Amazing Dolphin tour in front of Parador´s coastline last week

Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the curious and friendly dolphins up close. We launch from Quepos Oceanfront. We sail along the coast to where the Punta Quepos meets the Pacific Ocean (a favorite dolphin playground). We linger in that area and wait for the Dolphins to come by.

Familia Cortés y Familia Acuña wrote:

The dolphin trip was cool. I never imagined that we would see as many dolphins as we did or that they would swim as close to our boats as they did."

Parador Resort & Spa Hosts Inaugural “Global Partnership For Sustainable Tourism” Summit

Highly recognized for our dedication to environmental responsibility, Parador Resort & Spa is enormously proud to have hosted the first annual “Global Partnership For Sustainable Tourism” summit on January 18 & 19.

Organized by Costa Rica’s Ministry of Tourism and France’s Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transport and Housing, delegates from Switzerland, United States, Panama, Norway, Austria, Colombia, South Africa, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, Canada, Bahamas, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco, Republic of Korea, and Senegal were amongst those in attendance. The two day conference addressed global environmental concerns, as well as the creation of a permanent commission to facilitate the sharing between participating countries of information, technology and budgets as pertains to sustainable tourism.

The broad geographic scope of this organization -- to be created through the conversion of the International Task Force on Sustainable Tourism Development (ITF-STD) -- will have far-reaching and long-term potential to enable the quick adaption and implementation of ideas, projects, methods and policies to benefit the global tourism community. It will be registered as a Type II United Nations Partnership on Sustainable Development and consist of UN agencies, programs, national governments, intergovernmental organizations, social, environmental, and business organizations.

Pedro The Iguana Parador's Pet & Mascot Passes Away

Amidst all the good vibes and celebration, we at Parador Resort & Spa have also suffered a great loss during this holiday season. Our longtime pet and hotel mascot, Pedro the Garrobo Iguana, was found dead close to his home -- a pipe near the reception area in which he has been residing since we opened in 1995. The discovery was made shortly before New Year’s and brings with it much sadness for those whose lives he touched..

Pedro was not only a beloved member of the Parador family, but a bit of a celebrity as well. He enjoyed much fame (but not so much fortune) as the star of many photos, with thousands of guests having posed with our friendly reptile over the past 15 years. Further, while he had no next of kin, Pedro was known to squire many a female companion over and through our expansive grounds and we are sure that his dapper ways with the women will be sorely missed in the kingdom.

Cause of death is undetermined, but it is assumed that Pedro simply succumbed to his advanced age, although we have no idea what that might be!

Rest In Peace dear Pedro. Perhaps one of your offspring will arrive to uphold your legacy.

Rocking in The New Year, Parador Style!

Parador Resort & Spa ended 2010 with a literal bang behind a backwash of brilliant color as the sky above our sprawling ocean-view property erupted in a dazzling pyrotechnic light show when the clock struck twelve. The awesome fireworks spectacle was orchestrated exclusively for our 250 guests as part of our all-inclusive New Year’s Eve festivities.

Kicking off with a sumptuous buffet which featured fresh sushi bar, lobster and other catches of the day, traditional turkey and a plethora of tantalizing side dishes and desserts, the evening proceeded with a variety of live entertainment staged around and atop our grand main swimming pool. The sultry Latin strains of Taboga Band were followed post-midnight by the funky dance grooves of VJ Rury and a flamboyant costumed Carnival-like Brazilian parade. The party raged until the wee hours of the morning with seemingly half our guests dancing hip-high in the pool’s balmy water while the other half boogied on stage. Complimentary champagne flowed like an endless river while the open bar offered a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic refreshments to keep the party rocking.

Kids and adults alike reveled in the dawning of the New Year, Parador style! We had as much fun as our guests and thank everyone for helping Parador to start the New Year the same way we ended it: With a bang!

Playa Biesanz Shuttle

In our ongoing quest to provide Parador’s guests with the ultimate in comfort and convenience, we are now offering complimentary golf cart shuttle service to and from our stunning neighboring beach of Playa Biesanz. Although just a very short walk from our property, we strive to make it even easier for you to access and enjoy the warm crystalline waters and silky sand of this tranquil jungle-embraced cove.

During low tide, remnants of historic turtle traps can be sighted, dating back to the period between 900 to 1756 A.D. when this point (on which Parador sits) was inhabited by the now-extinct Quepoa Indians. Derived from the Boruca tribes that migrated northward from Colombia towards the end of the first millennium, the Quepoa were reputed as one of the fiercest tribes in the Americas, having successfully deterred Ponce De Leon from landing here in 1519 and further inhibiting Spanish occupation for another 40 years. The Quepoa lived in what is now known as Manuel Antonio and Quepos during the rainy season (June through December) and inland along the river banks during the dry months.

Legend has it that a hidden treasure incorporating seven hundred tons of gold, silver and jewels is buried somewhere in the region that this tribe once occupied. Though never discovered – or even confirmed – infamous English pirate and privateer John Clipperton believed to his death that it was so and spent much of the late 1600s here in search of the elusive booty.

These days, Playa Biesanz is quite a bit tamer – and serves not as a beachhead staving off invaders but a peaceful respite where you can perch under a shady palm or the bronzing rays of the sun, explore the point on kayak or collect a handful of commemorative shells.

Whether you opt for a leisurely stroll or a quick shuttle ride, Playa Biesanz is a not to be missed excursion while you are visiting our lovely area.

Galeria Restaurant at Parador Unveils Inspired New Menu

In an effort to surprise, delight and consistently evolve, Edgar Vargas Romero, our heralded Executive Chef, has revamped the Galeria menu, creating a series of internationally-inflected signature dishes for the discriminating palate.

Marrying the freshest local ingredients with a globally-inspired culinary twist, Mr. Vargas has conceptualized an adventurous bill of fare which includes such standout dishes as the banana leaf-wrapped catch-of-the-day with fragrant basil and garlic steamed in a bamboo basket; succulent rib eye steak marinated in harissa spices – a taste sensation straight out of morocco’s souks; a mixed meat brochette served hanging from a wooden-based wire skewer accompanied by three daily-changing dipping sauces; and Toscana bisteca (steak) marinated in herbs and garlic with haricot vert served with sundried tomatoes, garlic, parsley and almonds. Classics from India (TandooriChicken) and Jamaica (Jerk Chicken) also possess Vargas’ personal stamp and are sure to excite and entice our hungry diners.

Elegantly presented and lovingly prepared, we are certain our new offerings will further enhance your memorable dining experience in our ambient ocean-view restaurant.

Parador Receives Top Five Leaf Sustainability Award.

Last Thursday (December 9, 2010) Parador Resort & Spa was presented with the highest Five Leaf Sustainability Award by Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism Carlos Ricardo Benavides at a ceremony in San Jose’s InBio Park. The annual event recognizes businesses in the tourist sector that duly comply with the exacting sustainability guidelines dicated by the Costa Rican Tourism Board’s ICT, Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program CST.

Parador Resort & Spa was one of only ten establishments bequeathed with the coveted Five Leaf rating, validating our passionate and enduring dedication to our environment, community and planet.

Parador Vice President Diego F. Gonzalez Monge and Sales Director Allan Ortega were on hand to receive the top commendation, joining representatives from many of the other 181 Costa Rican tourist-oriented companies that were also certified (22 for the first time).

The impressive number of honorees indicates the ongoing commitment amongst government and private industry to protect and respect Costa Rica’s fragile and fecund eco-system.