Great trip coordinators: Alberto and Jean
Costa Rica | Mar 10 - Mar 20, 2023

Joyce
Joyce C.
San Mateo, CA | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2023

I started with Alberto and he helped me plan an amazing trip that was the right balance of activities and down time. While on the tour, Jean Carlo, took care of me. He helped me when there were little hiccups along the way. It was great to be able to contact him when a problem arose. He was able to smooth things out and make whatever issue that came up go away. He was great!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Amazing resort with friendly and helpful staff. Loved the setting, and the private patio garden area. The room was spacious and clean. The restaurant was great. It has wonderful food and a beautiful setting. There are lots of activities at the resort and wonderful walking paths in a quiet setting. I would definitely stay there again

Authenticity & Character
I loved all of the bird sightings at the property. The resort has a tropical garden setting, but is surrounded by forest.
Location
The resort was back away from the road and it was quiet, but a short taxi ride would tak you into town.
Staff
They were all so nice and went out of their way to be helpful. Many of them took the time to learn my name and my preferences
Cleanliness & Comfort
Everything was very clean and well maintained
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

The hotel is beautiful and in a beautiful setting. My room was in one of the buildings at the top of the hill, so I had an amazing view. From the reception up to my room is a steep climb about a mile long, so the property is not really walkable, but they do have a shuttle service that will take you anywhere you want to go on the property. I found the room itself to be beautiful, but there was only one chair in the room. It could have used a second chair and a small table. Also, the walls between the rooms are very thin and I could hear everything that went on in the next room, even quiet conversations. I used ear plugs to help me sleep.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful view from my balcony.
Location
Seemed to be close to the sights I wanted to visit
Staff
Staff was a little hit and miss. There were some that were friendly and helpful and some who were not.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The resort and my room were very clean, but there was a noise issue with the room
Si Como No Resort & Wildlife Refuge
Manuel Antonio

Loved everything about this resort! My room was fantastic. It had a little seating area where I could sit and relax after my activities of the day. My view of the ocean was just awesome. Can’t say enough nice things about the resteraunt. The staff was always friendly and helpful. The location was great and I could walk to little stores close by.

Authenticity & Character
The place had a tropical setting and feel.
Location
The resort is part of a wild life refuge and there were amazing animals to be seen at the resort, including monkeys, iguanas, and birds.
Staff
The staff was great, very knowledgeable and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The whole place was clean and well maintained.
Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, San Jose Aeropuerto
San José

This was a good place to stay as you were making the transition in or out of the country. It was a perfect place for me to stay for one night when my vacation ended and needed to catch an airplane the next day.

Authenticity & Character
Exactly what I would expect from a Raddison hotel
Location
Close to the airport with an airport shuttle service
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was clean and well maintained.
Activity Reviews
Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike
Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall & Arenal Volcano Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Beautiful setting and amazing wildlife viewing.

Quality of Experience
The hike itself was great, but my guide made it even more special!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were both very knowledgeable and planned the perfect level of activity for me.
Transport
My driver would see something and make a point of stopping so I could get a picture
Birdwatching tour by the Arenal Lake
Birdwatching tour by the Arenal Lake
Arenal/La Fortuna

My guide was so knowledgeable. I really learned a lot from him.

Quality of Experience
Very knowledgeable guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Very helpful
Transport
Good clean and comfortable vehicle
Visit Paradise Hot Springs
Visit Paradise Hot Springs
Arenal/La Fortuna

It is a beautiful setting and the restaurant was good. I found the water in most of the “hot spring” pools to be on the cool side.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest
Horseback Riding in the Cloud Forest
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde (5:00 am)
Birdwatching Tour in Monteverde (5:00 am)
Monteverde

Loved the tour.

Quality of Experience
Very knowledgeable and helpful guide..
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

Loved learning about chocolate, coffee and sugar cane in Costa Rica. The tour guide was just great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Costa Rica

Awesome experience. The variety of the animals from white tail deer to bats, just great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mangrove Boat Tour
Mangrove Boat Tour
Manuel Antonio

This was a fun relaxing tour. We saw a lot on the gentle boat ride through the mangroves to the sea.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Alberto Molina
Alberto
Alberto Molina
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 31, 2023

Hello Joyce
I am glad that you enjoyed Costa Rica, it was a pleasure to help you with your trip here in Costa Rica.
Best regards,
Alberto