Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

It was my second time to Costa Rica, but I traveled with my friend who had never visited it before, and it was so fun!
Phil, our specialist, was great. It was very easy to communicate with him, he made the trip perfect for us. He was very present and responsive even while we were traveling.
We loved everything, from the accommodations to the activities!

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Roca Lodge

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

The lodge bungalows were rustic in appearance, but were very spacious and had all the comforts for home (AC, hot water, comfy beds and an on-site restaurant)

Location

For traveler's with a rental car, getting to/from town to explore restaurants, shops, etc is easy. For traveler's without a rental, there were a few places within easy walking distance but for most a cab would be required.

Staff

The staff were very friendly. They all went the extra mile to make our stay a happy one.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Locanda Samara Beach

Samara

Hotel Locanda Samara Beach in Sámara was a great choice for a stay. The hotel's location allowed for easy access to various attractions, shops, and restaurants, making it convenient for exploring the area on foot.

Authenticity & Character

The bungalows, with the bamboo and thatched roofs added a local flair to the hotel.

Location

The hotel is right on the beach and easy walking distance to all amenities in Samara.

Staff

The staff were all very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

The cleaning staff kept the entire hotel spotless

Activity Reviews

Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

The zip lines and hanging bridges tour was thrilling and suitable for travelers of all ages. It may not be ideal for those afraid of heights, but overall, it was a fun and exciting experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ocean Kayak & Snorkel at Isla Chora (Seasonal)

Sámara

The ocean kayak and snorkeling tour at Isla Chora was a fun and exciting experience. Despite windy conditions, seeing a turtle underwater made the excursion memorable. The two-seater kayak was beneficial for less experienced kayakers, adding to the enjoyment of the activity.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Ride to La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Sunset Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rio Celeste Hiking - Tenorio Volcano National Park

Costa Rica

The hike at Tenorio National Park was challenging but rewarding. The guide was excellent, and despite the rain, the lush surroundings and the unique blue waters of Rio Celeste made the hike a memorable experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guatil Tour

Costa Rica

The Guatil pottery tour was a hidden gem and a fascinating cultural experience. The guided tour provided insight into local pottery-making techniques and traditions, making it a unique and enjoyable activity for those interested in learning about the local culture.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It's unfortunate that Charlotte is noted as our local specialist, since she most certainly was not. Our trip was booked through an initial agent, Sergio, and once we had paid for the tour he immediately disappeared. We were directed to Charlotte who was unresponsive and difficult to get details from. After repeated requests, she finally assigned our file to a new rep, Wilman, who was very helpful in sorting out the many details of our trip. As we worked through it, it became clear that much of what we were sold did not line up clearly with the operational details required to make it work. Working 1:1 with Wilman we were able to sort it out and the trip was enjoyable and relatively seamless for our family, but it wasn't without significant effort and an exceptional amount of back and forth to ensure that the trip was in order. We credit Wilman with saving this trip for us, and aren't sure of the role which Charlotte played.

Hotel Reviews

Maquenque Ecolodge

Boca Tapada

This was a unique and interesting property and we really enjoyed our stay. The property is full of amazing wildlife, and the staff were friendly and accomodating. The accomodations were clean and inviting and we loved the feeling of sleeping in the treetops with the animals. The one drawback here was the remoteness of some of the treehouses. We had 4 across our large group, and the distance between them was significant. Walking back to the rooms at night alone was a little unnerving given the animals we'd seen roaming the property earlier in the day! Would highly recommend Maquenque lodge

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Congo Bongo EcoVillage Costa Rica

Manzanillo, Limon

This was a unique property, though a little more rustic than we'd imagined. A number of the reviews note that this is more of a 'glamping property' which felt accurate. The rooms were creatively designed, and very open to the elements. As such, it was hard for them to feel (or be) clean. The kitchenwares were often freshly covered with animal feces and the bedroom area was always damp feeling, particularly at night. The walk to the beach was long, but well marked. And from there it was an easy walk to the town of Manzanillo. The staff at the property were very willing to assist and acomodate.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto

San José

Good option near the airport. There was also a grocery store and a handful of restaurants to walk to nearby.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Birdwatching Tour in Maquenque

Boca Tapada

This activity was a bit underwhelming. It was planned as a very early morning after a very long travel day. By the time we got going, there wasn't as much to see. We did see a Tapir which was awesome, but the birds and guide weren't otherwise noteworthy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari Kayak in Tres Amigos River

Boca Tapada

This was a great trip, though longer than our group was prepared for. The guides were very good and pointed out notable sights and animals as we passed them.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San Carlos River Boat Tour

Boca Tapada

we enjoyed abut 50% of this tour. Our guide was excellent, and the driver had a sharp eye for finding animals by the shoreline. Outside of that, the tour got a little long and boring. And on the way back, the guide was on his phone and we weren't able to stop for animal spottings, which made it a bit of a lackluster end to what was an otherwise decent tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boca Tapada Night Tour

Boca Tapada

This was a great experience with a good guide. We enjoyed the tour and saw a number of interesting frogs, birds, snakes and other creatures.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Transfer from Boca Tapada to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca with En-route Rafting on the Sarapiquí River

Costa Rica

Our rafting tour was a highlight on our trip! The group of guides were phenomenal in engaging our full group and making our participants of all different levels feel confident and safe out on the water. We had a great time and would highly recommend this to others. The lunch following the rafting was great too!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All I can say is this trip was PERFECT! It's the first time I have planned a trip using a travel service. Holden with Serendipity Adventures did an amazing job planning a trip that was everything we could have asked for and more. Our hotels, transportation, guides and adventures were just perfect for us. Everything went just as planned. Loved having a contact available 24hr a day if anything came up we needed. Wilman was that man in command. Nancy was top class in getting us all the information we needed to make this dream trip come true. We spend our 40-year Anniversary Day with a private guide Andres from Forest Alive in Monteverde Cloud Forest. He was so knowledgeable and just plain fun. We saw more animal & bird than I dreamed possible. After our hike we had a romantic dinner at San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience. It was a dinner we will never forget high above the jungle watching the sunset. Thank you everyone at Serendipity Adventures for making this special time in our lives complete.

Hotel Reviews

Manatus Hotel

Tortuguero

We loved Manatus Hotel. This room are good size and very comfortable. Liked that it isn't a huge place, so you get personal service with a smile. All meals are included (which were tasty) as no roads in or out. Only can get there by boat which is half the fun. On the boat safari our guide were experts at finding interesting reptiles, animals and flora for us to look at.

Authenticity & Character

Location

No big crowds of people here.

Staff

Friendly and Personable

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Monteverde

This is a beautiful hotel in a great location. Good size rooms with a balcony to watch the sunset. The food was outstanding. We enjoyed swimming and relaxing poolside after our days adventure.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Alma Del Pacifico Beach Hotel & Spa

Esterillos Este

We really liked that the rooms were all private large bungalows. Had plenty of private garden space outside to enjoy. The pools were enjoyable. The beach is right there for you to enjoy with hammocks and Adirondack chairs in the palm trees. Amazing sunset.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

The location is great, and hotel was clean and comfortable. The only reason I gave it a 4 instead of 5 is it was a bit noisy. Lots of big families with lots of children that did as they pleased. The pool was full of children splashing and being loud. I know this isn't the fault of the hotel, but it does affect our experience.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Andres from Forest Alive was knowledgeable and just plain fun. He timed our hike so there wasn't tons of people. We didn't get 1/4 of a mile into our hike and we saw Quetzol birds, a mother hummingbird feeding her chicks, a viper snake, and bats. We went to a lovey waterfall and enjoyed the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to San Carlos Hot Springs & Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Lovely hot springs with several different temperature pools. Drinks served at the different hot springs. Dinner had lots of choice and was tasty.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetop Dining Experience

Monteverde

Had our 40-year Wedding Anniversary dinner in the treetop dining experience. What a way to celebrate our anniversary above the treetops watching the sunset. We will always remember this culinary adventure. Food and service was beyond excellent.

Quality of Experience

Food

All I can say is EXCELLENT

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding to Nauyaca Waterfalls

Costa Rica

We spent our last day in Costa Rica doing my two favorite things. Riding horse and swimming in a waterfall. It was a blast. The horses are well cared for. The guides make sure everyone is safe and happy. Spend plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall. Stopped halfway back to enjoy a nice lunch. Super fun day! If you are in the area this is a must do.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The KimKim experience was a wonderful one from start to finish! They planned for us a 7-day Costa Rica experience that was tailored to our needs and included time in Manuel Antonio as well as La Fortuna. Activities included horseback riding, zip lining, national park hikes, volcano hikes, thermal springs and more. All the activities were super fun, transportation to and from the locations were luxurious and on time. All the drivers and tour guides were super nice and knowledgeable. Olman and Graciela, who managed the tour from the KimKim side, were extremely accommodating and eager to build the trip we had envisioned. When we decided to extend the beach stay by a day at the last minute, Graciela was able to make it happen. I highly recommend KimKim for any vacation experience!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Magic Mountain

Fortuna

Hotel Magic Mountain in Arenal was a wonderful place to stay. The hotel had everything we needed, and the surroundings were beautiful. The amenities were great, and the overall experience was very positive. It was a comfortable and relaxing place to unwind after a day of activities.

Location

Staff

Karahé Beach Hotel

Manuel Antonio

My stay at Karahé Beach Hotel in Manuel Antonio was a mix of experiences. The location was fantastic, and the breakfast was delicious. However, the room we had was basic and had some issues with bugs due to a door that didn't close properly. On the contrary, the beachfront rooms were amazing, offering a different level of comfort and views. Overall, the hotel had its pros and cons, but the beachfront rooms were definitely worth considering.

Location

Staff

Park Inn San Jose by Radisson

San José

I stayed at Park Inn San Jose by Radisson for one night. Since we arrived late and left early, there wasn't much to say about the stay. The hotel was fine and served its purpose as a comfortable and relaxing stopover.

Activity Reviews

Arenal Volcano Extreme Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

The zip lining experience in Arenal Volcano was fantastic. Despite my initial concerns due to vertigo, the guides were helpful and made the activity enjoyable. The location for zip lining was excellent, and the guides were both helpful and fun. It was a thrilling and memorable experience that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Horseback Riding Tour

Manuel Antonio

The horseback riding tour in Manuel Antonio was a great experience. The location where we rode and had lunch was enjoyable and fun. The guide, was fantastic and added to the overall experience. It was a memorable activity that I would recommend to others.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs

Arenal/La Fortuna

The El Silencio Hike and visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs was a great combination. Despite the pouring rain during the hike, the experience was fun and enjoyable. The highlight was our guide, Monica, who was amazing. Her knowledge and enthusiasm added to the overall experience and made it truly memorable. It was a day filled with adventure and relaxation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Monica was an amazing guide!

Transport

This was our first experience using a travel agent and will be our last! Although Costa Rica is a beautiful country, our vacation felt very much like a pre-package, impersonal trip comprised of very touristy activities selected from a pre-approved list (no variations, no deviations, no personalizations). Costa Rica, or at least the regions we were sent to, were just huge tourist meccas, overflowing with garish billboards, cheap souvenir shops and ramshackle hotels.

We stayed at two resorts - Los Lomas del Volcan in LaFortuna and The Parador Nature Resort in Manuel Antonio. Both were a bit dated but nice. But without a car, you were at the mercy of the local cabs ($10 to drive the 1.5 km into town on the un-walkable road) or the capricious shuttle schedule offered by the resort. We had to spend almost all your time within the confines of the resort.

Which I guess is fine and might be what many people like. And if that is your vacation objective, then these two properties would be fine.

The adventure activities were, once again, very touristy and focused more on “schlock” than really giving any sort of education about coffee growing or chocolate production. We did a safari raft adventure through Canoa Adventure that was fun. But that was followed by a “hike” to la Fortuna falls which consisted of a young man just driving us to the falls and letting us walk to the falls. Not sure that was worthy of any sort of fee.

BUT - if you are into zip lining and lying around a pool, both resorts would be just fine.

The biggest disappointment was the service provided by KimKim. I am just going to give one example (there were many others). Our last day at Manuel Antonio, we had to check out of the room by 11:00 but our shuttle was not arriving until 3:00. Everything was packed. No air conditioning in the resort (other than the bedrooms which we had to leave). Restaurants on the resort did not open until noon (also not air conditioned). We asked at the front desk if there was something we could do or a place to go. They had no suggestions. Total waste of a day, just sitting around, trying to stay cool and waiting for the shuttle.

And then, the shuttle takes us to downtown San Jose for the night - we had an early morning flight the next day. But we arrived so late we could not do anything in San Jose. So why not just have us stay at an airport hotel, complete with a free airport shuttle, and allow us to 1) sleep a little more in the morning 2) take advantage of the free breakfast and 3) not have to pay the cab fare to the airport.

Terrible planning. If I had planned this myself, I would have taken these timing issues into consideration. But clearly, KimKim did not care. And when I mentioned something, I received a tepid response, thanking me for my patience and saying they would take this into consideration for the future.

Sigh!!!

I know I sound like a complainer - and I am not. I was just expecting (hoping) that when you pay for a travel agent, more care would have been taken and the responsiveness would be greater. In the future, i will go back to doing my own research, booking my own hotels and excursions and mapping out the vacation myself. It just seems, for me at least, the travel agent offered little or no value.

Sorry.

Hotel Reviews

Park Inn San Jose by Radisson

San José

I don’t know why anyone would stay here. The hotel itself is nice enough but it is in a horrible location - not walkable to much of anything. Just a place to sleep.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

Very nice property. But it is located 1.5 km from the main road, and the access is along an unwalkable road. You are forced to take a $10 cab to get into the town. But the property itself is very nice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Just not near anythign

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

We never did get hot water in our shower and despite repeated requests, the staff did not really seem to care!!

Parador Nature Resort & Spa

Manuel Antonio

Very beautiful setting. Our stay was somewhat marred because it was very hot and we were just not used to 100 degree temps. Other than the rooms, nothing is air conditioned. Yikes. But beautiful vistas. Nice pools. No beach access (except along a rather rocky path)

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Air conditioning went down for a bit but they were very quick to repair and gave us a tray of chocolate covered strawberries for our trouble. Extremely nice gesture.

Activity Reviews

Travel to Arenal - Doka Coffee Tour

Costa Rica

Very package, tourist activity, but the guide was knowledgeable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Silencio Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Guide was very knowledgeable. Excellent experience

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Rainforest Chocolate Tour

Arenal/La Fortuna

Just too “schlocky”. Too much time was spent with the guide trying to be cute/funny/whatever. Spitting the chocolate seed??? Too much.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Safari Float & Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

Good experience and we were able to see many animals. Our guide did a great job. But they sort of dragged the whole thing out to make the “experience” last about an hour longer than necessary. However, that seems to be typical of much if everything we did in Costa Rica.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The trip to Costa Rica was wonderful but there were two things to mention that could have been communicated better. One, on the horseback riding trail, Jackie's horse, Roro, stopped for a drink of water and ended up laying down and rolling Jackie off into the creek. Thankfully, she did not get hurt, just soaked. The tour guide said she should have pulled back tight on the reins but he didn't tell Jackie to do that before it happened. Jackie has only ridden a horse three times in her life. It is concerning because there were two teenaged children on that ride, too. No one was told to pull back on the reins to keep the horse from taking a bath.
The other to mention was the trip to Poas volcano. We were not told to bring rain gear and it was raining the day we went. We were fine but walked up to the overlook but could not see anything because it was very cloudy, rainy and windy. We would have been fine if the trip to the volcano had been cancelled since it was raining. Other than that, the trip was fantastic! Thank you!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Horseback Riding, Tocori Mountain & Waterfall

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Free Day in San Jose

San José

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ocean Kayaking & Snorkeling

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Doka Coffee Tour & Poas Volcano National Park

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We spent 16 days in Costa Rica and Kim Kim was invaluable, helping us plan our trip, booking accommodations, car and tour guides. Thank you, Bryan ! We started our trip in San Jose and had a day to acclimate to the time change after a late evening arrival the prior day. Stayed at the El Presidente hotel, which has a very nice breakfast room and a wonderful little restaurant upstairs which we’d recommend. The gem museum and Stiffel pub would be our two recommendations in San Jose. Up early the next morning for our long bus trip and boat trip to the Mwamba Lodge in Torteguero. Highly recommend the Mwamba Lodge , the guides and scenery of Torteguero. Back to the mainland to rent a car and off to Arenal. Three nights at the Los Lagos resort enjoying the grounds and the natural Hot Springs, recommend . Alberto and Mao top flight guides on the Arenal,hanging bridges tour, recommend.
Off to Rio Celeste to stay 1 night at Casita Tenorio (highly recommend) and wonderful waterfall hike with Mariano. Next 2 beach days out on the Guancaste peninsula, which we planned on our own. Up next two nights in Monteverde to tour the cloud forest with Jorge who is very knowledgeable and fun to spend time with. Recommend Hotel Ficus for accommodations, wonderful staff and location. Walk to the Morphus restaurant for dinner. Tip- the road we took up to Monteverde was challenging for the last hour, gravel road and lots of potholes, but manageable. However, coming back down two days later different road, which was paved and in great condition. So something to talk to KimKim about if you have options and that’s a concern. If you’re a good, confident and respectful driver, then renting a car is a good way to go, as it gives you a chance to enjoy a lot of the back roads and view life in Costa Rica away from the tourist spots. Just need a good copilot. Google maps or something similar and avoid driving at night and in bad weather.
Next up was Manuel Antonio Park , and a wonderful wildlife tour with Andres Sosio. We chose an 11 o’clock tour time to sleep in a bit and it worked out great as Andres already had one tour under his belt that day and knew where all the animals were and also much less crowded late morning. Something to consider.
We stayed at Hotel La Mariposa- incredible views sitting on top of the highest point in town, beautiful dining area and pool area, and the majority of the rooms have great views. Cannot recommend this place enough. In fact, we cut our Uvita stop one day short to spend another day at La Mariposa. Finally back to San Jose with a 1:30 AM flight to LA the next day. Highly recommend the Marriott Hacienda Belen in San Jose, coming or going, if you have the better part of a day to enjoy their property .
We want to acknowledge how helpful Wilman at Serendipity is when you’re in country when any issue comes up, he’s a pro. Lastly want to say how welcoming the people of Costa Rica are, without exception, and how much they appreciate visitors after a couple of lean Covid years. Please tip well and often.
Peter and Sandra
Seattle WA

Hotel Reviews

Mawamba Lodge

Tortuguero

This lodge was recommended by friends, and I can see why. The location was fantastic, surrounded by nature. The overall experience was immersive.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

Fortuna

I spent three nights here, and it was a wonderful experience. The grounds were beautiful, especially the hot springs. The location was perfect for exploring the area, and the accommodation was comfortable. Overall, a great choice.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

I initially stayed here for one night, but I loved it so much that we asked to come back to extend the stay. The hotel was located outside Manuel Antonio Park, offering stunning views. The room was spacious and comfortable. The staff was attentive, and I had a pleasant stay overall.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cristal Ballena Boutique Hotel & Spa

Playa Ballena

This hotel was a bit of a letdown compared to the others. The overall setup and the room did not meet my expectations. It was not as enjoyable as some of the other accommodations on the trip.

Activity Reviews

Night Walk on a Coffee Plantation

Monteverde

The night walk on a coffee plantation was a unique experience. However, due to the darkness, we couldn't see much and couldn't appreciate the wildlife as we wanted to.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

The private guided hike in Manuel Antonio National Park was a luxurious experience. Having the guide to ourselves allowed for a tailored exploration of the park. The guide's expertise and attention to detail made it a memorable adventure.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guided Hike at the Arenal Hanging Bridges

Arenal/La Fortuna

The guided hike on the Arenal Hanging Bridges was a fantastic experience. Walking through the treetops and spotting wildlife was unforgettable. The small group size allowed for a more intimate exploration of the area.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Guided Rainforest Hike

Costa Rica

The guided rainforest hike to Rio Celeste and Tenorio Volcano was a memorable adventure. The natural beauty of the area was stunning, especially the waterfall. The guide provided interesting insights, enhancing the experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Great trip thanks to KimKim and Serendipity Adventures. Everything was very well planned and hotels were all as, or better than expected. They did a great job arranging all the private/shared transfers between all six destinations so all we had to do was show up on time and be ready to move. Wilman was our main contact in CR and he did a great job checking in periodically. He also arranged a tour for us with little notice and accommodated our request to change the itinerary and stay an extra night in one spot in record time. Couldn’t recommend KimKim and Serendipity enough.

Costa Rica stole my heart with its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and endless adventures. My trip was packed with highlights, each offering a unique taste of this incredible country.

Chill Beach Vibes in Carrillo & Samara:

First, I traded city noises for the gentle sounds of waves at Carrillo beach. Relaxing on the pristine sand, soaking up the sun, and swimming in the turquoise waters was pure bliss. Kayaking in Samara allowed me to explore hidden coves and marvel at colorful fish while snorkeling. These laid-back beach towns set the perfect pace for unwinding and connecting with nature.

Thrills & Spills in Tamarindo & Catalina Islands:

Tamarindo brought a touch of energy to my trip. Its lively atmosphere, delicious restaurants, and beautiful beach kept me entertained. But the real adrenaline rush came underwater! Scuba diving in the Catalina Islands unveiled a mesmerizing world of coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. This experience left me awestruck by the ocean's hidden beauty.

Rincon de la Vieja: A Journey into the Wild:

Rincon de la Vieja National Park transported me to another world. Lush green forests, majestic volcanic mountains, and a sky ablaze with stars created an unforgettable backdrop. Here, I embarked on several adventures, each exceeding the last.

First Horseback Ride: I felt invigorated exploring the trails on horseback, immersing myself in the wilderness.
La Leona Waterfall Hike: Following a surreal path through a sulfur-water river devoid of life, the thundering La Leona waterfall was a sight to behold.
Tubing Bliss on the Colorado River: This was a fun and relaxing way to cool down, surrounded by stunning scenery.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park Hike: This diverse hike encompassed waterfalls, volcanic activity, and a variety of ecosystems, leaving me awestruck by Costa Rica's rich natural tapestry.
Overall:

My Costa Rican adventure was more than just a vacation; it was a transformative experience. From the serene beaches to the adrenaline-pumping activities, the wild beauty to the welcoming locals, this trip had something for everyone. I highly recommend Costa Rica to anyone seeking relaxation, adventure, and a connection with nature. Pura vida!

Additional Tips:

Tailor your trip: Costa Rica offers something for everyone, so plan your itinerary based on your interests.
Embrace the culture: Learn some basic Spanish phrases and immerse yourself in local customs.
Support local businesses: Choose eco-friendly tours and stay in locally-owned accommodations.
Pack wisely: Be prepared for both sun and rain, and bring appropriate footwear for diverse terrains.
I hope this review inspires you to plan your own unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica!

Hotel Reviews

Leyenda Boutique Hotel and Spa

Hojancha Guanacaste

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Amazilia Guest House

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Pasatiempo

Tamarindo

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Staff could be more polite

Cleanliness & Comfort

the room could be more comfortable, we got a corner room

Activity Reviews

Isla Chora Kayak and Snorkeling Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cowboy Horseback Riding Tour

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Colorado River Tubing

Rincón de la Vieja

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Nature Trail Lovers: Rincon de la Vieja Volcano & La Leona Waterfall

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Scuba Diving Catalinas Island – Discover Diving Non-Certified

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We went for a family trip to Costa Rica in February, we had our 3 grown children with us, and we added my sister after booking. We had prompt communication from Bryan- our travel agent from Serendipity tours. I was able to modify recommendations easily. Both hotels we stayed at were great- Mariposa in Manual Antonio and Mano Hot Springs resort in Arenal area.
Transportation pickup was also great. We had, Alex, as our driver majority of the long drives and also one day of our excursions. He is amazing. Informative and punctual.
We went to state park in Manual Antonio and our guide was very passionate about nature- his name was Susio.
We went on a river rafting tours and few of us had never done river rafting- was grade 1-2 and was perfect, on the way and back from the river, we went through some small local villages and saw unique plants and animals. Our lunch afterwards was good, ate local food.
All tours recommended were great, only tour I would have skipped was hanging bridge tour, only because our Manuel Antonio guided stated park tour earlier in the week was better. The hanging bridges were ok, we have seen better in Whistler, Canada. Because this tour was booked in the afternoon, animals were sleeping.
Zip lining in Arenal was good with Sky Adventure.
We added a chocolate/coffee tour on our last day, this was fun, me made our own chocolate bar. Coffee, per my husband was very good that we grinded in the tour. He usually doesn't drink it black, but he said it didn't need any sugar of milk.

Only glitch was our driver was 30 minutes late going to the airport he apologized profusely, and we made it in enough time for our flight.

Hotel Reviews

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Views from the hotel were amazing. We had issues with staff leaving enough towels in our rooms daily. We had 3 people per room. Hotel grounds had cool animals walking or flying around- macaws, lizards, monkeys etc. Their food was expensive for dinner but bland. Breakfast was good, with an omelet bar, fresh fruits. Liked location, can easily walk i to town and we caught the local bus to Quepos and saw the sunset and ate at Sanchez- a local restaurant. Falafel place was great in Manuel Antonio and Angels restaurant. All of these recommended by our Serendipity driver- Alex.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

four star because of issues with room staff. Servers at restaurant/pool area were great

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Amazing view of volcano from our room. Liked that are rooms were next to each other. Had shuttle service from our room to front of resort, if were too tired to walk the distance. Grounds were beautiful, we saw many different plants and animals. Rooms were clean. The restaurant had amazing food for dinner. Breakfast was good, with many different varieties and open to nature, saw many plants and birds while eating. We ate at the pizzeria twice, enjoyed playing cards at their large tables in evenings. Hot spring were amazing, nice to soak after all our adventures. I would suggest the hotel acquire a shuttle to La Fortuna area for guests, taxi ride prices added up easily.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

It rained so hard to see volcano after we went to base. Guide was good and informative. For the water fall, amazing. Steps up were hard because of the humidity but did it.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lookout Tram, Ziplines, & Hanging Bridges Combination Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved zip lining, sky tram ok, sky walk was ok also. We have seen better hanging bridges in Whistler, Canada. Hike was ok compared to Manuel Antonio hike

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Susio, our guide was great, very passionate about nature. Saw a lot of animals with his help.

Savegre Whitewater Rafting

Manuel Antonio

Rafting was great, not to hard, got wet. Ride to river was through some villages. Lunch after was good local food.

The guide in manual Antonio was great he really was enthusiastic about the national forest and all the animals he showed us.
Alec our driver was also great, funny and gave us a lot of information from restaurants and things to see in both manual Antonio and La Fortuna. We loved him . Costs Rica is beautiful, lots of adventures for all ages.

Hotel Reviews

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Hotel had great views of the Pacific Ocean, staff was good, the breakfast was good. Didn’t enjoy the dinner at the hotel restaurant. So we went to places outside the hote

Authenticity & Character

Location

The views and sunset. Near local parks and restaurants

Staff

Willing to help

Cleanliness & Comfort

Place is clean and beautiful

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

The rooms were nice and private with patio surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and great view of Arenal volcano from our room sliding doors.

Authenticity & Character

The rooms were private and big enough that they could have added some sitting furniture.

Location

Location was nice in front of volcano, but 20 min drive from local restaurant in La forturna. We had to get cabs to go back and forth to La fortuna .

Staff

Friendly and willing to help

Cleanliness & Comfort

It was kept clean and beautiful

Activity Reviews

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Our guide Andre Soccio was enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the animals in the park . He knew where to find all the different animal/mammals/ birds.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Wonderful and expierenced

Transport

Always timely pickups from airports to resorts. Clean cars

Savegre Whitewater Rafting

Manuel Antonio

First time whitewater rafting, even though dry season, the rapids were still 1-2 level and good for beginners. We enjoyed the excursion.

Quality of Experience

They kept us entertained

Food

Driver had pineapple and watermelon ready as we finished our rafti by and drinks. The tour provided authentic costarican lunch which was good

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The crew kept us entertained we enjoyed the drive. To the river as they explained the surrounding landscape

Transport

A bit bumpy and curved roads , but your driving thru the back roads, not too bad

Lookout Tram, Ziplines, & Hanging Bridges Combination Adventure

Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved the zip line thru the rainforest, weather was perfect

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall

Arenal/La Fortuna

Beautiful hike both the volcano tour and the waterfall

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Alec was our driver, we enjoyed driving with him , he also did the waterfall with us. The volcano guide was good and knowledgeable

Transport

Big thanks to Angie at Guayabo along with Wilman...great experience. Able my guide in tortuguero was also great. Jason and Bryan on the hanging bridges did their best....very busy and crowded. Andreas (Andy) was amazing...great tour of the Cloud Forest reserve. Roger in the Manuel Antonio national park was super. All around great guides.

Hotel Reviews

Laguna Lodge

Tortuguero

Super

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great private spot

Staff

Friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort

Fortuna

Great spot.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Exceptional clean

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Superb.

Authenticity & Character

Lots of options for food

Location

Self contained

Staff

Friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Studio Hotel

San José

Not much to do

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not sure

Staff

Nice folks

Cleanliness & Comfort

No

Casa Turire

Turrialba

Boutique and very remote if that's what you like... excellent ground and view

Authenticity & Character

Unique

Location

Volcano

Staff

La Foresta Nature Resort

Quepos

Service lacking....had to find help.

Authenticity & Character

Ko

Location

Out of the way of anything to do.

Staff

Activity Reviews

Archaeological Tour of Guayabo National Monument

Turrialba

Excellent...tour guide Angie was very passionate and taught me a ton.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Tortuguero Village Visit

Tortuguero

Quality of Experience

Transport

A little rough on the way back....low waters.

Guided Boat Excursion Through the Tortuguero Canals

Tortuguero

Very cool

Quality of Experience

Great views

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Able

Transport

Coffee & Chocolate Tour

Costa Rica

Interesting

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike

Monteverde

Andrea (Andy) was super.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Roger was great.... excited experience.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

spent 8 days in Costa Rica. serendipity adventures was the local company that KimKim referred us to. we had an amazing trip. bryan and wilman from serendipity helped us plan out the trip. we went with a private driver/guide option. our guide was Vladimir if you hire a driver request Vladimir he was best driver/guide ive had. got private tours for us and looked out for us all the time. excellent restaurants recommendations. driving in CR can be challenging and do a driver if you can. we did the white water rafting. really enjoyed it. we r older in 70’s. it was a challenge but worth it. did the tree climb. actually got pulled up. had a great lunch made by a guide. its a really cool activity. out in the evergreen forest. we also did the Selvatura Park. Valdimir arranged private tour of reptiles and butterflies. did hike to first 3 hanging bridges. this was a really cool activity. recommend doing the park. we loved the 3 different hotels. really nice rooms and great views with all 3. serendipity set up a really nice trip. no issues or hiccups. all went smoothly. i highly recommend both kimkim and serendipity for travel to Costa Rica

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa

Fortuna

the view of the volcano is really cool. nice room restaurants r good. shuttle service downtown close. recommend staying here

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco

Monteverde Costa Rica

had a great room and view. pool area very nice. restaurant is very good. close to downtown. recommend staying here

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

unbelievable porch.great view of ocean had monkeys all around. very cool grounds. required lots of walking or use shuttle service good restaurants. would recommend staying here

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Meet your Dedicated Guide

Costa Rica

Vladimir was an excellent driver and guide. excellent english. great background on CR as we traveled around the country. always looked out for us. got us private tours. vladimir made the trip so easy and enjoyable

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River, Class II-III

Arenal/La Fortuna

first time for us. harder then we thought but really worth it. we r older in 70’s. hike to and getting in boat was hard. something u should do at least once in your life.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Tree Climbing on Abraham

Costa Rica

one of most unique activities we have done. its remote in a evergreen forest. we didn’t climb. we have the guides pull us up in a chair. had an excellent lunch on the platform. its 150 feet top of the tree i. put this on your list to do

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions

Costa Rica

this is a must do. very cool location. vladamir got us a private tour of butterfly and reptiles location s did first 3 hanging bridges. saw lots of monkeys on walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

First of all, Olman was wonderful. The planning of the trip was so easy and the hotels he chose were awesome. Our questions were answered quickly and helpful. We would never have had such a great trip if not for Olman's insight to Costa Rica.

Hotel Reviews

Park Inn San Jose by Radisson

San José

For a one night stay is was good. Room was clean and roomy, and had a great view of the city.

Authenticity & Character

Location

To begin a trip around Costa Rica's center and Pacific side, it is a great starting point.

Staff

When we had a question at checkout, the gentleman at the desk was so helpful in checking our pickup in Spanish for us.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Lomas del Volcán

Fortuna

What a beautiful hotel with individual cottages. Your own private world :)

Authenticity & Character

Location

The hotel was away from town so quiet ........ but it was too far to walk.

Staff

From the reception staff to the breakfast staff so very pleasant :)

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Monteverde

This hotel made you feel you were right in the forest with all the birds. Very quiet and easy to walk to Monteverde.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Great location from downtown Monteverde. An easy walk :)

Staff

All the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful.

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Mariposa Hotel

Manuel Antonio

This hotel had the most beautiful views of the ocean.

Authenticity & Character

This is a twofold answer. It has a lot of character because it is older..... but that is also why we did not give it a 5 star. Just needs a little updating in the bathrooms.

Location

Staff

We wish we had gotten his name, but the gentleman who was at the reception was wonderful. Has been at the hotel for years, and his knowledge of everything was great :)

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Night Excursion at the Wildlife Refuge in Monteverde

Monteverde

First of all the guide was great, but because it was so hot and humid the experience was not the best for us. And for a straight walk, there were a few high steps and short hills to maneuver. Being in February we were told it might be cool...... but that was not the situation.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Guided Hanging Bridges

Arenal/La Fortuna

We had a wonderful guide (sorry we forgot his name). You could tell he loved his job.

Quality of Experience

Our guide

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Volcano Extreme Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was a lot of fun, but wished I had added the one with the superman canopy.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike

Monteverde

Our guide was wonderful but the day was hot and no clouds, so the experience was not perfect. No one's fault except mother nature.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was great.

Transport

Catamaran Adventure with Snorkeling - Ocean King

Manuel Antonio

This was a plus after spending some days in hot weather (February is not cool in Costa Rica), at least for us it wasn't.

Quality of Experience

Food

Everything

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The staff were a lot of fun and the music was great.

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

First off our guide was great (wish we wrote his name down). This was a nice hike as all the trails were flat and easy to walk. It is a wonder how the guide was able to find location of critters in the trees.

Quality of Experience

Transport

My wife and I had an amazing time in Costa Rica. Our local specialist, Jean Carlo, was so attentive and had great suggestions. He made planning this trip so much easier than any other vacation we have ever been on. Can't recommend Kim Kim and Jean Carlo enough! The Arenal Amor Hotel was the nicest resort we have ever stayed at and we wish we never had to leave. Our other resorts, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens and Arenas Del Mar Beachfront Resort were also beautiful with amazing service. While traveling just the two of us, we appreciated the group shuttles from one destination to the next as it alleviated the stress of renting a car and navigating. Our favorite activity was the Combo tour in La Fortuna of Hanging Bridges, Volcano Walk and La Fortuna Waterfall as everything was so cool and our guide was very knowledgeable.

Hotel Reviews

Amor Arenal

La Fortuna, San Carlos

This is the best resort we have ever stayed at. Highly recommend as it is well worth the cost to have your own bungalow and to stay at this beautiful resort.

Authenticity & Character

Location

In the heart of the jungle with unobstructed volcano views.

Staff

Everyone we encountered was top notch.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Monteverde

Beautiful grounds and wonderful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenas del Mar Resort

Manuel Antonio

Easily the best beach resort in this location. Direct access to a "private" beach that is stunning. Worth the cost.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Bathroom occasionally had a sewage smell and the restaurant was a bit warm at night but everything else was great.

Activity Reviews

Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our favorite activity of the trip. Hanging bridges and the waterfall were amazing. Our guide was so knowledgeable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Night Walk

Monteverde

Did not see as much wildlife as we hoped (a bunch of spiders and frogs) but still had a great time and saw some pretty birds such as a Tucan.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zip Line (Canopy) Monteverde

Monteverde

Had a great time, just my wife and I with two guides who did a great job making us feel safe. Pretty views.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This was an amazing Costa Rican adventure. Thank you Kim Kim and Seredipendity! Everyone was friendly and kind and on time, if not early for all our activities. And the lodging suited our style and budget.

Back in 2019, when Olman first started working on our trip, he initially told us that we'd be able to get our deposit back because of Covid 19 closing down travel. But, unlike other trips we had booked for this time, KimKim wouldn't allow us to get a refund, so he had to retract this. We couldn't travel within a year, so we lost our travel insurance too. I would have given 5 star on booking had it not been for this, in addition to close to an hour wait at La Paz Gardens because reception could not verify we had paid for entry. The manager said he tried KimKim emergency number, but there is discrepency on accuracy of this from travel agent. But, other than that, all drivers and tours happened as outlined. Olman listened to my request for high end accommodations, and we were not disappointed. The Hotel Belmar Orchid room was astounding. It has several flights of stairs but valets carried luggage. It was our favorite place to stay. Every hotel had English speaking staff and very friendly. Makenda by the Sea is hillside, and just warn future bookers that if you can't walk steep stairs or walkways, you must ask for a golf cart driver (which is readily available) and the private beach is only available by resort transportation and not a very safe place to swim. It is also skewed to young honeymooners, which is just an ambience observation. The resort really has no walkable paths to Manuel Antonio or Quepos, so dependent on taxis. As beautiful of a resort it is, it felt a bit confining. Minor issues in the scheme of things. We had no problem with any of our tour guides, but the venues were teaming with visitors because of high season and it did detract from the beauty at times. All the guides love Costa Rica and want to share their homeland with others. Our airport drivers were on time and polite. My husband spoke a little Spanish which was invaluable especially on the ride back to San Jose. Just a shout out for the airport hotel I chose to stay at: Fairfield by Marriott airport hotel. I would recommend it to your future Kim Kim travelers. Rooms appear newer, shuttle bus timely every 30 min to airport, and hotel buffet breakfast better than most chains. Across the street are 3 restaurants, which receptionist recommended Peruvian restaurant Aji Limon. Low key and owner speaks English. Very decent considering location! Takes credit cards, and American dollars. Although the traffic was at times terrible and tours were crowded, it was to be expected at high season. At no point did we feel unwelcomed. The road situation made us so grateful for private drivers. Thanks to Olman for his patience, answers to all my questions, and politeness. His itinerary was a great introduction to Costa Rica.

Bill and I had an absolutely wonderful time on our trip to CR. Your choices of places to stay, tours and adventures were well thought out and exactly what we had hoped for. We did many tours and experiences. Don’t remember all the guides but Daniel at Turrialba volcano was knowledgeable and a pleasure! Steven for bird watching amazing. And our catamaran trip and visit to the Corcovado NP with Bahía tours and Adventires was a highlight. We can’t say enough about Serendipity’shelp and as a resource when we needed it! Thank you so much. Cr is a beautiful country with amazingly friendly people everywhere we went! So kind and helpful! We loved all of it!
We will definitely plan other trips with your company! Your professionalism and attention to individual requests, and ease in communication made the trip so enjoyable!
Thank you so very much! Pura Vida!
Anna and william

Hotel Reviews

Casa Turire

Turrialba

Wonderful accommodation in a beautiful setting

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Studio Hotel

San José

Clean friendly staff accompdationg

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Ficus

Monteverde Costa Rica

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Espadilla Gardens Hotel

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casa Luna Hotel & Spa

La Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Casitas Tenorio

Upala, Alajuela

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Vista Ballena

Uvita

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel de Montaña Suria

San Gerardo de Dota

Probably one of our favorites!

Authenticity & Character

Location

The setting was absolutely gorgeous!

Staff

Can’t say enough about how wonderful the staff was!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hike Turrialba Volcano

Turrialba

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Daniel

Night Hike in the Forest

Arenal/La Fortuna

One of our favorites. The guide and the property were AMAZING

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Birdwatching Tour at CATIE Botanical Garden

Turrialba

Private Guided Nature Walk at Ecological Park & Butterfly Garden Danaus

Costa Rica

Catamaran Adventure from Manuel Antonio

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Whale Watching & Wildlife Spotting Boat Trip in Marino Ballena National Park

Costa Rica

Coopedota Coffee Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Quetzal Tour

San Gerardo de Dota

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit to the Monteverde Orchid Gardens

Monteverde

The overall trip was wonderful. The hotels were superb with one exception. The hotel near the beach at the end segment of the beach was less than.. The staff was fabulous and consistently put forth a strong effort.However...the hotel needs a significant renovation and VAST improvement of the food servoce. The breakfast was ok but the dinners we had were sorely lacking in quality. Such a disappointment compared to the other hotels in which we stayed.

Also, in the itinerary, the tours failed to indicate that they were only 2 to three hours long..not a full day. I think this clarification is important to your clients as it is now written in a somewhat deceptive manner.While the guide for the volcano tour was excellent..the tour per se is weak in that travelers are not allowed to reach the peak of the volcano.

For these reasons, I will have to book elsewhere in the future.

Hotel Reviews

Hilton Garden Inn, La Sabana

San José

Very good breakfast...nice room...easy check in

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel San Bada Resort & Spa

Manuel Antonio

OUTDATED...food needs sign ificant improvement...wonderful staff

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gran Hotel Costa Rica

San José

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

El Silencio Volcano Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent tour guide but unable to reach the peak due to local regulations.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

San José City Tour

San José

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Travel to Arenal - Doka Coffee Tour

Costa Rica

Excellent tour

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We enjoyed our time in Costa Rica very much. Gustavo ‘s plans took us from the ocean into the rain forest… we loved seeing two such different areas. We also really enjoyed the different accommodation in each place, from bungalow to container to glamping tent. The tours and guides were fabulous. We were picked up on time and the guides were so knowledgeable. We could never have seen so much or learned so much on our own. We enjoyed all of the tours but two that were exceptional were the tour of the animal rehabilitation centre and the Costa Rican cooking class. These should be on everyone’s agenda. Thank you for such a fantastic trip to Costa Rica!

Hotel Review

Arenal Glamping

La Fortuna, Alajuela Province

We enjoyed Arenal glamping very much. The “tents” were luxurious with lovely hardwood floors, comfortable beds, air conditioning and my favorite feature, the deck off the back of the tent in the rain forest where you could see birds flitting about. The pool and area are impeccably maintained. Breakfasts were delicious with a variety of options. We used the barbecue several times. When we stayed here we didn’t have a car, but because Arenal Glamping is a 25 minute walk into La Fortuna to get groceries or to go to a restaurant, it’s best suited to people who have a car.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rehabilitation Center - Volunteer Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

This tour was the highlight of our trip to Costa Rica. We really enjoyed seeing and learning about the animals.

Quality of Experience

The guide was so knowledgeable and interesting

Food

The meals at the Little Farm were great.. from farm to table, plus as we ate there were so many birds to see! A real bonus!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

They were all so friendly, punctual and informative

Transport

On time, comfortable and air conditioned