Sub-Mariner - when you return please let us know how you liked the Occidental Grand Papagayo and how far away you had to go to get to dive ops. That is the resort that we have a package with so I would love to hear all about it.
Thanks
I just got back 1st I'l tell you about the OGP then the diving
The OGP sits on a beautiful large property the staff is really nice and that's where it ends. We showed up and they told us our room was ready when we got to the room there was NO water and the AC was not working. we spent the 1st day getting water and AC we also were supposed to get the romance package that included certain things being in the room that didn't arrive until the next day.
I thought that maybe I was being a stuck up american at first but everyday someone was at the front desk complaining about the conditions. And wouldnt you know it I come back from a dive a few days later get into the shower and what happens nothing. We also got the Ocean view room (don't pay extra for it) it is more like a treeline view because there are trees blocking your view of the ocean.
This is supposed to be a 5 star resort it is more like a 3 star. 4 restaurants 3 that you have to make reservations for. None of them are what you'd expect from a 5 star resort. We had an all inclusive package and we still went out to eat I'd recommend a place called Bambu which is a little place down the street from the OGP.
They have wireless internet there is just one problem. The property covers several acres, they have a truck that takes people around to there respective buildings. The only building with internet is the main building and if I were to guess it seemed to be connected to a 56k modem it was that slow. This means that in order to check your email you have to take your laptop up to the main building check your email then take your laptop back to your room. Which although it sounds like its not a big deal it can be a hike if you are in a building far away from the main building which of course I was.
I want to go back to Costa Rica but i would never go back to OGP again.
The Diving
I went with Bill Beards Diving Safaris. They were good I got picked up every morning and dropped off afterwards the dive shop is about 5 to 10 min from the OGP in Hermosa and the boat/beach is about a block from the shop. Price is reasonable and the service was excellent.
DO NOT go with the onsite operator I believe the name is Charlies Adventures. I spoke with another diver I met there he wanted to book some dives for himself and his wifes checkout dives. He wanted to charge the wife over $300 for her 4 checkout dives. The next day they were both on my boat where a DM took her solo for her checkout dives and he dove with me.
I know this post is long but believe me it would be longer if I told you everything that was wrong with OGP. But the diving was great
