Destination Costa Rica

More Information About Recreo

Recreo is a residential resort community in the northwestern Costa Rican province of Guanacaste. The property consists of two mountaintops with a private entrance and roads leading to 25 residential lots. Each lot offers extraordinary ocean views and spectacular vistas, providing closeness to the extraordinary natural beauty of the area. The cool ocean breezes and lush natural landscape provide a canvas for the creation of an indoor/outdoor lifestyle in harmony with the surrounding environment. Recreo is steps away from two of the most spectacular beaches in the world. Playa Rajada and Playa Jobo are covered with white sand, and both give you the feeling of being in a private lagoon.

The Guancaste province is a land of volcanic peaks, jungle valleys, scenic waterfalls, and natural hot springs. Home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with national parks and wildlife refuges, the area offers fascinating opportunities for exploring nature as well as historic sites and quaint villages. Its beaches—some of the best in Costa Rica—are caressed by the warm waters of the Pacific; some are protected breeding grounds for majestic sea turtles and tropical fish. Recreo's climate is comfortable year-round, with low humidity, sunny days and balmy, star-lit nights.

Recreo General Information

La Cruz, Costa Rica
Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Telephone: 631-298-0414
Fax: 631-298-0415 USA

Daniel Oduber International Airport, Liberia: 60 minutes
San José International Airport: 40 minutes by air (to Liberia) or 6 hours by car transportation

Location:
Located on 70 coastal acres in the tropical dry forest of Costa Rica's majestic Guanacaste province, just 60 miles from Liberia International airport, Recreo gives guests unparalleled access to all of the beauty and adventure the region has to offer by providing complimentary private transportation throughout the area.

Guanacaste is known for its breathtaking views of stunning beaches, jungles, forests, mountains and volcanoes, as well as its exotic plant and wildlife and the bounty of outdoor activities available. With more than 30% of Costa Rica dedicated to national parks and wildlife preserves, the Guanacaste province is destined to remain one of nature's masterpieces.

Villa reservations:
Please contact our reservations department at 631-298-0414
Or by email: kimp@recreocostarica.com

Check-in time and policies
At Recreo it's all about individuality and accommodating our guests needs and desires. Recreo accommodates your personal preferences for checking in and out of our villas.

Recreo Travel Tips:

Airline Travel
All travelers must possess a valid passport, issued at least three months before entering the country.
Miami and Atlanta have the largest number of non-stop flights to Costa Rica.
Most travelers on flights from the Northeast change over at Miami or Atlanta. A flight from New York with one stop generally takes five to six hours. American, Delta, US Airways, and United are the major U.S. carriers. Direct flights are available out of Newark, NJ, and Los Angeles, CA.
Lost Luggage: The first thing you should do is proceed to the baggage claim, file a report, and call your airline for help. Lost bags are usually located within two days and are brought directly to where you are staying.
Departure Taxes: When you fly out of Costa Rica you'll have to pay a $26.00 airport departure tax. Many experienced travelers choose to pay this fee as soon as they arrive in Costa Rica so that less time will be spent waiting in lines on the day of departure. Domestic airline flights to other areas in Costa Rica are available but require that you travel light—less than 25 lbs. of luggage.

Car Travel
Costa Rica is not an ideal place to drive. The country is predominantly rural, and the roads are mostly unpaved. Most cars and SUVs in Costa Rica have manual transmissions, including most rental cars. Liberia has several locations for renting a car or SUV. Gas stations are not abundant, and you are encouraged to fill up whenever possible. The price of gas is similar to U.S. prices, but is sold in liters.
Car seats are required for children and should be reserved in advance at a car-rental location.
The speed limit is usually 80 KMP (54 mph) and drops in residential areas. Speed limits and seat-belt laws are strictly enforced. Drunk-driving laws are also strict! Policemen will often stop drivers at checkpoints along the Pan American Highway. Be prepared to answer questions about where you are going, where you came from, and the purpose of your trip.
Car rental during the highest season begins at $45 a day and may require up to a $1,000 deposit payable by credit card. To avoid a hefty refueling fee, return the rental car with a full tank of gas. Also most agencies have cell-phone rentals that range from $2 to $7 per day and national per-minute costs of 70¢ to $2. To rent a car you will need a driver's license, a passport, and a credit card.
The rules of the road are similar to those in the U.S. Look out for the following: "Alto" means stop. "Ceda" means yield. "No hay paso" means do not enter. Right on red is permissible unless a sign indicates otherwise.

Customs and Duties
Visitors entering Costa Rica may bring the equivalent of $500 worth of merchandise. Merchandise over $500 will be taxed, and it may be prudent to bring a receipt indicating that an item is under $500. One camera, one video camera, film, and electrical items for personal use are also allowed.
U.S. residents may bring back two liters of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, and 100 non-Cuban cigars. You may mail up to $200 worth of goods. Label the package "Personal Goods Returned" to avoid paying duties. You may also send up to $100 worth of goods and gifts marked "Unsolicited Goods."
Keep receipts when shopping in Costa Rica and be ready to show customs officials what you purchased.
All medication must be carried in its original package to avoid customs and security delays.

Packing & Supplies
Packing lightly is the best way to go.
In addition to what you bring, the following items are helpful: a backpack, a hat, sunscreen, a flashlight, insect repellent, a lightweight rain jacket, a lightweight sweater, lightweight wrinkle-free or reversible clothing, and disposable cameras for kids. Dry bags for cameras and equipment are helpful on adventure trips. Remember when hiking not to wear sandals with an open toe.
The nearest town, La Cruz, has a large supermarket that carries most common items, including baby formula, diapers, wine, and beer. Product prices are similar to prices in the U.S.

Cameras and Film
Digital cameras or videos are the way to go. Supermarkets are out of the way, and there's not much of a market for purchasing film. Bring all film and batteries from home.

Money
The Costa Rican currency is the "colon" (plural: colones). ATMs/Banks are located throughout the country, mainly in large towns and cities. Lines at the banks can be long and can test your patience so getting spending money at a "cajero automatico"—ATM—may be helpful.
All major credit cards are useful at major hotels and car rentals, but don't count on using your credit card for most of your visit. Most restaurants and places around and near Recreo require cash payment. Visa is the most accepted credit card in the area.
All Costa Rican restaurants will include the tax and service tip for the meal. Exchanging money is not a real concern because Costa Rica accepts all currencies.

Time
Costa Rica does not observe daylight savings time. To calculate the time in Costa Rica subtract six hours from Greenwich mean time.

Telephone/Cell Phones
The most inexpensive way to make a call in Costa Rica is to use an international phone card. Most public phones require the use of a phone card for local and long-distance calls.
If you bring your cell phone with you and can get reception, you can theoretically make a local or long-distance call with it. However, reception can be poor in certain areas of Costa Rica.
Cell-phone rentals are available throughout Costa Rica, including most car-rental establishments.

Health
Costa Rica is a safe place to be. Most travelers do not need any vaccinations or special medications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control does recommend getting a vaccine if you are going to remote areas or plan to stay for more than six weeks.
Pharmacies are like those in the U.S., and the names of common drugs are basically the same. Aspirin, Tylenol, ibuprofen, and Pepto-Bismol are widely available. Many drugstores are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and many drugs that require a prescription at home are sold over the counter in Costa Rica. Pharmacies are located in most towns and cities, including La Cruz, the closest town to Recreo. A local clinic is just minutes from Recreo and can handle any basic needs.