Kermit the Frog - Home Alone

As I mentioned in my last blog post, Kermit was very excited to be going on a little trip with us. We were headed to Alma Del Pacifico Beach Hotel & Spa at Playa Esterillos Este on the central Pacific Coast.

After we had unpacked and settled into our suite, Lance said that we had forgot to bring one important thing .... Kermit!!! He was sitting at home with that eternal happy smile on his little green face, waiting for us to put him in our car. Well, I felt just terrible. This is what he looked like when we returned home, curled up in a fetal position. I think he needs therapy.

We’re planning another trip to the Caribbean side of Costa Rica and we won’t forget him again!

This is the route we took to the hotel. The traffic was heavy but the roads are good - all paved - and took about 2 hours 20 minutes (not the 1 hour 58 minutes indicated on the map) from our house at Hacienda El Paseo. We shared the driving.

The turnoff road to the hotel is not paved and has lots of potholes. Part of the road was flooded but passable. As in much of Costa Rica, you would never imagine what lies at the end of some roads. Alma del Pacifico is a first class resort right on the ocean. I had asked for a garden suite but we were upgraded to an ocean view suite. It was huge. This hotel is totally unique in design.

We arrived on Wednesday and left on Friday. Because this is the off (low) season and also the green or rainy season, we had the place practically to ourselves. Prices are lower at this time of year and special rates are offered to citizens and legal residents (like ourselves). We noticed more visitors checking in on Friday. Travelling during the week is a good idea.

All the staff were really friendly and helpful. I highly recommend this hotel. Rooms have air conditioning, a mini-bar, coffee maker, cutlery, glasses, cups, etc. There was a bowl of fruit for our enjoyment. King size bed and also a single bed against one wall which also offered extra seating. Books were provided and I finished reading one of them.

It was nice lounging on the chairs on our outdoor patio. Similar loungers are situated all over the property for everyone’s use.

Our suite:

The amazing shower area. A sliding door opened onto a very private small patio so it was like taking a shower outside.

Some photos of the grounds. Two swimming pools and a hot tub. Beautiful gardens. In the second photo, you can see our suite on the right - very close to the restaurant and the outdoor bar.

 

Translation of the photo below: “This beach has an Ecological Blue Flag”. Information on the Blue Flag program can be found here.

Open air restaurant and bar. The roofs are made from palm branches.

Breakfasts are included. This is one I ordered - fruit and scrambled eggs in flour tortillas.

I made a couple of videos for your zen enjoyment.

Time to go home - a different route through Orotina and Atenas. Traffic was good and we made it home in about two hours.

Side note: on the road going home between Atenas and where we live, we were pulled aside by the Policia/Transitos. According to the last digit on our licence plate (placa), we were not supposed to be driving anywhere on that day without authorization according to Covid-19 restrictions presently in place. One of the exemptions is proof of travelling to and from a hotel. We had that proof and were on our way in less then a minute.

Click on images to enlarge.