Central America - Guanacaste, Costa Rica (DFW-LIR-MIA-DFW)

Looking for input on the following topics:

1) Tips / info on entering - leaving Costa Rica
2) Best private transportation from LIR airport to JW Marriott Guancaste
3) Any experiences staying at JW Marriott Guancaste (good or bad)
4) List of higher end restauants near JW Marriott
5) General travel tips for Guancaste/Liberia
6) Re-entry experiences at MIA

Any info would be appreciated as we have never been to Costa Rica

you will have lots of fun up to point 6, I have been actively avoiding it since 2006 :)

all arrivals into the US for me from then on are always via IAH/DFW/EWR (EWR is heaven compared to MIA)

the usual security tips apply, dont leave laptops/electronics in plain sight, dont carry anything that you dont need , jewelry etc. Your passport is best kept at your room, carry a photocopy of it and the page that shows the entry stamp. Tips in restaurants ARE included (its called 10% service tax)

When you leave, you will have to pay at 28 dollar tax, do NOT use a credit card in here as it will show as a cash advance with the extra fees.

I'd stayed at the J W Marriott earlier this year. There is NOTHING near the resort, it is a 30 to 40 min drive on a dirt road from the main road turn off. Getting to town or high end restaurants from here will be a headache.

I'd stayed at the J W Marriott earlier this year. There is NOTHING near the resort, it is a 30 to 40 min drive on a dirt road from the main road turn off. Getting to town or high end restaurants from here will be a headache.

Thanks for the info - are the [4] hotel restaurants any good ? If we did want to travel out are there taxis around ? a hotel shuttle maybe ?

Are there any other name hotels close (ie Hilton Papagayo) ?

There was a hotel shuttle to town but I do not know how frequent it is or how reliable it is, never used it. If you need a taxi you'd need to ask the front desk to arrange for one.

The food at the hotel was alright, nothing spectacular and pricey which is to be expected.

There is nothing within walking distance from the J W Marriott, and nothing is close by. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be isolated in this hotel unless you have a car.

No idea where the Hilton property is relative to the J W Marriott.

Honestly, if you plan on leaving the hotel and venturing into town, I'd stay elsewhere, the location of this hotel is less than ideal. Only stay at this hotel if you want to stay at this property and use the facilities within the hotel.

There was a hotel shuttle to town but I do not know how frequent it is or how reliable it is, never used it. If you need a taxi you'd need to ask the front desk to arrange for one.

The food at the hotel was alright, nothing spectacular and pricey which is to be expected.

There is nothing within walking distance from the J W Marriott, and nothing is close by. NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You will be isolated in this hotel unless you have a car.

No idea where the Hilton property is relative to the J W Marriott.

Honestly, if you plan on leaving the hotel and venturing into town, I'd stay elsewhere, the location of this hotel is less than ideal. Only stay at this hotel if you want to stay at this property and use the facilities within the hotel.

Thanks alot *startpacking* - you have been a great resource !