Serendipity Adventures organized a fantastic,...
Costa Rica | Jan 18 - Jan 30, 2023

Bradley
Bradley C.
Savage, MN | Reviewed on Feb 05, 2023

Serendipity Adventures organized a fantastic, memorable trip for us and another couple. Sergio, Nancy, and Charlotte readily incorporated our requests and preferences, secured top notch accommodations, booked excellent excursions, and made sure our transportation from destination to destination proceeded flawlessly. When we reached out via web messaging or What’s App, even after hours, responses came quickly and thoroughly.

Sergio suggested we start in San José, hike at Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna Waterfall, cross hanging bridges in the rain forest, raft the Peňas Blancas River, boat across Lake Arenal, hike and ride a sky tram in Saint Elena Cloud Forest, tour Don Juan coffee plantation, enjoy abundant nature and dazzling beaches in Manuel Antonio Parque, and wrap up with a sunset catamaran cruise in the Pacific. Our guides knew their fauna and flora, pointing out animals and plants we never would have noticed on our own. Andres, our Endemic Bird guide at Manuel Antonio, an ornithologist and botanist, topped them all. Bryan and Abner at the river rafting excursion were knowledgeable and great fun.

Our hotels in San José, Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio were clean, comfortable, roomy, and exceeded expectations. Our private transfers to each city and back to SJO went without a hitch. Courteous drivers. Clean, comfortable vehicles with sufficient space for luggage and relaxing on three- to four-hour drives. Turns out, being transferred cost less than renting a sufficient vehicle — and leaving the driving to Hugo, Marvin, and Wendell removed all stresses over navigation and poor roads.

An ice storm in Dallas nixed our flight home on the last day. Though there work for us was done, Charlotte replied promptly to my What’s App request for help securing a room near SJO. Glad she stepped up and made that aspect of our delays smooth. Pura vida.

All in all, we would use Serendipity again and are highly satisfied with the planning process, cost and value, and the outcome of our first trip to Costa Rica. Thank you, Sergio and the Serendipity team, for helping us enjoy a worry-free, memorable vacation.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Presidente San Jose City Center
San José

We enjoyed our stay. The rooftop restaurant view. Delicious breakfasts and rich, strong coffee. Attentive, courteous staff. Good location for walking to museums, parks, and desired site. Clean, comfortable, spacious room.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Fortuna

We loved staying in the villa. Quiet location with superb view of flora and fauna. Timely shuttle service to/from the common areas. Enjoyed the many pools and water slide. Las Palmas wait staff took good care of us in

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Heliconia
Monteverde Costa Rica

What a view! We stayed on the second floor, overlooking the valley and town. Spectacular sunsets. Mileydi was especially kind and helpful to us. Tasty lunch and dinners at the restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel San Bada Resort & Spa
Manuel Antonio

Great location next to Manuel Antonio Parque and a short stroll to the beach. Attentive staff at check-in and helpful to us throughout our stay. Enjoyed the main and sixth floor pools, plus the view of the Pacific from the rooftop eating area. Clean, comfortable rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano Visit
Private: Hanging Bridges, La Fortuna Waterfall, and Arenal Volcano Visit
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Christian knew his stuff and pointed out flora and fauna we never would have noticed. He seemed to spend a lot of time looking at his cellphone during our lava flows walk. Would have appreciated more commentary during that.
Transport
We appreciate the driver stopping at a store so we could get things we needed.
Enjoy the Thermal Hotsprings at your hotel
Enjoy the Thermal Hotsprings at your hotel
Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved the different pools with varied temperatures. Exciting water slide.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Timely shuttles to/from villa. We never waited long.
Nature Safari Float and Tortilla Making
Nature Safari Float and Tortilla Making
Arenal/La Fortuna

Bryan and Abner made this trip fun. We enjoyed conversing with them on the rides to and from our hotel, floating down the river, and at the cacao presentation.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Absolutely breathtaking.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dani did a great job guiding us.
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

Loved the in-depth explanations of coffee growing, harvesting, roasting, and characteristics. Enjoyed the sugar cane and cacao presentations tastings.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Treetopia Tram & Hanging Bridges
Treetopia Tram & Hanging Bridges
Monteverde

Chris (sp?) pointed out so many birds, insects, and plants. The hanging bridges afforded spectacular views. Enjoyed the tram and climbing the observation tower.

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

Lucky we that Andres guided us. What a lively, intense, patient, thoughtful encyclopedia of knowledge and wisdom he proved to be. Enjoyed the trails and beaches after our tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Sunset Catamaran Sailing Tour
Sunset Catamaran Sailing Tour
Costa Rica

A relaxing way to conclude our Costa Rica trip. Tasty fish dinner. Surprised that you offered four drinks per passenger, and they were kind of strong.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Inefficient process. We'd prepaid. Some on bus hadn't. Everyone needed to check-in at office, reboard bus, and drive to marina. Seems like the drivers could know who was prepaid, wristband them, and streamline the payment/check-in routine.
Local specialist: Sergio Bolaños
Sergio
Sergio Bolaños
Local specialist in Limon, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 21, 2023

Hi Brad! It's great to hear that we were able to organize a fantastic and memorable trip for you! It's also fantastic that you were able to enjoy a worry-free and memorable vacation thanks to the efforts of the team. Thank you for sharing your feedback. Pura Vida!