Mango-Tango Ceramics: La noche es una mujer desconocida ...

Mango-Tango Ceramics: La noche es una mujer desconocida ...

Marcello is enjoying a year of increased popularity.  Well deserved attention, if you ask me!

Mango-Tango Ceramics: SOLD - Muchacha en la montaña ...

Mango-Tango Ceramics: SOLD - Muchacha en la montaña ...
Another of Marcello's beautiful abstract pieces...

Dear Dominical

Dominical has got to be one of my favorite places in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica

Set along a stretch of coastline with a seemingly endless ribbon of nearly private beaches, Dominical boasts world class surfing without the tourist volume of other sites farther north along the Pacific. The coastal highway is now fully paved, making the drive from the San Jose area a breezy couple of hours instead of an all-day event. The dirt-road-main-street town is laid back and peppered with small colorful establishments ranging from fruit sellers to eateries to surf camps.

Dominical is a perfect jumping off spot for dive and snorkel tours and is only a few kilometers north of Whale's Tail National Park. It is also centrally located to Manuel Antonio National Park, Corcovado National Park, Cano Island National Preserve and Nauyaca Waterfalls are a reasonable drive up the San Isidro road. Though we did not make that locale in December, it is a 'must do' next time for certain. Fishing charters, zip lines, horseback riding, surfing, swimming, lounging, drinking....
I think it's twenty degrees outside in South Jersey right now.

The burgers at The Refuge are enormous and delicious - served within site of the beach. Dave and I shared a giant, perfectly done burger with fresh guacamole, washed down with ice cold Imperial beer. Puts a smile in your afternoon, my friends!   Sunset cocktails at La Parcela should be on your agenda when in town. Their sweet spot on a small peninsula can't be beat for the scenery. Be sure to try the Maracuya and rum - two of them, and I can roll my Rs with the best of them! There is also a walking trail worth taking that goes down to the water.

During our visit in December, we stayed at TikiVillas, a few minutes south of Playa Dominical. A quiet 4x4 hillside location with a fine 'white water' view of the sea, we were greeted on arrival by a chilled bottle of champagne, enjoyed on the lanai where each day, we were greeted by foraging Toucans. Villa Five was air-conditioned, though we found the place airy enough without and came equipped with a king bed and large indoor-outdoor shower. Tons of Tranquila... Our villa had a kitchenette with dorm-fridge and hot plate, though we 'cooked' only coffee.. Breakfast is cooked to order every morning, and guests can enjoy their eggs or pancakes overlooking the infinity pool and the Pacific south to the Osa Peninsula. In the afternoon, trade your orange juice and coffee for cocktails at the Tiki bar and catch up with family and friends via the free wifi at the lounge. Tiki staff were friendly and offered conversation and assistance with scheduling tours. TikiVillas is recommended and 4x4 is required (keeping in mind that all 4x4s are not created equal)


Please refer to these Dominical Links when planning your next Southern Cost Rica vacation:
http://www.dominicalcr.com/ 
http://www.dominical.biz/

Rental Cars in Costa Rica: not always perfect, but....

While there's generally nothing but good stuff related to a trip to Costa Rica, let us not think that everything is perfect. As much as I'll recommend a place or service provider because they were GOOD,
I should also share when something was NOT.

We have rented our autos from Avanti in San Jose for years, beginning upon the recommendation of a friend. They were small, friendly and accommodating. Over the years though, Avanti grew, relocated, and then became USave.

Last year, we were double charged for our rental, their office using our credit card deposit AND our checkout [problem cleared through card member support] and I didn't complain. Anyone can make a mistake...

But this year, we were rented a 4x4 that sprayed motor oil all over the country, finding out only when we leaked in grand fashion in the valet courtyard at a swanky hotel. Dipstick registered nothing, but not a single idiot light had come on.

We had to cancel some of our excursions between Guanacaste and Alajuela because we just kept blowing oil.
Quarts later and at our "jumping off" hotel, the Buena Vista, hotel staff contacted USave to ensure that a person was sent out rather than the old, "We'll just pick it up from the hotel tomorrow" line.

A young man who was "not in a position of authority" came out and heard of our troubles.
I emailed USave to reiterate immediately upon our arrival home.

Our credit card was charged the full amount [not surprising], but no one responded to my email.

Not sorry - nothing.

How about all the motor oil all over Costa Rica?
My bet is that they are STILL leasing that pig out to the touristas.

And so, I will no longer rent an auto from Avanti/USave and will not recommend them.
Even to enemies.

Costa Rica suffers either way....

Sound like your kind of place?

"...After a day of sightseeing and adventure join us by the infinity-edge pool and the Jungle Blue lounge our private guest club house to relax and kick back with a refreshing tropical drink or cocktail from the bar. Here you can enjoy the stunning views of the rainforest, nature and Pacific coastline including Cano Island, Ballena Marine Park and Osa Peninsula and just let the Magic happen!

Jungle Blue Bar offers a selection of cocktails, tea & coffee, juices, soft drinks and wines as well as snacks both in the guest club house as well as poolside.

As the songs of the Toucans bring on the sunset the lounge at Jungle Blue Club House is illuminated by candles, citronela tiki torches and indirect lighting to create a special and romantic atmosphere were you can relax, plan your next day of adventures, catch up on news with free Wi-Fi internet or just enjoy a drink.

A delicious full breakfast (inclusive in the daily rate) is served in the Jungle Blue Lounge Club House from 7:30am to 11:00am."

I'm sold - look for our review of Tiki Villas in Uvita by the end of December!

In the mean time, take a peek at their web page:  

http://www.tiki-villas.com/index.html

and as always, stop by http://www.mango-tango.net for Costa Rica calendar offerings

When missing the tropics...

I add cream of coconut instead of cream and sugar to my morning coffee.  Lately, the half and half has been going bad....

Hotel Buena Vista - Alajuela, Alajuela Province

I cannot say enough about our wonderful friends at Hotel Buena Vista in Alajuela. This hillside B&B is a great spot for arrivals and departures from Juan Santamaria International and located at a convenient distance to Pacific beach towns as well as the diversity of the Central Valley. Buena Vista has been our hub for trips to our beloved Grecia, the artisan village of Sarchi, and the mighty volcano, Poas.
Four newly constructed villas have been added, and the renovation of the original hotel is near completion. As a traveler, I cannot stress the importance of a comfortable bed. I found the new beds at Hotel Buena Vista to be superb - just enough 'give' in a layer over a medium-firm foundation - sleep came quickly and without an Advil chaser in the morning. There is also plenty of sitting room in the new villas, generous under-roof seating on the balconies, and large stone-tiled bathrooms. We were equipped with a small refrigerator, a decent clock-radio and television with limited channels. Wi-fi was available in and around the original big house, but not at the villas. I was surprised this year to find that I could call the states with my AT&T world phone from the hotel. It's just a matter of time before that kind of connectivity is public knowledge and I can't tell the folks "at work" that I'm incommunicado...

Well done, friends. Hotel Buena Vista will continue to get my business!


http://www.hotelbuenavistacr.com/