Trip of a Lifetime to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jul 6 - Jul 20, 2022

A
Aude H.
Newton, MA | Reviewed on Jul 27, 2022

Our family (including 16- and 13-year-olds) traveled to Costa Rica for 15 days. The trip was amazing!! Charlotte and Serendipity Tours did a wonderful job arranging all the details and we could not have asked for more. Charlotte was very collaborative in planning the trip and made sure that all details were covered; this made our trip completely seamless We really enjoyed all of the hotels and tours she arranged for us, especially those in Turrialba, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, and Manuel Antonio.

We really appreciated that many of the hotels and tours were smaller companies--they provided amazing service and we were grateful for the careful attention and thoughtfulness that the personnel infused into our experience. Aguas Claras in Puerto Viejo and Arenas Del Mar in Manuel Antonio might be the best hotels we have ever stayed in!

Highlights of the trip included: 1) canyoning in Turrialba with Cesar and Sergio from Natural Paradise
2) whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River (courtesy of Exploradores Outdoor and our amazing guide Roberto "Taltu")
3) zip lining at the Vista Arenal Adventure Park in Arenal/La Fortuna
4) horseback riding around the Arenal volcano region with Go Adventures)
5) a guided tour of Manuel Antonio National Park with an incredibly knowledgeable guide from Edgar New Concept

I have already recommended Kim Kim, Serendipidity Tours, and Charlotte to two friends who are interested in visiting Costa Rica and will definitely use Kim Kim for visits to other countries in the future.

Thank you again,

Aude

Hotel Reviews
Casa Turire
Turrialba

The hotel is located in a beautiful area and is a charming, relaxing place to stay. It is a little older but very comfortable. The service was wonderful and we very much enjoyed our stay. There were several nice touches including bicycles to ride around the beautiful property, and a bottle of wine in the room. The meals were very good.

Authenticity & Character
the hotel is situated in an old plantation and is filled with charm and character
Location
the setting is breathtaking and peaceful
Staff
the staff were very warm, welcoming and attentive
Cleanliness & Comfort
the beds were comfortable and the room was cozy and pleasant
Aguas Claras
Puerto Viejo

Aguas Claras is one of our favorite hotels of all time. It is a small, boutique hotel located just outside of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (which is great because the town can be quite bustling and busy). It consists of several separate bungalows surrounding a main area (with a restaurant, pool, and reception). The bungalows are beautifully decorated, spacious and comfortable with every amenity. The restaurant was phenomenal and we enjoyed breakfast and dinners there. The service was unparalleled--the concierge Nathalie was attentive and incredibly thoughtful. She helped us arrange several things including dinner in town and service from our rental car company to replace a flat tire. Other staff were equally wonderful. The hotel is a short walk to a beautiful, seemingly secluded beach. This hotel is a hidden gem and we could not recommend it more highly.

Authenticity & Character
The hotel bungalows are beautifully appointed with many artistic touches. The grounds are beautifully maintained and we saw wildlife just walking around the property;
Location
The proximity to the town and the beach
Staff
Staff were a highlight of our stay and were very attentive, thoughtful, and warm.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The hotel was very comfortable--everything from the beds, to the living areas, to the showers were perfect.
Local specialist: Charlotte Törnqvist
Charlotte
Charlotte Törnqvist
Local specialist in Turrialba, Costa Rica | Replied on Jul 27, 2022

Hi Aude,
I am so glad everything worked out well for you, and thank you for recommending us to your friends! Kind Regards,
Charlotte