This was our second week-long stay at Condovac La Costa. We drove up from San Jose, Costa Rica. It was an adventure in “combat driving” through San Jose and a two-lane jungle endurance rally going north. Passing vegetable trucks crawling uphill around blind corners was more stimulus I have had since the Gulf War. We stopped at Walmart on the right side of the road after making the right turn onto the road to Playa Hermosa. Burger King is on the corner on the right then take about 10 breaths and look to your right is Walmart. My Costa Rican wife likes to cook fresh food, so a stop at Walmart is essential. As before I (as the only North American in the family) and my Costa Rican wife and children enjoyed the family-friendly, safe and laid-back bungalow(s) perched on a hillside overlooking the bay. We purchased two bungalows; one for our girls and one for my wife and I. We could have gotten by with one bungalow because of the twin beds in the bedroom, and the foldout beds in the kitchen/living room area, but the girls enjoy the luxury of having their own place … so we shelled out a few more dollars and reserved two bungalows. Again I had to force myself to slow down to “Tica-Time” (which probably adds several years to my life). We had the “drill” this time about unloading our luggage while parking...This was our second week-long stay at Condovac La Costa.

We drove up from San Jose, Costa Rica. It was an adventure in “combat driving” through San Jose and a two-lane jungle endurance rally going north. Passing vegetable trucks crawling uphill around blind corners was more stimulus I have had since the Gulf War.

We stopped at Walmart on the right side of the road after making the right turn onto the road to Playa Hermosa. Burger King is on the corner on the right then take about 10 breaths and look to your right is Walmart. My Costa Rican wife likes to cook fresh food, so a stop at Walmart is essential.

As before I (as the only North American in the family) and my Costa Rican wife and children enjoyed the family-friendly, safe and laid-back bungalow(s) perched on a hillside overlooking the bay.

We purchased two bungalows; one for our girls and one for my wife and I. We could have gotten by with one bungalow because of the twin beds in the bedroom, and the foldout beds in the kitchen/living room area, but the girls enjoy the luxury of having their own place … so we shelled out a few more dollars and reserved two bungalows.

Again I had to force myself to slow down to “Tica-Time” (which probably adds several years to my life).

We had the “drill” this time about unloading our luggage while parking the car to one side facing down-the-hill.

The bungalows were clean and well-appointed (albeit a bit Spartan … early North American practical). The water was nice and hot from the solar-heated roof water heaters. With the high wall-mounted air conditioner units you can chill the bungalows down to artic temperature in you like.

The kitchen/living room air conditioner condensates water which, on occasion, drips onto the orange couch. No problem we placed a pan under the drip to prevent a puddle (I was kind-of romantic … in a Costa Rican kind-of-way).

The layout is still well-ordered … overlooks the bay. The price was right; I think the hotel gave us a “deal” for two bungalows.

The staff was attendant, charming people by nature. I marveled at the patience the front desk people displayed while listening serenely to the few (thank God very few) grumpy North Americans still wired from their trip into Costa Rica.
Breakfast was always good, and more than we could eat.

The repetitiveness of breakfast was slightly reminiscent of my Marine Corps days on ship … only Costa Rican style … with a few variations each day. Our girls loved breakfast … just likes Mum cooks at home. Our 5 year old liked loading up on the occasional pancakes available and smothering the cakes with syrup.

I have read some of the negative reports of my fellow North Americans and am at times puzzled by the snarky remarks. I suppose those comments must come from expectations of luxury verses quiet comfort. The Condovac La Costa is a place to get away from the world and put off the heart attack for a bit.

The Condovac La Costa staff is cordial and easy to deal with, and I enjoyed them being around in an unobtrusive sort-of-way.

It looks like a storm came through in the year since we have been to the Condovac La Costa. There were some roof tiles need adjusting or replacement, and a few of the roof-top solar water heaters had dents in them. Overall everything was “ship-shape” and works.

The bungalows are fully equipped with pots, pans, plates and utensils. There is a full-sized refrigerator, microwave and crock pot along with cups and glasses. Everything was clean and in good condition. The kitchen could still use a light over the food preparation area. Regrettably, we broke a glass while we there … sorry.

The shuttles around the complex run on-time like a German train schedule. Good for Condonvac! I did not have to think about much other than sneaking an occasional adult beverage from the pool bartender. OBTW, they will make you a freshly spun-up fruit drink out of mango, bananas, and watermelon to die for.

The raccoon family of 5 made their curtesy visit one night. Boss raccoon comes into the kitchen to announce his presence, and like typical tourists we hand out a slices of mango, papilla or watermelon.

The multiple pools are nice … something for everybody. The place looks just like the online photos … only better. The kids stayed in the pool … I mean literally in the pool nearly all day … interrupted only by meals and restroom calls. There is a kids’ club, exercise center, ice-cream/snack place, restaurant, bar(s), steak house, hot-tub and rain.

The rainy season rain is more like a warm shower, and there is always a circular bamboo-fawn covered table to run to if you are afraid of getting wet (after with floating in the pool).

Look across from the pool and you can see black monkeys perched in the trees.
We took the jungle “Mardigi” adventure tour (an hour north … go to Liberia and turn right). I think it was called “Buena Vista Adventures.”

We went zip lining through the jungle, an hour-long horse ride on jungle tails, the “Toucan” and howler monkey tractor tour through the jungle (lots of tropic flowers to see), and the volcanic spa, mid-bath, different temperature water pools.
We got there early in the morning before 8 AM (highly recommended) so after all that that we had a Costa Rican lunch at the resort cafeteria-style restaurant, which was lovely, and more than we could eat.

There is a sign-up desk next to the Condovac La Costa pool bar, or you can reserve on-line before you arrive. Buena Vista Adventures also record your “adventures” and for $ 40 dollars will transfer the many photos to your email.

My only regret is not having a roll of fives (in a zip-lock bag) to hand out to the Buena Vista Adventures staff.

The beach bars from Condovac La Costa are only a short drive away. Or go catch Hermosa Beach which is a two minute walk from your bungalow.

There is an “African Adventure” less than an hour away complete with Zebras, Water Buffalo, Ostridge and Giraffes. But we were too busy doing nothing to go see the Giraffes this time.

There is skiing and kayaking available at the beach, and bath-water like ocean bay to lay around in … and a beach convenience store at the bottom of the hill, with everything from flip flops to local jewelry.

There are two convenience stores within short walking distance.
So again, two thumbs up for the Condovac LA Costa, where the water is the right temperature, the staff is like family, the food is genuine Costa Rican, and naps in the tropical warmth are highly recommended.

The tropic sun soothes your spirit, the ocean breezes kick in. Then at night is it back to the bungalow for Gallo Pinto or mango, or whatever you make for dinner, or up to the Condovac La Costa restaurant for food and drinks.

I can see why people live like this. “Pura Vida.”More