Parador was the perfect place to stay for our first time in Costa Rica. I was impressed with everything they had. This was the perfect destination for a relaxing and stress-free stay. All the staff were friendly and welcoming. They seemed organized. We did a pre-check-in process before we arrived at the resort, which saved quite a bit of time. Once we arrived, the check-in process was quick. We dropped our bags off at the front, and parked our car. Once we entered the resort, we were offered cupcakes because of Valentine's Day and ice cold lychee fruit drinks. I really appreciated the ice cold drinks because it was so hot and humid when we arrived in the late afternoon/early evening. After the check-in process, the staff member drove us with our bags on a golf cart to our hotel room.

We decided to rent a car and drive from the San Jose airport to the resort so that was a bit of a long drive. But it was nice to see the local towns and to get to know more of Costa Rica. It was convenient the hotel was able to set up the Covid rapid tests for us by having an agent from hospital metropolitano come to the resort to take our tests ($70 each person).

I loved that the resort is in the middle of the jungle. That does make the resort located on the very top of the mountain so it is a steep drive on a narrow road to get there. It was very cool to see monkeys, iguanas, crabs, and sloths in the resort. The sloths were two-toed, so they are not active during the day. I was pleasantly surprised that it was not very buggy at all at the resort. The only times I got bit by bugs was at a separate location during the chocolate tour. Then again, half the time I wore bug spray at the resort.

There really was no reason to leave the resort because they have everything you need from a gift shop, fitness center, swimming pools, short hiking trail, mini golf, and spa. Our room was very spacious with its own bathtub, a Jacuzzi on the balcony, and a L shaped sofa. We had a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean and it was right by the adult pool. We were not that super close to the main entrance but it only takes about 2 minutes to walk there.

We only did two tours set up by the hotel: the Damas boat tour with Iguana Tours and Mysteries of the Night Jungle tour right at the resort. They both are a bit pricey. I liked the Damas boat tour the best. It was very cool to see the mangrove trees and see some White faced monkeys, birds, flying white frog, and lizard along the way. A van picked us up at the resort and we drove to the nearby Rios Cotos to do the boat tour. It wasn't listed in the description of the boat tour but we had fresh pineapple, packaged sweet biscuits, and concentrated fruit juice before the tour and after the tour a chicken fajitas meal with beans, the usual spicy pickled peppers and carrots, rice, and vegetables. My husband enjoyed the Mysteries of the Night Jungle tour more than I did. We mostly saw different varieties of frogs. We also saw some sleeping dragonflies, a snake, tadpoles. We walked part of the monkey trail on the resort, so it is a bit of an incline when you walk back up on the trail. Some of the rocks are slippery so you have to be careful walking. Flashlights were provided by our tour guide.

The only things that were a bit of a hassle where having to make reservations to use adult pole, gym, and the La galeria restaurant. I understand and appreciate the reasons for that, but it didn't allow for a go with the flow schedule. Unfortunately, the restaurant La Fragata that was in the same building as our room was closed. That would have been nice to dine there since it is just a few steps away from my room.

The gym is a bit outdated, but it does the job. They have free weights too. I liked that it had its own bathroom (with a shower stall), had AC, water, towels and full open windows so you can see the nature while working out. I would definitely recommend anyone to stay here!