It didn’t rain!
Costa Rica | May 20 - May 27, 2023

Larry
Larry M.
Mesa, AZ | Reviewed on Jun 08, 2023

Maurice our guide for hiking nearby La Fortuna / Arsenal was the high point of the trip., I recommend him highly bec his knowledge of the area flora and fauna was amazing. Now I know what really big Howlers (monkeys) sound like - not for the timid!
The La Fortuna Hotel was very nice but spartan (facial tissues?). Breakfast was very good, we chose the restaurants in town rather than than dinner at the resort. The weather was perfect all week and beautiful sunsets in Tamarindo and Monteverde. A little too warm in Monteverde but if you don’t mind bugs the night air is very cool with the huge sliding doors open. There are no screens on the doors so I recommend the hotels offer mosquito drapery around the bed to get a restful sleep.
Tamarindo was nice with the beaches and pools and we enjoyed the catamaran team that ran things - very friendly - I recommend folks use them. My daughter accompanied me and she had a great week.

It didn’t rain which was good and bad. Beautiful Weather. WAVE Adventures is a top-notch company with many guides who were very entertaining, I recommend them. But the whitewater rafting was disappointing from the low water flow, mostly class 1 with a couple class 2. I was also in Panama and whitewater rafting was much better.

PS: We rented a car as we used different airports and got to see more, driving off the beaten path had some beautiful sights but leave extra time as about 50% of the roads were paved. I personally enjoyed driving like the locals, you get around faster.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Los Lagos Spa & Resort
Fortuna

Very good hotel and grounds for the middle-tier resort. You should walk everywhere and skip the shuttle - burn some calories as the resort is on a steep vertical hillside. The best feature is the landscaping and water features. Don’t expect rooms like a Marriott, it’s spartan so spend your time exploring the outdoors. Good breakfast every morning. The town is close by if you desire a dinner out.

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

Beautiful complex of suites along the hillside, we stayed in the sunset rooms at the top and the views were worth it. Rolling back the huge glass doors allows the cool night breezes to make the rooms great for sunsets and sleeping. As there are no window or door screens, I recommend the Ficus Inn install mosquito netting drapes over / around each bed so patrons can enjoy a restful sleep with the lights out. Unless you love flying bugs keeping you company! A nice eco-friendly hotel at the edge of town at a steep uphill road. Good parking, breakfast, and wi-fi. Pleasant staff.

Authenticity & Character
Eco-friendly
Location
Sunset views. Sound of big rigs struggling up the hill was distracting, I guess that’s what earbuds are for.
Staff
More knowledgeable staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Netting around/ over beds to keep flying bugs out of your ears.
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Tamarindo

On the ocean, great sunset views from the balcony patio

Authenticity & Character
Huge complex, we stayed in the older part close to the lobby and restaurant
Location
Staff
Just the nicest helpful people
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River Class II & III
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River Class II & III
Arenal/La Fortuna

Great bunch of guides. Unfortunately water level too low, mostly class 1 with a couple class 2

Quality of Experience
See above
Food
We were hungry! I liked the cookies and beer!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
The guides
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

Maurice (guide) and Paloma (driver) were the high point of our trip

Quality of Experience
Small group, 4 people + guide was perfect size.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Knowledge imparted to us and seeing our guide show us so many plans and their uses.
Transport
Paloma the driver- and a very good singer!
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 12, 2023

Hello Larry,

Thanks for your excellent review and recommendations, I appreciate it.
You were so lucky about weather conditions, nevertheless, some rain could have been great to maximize the rapids on the white water rafting adventure.

I hope you have many memories with your daughter about this expedition to the tropics, let's hope you can visit us again shortly.

Pura Vida,
Olman