Absolutely loved our trip to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jan 14 - Jan 21, 2024

Mandy
Mandy F.
Centreville, MD | Reviewed on Jan 22, 2024

Absolutely loved our trip to Costa Rica. The planning was fun. We were able to see so much of the country and do all of the activities that were the right fit for our family.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

This hotel was great! A little hard to find. Tucked away behind another hotel. The room size was good for my husband and I and two teenagers. It was nice and quiet, aside from the birds in the morning:) We slept so well! Each morning, I sat on the patio outside and read my book while watching hummingbirds, and listening to the sounds of nature. Everyone was very friendly. Loved the pool area and the hot springs. The food by the pool was great. We had the nachos. The sushi was also delicious. Would definitely recommend this place to other family’s traveling to Costa Rica. We were very comfortable. The location was really good as well. We were close to La Fortuna, 10 minutes, and close to hanging bridges, which were 10 minutes the other way.

Authenticity & Character
Felt like we were tucked away in nature. Each room felt very private. Lots of greenery.
Location
It was 10 minutes from La Fortuna. There were lots of Hot Springs and surrounding hotels and the hanging bridges park close by.
Staff
Really only interacted with the ladies by the pool that served us drinks and food. Very friendly. It is definitely more relaxed and you wait a little longer for food but we were in paradise so we were fine with that.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The housekeepers made a little puppy out of our towels, which the kids got a kick out of. Rooms were very clean.
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde Costa Rica

Out of our three hotels, this was our least favorite. We drove 3 1/2 hours from La Fortuna to Monteverde. We were tired from being in a cramped car. Our room was ready. Luckily when we got there. When we walked in the room was very small, no dresser or anywhere to put anything, and there was no air-conditioning and it was about 85° in the room. We went back to the front desk, but they had nothing else available. I don’t blame the hotel, but this is definitely, something Kim Kim should have told us. Apparently you can upgrade to a room with air-conditioning. At night time there was a breeze and it was cool so we had no trouble sleeping. We felt uncomfortable after complaining about the room. We kind of felt like all of the employees talked to each other about us, because we were ready to leave after realizing there was no air-conditioning.

Authenticity & Character
Felt very authentic. My husband and I loved walking around the garden. I think if my husband and I came here alone, it would have been a different experience. It was charming and quiet and relaxing.
Location
It was only about a mile from town but to walk there you’re on dusty, curvy roads with not much of a side road.
Staff
The bartender in the indoor pool area was very short with my husband. Never really smiled. We noticed at dinner how friendly the staff was with locals, but different with us. Just kind of felt all around uncomfortable. When we first mentioned that we were not happy with no air-conditioning the lady at the front desk looked at us like we were crazy. She told us that it gets cooler at night and we would be fine.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Extremely small room. Enough room for two beds. Nowhere to put our suitcases and no dresser to put our clothes. Bathroom was small as well. We were on top of each other in a hot room. Got cool at night though. I do think there are other bigger rooms available upon request. Not sure how our travel agent would think that four of us would be comfortable in that tiny room with no air.
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Tamarindo

Stunning views, amazing food, comfortable rooms and friendly staff. It was the perfect location, right in the center of Tamarindo.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It was right in the center of Tamarindo. Plenty of shopping and dining options. We stayed one night on the beach side, which was a little noisier, and then two nights on the other side of the street. it was very quiet and clean. We heard howler monkeys in the morning which was cool.
Staff
Brenda, our server by the pool was so great. She was very friendly and always seemed to be there when we needed her. Our family joked that our lives would be better if we could just take our girl Brenda home with us..
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable. My only complaint would be that there aren’t enough chairs around the big pool. There were literally people scoping them out at 6 AM. My husband and I sat on the concrete the first day while the kids swam.
Activity Reviews
Night Walk: Children's Eternal Forest
Night Walk: Children's Eternal Forest
Monteverde

The kids really enjoyed this night hike. We saw all types of animals: beetle, spiders, frogs, humming bird, pygmy frogs and tarantula! I was cool to hear all of the night sounds. Our guide was very knowledgeable, he studied environmental studies in college.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands
Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands
Costa Rica

This was a very cool experience. The staff was very friendly. They pointed out wildlife on the way. We saw turtles mating on the way out to Catalina Island. we didn’t have much luck at our first two spots because of low visibility. On our third spot, we saw tons of fish: huge snapper, starfish, puffer fish, angel fish, parrot fish, a white tipped reef shark and other schools of fish. Andreas was so knowledgeable. He pointed out all types of fish and told us a little about them. They served cantaloupe and pineapple and they had packaged crackers and cookies. They also had water and iced tea. We were pretty hungry when we got back at 12.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Andreas was so great! Very friendly and knowledgeable. Easy to talk to.
Transport
Our Italian drivers was fun! He was relaxed and good spirited. Living pura vida:)
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 28, 2024

Hello Mandy,

Thank you so much for your feedback and photos! I can tell you had a great vacation.

Pura Vida!
Charlotte