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Serendipity Adventures

Serendipity Adventures was founded in Michigan, USA, 30 years ago and since then we have been dedicated to designing and operating private vacations in Costa Rica. For the last two decades, trip planning, sales, administration, as well as operations, have been run from our main office in Turrialba, Costa Rica.

Serendipity´s core product is our Premium Vacations. These unique trips include adventures that are operated in private mode directly by Serendipity, such as white water rafting, canyoning, mountain biking, hiking, tree climbing, horseback riding, nature floats, and more. On a premium trip, your family or your small self-formed group will enjoy a dedicated professional guide and transportation in 4 WD vehicles that allow us to go off the beaten path.

We also design independent trips in a very personalized way, applying all our knowledge and expertise while carefully planning your itinerary around your specific goals, needs, and preferences. Then, when the time comes to enjoy your Costa Rica vacation, we'll stay on top of all reservations, and we're always just a phone call away if you need any assistance along the way.

Planning a Costa Rica vacation can be difficult and time-consuming if you try to do all the research by yourself. We at Serendipity are dedicated to making it an easy process, and to making sure any plan is tailored to your specific preferences.

Serendipity Adventures is part of the following groups: Costa Rica Travel Agents

Featured trips & expertise

Top itineraries and travel advice

Recent Trip Reviews for Serendipity Adventures

Elena was amazing. Knowledgeable and very ple...
Costa Rica | Feb 6 - Feb 15, 2026

Mary
Mary D.
Canada | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026
Elena was amazing. Knowledgeable and very pleasant to work with. She planned my bucket list trip of a life time exactly with precision and left no detail out. She included all of the activities that were important to me as well as my Niece and Great Niece that made this such a memorable experience We had a private guide “Andy” who was so gracious wonderful. He shared his time and years of experience with a passion. He is an A+++ and represented your company very well Our drivers were... Read more

Elena was amazing. Knowledgeable and very pleasant to work with. She planned my bucket list trip of a life time exactly with precision and left no detail out. She included all of the activities that were important to me as well as my Niece and Great Niece that made this such a memorable experience

We had a private guide “Andy” who was so gracious wonderful. He shared his time and years of experience with a passion. He is an A+++ and represented your company very well

Our drivers were also amazing. Everything about Costa Rica was magical and special

Hotel Reviews
Hotel & Spa Poco a Poco
Monteverde

All staff were very helpful and the location was wonderful. Quaint and welcoming and nestled into a lush landscape. We were welcomed at our first breakfast with a stunning rainbow 🌈 Loved the night walk. Highly recommend the zip line experience and walking through the cloud forest and hanging bridges

Authenticity & Character
The spa was a wonderful addition. After a day of walking we loved our massages and hot tub
Location
Quaint and tucked into the landscape.
Staff
Everyone
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Wonderful accommodation. Staff were very nice and helpful Loved our resident 5 month old two toed sloth Lucy who visited daily Pool area was lovely and made it easy to meet other guests have drinks and relax

Authenticity & Character
Location
Situated beautifully on landscape. Felt private and had access to wildlife. Breakfasts were great
Staff
All were accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was great. Wonderful view.
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Alajuela

Close to airport. Clean and friendly. Only there overnight to arrive and leave

Authenticity & Character
Location
Location and optional restaurants close bu
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Night Walk at Children's Eternal Forest
Night Walk at Children's Eternal Forest
Monteverde

Hard to get good photos in the dark. The guides were very helpful in assisting Guide was good but wished we could have seen more frogs

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Drivers were interactive and provided information about Costa Rica
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica

The team that conducted the zip line adventure were excellent. Friendly and funny. Very informative and careful with safety

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Countryside Horseback Ride
Countryside Horseback Ride
Monteverde

The farm was amazing. Greeted by goats dogs chickens and the barn cat The cowboys were wonderful and the scenery and ride was beautiful. Such vistas!! The farm was all organic and we were treated to a drink and lovely snack after the ride We even got to milk a cow and bottle feed a calf

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Monteverde

We did not have a guide. We chose to do this walk by ourselves and loved it

Quality of Experience
The view, the smell, the mist on my face. It is awe inspiring
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

Our guide was great. He was able to find many species for us. So many creatures, so little time

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Costa Rica

Great staff. Great food. We enjoyed snorkeling and swimming off the boat before the bbq. Watching the sunset and the dolphins was so special

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
ATV Adventure Manuel Antonio
ATV Adventure Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio
Quality of Experience
Sadly I rolled my ATV into a creek and broke my foot
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora

Great trip
Costa Rica | Feb 6 - Feb 15, 2026

R
Rita C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 22, 2026

We had a wonderful trip. The Serendipity guides were extremely knowledgeable and helpful. The accommodation was excellent and ending the trip by the beach was just perfect.

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum

Having rarely used a travel agent, I was not ...
Costa Rica | Feb 14 - Feb 19, 2026

M
Mary K.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026
Having rarely used a travel agent, I was not sure if I would need one for this trip to Costa Rica, but since we had never been before, I wanted the security of having a specialist help us plan. And I really loved the convenience of the KimKim online platform where I could identify the exact details for our trip. What started as a family trip for four, eventually became a trip for just my husband and I and Holden was very helpful, very responsive and able to accommodate all of our requests... Read more

Having rarely used a travel agent, I was not sure if I would need one for this trip to Costa Rica, but since we had never been before, I wanted the security of having a specialist help us plan. And I really loved the convenience of the KimKim online platform where I could identify the exact details for our trip. What started as a family trip for four, eventually became a trip for just my husband and I and Holden was very helpful, very responsive and able to accommodate all of our requests with ease. Even when we had a small hiccup with our choosen hotel, Holden came through and pulled off an amazing alternate plan. The hotels were stunning and well appointed and made the trip even better. The drivers were super knowledgeable and helpful navigating the country. The tours booked were OUTSTANDING. Great overall experience for sure!

Activity Reviews
Canyoning in Arenal
Canyoning in Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

AMAZING!!! This was the highlight of our trip by far. The staff was outstanding. The views impeccable. The experience unmatched. The waterfalls stunning....just amazing all around.

Quality of Experience
Just amazing--from the views, to the challenge level, to the safety...just all around great.
Food
Very traditional Costa Rican dishes--so much flavor and super tender. Delicious
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Dario, and his entire team were fabulous.
Transport
Little glitch at the end only because we had to check out of our hotel, but in the end it all worked out perfectly.
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

This hike was really just ok. Our guide was AMAZING, and very knowlegeable and he tried to pull out little details we wouldn't have ever seen without him, but there really wasn't much to see (and it was not due to the cloud cover).

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Great guide--Mariano was amazing and knew so much about the area. Even suggested a great stop for lunch which we wouldn't have ever done. Just awesome!
Transport
So much fun hanging out with Mariano.
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide was fun, passionate and very knowledgeable about the process of coffee and chocolate from growing to harvesting to production. The tasting experience was super helpful and we learned a lot about the entire process.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
We were with a larger group and being that our hotel was the farthest away, we had to sit for a bit longer than other guests.
Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline
Big Arenal Mundo Aventura Zipline
Arenal/La Fortuna

Everything about this trip was amazing. The sites. The staff. The precautions to make us feel safe. Just truly superb! Loved every second of it!!

Quality of Experience
Ziplines of all options made this super interesting
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Fun, smart and great overall guides made this trip even more amazing!
Transport
Fun short ride in a tractor was cool...
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 20, 2026

Thank you Mary,
I'm very happy to hear that you had a great time in Costa Rica, especially at Rio Celeste Hideaway. It's also great to hear about your epic experience with the waterfall rappelling tour, it definitely makes for great memories!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

This trip was the AMAZING!
Costa Rica | Feb 6 - Feb 15, 2026

Deb
Deb
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2026
This trip was the AMAZING!
Elena really listened to us and created a custom curated itinerary that perfectly met our needs and desires. Best travel agent I’ve ever worked with. The hotels we stayed at were awesome! Arenal Springs Resort in LaFortuna, Cloud Forest Lodge in Monte Verde, and Hotel La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio ( my fav! - incredible view, wonderful room, and fabulous dining area).
We had a driver, Alex, who was very personable and taught us a lot about Costa Rica. Loved...
Read more

This trip was the AMAZING!
Elena really listened to us and created a custom curated itinerary that perfectly met our needs and desires. Best travel agent I’ve ever worked with. The hotels we stayed at were awesome! Arenal Springs Resort in LaFortuna, Cloud Forest Lodge in Monte Verde, and Hotel La Mariposa in Manuel Antonio ( my fav! - incredible view, wonderful room, and fabulous dining area).
We had a driver, Alex, who was very personable and taught us a lot about Costa Rica. Loved having him as our driver! The car was comfortable, clean, and well maintained. We felt very safe riding with Alex.
We went on a river float with Flow Trips. What a great team! Our guide was very knowledgeable and took care to position us so we could see the animals along the way. It was a very enjoyable outing. Highly recommend Flow Trips.
We went on a night hike in Monte Verde with Bosque Eterno de Los Ninos. Very knowledgeable guide who made sure we got to see lots of different animal life.
We did an all day Adventure at Selvatura Park, including zip line, hanging bridges, and butterfly and sloth exhibitions. Exhausting, but so worth it!
We had another driver, Andres, who was very professional and a pleasure to travel with. Did some stops that made the long ride so fun! Again, the car was comfortable, clean, and well maintained.
In Manuel Antonio we went on a morning hike in Manuel Antonio National Park with Endemic Bird. This was my husband’s favorite outing. Highly recommend Endemic Bird! We also went on a sailboat sunset tour with Planet Dolphin. What a great way to end our stay! If you’re in Manuel Antonio, do a catamaran tour. You will love it!
When we return to Costa Rica, we will definitely use Serendipity Adventures!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Springs Resort
La Fortuna

Loved the hot springs! The staff were so friendly and professional. The facility is very well maintained and soooo beautiful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
The view of the volcano
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Beds were a bit uncomfortable, but fine. Could hear our neighbors in the bathroom - a bit faint, but made us a bit uncomfortable.
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

Beautiful view of nature. Wonderful restaurant! Room was very comfortable and felt very private.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Dirt road to get to hotel.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

Beautiful location, fabulous view, amazing dining area. Very responsive staff.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
All Day Adventure at Selvatura, including Zipline, Hanging Bridges, and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
1
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
1
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Our guide at Arenal Volcano was keenly aware of our surroundings and was able to show us some animal life we never would have noticed on our own. La Fortuna waterfall was worth all 500 steps down and 500 steps back up!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Walk at Children's Eternal Forest
Night Walk at Children's Eternal Forest
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Feb 20, 2026
Hola Deb, Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ It truly means a lot to know that your experience in Costa Rica met your expectations and that the itinerary was a perfect fit for your interests and travel style. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stays at Arenal Springs Resort in La Fortuna, Cloud Forest Lodge in Monteverde, and especially La Mariposa Hotel, the views there are indeed unforgettable! I’m also very glad to know that Alex and Andrés helped make your... Read more

Hola Deb,

Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

It truly means a lot to know that your experience in Costa Rica met your expectations and that the itinerary was a perfect fit for your interests and travel style. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed your stays at Arenal Springs Resort in La Fortuna, Cloud Forest Lodge in Monteverde, and especially La Mariposa Hotel, the views there are indeed unforgettable!

I’m also very glad to know that Alex and Andrés helped make your transfers comfortable, safe, and enjoyable throughout the journey. It’s always our goal to ensure that every part of your trip, from logistics to excursions, runs smoothly and enhances your overall experience.

It’s wonderful that you had the opportunity to enjoy such a variety of activities, from the river float and night hike in the cloud forest to your adventure day at Selvatura and your guided visit to Manuel Antonio National Park. Ending your stay with a sunset catamaran tour sounds like the perfect finale!

On behalf of our entire team at Serendipity Adventures, thank you again for trusting us with your travel plans. It was truly a pleasure assisting you, and we would be honored to help you plan your next Costa Rica adventure whenever you decide to return.
Thank you so much for this opportunity!

Pura vida!
Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures 🦥🌋🦋

We enjoyed our trip to Costa Rica. Elena was ...
Costa Rica | Feb 7 - Feb 13, 2026

Cathy
Cathy T.
La Plata, MD, USA | Reviewed on Feb 18, 2026
We enjoyed our trip to Costa Rica. Elena was always readily available if we needed something during the trip planning stage. Once in Costa Rica, Adrian was very responsive and adaptable when we needed to modify our itinerary on short notice. Totally accommodating. Both he and Elena responded to our text or chat messages within seconds or minutes at the most. Very impressive. Our tour guides were excellent, especially Olman, who we had for our Manuel Antonio National Park tour. He knew all... Read more

We enjoyed our trip to Costa Rica. Elena was always readily available if we needed something during the trip planning stage. Once in Costa Rica, Adrian was very responsive and adaptable when we needed to modify our itinerary on short notice. Totally accommodating. Both he and Elena responded to our text or chat messages within seconds or minutes at the most. Very impressive.

Our tour guides were excellent, especially Olman, who we had for our Manuel Antonio National Park tour. He knew all the ins and outs of spotting wild life. He is clearly an expert and had a very kind and patient demeanor and a passion for his work. Because he had a such a high-quality spotting scope we did not even need our binoculars. He was able to take expert quality pictures for us.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

The location was the best part. Most unbelievable views of the Pacific Ocean, the mountains and the beach. Indescribable. The staff, however, or not the best. Most of them seem to have a bit of distain for the guests and would seem annoyed by questions or requests. There were a few exceptions. For example, the upstairs bartender was very friendly, and one or two of the waiters were. But the reception desk staff were cold and icy. I think that was because the head clerk had a poor disposition. And I think that flowed to everybody else.

Staff
The attitude of the staff at the reception desk. Most of the waiters and bartenders were friendly, except for one in particular, but the staff at the front desk were not very good with friendliness. They would seem annoyed by questions or requests.
Cleanliness & Comfort
We were put in what was clearly one of the older outdated rooms. The view was spectacular, but the hotel was cheap on things like only having shampoo in the bathroom and no conditioner. The outlets need to be updated. Charger chords wouldn’t even stay in them. They really need to update the older rooms.
The Royal Corin Thermal Water Spa & Resort - Adults Only
Fortuna

The thermal pools were awesome. Never crowded- no fighting for space or chairs. The hotel staff were sooooo wonderful. Eager to please and assist with anything; they all seemed genuinely appreciative of their guests being there. The breakfast buffet was like nothing you would find in the USA. Highest quality fruits and vegetables, cheeses, made to order omelettes, Costa Rican, coffee, as well as some American favorites, like bacon, eggs, and pancakes.

Authenticity & Character
The hot spring pools, hot tubs, saunas, and jungle feel of the place.
Location
A little too close to the busy road. While trying to listen to the sounds of nature the loud trucks passing by interfered a bit.
Staff
So attentive and eager to please.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Catamaran Tour with Meal
Costa Rica

Fun! The sunset was unbelievable. The dolphins, the swimming, the diving and going down the high, steep slides. Made me feel like a kid again.

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

Our tour guide, Olman, was excellent. He knew all the ins and outs of spotting wild life. He is clearly an expert in his field and had a passion for his work. Because he had a such a high-quality spotting scope we did not even need our binoculars. He was able to take expert quality pictures for us.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

Our tour guide was GG (a nickname, not sure what his full name was) and he was excellent. Patient, knowledgeable, humorous. And the fresh brewed coffee was spectacular. This was such an informative and educational tour. I never expected to learn so much about coffee. I was wrong on so many things I thought I knew about coffee!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Unfortunately, the weather was terrible while we were there so we really couldn’t even see the volcano. I realize the weather was unusually cold and wet for what is supposed to be the dry season but it certainly limited our experience for this excursion. The guide, however, was excellent. Mariano. Very experienced and knowledgeable great personality. Funny.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mariano was an excellent guide. He may be experienced as best as it could be in spite of the weather. Which he couldn’t control.
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Feb 19, 2026
Hola Cathy, Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review. It truly means a lot to know that you felt supported both during the planning stage and while you were here in Costa Rica. Providing prompt communication and being adaptable to changes is very important to us, so your recognition of that effort is sincerely appreciated. I will be sure to share your kind words with Adrian — he will be very happy to hear that his responsiveness made a difference in your... Read more

Hola Cathy,

Thank you very much for your thoughtful and detailed review.

It truly means a lot to know that you felt supported both during the planning stage and while you were here in Costa Rica. Providing prompt communication and being adaptable to changes is very important to us, so your recognition of that effort is sincerely appreciated.

I will be sure to share your kind words with Adrian — he will be very happy to hear that his responsiveness made a difference in your experience.

And of course, Olman will be especially touched by your comments. He is indeed passionate about wildlife and loves sharing his knowledge of Manuel Antonio with our guests. We are fortunate to work with guides who care so deeply about what they do.

Thank you again for trusting us with your 20 Wedding Anniversary trip. It was truly a pleasure assisting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica in the future.

Pura Vida,
Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures 🦥

Amazing Adventure into the Rainforest and Relaxation at the Beach!
Costa Rica | Feb 10 - Feb 16, 2026

Nancy
Nancy E.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026
Wow! What an incredible adventure into the rainforest and beautiful Pacific coast. Holden planned our trip with so many amazing experiences: Safari float down a river in the rainforest, night hike to see cool frogs, the most unusual snakes and a sloth, a cooking class, a hike in the Arenal Volcano area and hike through the Hanging Bridges. Our guide from Serendipity was a local named Mariono. He was amazing! Shared so much of what we were seeing on our hikes, the history, culture and so... Read more

Wow! What an incredible adventure into the rainforest and beautiful Pacific coast. Holden planned our trip with so many amazing experiences: Safari float down a river in the rainforest, night hike to see cool frogs, the most unusual snakes and a sloth, a cooking class, a hike in the Arenal Volcano area and hike through the Hanging Bridges. Our guide from Serendipity was a local named Mariono. He was amazing! Shared so much of what we were seeing on our hikes, the history, culture and so much fun. The logistics were smooth with no problems. What a great way to see a country and experience its treasures without wasting time on logistics of where to go or where to have dinner. Our hotels were fantastic. The Arenal Manoa Hotel hot spring pools were beautiful and fun to relax in. The lushness of the vegetation around our rooms were also unique and cozy. The Bosque del Mar hotel at Playa Hermosa was beautiful and right on the beach. Our drivers got us everywhere we needed to be on time. I am so impressed with the trip this team put together for us! Thank you!!!!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Beautiful trail by pool with hot springs. Lovely breakfast spot overlooking the Arenal Volcano. We loved the location and pool areas were lovely. Great pizza!

Authenticity & Character
Lush landscape and hot springs were in a spectacular setting
Location
East to get to the areas we were visiting.
Staff
Very friendly and easy to communicate with.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Nice rooms with a private porch
Hotel Bosque del Mar
Playa Hermosa

Most beautiful view of the beach from open-air breakfast area. Quiet beach - much better than the beach in Coco. Rooms were large with a nice sitting area overlooking the pool.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 17, 2026

Hello Nancy
Thank you for your kind words. That's wonderful that you had a great adventure together and enjoyed all the beauty of Costa Rica. It sounds like you had the best time. It was a pleasure to work with you throughout the process.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Fabulous 30th anniversary trip
Costa Rica | Feb 7 - Feb 15, 2026

Lori
Lori S.
San Ramon, CA | Reviewed on Feb 17, 2026
The overall trip was amazing. Borinquen was fun. We loved our hotel. The ziplining was truly fun. Monteverde was beautiful, with our hike being a highlight. The guide, Andy was VERY amazing and super fun. The dinner in the glass room was one of the best food experiences we have ever done. The waiter was amazing :). Finally, Tamarindo was warm, relaxing, and a great way to end our trip. The only thing we would say is for the Panache catamaran dinner cruise, be sure to let everyone... Read more

The overall trip was amazing. Borinquen was fun. We loved our hotel. The ziplining was truly fun. Monteverde was beautiful, with our hike being a highlight. The guide, Andy was VERY amazing and super fun. The dinner in the glass room was one of the best food experiences we have ever done. The waiter was amazing :). Finally, Tamarindo was warm, relaxing, and a great way to end our trip. The only thing we would say is for the Panache catamaran dinner cruise, be sure to let everyone know that pickup was 12:45 (on time), but you do not return until 7pm or later. The schedule said 12:45-4:45.

Hotel Reviews
Borinquen Thermal Resort
Guanacaste

Great place, enjoyed the hot springs, ziplining, and food was amazing.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Tamarindo

Great location, right at the beach.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Koora Hotel
Monteverde

Beautiful area. It was peaceful and serene. Staff very friendly

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Introduction to Rincón de la Vieja
Introduction to Rincón de la Vieja
Rincón de la Vieja
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Natural High Expedition Tour at Borinquen
Natural High Expedition Tour at Borinquen
Rincón de la Vieja

Great hike, saw lots of birds and enjoyed our guide, Oskar.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canopy Tour at Borinquen Thermal Resort
Canopy Tour at Borinquen Thermal Resort
Rincón de la Vieja

Super fun, our guides were amazing, fun, and full of life

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Monteverde

Andy was so well educated on the plants, area, and animals. We learned so much from him. We even had lunch with him at the end.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience - Wine Pairing
San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience - Wine Pairing
Monteverde

One of the top food experiences EVER. Beautiful, food amazing, our waiting was amazing.

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

Really fun, great food, great staff.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 17, 2026

Hello Lori
I'm happy to hear you had a wonderful anniversary trip to Costa Rica and that you enjoyed Borinquen Thermal Resort and especially the San Lucas Treetop Dining Experience. These are two of our absolute favorites.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Costa Rica Adventure
Costa Rica | Feb 3 - Feb 12, 2026

J
Jeanette J.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 16, 2026
Our group of 4, thoroughly enjoyed our 10 day trip to Costa Rica. Holden did an excellent job helping us plan a memorable trip. He was always quick to respond to questions during the planning phase as well as during the trip itself. I can't say enough good things about how everything was organized from the drivers being on time, the tour guides being informative and fun to be around and the activities we participated in.
We flew into Liberia and were driven to La Fortuna. The driver was...
Read more

Our group of 4, thoroughly enjoyed our 10 day trip to Costa Rica. Holden did an excellent job helping us plan a memorable trip. He was always quick to respond to questions during the planning phase as well as during the trip itself. I can't say enough good things about how everything was organized from the drivers being on time, the tour guides being informative and fun to be around and the activities we participated in.
We flew into Liberia and were driven to La Fortuna. The driver was so kind and informative and provided us with bottled water and chips. He stopped in order for us to take photos of beautiful areas. We checked into the Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs Resort. The grounds and hot springs are exceptional. The rooms are ok. There is no chairs to sit in and it's a bit dated. The resort staff are welcoming and helpful. The breakfast buffet is huge and I appreciated the gluten free designated section.
We did the coffee, chocolate and sugar cane tour. The tastings were delicious and we learned a lot. Later, we had a guide, Mariano, give us a private tour of the Arenal Volcano and The La Fortuna Waterfall. The waterfall was beautiful even though we had to climb over 500 stairs each way. You are allowed to swim at the bottom by the waterfall but it is very rocky and would be hard to navigate your way to get into the water. Mariano did a great job on our Arenal Volcano hike and taught us a lot about the area. Mariano was also our guide for the Arenal Hanging Bridges Tour. It was fun and it's a very pretty area. Mariano was always on the look out for wildlife and even found some sloths and toucans for us to see. Mariano had a great sense of humor and we enjoyed his tours. One person in our group doesn't like heights so skipped the Hanging Bridges and went on a sloth tour. He loved it and got some amazing pictures.
We had a blast Whitewater Rafting and our guide Axel was great. It's exhilarating but be prepared to get wet which was part of the fun.
The boat ride and transfer to Monteverde was a beautiful way to see that area. It's a gorgeous area and our guide, Andy, was so informative and knowledgeable as he guided us through the cloud forest. The Cloud Forest Lodge was our favorite hotel. Everything was recently renovated. The rooms and bathroom are large and comfortable. The restaurant is delicious and has beautiful views. We saw some amazing birds during our stay there.
Upon arrival to the Wyndham Hotel in Tamarindo the lobby and views of the Pacific Ocean are stunning. The pool area and restaurant are very nice and also provide excellent views. The rooms were a bit run down and the bathroom incredibly small. The balcony however was great. While in Tamarindo we did a Wetlands Boat Tour. This was excellent and our first opportunity to see monkeys. The guide, Henry, did a wonderful job getting us as close as possible to see the wildlife. The beaches in Tamarindo are beautiful and we appreciated the free shuttle from the hotel to the beach and downtown area.
Overall the trip was excellent and we truly appreciated everything Holden, Nancy and Adrian did from KimKim and Serendipity Adventures. It was well planned and everything went great. I can't say enough positive things about everyone involved in planning a very memorable trip!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

The Hot Springs, Pool and Resort grounds are beautiful and well maintained. The hotel room is a bit dated and it would be nice to have a chair in the room to sit on. The patio is very nice and the views of the volcano are beautiful. The breakfast buffet offers a huge selection and a made to order omelet station. I appreciated the designated gluten free section.

Authenticity & Character
Resort is beautiful. Landscaping, pool and hot springs are great.
Location
Close to the activities we chose to participate in.
Staff
Everyone was kind, helpful and more than willing to assist with anything. We appreciated the staff giving us rides in the resort area as it is quite large.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms could use some updating. The mattress was lumpy and chair in the room would be helpful. It is very clean and the resort area is beautiful and well maintained.
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

The rooms have been renovated. Everything is new and well maintained. Large room, large bathroom and large deck. The views from the restaurant are gorgeous and attracts a lot of different birds.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It's elevation is very high so the views are awesome.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham
Tamarindo

The lobby, views of the Pacific Ocean, pool, and restaurant are all wonderful. The rooms could use a fresh coat of paint as they are a bit scraped up. The bathroom is incredibly small. You can hardly move in there it is so tight. The balcony and views of ocean are beautiful.

Location
Beautiful views and shuttle service to town and beach.
Staff
Some staff were awesome and some were aloof. When we checked in we were on a floor that was only accessed by climbing a staircase. No-one mentioned that and no-one helped us carry all our luggage upstairs. Most rooms are accessed by elevator but ours was not.
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms need improvement and some of the common areas could be cleaned up better.
Activity Reviews
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Coffee, Chocolate and Sugar Cane Farm Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Well done, learned a lot and thoroughly enjoyed the coffee and chocolate tastings.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mariano was a lot of fun. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a wonderful tour.
Transport
Mariano was on time and drove us everywhere we needed to go. His jeep was a bit tight for 5 people, especially for the person who sat in the middle of the back seat.
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

It's a beautiful well maintained area. The paths are in great shape. There is a good amount of hiking up and down. If you do not like heights then you probably should skip this tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mariano was great guide and very knowledgeable.
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Whitewater Rafting on the Balsa River
Arenal/La Fortuna

Loved this activity. So much fun and our guide Axel was great!

Quality of Experience
It was a level 2-3 rafting trip and it was fun
Food
Half way through the rafting we stopped to take a break and all the guides cut up fresh fruit for the attendees, which was great. We had lunch afterwards at a local restaurant and the food was very good.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Axel had a good sense of humor and great leader/navigator down the river
Transport
Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo
Wetlands Boat Ride and Rum Tasting at Hacienda El Viejo
Costa Rica

The Wetlands Boat Ride is where we finally saw monkeys. Henry, the guide, and the boat driver were great at spotting wildlife. They made the effort to get us as close as possible. Henry also helped people take better photographs. We also saw crocodiles and various birds.

Quality of Experience
The boat ride was the highlight
Food
The cook grilled me a separate chicken breast since I am gluten free.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Henry was great and very helpful.
Transport
We had a private driver transport us from the hotel to this tour.
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Monteverde

Andy, our guide was extremely knowledgeable and an awesome tour guide.

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

It was a beautiful day to be on the catamaran. They don't allow shoes on the boat but the floor is very hot on your feet. It was smooth sailing and stopped to swim which was refreshing. The open bar was nice and the dinner was decent. I was impressed they had a separate box with a gluten free meal which I'm sure KimKim and Serendipity Adventures arranged for.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Organic Cooking Class
Private Organic Cooking Class
Arenal/La Fortuna

First we got a tour of the organic farm and the history behind it which was interesting. We picked ingredients that was to be used in our cooking class. Our host, Uber, made us 2 non-alcoholic drinks using sugar cane and sugar cane with various fresh spices and veggies that were delicious. We worked together to make dinner with Uber's mother. It was also delicious and a good way to learn about local cuisine and local culture.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Mariano switched to a van so it was much more comfortable.
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Sloth Observation - Day or Night Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The guide was knowledgeable and they had a system for identifying where the sloths were located. They also used a telescope for spotting the sloths and allowing tourists to take pictures through the scope to get some awesome pictures.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 17, 2026

Thank you Jeanette for your very thoughtful review and for mentioning so many of your guides and drivers by name. They will really appreciate that! ⭐
I'm so glad to hear that you had a good time on your trip. It seems like it was worth the wait and the early planning.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Misinformed
Costa Rica | Feb 8 - Feb 14, 2026

Michael
Michael L.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Feb 15, 2026
How the weather really is so you can pack the right clothes for where you're going and what you're doing . We were not told how chilly it was in the rainforest . We brought NO jackets . We were told that it was the dry season and that was not true for the region we were in. We had to leave rainforest early to get to a warmer climate . So over all we made the best of things but we were a little disappointed . We missed a few activities that we paid for , zip lining ..... Read more

How the weather really is so you can pack the right clothes for where you're going and what you're doing . We were not told how chilly it was in the rainforest . We brought NO jackets . We were told that it was the dry season and that was not true for the region we were in. We had to leave rainforest early to get to a warmer climate . So over all we made the best of things but we were a little disappointed . We missed a few activities that we paid for , zip lining .....

Hotel Reviews
Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel
Tamarindo

Staff is great but be prepared NO tv in the rooms

Authenticity & Character
Location
right on the beach
Staff
The people of Costa Rica are super nice
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rio Celeste Hideaway Resort
Bijagua

Phenomenal hotel , highly recommend if you want to be in the rainforest. The staff is second to none

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
second to none
Cleanliness & Comfort
beautiful rooms
Activity Reviews
Tapir Valley Reserve Night Tour
Tapir Valley Reserve Night Tour
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

Never made this tour had to leave early because of the weather that we were not informed of.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste Guided Hike
Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste Guided Hike
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

If your near the state park tour do it but wear hiking shoes its a workout but a must do

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rio Celeste Zipline
Rio Celeste Zipline
Bijagua / Rio Celeste

how to miss because of the weather

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Feb 17, 2026

Hello Michael
I'm sorry you experienced inclement weather during your trip to Costa Rica. Of course we can't control the weather and the entire country was taken by surprise by an out of the ordinary cold front this high season. A positive attitude about the weather goes a long way when traveling 🌟

We even paid for your first night at the beach to try and move you to the coast early to beat the unfortunate weather 🌞

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Great but some failures
Costa Rica | Jan 10 - Feb 12, 2026

C
Christopher M.
Italy | Reviewed on Feb 13, 2026

4 of the 6 places we stayed were great but the first one in La Fortuna was only "OK" and the one we were first put into in Tamarindo was terrible and known by all locals to be unacceptable. Almost all of the tours we were booked for were very good but often the details we were given were totally wrong (3 hour plans were actually 5/6 hours in actuality). And one in Tamarindo did not even occur despite our wasting time because of messed up pickup due to our lousy location.

Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Feb 17, 2026

Hola Mr. Magee

Christopher thank you for taking the time to share your experience.

While we are pleased that the majority of the hotels and tours were very good, we regret that certain aspects did not meet your expectations.

We continuously work with our partners to maintain high standards and clear communication, and your feedback will be part of that review process.

We appreciate the opportunity to have assisted with your trip.
Thank you very much, Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventure