Charlotte Törnqvist
I was born and raised in northern Sweden. At the age of 18, I had the privilege of doing a high school exchange year in Costa Rica. I fell in love with the country, the people, and well, my husband-to-be too!
As soon as I left, I wanted to come back, and after a while, I did return to study at the University... Nearly 30 years have passed now, I am still here, and I have no plans on leaving Costa Rica to live elsewhere. I have built my life in this incredibly beautiful country, and I love the Pura Vida!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in designing personalized travel itineraries for all of Costa Rica (both fully guided private trips, and independent style trips), accommodating special interests, special needs, and specific preferences. There is no preset route or schedule, I will start from scratch every time, to make sure every client makes the most out of their vacation. I love to include unique adventures and interesting nature encounters, and also to encourage my clients to visit rural areas together with local guides, to get to see the "real" Costa Rica and meet the local people."
How did you get involved in travel?
"I love traveling, getting to know new sites and different cultures. Before settling in Costa Rica, I traveled around the world. During my years in Costa Rica, I have extensively explored the country, and I am always amazed and delighted by the variety of experiences available in such a small area. I love my job because I get to facilitate life-changing experiences for my clients. I have been working within the tourism sector my whole professional career. "
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"I will never forget the first time I saw a Leatherback Turtle (or Baula) nest on Playa Grande in Guanacaste. As she came out of the ocean in the moonlight, she slowly and with huge effort made her way further up on the beach, and I couldn't believe how huge she was! She was almost 2 meters long, which means she probably weighed close to 600 kg. she pulled herself far up on the beach, through the soft sand, to select the spot where to dig a deep hole using her giant front flippers as shovels... Then, she turn around towards the ocean, and deposited a big pile of round soft eggs deep in the hole, filled it with sand again, and compacted the sand on top with her flippers. Afterward, she didn't return to the ocean right away, she pulled herself back and forth a few times, towards the ocean and then back higher on the beach, towards the ocean, and then higher on the beach again... The guide explained that the turtles do that to make it less evident where the eggs are laid, to protect the eggs from predators. Finally, she decided it was time to go, and she pulled herself into the water and disappeared in the waves. It was like a dream, what a show! I felt like I had seen a live dinosaur! I will never forget that WOW experience..."
Charlotte's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Epitomizing laid-back travel, Costa Rica has hundreds of hotels, but only a few make the list for luxury. With the help of local specialists, kimkim has narrowed down the best...
More than a quarter of Costa Rica’s total area is made up of national parks and protected rainforests making it a popular travel destination for outdoor enthusiasts. Below,...
Travelers to Costa Rica typically plan a trip for 8 to 10 days when combining both Arenal/La Fortuna and Monteverde with Manuel Antonio. If you're not interested in Manuel...
Family itineraries
This extensive itinerary will introduce you to all of Costa Rica's iconic experiences. Activities range from thrilling jungle adventures to relaxing trips to the beach, making...
Costa Rica offers an array of adventures, from city to cloud forest to sea. This ten-day itinerary includes hiking near an active volcano, some of the world’s best...
From natural landscapes to wildlife experiences and adventure sports, Costa Rica has much to offer families. Travelers with younger children might opt for a 10-day itinerary...
Luxury itineraries
This adventurous itinerary checks off four of Costa Rica’s key regions. Raft down some of the world’s best rapids, head to Arenal for hikes and hot springs, and lounge on the...
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Costa Rica on this unforgettable 16-day itinerary. Focused on the country's spectacular northwest, you'll hop between three secluded...
Costa Rica is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world, and to vacation here is to partake in a great ecological adventure. That's just what you'll do on this 11-day...
Road trip itineraries
In this two-week tour, you can experience Costa Rica's main attractions as well as its lesser-known marvels. Drive along coasts, rainforest roads, and hills to discover the...
Taking a road trip through Costa Rica gives you the freedom and flexibility to explore where you want. You'll pass through stunning natural scenery — from lush cloud forests to...
This itinerary is one of the shortest, yet most action-packed options for travelers looking for a compact Costa Rica experience. Zip-line, rappel, and horseback ride your way...
Favorite experiences
Río Pacuare Whitewater Rafting
Located along Costa Rica's Caribbean slope near Turrialba is a deep gorge considered one of the best river-rafting sites in the world. The Río Pacuare runs 67 miles (107 km) from the Talamanca Mountains to the Caribbean in the southwest of the country. Along the way, it passes through some of the...
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
First, you'll head towards the base of the volcano to hike Arenal 1968. This is a network of trails named after Arenal's last major eruption. The event was so catastrophic it transformed some of the region’s topography, and lava fields now dominate one side of the volcano. The trails wind through...
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Explore the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, one of the jewels in Costa Rica's ecological crown, on this guided hiking excursion. Known as the "green lung of Costa Rica" due to its rich biodiversity, this 26,000-acre (3,500-hectare) reserve is high in the country's mountainous northwest region....
Canyoning in the Lost Canyon
Go waterfall rappelling, also known as canyoning, in the jungle. This activity is one of the most popular adventure sports in Costa Rica. In a canyon in the heart of the rainforest, your guide will provide brief safety instructions and outfit you with a harness. You'll then rappel down the side...
Turtle Nesting & Hatching in Tortuguero National Park
Unlike many national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero National Park is unique in that it almost exclusively revolves around the water. The best way to explore this 120-mile (312 sq km) protected area is by hopping in a canoe and navigating the network of arterial waterways that snake around the...
Recent trip reviews for Charlotte
Perfection in every way
Costa Rica
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Mar 15 - Mar 21, 2024
We will love to help you plan another Costa Rica vacation in the near future, and serve you in country, so feel free to reach out any time and we will make sure Alex and Willy are assigned to your family.
In terms of the honest and... Read more
Kim Kim (NO to a second chance)
Costa Rica
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Feb 11 - Feb 18, 2024
Once Sergio was no longer involved we were shuffled between, Charlotte, Nancy and Helen without any understanding of the role each of these persons had in finalizing our trip. We felt abandoned and frustrated when we tried to get answers to... Read more
I received your review, and I was sorry to read you are not satisfied with the process prior to your travels. At the same time, I am glad to know that in the end you had an enjoyable trip including all the elements offered during the sales process. It is heartwarming to know how much you appreciate our coworker Wilman. In the response to your daughter Miranda's review, I explained how we work as a team within the company and that it is normal that various people are involved in... Read more
A challenging booking experience that resulted in a good trip
Costa Rica
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Feb 11 - Feb 18, 2024
Costa Rica❤️
Costa Rica
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Jan 10 - Jan 19, 2024
Hello Bela,
Thank you very much for your feedback!
I have shared your comments with Wilman and the staff at Hotel Costa Verde.
Pura Vida!
Charlotte
Absolutely loved our trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica
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Jan 14 - Jan 21, 2024
Hello Mandy,
Thank you so much for your feedback and photos! I can tell you had a great vacation.
Pura Vida!
Charlotte
Loved our family trip (with adult kids) to Co...
Costa Rica
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Jan 6 - Jan 13, 2024
Thank you, Therese, for your detailed review. Your feedback is very important to me and the whole team here at Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica. I have forwarded your kudos to Wilman. <3
Charlotte
Amazing trip. No hiccups at all! Can’t wait t...
Costa Rica
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Aug 19 - Aug 24, 2023
Thank you so much for your glowing review!
We hope to get the opportunity to serve you again in a near future.
Charlotte
fun array of activities and great lodgings
Costa Rica
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Dec 9 - Dec 23, 2023
Andrea Read more
Hello Andrea, and thank you so much for your positive review. I am glad you loved all locations and experiences so much!! Hopefully you'll come back in the future so that we can help you plan a trip to explore other areas of Costa Rica.
Pura Vida,
Charlotte