Hotel Costa Verde, Panoramic pictures

Still More Monkeys Than People . . .

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El Avión

Our Fairchild C-123 was a part of one of the biggest scandals in the 1980's. The Reagan Administration set up a bizarre network of arms sales to Iran designed to win release of US hostages held in Lebanon and raise money to fund the Nicaraguan, counter-revolutionary guerilla fighters, commonly referred to as the "Contras." By artificially inflating the prices of arms, NSA official Oliver North, was able to reap profits that could be diverted to fund the counter-revolutionaries of the Cuban allied Sandinista government.

Of the $16 million raised, only $3.8 million actually funded the Contras. With the CIA's help, they purchased several items, including two C-123 cargo planes, two C-7 planes, a Maule aircraft, spare parts, and munitions. They also built a secret airstrip on an American-owned, 30,000 acre ranch in northwest Costa Rica.

On October 5,1986, a US cargo plane, the twin sister, of El Avion's own Fairchild C-123, was shot down over Nicaragua. A crewmember, C.I.A operative Eugene Hasenfus, parachuted to safety and was captured by the Sandinista army.

Led out of the jungle at gun point, Hasenfus's existence set in motion an incredible chain of cover-ups and lies that would mushroom into one of the biggest scandals in American political history known as the Iran-Contra Affair. As a result of this successful Sandinista strike on our Fairchild's sister plane, the cargo operation was suspended and one of the C-123s was abandoned at the International Airport in San Jose.

In August 2000, we purchased the abandoned Fairchild and shipped the pieces of the Iran-Contra relic to Quepos. The fuselage was shipped via ocean ferry because it was 10 inches too wide for the antiquated Chiquita Banana railroad bridges! After hauling seven sections up the Manuel Antonio hill, the C-123 finally found its current cliff-side resting-place.

Now, our C-123 has been retired to less risqué endeavors as a restaurant, bar and an enduring Cold War relic. Join us for food under the wings or drinks in the fuselage pub!

Photos of the move from San José International Airport to Puerto Quepos

Costa Verde’s commitment to our planet’s ecology and sustainability goes far beyond the efforts of other so-called “eco resorts”.

Q. How far are you from the beach?
A. Rooms are between 250 and 450 yards from the beach and over 300 feet above the ocean. It's about a 10-minute walk to the beach. Uphill, on the way back, can take a little longer of course.

Q. How far are you from Manuel Antonio National Park?
A. The backside of the National Park is adjacent to Costa Verde. The park entrance, however, is located ½ mile from the hotel.

An extraordinary Day and Feature on Style Me Pretty!
Albert and Courtney's wedding at Costa Verde was nothing short of magical! Our pool area was indeed transformed...

Bridal Guide Features Alex and Lisa - 23 Weddings!
This couple, Alex and Lisa, are have weddings around the world! We're so proud that Hotel Costa Verde was...