Kimkim Trip Reviews for Costa Rica

We used kimkim to book a trip to Costa Rica (on a recommendation from a neighbor) and from the start to finish, it has been a wonderful experience! Holden was the local specialist from Serendipity Adventures who worked with us to come up with a high level itinerary and activities to do based on our interests, kids’ ages and his recommendations. I appreciate how flexible he was to make changes and adjust the itinerary/exercises when we changed our mind :) He was always around to answer any questions/concerns around the trip (for example: self drive vs. using private pickup/drop-offs), giving us all the options and impacts on time, cost, etc. Once we had confirmed the itinerary and the place tickets and made the payments, we were introduced to the Operations team of Wilman and Nancy from Serendipity Adventures. I was really impressed on how they were always accessible and available to answer questions, to give us gentle reminders, offer preparation tips and be the go-to support for the trip.

Our trip started with a hiccup when our flights had to be changed the day-of travel but just letting Wilman know the new flight details was all it took to ensure that our arrival in Costa Rica was smooth, without any more bumps. He and his team also helped to work with one of the hotels when we had some room issues and made the whole situation so smooth and less stressful. Wilman used to check in often to ensure that things were on track, communicate if a pick up was running late, gave reminders about upcoming activities or to request early breakfast! Really thankful to him and his team!

The hike guides (Mariano, Alex, Andres) and car drivers (Mariano, Alex) - were just great and really fun to talk with! We learned so much about the new country, its ways, the food and the amazing biodiversity with each of these individuals who enriched our experience, and ensured that we were safe, comfortable and had fun! All the activities that were organized with Holden’s help - the zip-lining, forest night tours, kayaking were great and thankfully the weather cooperated all along!

Thanks so much kimkim and Serendipity Adventures for this wonderful trip! Pura vida!

Hotel Reviews

Hotel Costa Verde

Manuel Antonio

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The bathroom of our room looked like in need of an upgrade because of a broken toilet.

El Establo Mountain Hotel

Monteverde

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ocean Kayaking Adventure

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Monteverde Cloud Forest Guided Hike

Monteverde

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sukia Nighttime Nature Walk

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Introduction to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Manuel Antonio

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Private Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Hike

Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Hike at the Arenal Hanging Bridges

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an amazing Costa Rica adventure! Our KimKim specialist, Gustavo, listened to our (very long!) dream list of activities and patiently worked with me over several weeks to fine tune and work out the details. Each activity was perfect - from the arranged transportation, length of excursion, tour guide (each of them were AMAZING), and what we saw or experienced - and I would not have changed a single thing. We will definitely be working with KimKim again!

Huge thank you to Gustavo for planning a fantastic trip to CR. The hotels and activities were just top notch. I also must recognize RideCR for getting to all locations safely and promptly.

We met other visitors from the US that also worked with KimKim Team and we agreed that you did a great job. We are recommending you to our friends.

Hotel Reviews

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel

Tamarindo

Perfect location being further from town but walkable to everything. Grounds are beautiful with monkeys and iguanas present.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Koora Hotel

Monteverde

We stayed 3 nights and ate most meals at hotel. The food was truly superb and we wanted to try everything offered. We stayed in the Cloudforest Bungalow and it felt like we were in the middle of the trees. The staff would great us by name and quickly knew what our favorite items were.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

The restaurant staff was amazing. There were several but Allison and Eric were a few standouts.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Beautiful grounds, great breakfasts, and meals by the pool and springs.

Authenticity & Character

Location

View of Arenal Volcano

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Surf Lessons at Tamarindo Beach

Tamarindo

We had Keki and Moses ans instructors and they did their job to perfection. We both were surfing within 30 minutes. Iguana Surf is a must do.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

El Tigre Waterfalls Excursion

Monteverde

We were hesitant at first since we had seen a waterfall in La Fortuna. However this is a must do hike. It is very strenuous and we welcomed the provided walking stick. Very much enjoyed the horseback ride back up.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

Our naturalist guide Maloney made the experience. She pointed out toucans, monkeys, frogs, and other animals. So informative.

Quality of Experience

Food

Very nice touch to have fresh fruit after our hike.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Treetopia Zip Lines

Monteverde

We highly recommend this zip line tour. Staff was superb and the views are exhilarating.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Jessica was also helpful. Good service from both, patient with our planning efforts.

Hotel Review

Mar Inn Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica

Nice place!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

Private: Nocturnal Frog Excursion & Traditional Costa Rican Dinner

Arenal/La Fortuna

Good guide, nice place, good dinner.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Everything went fine with the exception of hotel El Faro in Manuel António which was very bad and is not a 4 stars hotel whatsoever. Even the guy on the reception was very antipathetic (despite many others being friendly)! My recommendation is straight forward: dont sell this hotel!|

We had a fantastic time in Costa Rica and this is the second consecutive international trip we have used KimKim to make the arrangements. It saves considerable time doing research and hoping you are choosing the right hotels and experiences. Websites for vendors can be highly deceptive and using someone like KimKim who knows the country and various locations, resorts/hotels and excursion experiences is incredibly helpful. And never having to worry about transportation between locations, airport, etc. is a huge relief when traveling in a foreign country. I would highly recommend KimKim.

Hotel Reviews

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Tamarindo

Excellent location with plenty of dining options on the premises and close to other shops and restaurants. The facilities were great and staff was very friendly. Highly recommend the hotel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Springs Resort

La Fortuna

This hotel was beautiful, the grounds were amazing and close to La Fortuna and the Arenal volcano. The villas were great and the staff was extremely friendly. We saw several other hotels in the area but I doubt any were nicer than Arenal Springs Resort.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Snorkeling to Catalina Islands

Costa Rica

This snorkeling trip was one of the weaker ones we have been on. The company used caters principally to divers so a lot of time was spent dropping them off and picking them up. Our snorkel guides were very nice, no issues at all but the underwater snorkeling wasn't that great. And it took quite a while to get to the boat since you have about a 30 minute drive from Tamarindo Beach with the traffic, then stop at the dive shop to get fins, then shuttle to the beach where you have to go in groups out to the boat on small tender barge since the dive boat is not in a marina. And then all in reverse at the end. And no cocktails and limited snacks at the end. All of our other snorkeling trips have been on better boats and for snorkelers with nice amenities.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Zip Lining - Hanging Bridges & Aerial Tram

Arenal/La Fortuna

Very cool experience. The views from the gondola, zip lines and walking bridges were amazing. Our guide for the bridge and country tour was incredibly knowledgeable about both wildlife and the fauna and made it an enjoyable experience.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Tamarindo Horseback Riding to Conchal Beach

Costa Rica

A very fun morning ride on some beautiful beaches of Costa Rica. Very enjoyable.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

The walk through the park was fine, nothing super special but a relaxing couple of hour nature walk.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Priscila did a fantastic job planning on a trip that was a perfect fit for us. The farm tour and ziplines were definitely highlights but it was all wonderful. Would highly recommend!

Hotel Reviews

Lost Iguana Resort & Spa

Fortuna

Rooms were spacious and service was wonderful. Pools are rather small and location can be a bit further away from activities.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort

Tamarindo

Very clean, excellent service and location on the beach can't be beat. Hotel is slightly older and rooms are smaller on side.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk

Arenal/La Fortuna

Mistico preserve was rather crowded with many tourists, which made it challenging to observe the animals. Would highly recommend the zip line experience, everyone agreed it was the highlight of the trip!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sloth & Bird Hike

Arenal/La Fortuna

Tour guide was very informative and able to find multiple sloths as well as other creatures throughout the forest. The whole experience felt very personalized.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Coffee, Chocolate & Sugar Cane Farm Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

Would highly recommend this interactive experience. Learned how to make coffee, chocolate and sugar. Also got to taste along the way - you'll be full after!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Snorkeling at the Catalina Islands

Costa Rica

Tour operator was more focused on scuba divers than snorkelers. Snorkelers spent a long time on the boat waiting for the scuba divers to get on and off as there were multiple drop-offs for the divers.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Adventures Tram & The Hand of Arenal

Arenal/La Fortuna

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica! Serendipity did a great job with all our logistics and our contact Wilman kept on top of everything. It felt like we had a team supporting us throughout the trip. All our hotels were fantastic, the staff were so accommodating, and our trips were exactly what we wanted. We especially loved our tour of Manuel Antonio National Park, and our guide Andres Chaves Rojas was amazing. Overall we had a spectacular trip.

I was a skeptic in the beginning, but Holden nailed it. We had an amazing trip. Resorts and activities were exactly what I was looking for. Spent 5 days on the beach and 4 day in the rain forest. Both were spectacular. Can't say enough about Holden and his team of advisors. Never felt alone or confused. Serendipity Adventures was the local specialist that helped plan, organize, and manage our trip. Holden, Nancy, and Wilman were awesome! Thank you!!

Hotel Reviews

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

I loved this place! It was quiet and easy to feel relaxed and comfortable. Close to all the activities. The views were so amazing. So many birds, animals and beautiful flowers right outside my door.

Authenticity & Character

Hidden away from the business of the cities. Felt like I was in paradise.

Location

So easy to come and go. Parked right outside my room. The drive from Libera was incredible, so much fun.

Staff

Everyone was super nice and took pride in there work and the resort.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super clean and well maintained resort.

Hotel Bosque del Mar

Playa Hermosa

Everyone was so helpful and friendly. Super clean and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful beach and secluded rooms.

Location

Close to the airport, but never felt busy or full of people.

Staff

Super helpful and friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and well maintained property. Good food and drink selection on property.

Activity Reviews

Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a great activity. The views were exceptional. The staff was great and full of fun and information.

Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968

Arenal/La Fortuna

It was a great introduction to the area. Our guide was great.

Introduction to La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano

Costa Rica

Tropical Sunset Sailing Adventure

Costa Rica

We had a great time. The weather was just okay, but it was so nice to see the sites and swim in a private bay. Unfortunately no sunset to view that day. Crew was great, always there for questions and conversation.

The trip went well, way beyond expectations. We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the trip. I was a little apprehensive about going there due to concerns about possible safety issues in Latin America. Still, my daughter researched and found that Costa Rica is indeed very safe, like any European country. From the day we landed to the day we departed, the Serendipty tour was extremely well organized. The pick was smooth. All excursions started on time. All drivers were courteous and spoke fluent English. We went to Arenal, Fortuna area, followed by Monteverde, and back to the Papagayo area. All the guides were excellent. The hotels were way beyond our expectations with excellent breakfast. Two lunches and two dinners were included. Bryan, Nancy, and the Wilman team were in constant touch with me. Response to any of my texts was instant! Highly recommended

We travelled to Costa Rica from the UK with our two children aged 11 and 8.

Bryan (and Nancy) did a fantastic job of recommending and organizing a range of hotels and activities for us over the two-week trip. Everywhere we stayed was brilliant in its own way -- Laguna Lodge in Tortuguero was rustic and remote, Las Lagos in Fortuna was family-friendly and fun, Costa Verde in Manuel Antonio was uniquely quirky, and La Mariposa was sleek and stylish with incredible views.

All of our trips were pitched perfectly for us & the kids. We absolutely loved the white water rafting and seeing all the amazing wildlife Costa Rica has to offer. All of our guides were friendly and knowledgeable. Shout out to Mariano and Alex for their hospitality on our drives, even stopping to show us the local crocodiles and buy us fruit.

Wilman was a great help as a point of contact while we were there and kept us on track with all of the details.

A special mention also for our guide in Manuel Antonio National Park who kept us all engaged with his infectious passion for the local flora and fauna!

It was a truly special trip which will stay with us for many years.

Overall a great experience. Was surprised by lack of wildlife due to abundance of humans at the national parks compared to my travels to CR 25 years ago.

Olman did an outstanding job meeting our objectives for the itinerary. All aspects of the itinerary were achieved and experience exceeded our expectations!

Hotel Reviews

Koora Hotel

Monteverde

Outstanding location and accommodations

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Went over and beyond our expectations

Cleanliness & Comfort

Parador Nature Resort & Spa

Manuel Antonio

Five star hotel with exceptional service and care. Excellent food.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Esquinas Rainforest Lodge

Golfito

A great experience. Food choices were adequate.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Immersed in the rain forest with beauty all around.

Staff

Very helpful and accommodating in answering questions

Cleanliness & Comfort

Trogon Lodge

San Gerardo de Dota

All aspects were good, except the dining room was chilly and the food selections limited.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

El Tigre Waterfalls Exploration

Monteverde

We cancelled this event as we were scheduled for La Paz. We went to Monteverde Forest Biological Reserve and Cafe Colibri instead.

Quality of Experience

Better detail of the walking/hiking requirements.

Early Birdwatching Tour at Curi-Cancha Reserve

Monteverde

Overall the best birdwatching experience. Exceeded our expectations. Knowledgeable and professional guide.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike

Costa Rica

Group was large

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vanilla, Coffee, Chocolate, and Spice Guided Tour

Manuel Antonio

Did not meet our expectations based on what we thought would occur.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Early Birdwatching Tour on the Southern Pacific Coast

Costa Rica

The guide was outstanding and birding exceeded our expectations

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Quetzal Safari Quest

San Gerardo de Dota

An adventure with an outcome of 5 Quetzal sited.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Kimkim made my honeymoon in Costa Rica so easy to plan, and so easy to glide through wonderful experiences, the majority of which they planned. We did not worry about a single thing, outside of excursions we planned ourselves once in country. Even then, all of the operators and hotels booked by Olman were extremely helpful and made every experience awesome. Highly recommend the Costa Rica adventures and Olman.

Hotel Review

Tabacón Thermal Resort & Spa

Fortuna

Spectacular resort with amazing amenities, experiences and service.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Review

San José - Arenal - Visit to La Paz Waterfall & Gardens

Costa Rica

For nature lovers, the La Paz conservancy was a perfect introduction to the biodiversity of Costa Rica. The waterfalls are absolutely stunning as well. The conservancy has one of the best frog exhibits I've ever seen!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This trip was seamless and remarkable. Phil was a great communicator and the guides were really good- our guide on the volcano hike was great as well as in the guide on this silence hike and Santa Elena hike.

The trip was amazing. Our drivers, Daniel, Hugo, and Greddy, were all excellent and ensured we were comfortable as we made our way to our destinations. The itinerary created by Kim Kim was perfect and ensured that we were able to experience the beautiful countryside of Costa Rica.

Our family trip to Costa Rica was an incredible experience. We originally planned it for March of 2020. The world shut down a day before we were scheduled to leave. Our travel experiences did not disappoint and more than made up for the fact that we had to put our trip on hold. We are appreciative for Kimkim for honoring our plans and letting us postpone our trip. The itinerary for our replanned 2024 adventure was adapted to the fact that our kids are older and we had many adventures.
The first lodging we stayed at was Las Brisas de Arenal, a family owned hotel that consists of separate lodging buildings. Carlos and his family are kind and we still exchange what’s app messages with him. Our daughter (8 years old) fell in love with their dogs and we all loved the parrot Matilda. The picturesque surroundings are amazing and relaxing. Lounging in the hammock on the patio outside our room overlooking the Arenal volcano puff stream into the air was a wonderful way to siesta in the afternoons. The breakfasts of fresh fruit, coffee with warm milk, eggs and toast sustained us before our adventures daily.
Out first experience was a river float tour on las Peña Blancas. We saw so many animals including sloths, iguanas, toucans, monkeys, piranas, and other beautiful birds.
Other favorites was zip lining above the canopy and soaking in the hot springs. The volcano hike was a bit much in the heat of the afternoon for our kids.

After La Fortuna, we traveled south to Manuel Antonio. La Mariposa hotel was accommodating and we all love the breakfasts and swimming in the infinity pool each day. The view of the ocean, seeing the parrots and monkeys in the trees was like a dream. The surrounding beaches are beautiful. Restaurants are within walking distance. We went in a waterfall daylong adventure that was a family favorite, exploring 5 different waterfalls that included a natural waterslide, and a delicious lunch.
We learned so much information and history about Costa Rica on all of our planned trips. Everyone we met was kind. The culture and people are welcoming and shared so much of their beloved country.

We highly recommend traveling to Costa Rica, planning a trip with KimKim and learning about our world. Our trip expanded our horizons and we will look to take another family adventure in the near future.

Hotel Reviews

Brisas Arenal Hotel

La Fortuna

Las Brisas de Arenal feels like our home away from home. A family owned and operated hotel that is surrounded by the beauty of Costa Rica! We would stay there again! Carlos and his family (including dogs) are friendly and made us feel welcome. We were able to relax there in between daily adventure around La Fortuna. We highly recommend Las Brisas.

Authenticity & Character

Family owned and operated. Genuine people centered. Beautiful!

Location

We traveled through the cloud forest to get to Las Brisas. All of our trip was planned with transportation arranged for day trips and the hotel wasn’t too far.

Staff

We really enjoyed getting to know the staff. We formed a connection that we keep to this day through what’s app messages.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Our room was cleaned daily. It was comfortable and relaxing. We kept the AC on due to the heat and had no issues.

Park Inn San José by Radisson

San José

The Park inn was a good stop overnight in San Jose before going out the next day back to the US.

Authenticity & Character

The hotel seemed a lot like those in the States and met our needs.

Location

An ideal location with a quick van ride to the airport.

Staff

The staff were kind and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms and common sizes are clean and comfortable

Hotel La Mariposa

Manuel Antonio

La Mariposa is within walking distance to many restaurants. We were comfortable in our room and loved the beautiful view of our room overlooking the ocean. The breakfasts were delicious . The staff were kind and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

La Mariposa has character and charm.

Location

The location is a good spot. There is a shuttle to and from the beach multiple times per day. We had transportation arranged for our day trips which was a good plan.

Staff

The staff were all friendly and accommodating

Cleanliness & Comfort

The grounds and rooms were very clean.

Activity Reviews

Catamaran Adventure with Barbecue

Manuel Antonio

The catamaran trip was a chance to be out in the ocean. We didn’t see any dolphins. The crew was friendly. The snorkeling portion was fast and we would have liked more time in the water. The slide in the boat was fun for the kids.

Quality of Experience

More time snorkeling

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Friendly and knowledgeable crew

Transport

Transport via van was efficient, close to our hotel.

Manuel Antonio National Park Nature Hike

Manuel Antonio

The park was crowded given it was Easter week. We had already seen so many animals on our trip. The guided tour was worth it as we met people who visited the park without a guide and had trouble seeing animals.if we were to go again we would go for the beach alone. It was beautiful!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sky Adventures Zip Lines

Arenal/La Fortuna

This was a family favorite! What an exhilarating experience! The whole excursion was fun and we highly recommended it.

Quality of Experience

We had never been ziplining before. Whizzing above the canopy was so fun.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everything was fully explained.

Transport

The transport was easy and our ride back was timely.

Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike with Lunch

Arenal/La Fortuna

The rainforest hanging bridges tour was a chance to see poison dart frogs in their natural habitat. We learned about the primitive and secondary forests and the importance of tourism in Costa Rica.

Quality of Experience

A great experience. So much fun and informative

Food

The food provided was delicious

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We learned so much about the history of Costa Rica!

Transport

Smooth and quick

Arenal Volcano Hike & Paradise Hot Springs Experience with Meal

Arenal/La Fortuna

The volcano hike was in the heat of the afternoon and was a bit much for our 8 year old. We learned a lot! Would probably spilt this up as an excursion separate from others if doing it again.

Food

The food at the hot spring was buffet style and we all were very hungry. It was decent.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guide was knowledgeable

Transport

The van ride was smooth and quick

Río Peñas Blancas Safari Rafting Experience

Arenal/La Fortuna

We loved the river float. We saw so many animals, sloths, monkeys, iguanas, lizards, fish, and birds. Our kids loved paddling the rafts and even had a chance to take a cold dip in the river. The river float was a perfect first adventure in Costa Rica. It was fun, relaxing, and we learned so much.

Quality of Experience

The experience really was wonderful! Seeing animals in their natural habitat that we would only otherwise see in a zoo was a really great experience.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The guides and driver were friendly and knowledgeable. And they truly love what they do!

Transport

The transport was great. The air conditioned van was really nice.

Self-Guided Manuel Antonio Beaches

Manuel Antonio

We ended up relaxing at the hotel, opting for the pool over more adventures to the beaches.

The Serendipity team of Holden, Nancy and Wilman provided excellent advice and support for our trip to Costa Rica, both before and during our three weeks in CR. They were knowledgeable, friendly and always responsive. The Kimkim website made it easy to plan our visit and communicate. We had to make a few changes ‘in real time’; these were done promptly and professionally. Thanks for helping us have a great experience in Costa Rica!

Hotel Reviews

Grano de Oro Hotel

San José

Very nice hotel. Excellent staff and restaurant.

Authenticity & Character

Charm

Location

Easy to get to; near other restaurants.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hampton by Hilton San José Airport

Alajuela

Very comfortable, clean. Excellent staff. Easy in and out.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Near the airport. A little tricky to find on googlemaps.

Staff

Very helpful and friendly

Cleanliness & Comfort

Issimo Suites Boutique Hotel & Spa—Adults Only

Manuel Antonio

Very nice hotel. Beautiful views to the ocean.

Authenticity & Character

Layout of hotel restaurant, pool area and our room.

Location

Staff

Randall in the restaurant was great!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Monteverde

Nice room. Pretty grounds with trails. Comfortable restaurant and pool area.

Authenticity & Character

Natural setting with birds and some small mammals.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs

Fortuna

Nice room. Friendly, helpful staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Off the main road. Pretty grounds.

Staff

Very attentive. Helpful during a temporary illness.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort

Bijagua

Beautiful room, great hotel staff, excellent food, very nice pool, pretty grounds with hiking trails. Saw a sloth when we arrived and colorful birds every day at breakfast!

Authenticity & Character

Design, rooms, staff, common areas, wildlife on grounds

Location

Lots to do and see. Rio Celeste river.

Staff

Very friendly and helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Everything!

Activity Reviews

Day at Selvatura including Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions

Costa Rica

Excellent variety of plants and animals. Awesome butterfly area. Very good lunch, too.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike

Monteverde

Excellent hike with lots to see and learn.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Andres was great!

Transport

Private Rio Celeste & Tenorio Volcano Hike

Bijagua / Rio Celeste

A strenuous hike of 3+ hours. Go early!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Guide helped us with trail challenges, shared cultural info., , not much re: flora and fauna.

Transport

Tapir Valley Nature Reserve Night Walk

Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Very cool night hike! Saw tapir and her baby.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ecocentro Danaus Guided Rainforest Walk (without Transportation)

Arenal/La Fortuna

Excellent guide. Interesting place. Rained all morning!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

We had a terrific time on our trip to Costa Rica. Randall was very helpful and everything he organized happened like clockwork.

Hotel Reviews

Mar Inn Costa Rica

Monteverde Costa Rica

Great place to stay in Monteverde. Big, clean and comfortable rooms. Balcony with a view. Fun, friendly, informative staff.

Authenticity & Character

Cute place with nice staff. Loved the sister hotel next door where we had breakfast was call Hotel Don Taco and they had a good bar with unique drinks. The resident dogs were the best!

Location

Very close to downtown. Need to climb a hill to get back to hotel, but not a big issue.

Staff

Super friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean, big and comfortable rooms

Arenal Country Inn

La Fortuna

Beautiful hotel grounds with individual bungalows for rooms. Loved all the gorgeous plants and flowers. The staff was super nice and friendly. They went out of their way for us. We arrived very late at night, but someone was there to greet us and take us to our room. The front desk staff was very helpful and friendly, too.

Authenticity & Character

Gorgeous plants and flowers and individual bungalow rooms.

Location

Very close to downtown

Staff

Super nice and friendly staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Very clean and comfortable rooms.

Activity Review

Maleku Tribe Village Visit

Arenal/La Fortuna

I enjoyed learning about the culture of the tribe. What they eat, how they dressed, their music and their language.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I feel like I really experienced the pura vida vibe of the Costa Rican people, the exotic wildlife and countryside! Thank you, Olman! The Arenal Observatory Lodge, volcano, and activities in that area were my fave!