A discounted 14 night all-inclusive deal has just come up from the UK to 2* El Nakuti Resort, Panama Beach in the Gulf of Papagayo. I would welcome any comments on this particular hotel and the surrounding area.
As I see it the positives are as follows:-
The price for the package is less than the cost of a return scheduled flight to San Jose.
Guanacaste is good for the Nicaraguan border and on to places like Isla de Ometepe for independent side trips.
The negatives include extremely mixed reviews on Tripadvisor ranging from "flies...poor beach...poor buffets" etc" to some more positive ones. It seems the hotel closed in 2006 and reopened. There have been a few positive reviews more recently.
We are not fussy travellers and are used to backpacking, but don't want a sordid experience in a so-so area.
Comments please?
I don't know the hotel, but if its a really cheap deal go for it!
The best beach is next to Panama, Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste
gulf of papagayo has a lot of these all inclusives...went to one near there and did not like the beach...it is not like the ocean at all in the gulf...very little surf and grey sand..plus they tend to be far away from any kind of town so you are stuck going on tours to see anything....if it is that cheap i suggest you rent a car, and explore on your own....don't even stay there except for a few nights...i also found Papagayo my least favourite part of CR and I have travelled to both coasts several times....get out and explore as much as you can...otherwise you will just find yourself sitting by the pool and eating buffet food
I don't think you can lose if the deal costs less than the flights. As long as your expectations are low then you have a base to dump your clothes, recharge after the journey and start to explore!. The catch is that the package is in the "green" or low season and there will be plenty of rain so big hotels are hungry for business.
The good news is this also means there are hire car deals to be had and you won't need to pre-book any further accom as there will be plenty of choice. You are right, it is a good position from which to explore the Pacific coast. There is not much exploring in the Papagayo itself.
14 days in 1 place, a 2* hotel and all inclusive (Food will be soso) sounds like a recipe for bummer....you will be isolated in the NW of the country....
Ticotim said it!
Whats the point in traveling to a foreign country and staying in a foreign owned hotel with a load of gringos for 2 weeks??
" The price for the package is less than the cost of a returned scheduled flight to San Jose"
Well DUH !!!! Go for it. You dont have to stay there. Why would you pay more for a flight that doesn't include a hotel ? Am I reading this wrong?
AND with the British Pound so strong, book cheaper places- USD50 a night or less will get you a good room no worries!
Do you know First Choice now fly direct from Gatwick to LIBERIA AIRPORT
I met a Brit couple a few weeks ago here, can't remember the exact price but it was cheap and not stuck in the same place for 2 weeks!
Hi,
Ili was there for a long weekend 2 month's ago (special offer) and was disappointed about the place. It seems to her the sheets were not clean, the food was ok but not delicious and they didn't have a bar at all. The beach was a little bit dangerous because there were dangerous Manta's, the good thing the personal warned for this. So we don't recommend this place.
Have a nice time in Costa rica!!
jan & ili
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