Good resource to use when planning your trip
Costa Rica | Dec 17 - Dec 28, 2022

Alexandros
Alexandros T.
Greece | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023

- Planning with Kimkim was very easy. Jessica was great
- Days per destination and activities added were the right ones.
- Biggest miss was hotels. Arenal hotel was great (Lost Iguana). Monteverde hotel was not good (Jaguarundi lodge) as they have a bad section were you have 8 apartments next to each other with bad soundproofing, no heating, faulty windows etc. We decided to stay at another place called Green Tree B&B which was great and actually a great experience. Manuel Antonio hotel was mediocre (Tabulia tree) as the bathroom was smelling, the beds were not great, but we were able to interact with macaws and monkeys at hotel premises. Overall the last two had some of the things mentioned in public comments and reviews so I would double-check next time public reviews.
- Activities overall were great with enough time in between, good guides, good mix etc. Some guides didn't speak as great English, and one of the activities (snorkeling) was a let down. But overall happy with that part.
- In our view Costa Rica is a very nice and safe place to visit that combines nature and wildlife with beach vacations. That said, it has become very expensive and quite touristy especially during the peak season that we visited. Not our best trip, but a good experience.

Hotel Reviews
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José

Solid choice if you are just passing by San Jose. Not great neighbourhood, but if you are there just for a night's sleep is great (beds, staff etc)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Jaguarundi Lodge
Monteverde

This place is actually a hostel (at least the room we stayed in). Wouldn't recommend

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tabulia Tree
Manuel Antonio

Ok choice but better options to look for.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Lost Iguana Resort & Spa
Fortuna

Great place, right next to nature.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Arenal/La Fortuna

Desafio is a great company to do this experience. The river is not that scenic, but a good experience to add while at La Fortuna.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Amazing guide!
Transport
Ecocentro Danaus Nighttime Rainforest Walk
Ecocentro Danaus Nighttime Rainforest Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

Good place to spot some nocturnal animals

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Great guide!
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Río Celeste & Tenorio Volcano National Park Guided Rainforest Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

As a park is very nice, but maybe not worth spending a whole day for the experience.

Quality of Experience
Food
Great food at the stop the guide made!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Experience
Monteverde

Quite touristy but other than that a good visit

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
a lot of people per vehicle
100% Aventura Zip Line Monteverde
100% Aventura Zip Line Monteverde
Monteverde

Great experience

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transport left early and we had to drive there
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk & EcoTermales Hot Springs & Meal
Arenal/La Fortuna

Must-see at Arenal. Hot Springs were solid.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide didn't speak great English
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Very touristic place. You can see cappucin monkeys and some other animals we couldn't see elsewhere. We had to slide between people to make our way.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Catamaran Adventure with Meal
Catamaran Adventure with Meal
Manuel Antonio

Great Catamaran ride but very very bad snorkeling.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Jessica Jennings