuary. Currents can be strong, especially on a falling tide.
We found the estuary an excellent place to play when the tide was in and it was
shallow enough to cross when the tide was out, giving access to one of the most
beautiful beaches we have experienced. We watched several surfers and although
we do not surf, the area is very popular with those that do. Tamarindo has two main breaks for advanced
surfers: Pico Pequeño a rocky point in front of the Hotel Tamarindo Diriá and
the excellent river mouth break across from Cabinas Tsunami called El Estero.
The rest of the beach breaks are perfect for learning. The biggest waves can
get up to 12 feet, although only during November and December. People that
enjoy playing in the surf, like us, will love this beach. You can walk for more than an hour in any
direction, something that we most definitely enjoyed. We spent every day on the
beach, soaking up the sun and playing in the surf. We did not snorkel here as
it was not favorable to do so.
The resort rests in
an eco-reserve and the wildlife is amazing. Several large iguanas visited the
pool area during the day and the racoons were busy at night, foraging for food.
We saw many beautiful birds in the trees along the shore.
Playa Grande beach is also where the Leatherback Turtle
comes to lay its eggs. The leatherbacks take over the beach from November to
April, digging their nests up to one meter deep, lay their eggs and cover the
pit with sand, and return once again to the sea. After 60 to 90 days, the
hatchlings emerge and immediately make their way to the water. Excursions to
view the turtles are a wonderful way to see Leatherbacks. There are other
eco-friendly activities including watching turtles during their nesting season
at night.
The food was excellent at this hotel. Variety at every meal,
deliciously prepared every day and always a pleasant smiling waiter or waitress
to serve your every need. Fresh fruit abounds and the vegetables were prepared
with a European flair that I particularly enjoyed. Language is not a problem as
all of the staff speak very good English and are happy to teach tourists a few
Spanish expressions. The entire hotel was spotless and well maintained. The
pool snack bar has excellent choices all day. Pizza, chicken wings, onion rings
and lots of salad are on offer. One day a White-throated Magpie Jay perched on
the back of my husband’s chair and waited patiently for a French fry. The pool
side entertainment was enjoyable. There were a few vendors allowed near the beach
but they were polite and nonaggressive. I never feel comfortable being chased
by a local carrying beads or pottery. This was a pleasant shopping experience
and I bought a few lovely handmade jewellery pieces.
The room was well appointed and the maid service was
excellent. Every day a new supply of shampoo, travel toothbrushes, combs and towels
were delivered. The beds were comfortable and our balcony facing the ocean was
a plus. The in room coffeemaker was a bonus for me, and I enjoyed my coffee on
the balcony every morning, watching the surfers walk past. The grounds were
beautiful, with plants and flowers of every color imaginable. The theater is
situated at the outskirts of the resort for noise control and the entertainment
was good. We enjoyed the small lounge
bar in the main lobby, where a four piece band played every night.
Our excursion was a
River Boat Trip through the rainforest area, where we saw crocodiles, Scarlet Mackaws,
white faced and howler monkeys and black necked Stilts and several other species
of birds. It was well worth the money and highly recommended. Our guide was
knowledgeable and friendly and the boat captain was very accommodating,
stopping frequently for picture taking.
Our week in Costa Rica went much too quickly and we would
have loved to have been there longer. We will definitely go back and highly
recommend it to everyone.
Barcelo Playa Langosta gets five stars from me.
Rating *****
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