A "Pura Vida" Experience!
Costa Rica | Dec 21 - Dec 31, 2022

W
Wendy J.
Santa Monica, CA | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023

We had an amazing time in Costa Rica! Charlotte was the perfect agent to work with and provided us with an individualized schedule for an adventurous family with active teens. We traveled to Jaco Beach, Monteverde, Arenal/La Fortuna, and Sarapiqui - a place I never heard of before but a haven for white water rafting and chocolate tours. As a mom, I loved that she combined educational hiking tours (lead by experienced guides) with family bonding time (outrigger canoeing, zip lining, white water rafting). All of our transportation ran like clockwork which allowed us to experience all the “Costa Rica Essentials” in four different towns. My husband enjoyed the surprise private room to celebrate his birthday too. I highly recommend Charlotte and her team at Serendipity. Pura Vida!

Hotel Reviews
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tilajari Hotel Resort
Fortuna

I realize that we were traveling during the peak season, so finding a place to stay was challenging. One of our rooms was a little smelly but that may have had to do with the septic tank. The staff were not as happy as the other hotels, but again, I appreciate that we had a clean safe place to stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location to La Fortuna was a $40 cab ride each way.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Quinta Inn Sarapiqui
Sarapiqui

Very cute, family run lodge. Loved that they were so friendly and cared about everyone who stayed here. The staff made sure that we had a large enough table for every meal of our stay (8 ppl) We really enjoyed taking the cooking class - made empanadas. Bring a magnet from your home town so that she can display it on her wall. (I will be sending her one)

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Club del Mar Oceanfront
Jacó
Authenticity & Character
Location
I loved the property, but not much to walk to
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Chris was very knowledgeable and engaging!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ocean Outrigger Adventure
Ocean Outrigger Adventure
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rafting Sarapiquí River, Class II-III
Rafting Sarapiquí River, Class II-III
Costa Rica

Walter and Kiki were excellent guides

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Festive Dinner for all hotel guests!
Festive Dinner for all hotel guests!
Costa Rica
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Monteverde

Andy was amazing! He knew so much about the history of Costa Rica and the different regions.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
100% Aventura Zip Line and Hanging Bridges Monteverde
100% Aventura Zip Line and Hanging Bridges Monteverde
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chocolate Tour
Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

Geiner was an excellent host and knew so much about the history of chocolate and fermentation process. We really enjoyed our tour/demonstration.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Long Privately Guided Naturalist Hike at La Selva Biological Station
Long Privately Guided Naturalist Hike at La Selva Biological Station
Sarapiquí

I'm so glad that Charlotte scheduled us to visit this Institute. It seemed like our guide was used to more scientific groups than a family with four teens. But we did learn a lot about the region and original rain forest

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Jan 07, 2023

Hello Wendy and family,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to work with you on planning this trip, and I already look forward to the next one!
Charlotte