Cielo Azul - Potrero

06/09/2024

You can usually find some live music at one of the restaurants around Potrero. This was at the Shack, a block off the beach.

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31/08/2024

Great views and trails minutes from the condo.

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24/08/2024

Dolphins right off Playa Penca - 5 minute walk from the condo!

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17/08/2024

Howler monkeys right around the condo.

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08/08/2024

A few photos from our recent stay at Cielo Azul - parakeets on our biking trip, great boogie boarding waves off Playa Prieta, and the usual assortment of sunsets.

Visit https://www.casadelsol26.com for more information about renting this 2 bedroom condo.

29/03/2024

La Fortuna offers many options for adventure. There are many hiking options near Arenal volcano or its smaller cousin, Chato. Take a guided hike at Arenal Hanging Bridges to look for birds, reptiles and interesting fauna and flora. Walk down 500 steps to go swim below the massive La Fortuna waterfall. Or just go spend a relaxing day at one of the many hot springs in the area.

Check out www.casadelsol26.com for more info on booking this condo.

27/03/2024

If you are looking for a break from the beach and nearby activities, head inland to La Fortuna. Arenal volcano is your backdrop to many activities from visiting chocolate farms to doing evening guided nature walks.

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22/03/2024

Have you heard of La Leona waterfall? This guided destination takes you on a short hike and swim into this gorgeous canyon and waterfall.

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20/03/2024

Found yet another quiet beach - a 10 minute drive from from Cielo Azul condo! This one is called Cape Parrot beach, not far from Flamingo. You can see from the photo how crowded this beach is! 😀

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25/07/2023

Lots to do right from the condo. The island at the end of Playa Penca (Islote Chocoyas) is actually two islands at low tide. Nicole Anderson-Walton and I picked a calm and clear day to swim over and check it out. Next time we’ll tow along a picnic in a dry bag and have more time to visit with all the iguanas.

There are also great mountain biking trails if you’re willing to huff it up the gravel road to get to the trailhead. This circuit is about 10.5k including 6k of single track with some great viewpoints along the way.

Check out www.casadelsol26.com for more info on booking this condo.

29/06/2023

Today is our last post in this "sample 10-day itinerary" series. Check out our previous posts if you need to catch up!

DAY 10 - Last day options...

Depending on your departure time, you may have one last chance to dip in the ocean at Penca and get one more gelato. If you have a lot of time, you can consider several options including deep sea fishing or golfing. If you want to scuba dive, make sure to do that on an earlier day and follow guidance on how long to wait before boarding a plane.

Before you go, please make sure to write about your trip in our guest book, and then leave the condo key at security on your way out.

If you enjoyed this series of posts, please tell us. If you are looking for more information, please ask!

We hope you enjoy Costa Rica as much as we do.

Pura Vida!

As always, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

Picture this for your next vacation

22/06/2023

Today is day 9 of our sample 10-day itinerary. Check out our previous posts if you need to catch up!

DAY 9 - Water Activities and Sentido Norte

On your last full day in Costa Rica, you have a few options to consider.

- Playa Prieta is one beach over from Playa Penca. You can walk there from Playa Penca, either around the shelf or on the short inland trail. You can also drive there if you want. Playa Prieta is another gorgeous beach with lots of shade, and usually some good waves for boogie boarding.
- Or, head over to the Sailing Center on Playa Potrero (right next to Hemingway's restaurant) and rent a paddle board or a kayak for a few hours and explore the area at your leisure.
- Another option is to take your snorkelling gear to Poor Calzon beach. This beach is a 30 minute drive from the condo. You'll park on the gravel road and walk 12-15 minutes down to the beach. The ocean is normally calm and turquoise there, giving you some good snorkelling options on either end of the beach.

Sentido Norte is THE place for sunset and dinner to close out your vacation. It is located high up and right at the entrance to Las Catalinas, just a 5 minute drive from the condo. From this perch, holding a fabulous drink in a casual lounge setting, you will have views of several of the beaches that you've visited (Penca, Prieta, Danta) right through sunset. Then move to the restaurant area for some of the best dining in the area. If you want to be there for sunset and for dinner, be sure to make two reservations as they are considered separate. Also, note the dress code on the website.

In our last post in this series, we'll offer up some replacement options for you to customize your vacation.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

15/06/2023

Our sample 10-day itinerary is winding down. Today is day 8 but check out our previous posts if you need to catch up!

DAY 8 - Boat Safari in Palo Verde

Pablo Verde is a national park located on the banks of the Tempisque river and about 1h15 from the condo. It is a wetland that attracts a wide diversity of birds and fauna.

This half-day tour takes you on a boat safari where your captain and your guide will point out the variety of fauna, flora and birds along the river banks. Do bring your binoculars and your long lens for this! Booking can be made through this excellent family-run outfit - Palo Verde Boat Tours - and I recommend booking the morning tour with the lunch option.

Back mid afternoon, you have your choice of playa Penca or the pool to close out the day. Do listen for the howler monkeys - they are often near the condo before sunset and their "howl" is often mistaken for a barking dog. If you hear them, follow your ears to find them.

For dinner, walk 2 minutes from the condo to the north end of playa Potrero where you can have an oceanside dinner at Las Brisas.

In our next post, some water activities and a not-to-be-missed dinner.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

08/06/2023

Hola! It's time for day 7 of our sample 10-day itinerary.

DAY 7 - Beaches, Shopping, Sunset Cruise

Two great options for consideration today, depending on what kind of morning you feel like.
- Drive 10 minutes to Brasilito where you park and walk along the playa Brasilito and over onto playa Conchal. This gorgeous and long beach has sections of broken sea shells instead of sand as its beach.
- Or, drive 5 minutes to Flamingo and do a bit of shopping at the marina, and then enjoy playa Flamingo nearby.

For the afternoon, sign up for a catamaran sunset cruise. These will typically start at 2:30 and will first take you snorkelling at a more remote beach, provide snacks and drinks along the way, and then have you enjoy the sunset from the boat before bringing you back to port at around 6:30. There are several options for these sunset cruises including Panache Sailing and Lazy Lizard.

In our next post, we'll offer a unique adventure in Palo Verde.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

01/06/2023

Hola! It's time for day 6 of our sample 10-day itinerary.

DAY 6 - Rincon de la Vieja & Guachipelin

Time for another adventure day! Rincon de la Vieja is a national park with a volcano, and about 1h30 minute drive from Potrero. You can access this park for hikes, or sign up for various adventures through Guachipelin which owns adjacent land. You can choose packages from their website, but you can build your own day as well - just contact them directly. Here are a few recommendations.
- Horseback riding, and river tubing. This is followed by buffet lunch. You can then do the mud bath / hot springs in the afternoon.
- River tubing, buffet lunch (always included), followed by Oropendola waterfall and mud bath / hot springs in the afternoon

A few tips
- River tubing is a must and I recommend it in the morning
- There is a short (600m) walk across from the mud bath parking area that will take you to three small waterfalls. This is self guided and free and you can swim at each waterfall
- For an additional access fee, you can access the national park for some guided or self-guided hikes such as Las Pailas loop
- You can also combine a half day at Guachipelin with a half day at La Leona waterfall which is in the same area.
- Leave by 4 to avoid driving back in the dark

In our next post, we'll cover other beaches and some shopping.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

25/05/2023

Hola! So far in previous posts of our sample 10-day itinerary we've covered playa Penca, surfing in Tamarindo, hiking or biking in Las Catalinas, and zipline & ATV options. Next up...

DAY 5 - Playa Real and Playa Roble

After a few days of higher intensity activities, it's time to get back to beach pace. Check out the tide tables and head over to playa Roble and playa Real at low tide. This is a 30 to 40 minute drive from the condo. Park at playa Real, then walk to your left along the shelf to access playa Roble and then Roca island. At low tide you can walk around the shelf of this island and explore the tide pools and all the crabs that scamper off as you approach. You might see some locals fishing there as well. Services are limited in this area, especially during the low season so bring a picnic and relax on playa Real after your exploration of Roca island.

If you're not yet "beached out", you can always check out playa Zapotillal on the way back as it's in the same area - and just as quiet.

If you time it right, you could have dinner in Brasilito on the drive back. There are several options include Patagonia del Mar, and Gracia la Vid to name a few.

In our next post, we'll info about Rincon de la Vieja and Guachipelin for some adrenaline.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

18/05/2023

Hola! In previous posts, we've shared days 1 through 3 of our sample 10-day itinerary. Today, it's time for day 4.

DAY 4 - Ziplines and ATV

Rise and shine! Stretch your legs on playa Potrero on your way to breakfast at Nita Coffee or Cafe del Sol. Or if you want a closer option, you can also try Soda Marcel.

Next, it's adrenaline time with some ziplines and ATV at the Congo Trail. This is just a 15 minute drive from the condo, right at the river crossing on the Monkey Trail. If you prefer to skip the ATV but want bigger ziplines with some different options, you can try Diamante Adventure Park instead. It's just 10 minutes farther than the Congo Trail.

For dinner, why not keep the party going at one of several downtown Potrero bars with great night life such as The Shack or the Whiskey Howler.

In our next post, we'll provide insights into playa Real and playa Roble.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.

11/05/2023

Hola! It's time to share day 3 of our sample 10-day itinerary.

DAY 3 - Las Catalinas Hike or Bike Ride

Las Catalinas is a newer Italian-style community just 4 km north of Potrero and the condo. There you will find a network of hiking and mountain biking trails that provide great views of the area.

Drive to Catalinas through to the public parking area at the far end of the road. Walk over to Pura Vida Ride where you can pick up a map of the local trails for hiking or mountain biking. The store also has lots of bikes for rent. Whatever activity you choose to do, make sure to bring lots of water!

After your active morning, enjoy a nice lunch at Pots and Bowls and then chill on the local beach, playa Danta.

Head back to the condo late afternoon, in time to see the incredible sunset at playa Penca. For dinner, pick another local spot near the condo.

La Jama | La Pizzeterria Da Oreste | Sol y Mar | Las Brisas | Bar Cabins La Penca

And for a cooling desert, walk over to Gelateria . Just be careful of falling mangos from the tree as you savour your gelato outside!

In our next post, we'll offer ideas for ziplines and ATV.

Meanwhile, check out https://casadelsol26.com for more on Cielo Azul.