Once your reservation is confirmed, we will send you additional information concerning La Paila, including phone numbers, information on obtaining groceries, etc.

All linens are supplied, including pool towels, and Ana takes care of the laundry.

The house has a telescope, satellite TV with VCR/DVD, dialup internet access, and a stereo with CD player.

Which airline/airport should we use?

From the States, you basically have the choice of flying into San Jose or into Liberia. International planes (American, USAirways, Delta, Continental, United) land at San Jose. Delta and American now also fly into Liberia. Rental cars are available at both airports. Liberia is about a 1.5 hour drive to the house. San Jose is about a five hour 4.5 hour drive OR you can take a small plane from San Jose airport directly to the air strip at Playa Carillo in about 30 minutes.

So, your options include:

1. fly into San Jose, rent a car and extend your stay in this beautiful country by seeing other sites in Costa Rica before and/or after your stay at La Paila. We highly recommend an overnight at the Mt. Arenal Observatory Lodge (Phone #011-506-228-3189, Fax #011-506-289-6798). This overlooks an active volcano and on a clear night the view is spectacular. Hot mineral spa nearby.

2. fly into San Jose, and take a small plane straight out to Playa Carillo. Your options include:

• Charter a five to eight passenger plane from the San Jose airport to the airstrip at Playa Carrillo. Call Nature Air (formerly Aero Costa Sol) (Phone # 011-506-296-1102/220-3054 or 506-232-2516). The trip is approximately $500 for five passengers or$822 U.S. for eight passengers, in cash or 10% more for a credit card.

• Sansa, a small scheduled airline, flies daily from San Jose to the Playa Carrillo airstrip. The plane leaves at approximately 7:30 a.m. and returns to San Jose at 8:30 a.m. They have all new equipment and their schedules now are quite reliable. The fare is approximately $75 each way per person. Sansa can be reached at 506-221-9414, or faxed at 506-255-2176.

• Travelaire daily at $88 per person (Phone #011-506-232-7883).

• If you fly to Playo Carillo, you will want to rent a car and have it waiting there for your arrival. This can be arranged either through our managers, Rolf and Ursula Kuhn, and have one car for rent (Phone/Fax #011-506-656-0209), or, alternatively Budget at Liberia will deliver a car to Playa Carillo for $50 additional each way (011-506-668-1024).

3. fly into Liberia and rent a car. We still recommend extending your trip on either end to explore the country a bit, including an overnight at Mount Arenal.

If an overnight stay in San Jose is necessary, the Hampton Inn is 2 minutes from the airport, and better quality Marriott is 10 minutes away. Reservations can be made by the chains' toll free numbers. The Hotel Aeropuerto also comes recommended. It is only 3 minutes from the airport, approximately $85 U.S. per night includes transfers 506-433-7333/433-7724; Fax 506-433-7933, info@hotelaeropuerto-cr.com, www.hotelaeropuerto-cr.com

Car Rentals

Guests at La Paila can enjoy a 10% discount on car rentals through Dollar Rent a Car out of Liberia or San Jose. Be sure to ask for Victor or refer to Victor and "The Durham's Villa La Paila." Be sure to insist on four-wheel drive and a true six-seater car if you need it. They also rent cell phones to accompany your car rental.

Be aware when renting, a four-wheel drive car is somewhat of a necessity.

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