My husband and I and our son just came back from Costa Rica.We stayed with friends, and one night we decided to take a tour and stay overnight .We drove from La Paz Waterfalls, thinking we would just stay somewhere on the way to Arenal.We got lost, and of course at night it is hard to find anything, but we did find El Toucano.I thought its part of the Occidental Hotels, it has to be good.Well, it definitly needs work.It is in a great setting,a nice location,etc.The rooms were horrible,ours smelled like cat pee .I asked for another room, but even though there werent many people there, she wouldnt switch the room.We were so tired from the drive, we stayed for the night.The next day we had the breakfast buffet, which was o.k.We stayed at the huge pool,my son had a massage which he said was good.We didnt know anything about the trails or any other amenities, I only found out when I got home and went on Trip Advisor(which I usually do first.)I think under better management, and some really good renovations, this could be a 5 star hotel.But not the way it is now.Also,the front desk girl could be better at her job, by telling guests what there is to do there.She seemed like she couldnt be bothered).Also the next day at check out,they charged me for an extra meal, which took the front desk person 3 phonecalls to adjust, instead of just doing it himself.I look forward to this hotel updating, if the Occidental chain has anything to do with it.Otherwise, it will go the way of many mismanged hotels, closing because Americans and others expect more today.Costa Rica is building many luxury resorts on the Pacific side, I hope they do the same here, without losing the charm of this hotel

We loved El Tucano! It is out of the way of the La Fortuna hubub, but close enough to day trip it. We rented a car in Quepos and drove to Quesada which took most of a day. It is a scenic trip to say the least! The spa is mostly a Tico resort, which was appealing to us as we are learning Spanish. There was one other American family and the rest of the guests were locals. English is spoken by nearly all of the staff. We had excellent massages, and my wife had facial, mani, and pedi which she loved. All of the services were very reasonably priced.

We enjoyed the natural sauna and the hot pools. The one natural pool down by the river was wonderfull! I loved hearing the rushing river during meals! It is a lovely lush setting with luxuriant jungle all around you. I saw Tucanos, Blue Morpho butterflies, and many other wild creatures. There is a nice trail system on the property which I used every morning. My only complaint was the fact that no coffee is available before 7 am. As an early riser, I found this odd and inconvenient. The breakfast buffet is excellent. The dinner buffet was also quite good.

It is a very attractive property. The buildings are quaint and white washed with red tile roofs. It has the feel of a little Spanish village. I would not describe the rooms as luxurious, but we found them cozy. There is no internet, so if you need it you would have to go into town ten minutes by car. There are tennis courts and a mini golf course.

The trip to Arenal took about an hour each way, and was well worth it. We got a perfect view of the smokiing top but no lava. The best view was off the dirt road between Tabacon and Lake Arenal (turn left heading towards the lake). We also drove up to Poas which is so pretty! The little towns up there are charming. It was cloudy and rainy so we couldn't see much most of the time, but it was awesome to be immersed in clouds. We also liked the scenery around the town of Zarcero south of San Carlos.

I would stay at El Tucano again. It was a lovely retreat in the mountains.

Nice Spa and Hotel where you can pamper yourself with a mud wrap, and anything else from a pedicure to a massage and beyond. Soaking in the stream or in the baths of thermal springs or swimming in their pools are also available. High in a local tree you can watch the Montezuma birds nesting and hopefully as we saw, a pair of Red Macaws. This is high volcanic area and thermal springs are the center. Rooms are roomy and comfortable and the help willing to jump in and help when needed

Just arrived from Costa Rica "travel easy but safe...and BE NICE!"
Costa Rica, as a 1st time visitor...This was an incredible place to visit and people were very nice and helpful. I'll definitely. go back!.
Everything was great, once I arrived at the Juan Santa Maria airport.

When traveling you can expect a lots of things, be nice with your travel partner and when you re "in Rome, do as the Romans do". Then you can say all the comments about the people & the place you've been. When traveling think easy, smart and light. Don’t travel with heavy luggage. When traveling feel like in as if "alive" share the good things Be always safe, friendly and with respect of the local culture.
An important thing you must not forget is: If you´re going to a beautiful place like this "Never travel with a friend that is a beginner and that the only thing that she cares is about complains and to criticize and compares one place to another." There is nothing to compare between Costa Rica and Yucatan state. That was the only thing "wrong" in my trip.

I’m probably a frequent traveler with many international airlines that enjoy every single part of my trips, and I must say since I took my plane from Miami to San Jose (J.Santa Maria airport) was a really a nice experience. Airport personnel SJO, customs, even ground transportation were nice. I booked some tour services with Rainforest's Tours and Ms. Ana Lam; she was professional at all times. The GranHtl Costa Rica also is a centric place to stay.

But the real Costa Rica that people is looking for is at the rain forest in Monteverde, or LLanura del Norte, where the volcano’s and thermal water spring is at many of the resorts locate around the area. I booked with Dargal travelagency at The Occidental El Tucano and it was really quiet and relaxing, just perfect for me. The natural Sauna one of my favourites ! The thermal spa and treatments are relaxing!!
If you like tennis, please use the tennis court, no one used when I went and you have a great view from that area.

The Place that I enjoyed must was the volcano Arenal at day & night. At the arenal "puentes colgantes" there is a nice restaurant you should go , the view is breathtaking!!!
It is Highly recommend to bring your professional camera with zoom and take pics at night.

I 'd like to thank The Occidental El Tucano Juan Carlos Barreto and Yerry Duran and Frank & Carlos of Frank’s Tours, the tourdesk inside the hotel, they were very helpful.


There is so many options when traveling to Costa Rica.Will be require time to read and search for info before you go ! you'll luv it.

gnakasone