Abenteuer
Costa Rica | Mar 10 - Mar 24, 2024

B
Brigitte D.
Kanab, UT | Reviewed on Apr 01, 2024

We have had a wonderful time in Costa Rica and want to thank Olman for making it possible. Olman was very helpful in getting our trip together by offering lodging, guided activities and transportation from one place to the other. He adjusted to our wishes and budget and was quick in answering any questions we had.

Everything generally worked out smoothly: we got picked up on time, the transportation vehicles were very comfortable and modern, the groups were small as advertised and and the guides were ready to guide us.

We had four excellent guides:

One women (name?)in the bus driving from San Jose to Guapiles..

The Guide (name?) for the “Garden Walk” at the “Mawamba Lodge”

“Kendall” for the “Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Hike” and

“Werner” (real name?) at the Manuel Antonio National Park.

We want to acknowledge their deep knowledge and expertise!

So overall the trip was a very good experience for us.

Since we we can imagine that you are interested in learning more about the details, we will mention the following.

It was disappointing that we couldn't stay a second night in Tortoguero especially when we learned there that the pick up for La Fortuna was at 9:00am instead of 1:35 pm as listed . The itinerary said 1:35, but not where or when, so it was an unpleasant surprise when we were picked up at 9:00 after a hurried breakfast, then went by boat to the dock and then by bus to Guapiles and then at 1:35 to La Fortuna.

The Lodging in La Fortuna “Hotel Campos Arenal” was excellent,and we highly recommend it especially when you stay a few days there. With the swimming pool and outside area it makes a wonderful place.

The El Silencio hike was cut short. It was planned to be a 1 km hike followed by another 1.5 km hike. But the guide skipped the second one saying he didn't have the order to do a second one. That was quite disappointing. We felt that he and the driver just wanted to go home. Arranged by “North Adventures”.

The owners of the “Dreams Lodge Monteverde” are very accommodating and helpful to their customers. But the rooms we had were very small and there is hardly an outside area to sit. If you spend more then one night, it would be better to have another accommodation.

The other accommodations were very good .

In advertising: it would be better to recommend good ponchos, not just rain coats. We had quite a few rainy days in the beginning. The raincoat doesn't protect the pants and the backpack as a poncho would.

So thanks again for making it possible for us to have a memorable trip!

Brigitte and David

Hotel Reviews
Park Inn San Jose by Radisson
San José
Authenticity & Character
Location
Closer to downtown
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dreams Lodge Monteverde
Santa Elena
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
See our written review
Karahé Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

Make sure to get a Beach Front room ( and not one next to the road). Our pickup time for San Jose got delayed. For one hour. The staff of the hotel helped to find out where the driver was. They arranged for a driver who took us a few miles and connected us to a van who drove us to San Jose. The driver of the van was an excellent driver!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Campos Arenal
La Fortuna
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hampton Inn & Suites San Jose Airport
Alajuela

Unfortunately: when we arrived we learned that the Hotel was booked for the following night ( the wrong night!). But the Hotel staff was helpful in arranging a room ( one of two rooms left to book for the night!). So it avoided a situation which could have been very disastrous for us since we had to leave at 4 am the following morning for the airport.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Hike to La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Guided Hanging Bridges Hike
Guided Hanging Bridges Hike
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 San Jose - Tortuguero
San Jose - Tortuguero
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
See. Our review
Wildlife Boat Tour in Tortuguero
Wildlife Boat Tour in Tortuguero
Tortuguero

See our review

Quality of Experience
El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs
El Silencio Hike & Visit to Ecotermales Hot Springs
Arenal/La Fortuna

See review: second hike was cancelled. Guide was little motivated. Ecotermales was very good: better at daytime to see the environment

Quality of Experience
Better guide and coordination which hikes were scheduled
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Wonderful place, but too many tourists and groups

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike
Celeste River and Tenorio National Park Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Rainy day, hike cut short: just to Laguna.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 01, 2024

Hello Brigitte,

Thanks for your review.
I am so happy to know you had a great time exploring some of the most incredible destinations in Costa Rica.

I am going to share this review with all my colleagues!

Let's hope this won't be the last time you visit us.

Pura Vida,
Olman