Advice for MVC Los Suenos, Costa Rica please

Marriott or Disney · Mar 29, 2023

First time travelers to Costa Rica and after a year of trying I was able to book 7 nights on destination points for a October '23. Husband and I and possibly 23 yo daughter may join. No idea what the weather will be, but we're going for it.

I've read a few reviews and will continue to search but looking for any advice and experiences others have had at this property.
I have questions about travel, nearest airport to resort? We'll be flying from Raleigh NC, I don't think there are non-stops.
What about a rental car? Should we rent and drive from airport, will we need one to get around during the week? Some people have mentioned the resort can arrange for excursions ... any reviews on those?
TIA!

craigc · Mar 29, 2023

We have been to Los Suenos 2x and love it. In Feb we spent a week at the JW in Guanacaste then drove down to the MVC. October is in the rainy season but it should not ruin your vaca, many time it rains all night. Driving there is safe but slow going as it’s 1 lane each way. We have used Vamos the last 3 times we have been to Costa Rica with no complaints. There are many places to visit from Los Suenos, you will want a car if you feel comfortable driving there. There are 2 airports, Liberia and San Jose. If you are only going to Los Suenos, fly into San Jose. If you get in after dark, stay in a hotel by the airport (there is a nice Courtyard) to avoid driving at night in a place you are not familiar with. The concierge can arrange tours but a few hours on google and TripAdvisor and you will learn quickly where to go and if you have a car it’s easy to get around. Consider a cat cruise to Tortuga island, they leave daily from the marina. Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy, we love it there and will be back!

Marriott or Disney · Mar 29, 2023

craigc said:
We have been to Los Suenos 2x and love it. In Feb we spent a week at the JW in Guanacaste then drove down to the MVC. October is in the rainy season but it should not ruin your vaca, many time it rains all night. Driving there is safe but slow going as it’s 1 lane each way. We have used Vamos the last 3 times we have been to Costa Rica with no complaints. There are many places to visit from Los Suenos, you will want a car if you feel comfortable driving there. There are 2 airports, Liberia and San Jose. If you are only going to Los Suenos, fly into San Jose. If you get in after dark, stay in a hotel by the airport (there is a nice Courtyard) to avoid driving at night in a place you are not familiar with. The concierge can arrange tours but a few hours on google and TripAdvisor and you will learn quickly where to go and if you have a car it’s easy to get around. Consider a cat cruise to Tortuga island, they leave daily from the marina. Let me know if you have any questions. Enjoy, we love it there and will be back!

Thank you so much! Glad to hear you love it there. Is Vamos a car rental agency or a car service you used?

craigc · Mar 29, 2023

Vamos rents cars at Liberia and San Jose. They are generally a few years older with higher miles than the typical Avis, Hertz etc but safe and reliable and less expensive . The cost of the car for 2 weeks was $600 but….:and it’s a big but, insurance is expensive. We have always chosen to get full coverage and it doubles the cost. Some have been able to get a letter from their credit card company which allows them to buy the minimum coverage from the rental car company. We have elected to pay to get the full coverage….:if something happens, we hand them the keys and don’t have to worry. You will have to decide what you are comfortable with. https://vamosrentacar.com/

craigc · Mar 29, 2023

If you don’t want to drive, this company gets good reviews from this group as well as FB MVC pages. It’s family owned etc. they can pick you up from the airport and take you on tours. https://pikotravel.com/

Maple Leaf · Mar 30, 2023

We're going there early May this year for 10 days. We arranged our flights to be there driving the daytime to avoid driving at night.

@craigc - we were looking at rental cars and Dollar, Vamos etc, were recommended. The prices seem set for any time period and don't seem to fluctuate so I'll book this week with Vamos. They still have cars available. I am taking full insurance. Did you get the GPS Phone/Plan for $5 per day? Not sure if that is a phone or a plan you use on your existing phone, but I'm weary using some plan on my phone without removing the SIM card. Your thoughts?

Thanks.

Lakeshore · Mar 30, 2023

Helllo,
We stayed at Los Suenos about 10 years ago and used piko travels mentioned in an above post for transportation to and from the hotel, and also for some great tours during the week….awesome zip lining and Tortuga island being our favorites. We didn’t rent a car, as the excursions provide transportation. They will also stop at a small grocery store on the way to the hotel so you can purchase supplies, which was nice.
Have a wonderful time!

craigc · Mar 30, 2023

Maple Leaf said:
We're going there early May this year for 10 days. We arranged our flights to be there driving the daytime to avoid driving at night.

@craigc - we were looking at rental cars and Dollar, Vamos etc, were recommended. The prices seem set for any time period and don't seem to fluctuate so I'll book this week with Vamos. They still have cars available. I am taking full insurance. Did you get the GPS Phone/Plan for $5 per day? Not sure if that is a phone or a plan you use on your existing phone, but I'm weary using some plan on my phone without removing the SIM card. Your thoughts?

Thanks.

I did not bother with GPS etc. You can download the areas you will be visiting on Google Maps. If you download the map to your phone you are able to use Google Maps without being on line and then just use the MVC wifi when you are there. We had no issues using Google Maps to get around.

Norcal5 · Mar 31, 2023

We were so happy we decided not to rent a car once we got there. PikoTravel took care of our transportation to and from the airport and for our tours - very reasonable and efficient - Lindsay is available by text any time - and the hotel had the most wonderful shuttle. Just pick up the phone and say you’ll be in the lobby in 5 minutes - they had a large car that fit all 8 of us ready every time, usually for $20, sometimes $30.
For the Tortuga island tour we just walked to the marina. You can entertain yourselves at the fun pool with pool bar at the main pool, or enjoy the peaceful pool at the timeshare for a few days too, so I’d hate to be paying for a rental car on those days. And great restaurants within walking distance, a very pleasant walk.
Take the hotel car to Villa Calleta for an early dinner - it was the most spectacular view and place. You can’t miss it. Just 15 min away from Los Suenos. You wouldn’t want to make this drive yourself. The drive is spectacular also.

Steve Fatula · Mar 31, 2023

Where does the "hotel shuttle" go exactly? Is it a list of specific places, or by distance, or just one place?

Norcal5 · Mar 31, 2023

Wherever we told them to go. Jaco for dinner or for a surfing beach 4-5 times, Villa Calletta once. Round trip for all of these times.

Marriott or Disney · Apr 1, 2023

Thank you all for the great replies. I did find Piko on Trip Advisor and had already contacted them. I believe that's how we'll handle tours and transportation and leave the driving task to them! I want/need my hubby to relax!

Steve Fatula · Apr 1, 2023

Marriott or Disney said:
Thank you all for the great replies. I did find Piko on Trip Advisor and had already contacted them. I believe that's how we'll handle tours and transportation and leave the driving task to them! I want/need my hubby to relax!

Yeah, me too (a hubby). I'll let them drive. I also say thanks for all the help as I am accumulating the great tips here for our December trip there.

Maple Leaf · Apr 5, 2023

Did anyone go to the "Owner's information session/Education based Sales presentation" at Los Suenos recently? Do you know what they are offering as a "gift"?
Thanks.

curitiba_tapley · Apr 5, 2023

Maple Leaf said:
Did anyone go to the "Owner's information session/Education based Sales presentation" at Los Suenos recently? Do you know what they are offering as a "gift"?
Thanks.

My family went to Los Suenos during the first month or two when it opened. We met with the Sales Person there - they were still setting up the Sales Showroom!! It was actually a lot of fun (yes, it really was). The guy we spoke with was pretty open and shared a bit more about setting up the resort, how units were sold in Costa Rica (deeded weeks vs. points). It was really educational getting a little bit of a different insight.