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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

Magical First Trip to Costa Rica! My husban...
Costa Rica | Jun 2 - Jun 12, 2025

Gabriela
Gabriela G.
Houston, TX | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2025
Magical First Trip to Costa Rica! My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Costa Rica and it was truly unforgettable! We visited La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio, and every stop was filled with beauty, adventure, and incredible experiences. In La Fortuna, we stayed at Amor Arenal, a stunning jungle hotel with private jacuzzis and breathtaking volcano views—pure luxury in nature. We loved our adventures there, including rafting, horseback riding, and spotting... Read more

Magical First Trip to Costa Rica!

My husband and I just returned from our first trip to Costa Rica and it was truly unforgettable! We visited La Fortuna, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio, and every stop was filled with beauty, adventure, and incredible experiences.

In La Fortuna, we stayed at Amor Arenal, a stunning jungle hotel with private jacuzzis and breathtaking volcano views—pure luxury in nature. We loved our adventures there, including rafting, horseback riding, and spotting sloths in the wild.

Next, we headed to Monteverde, where we enjoyed a scenic road trip and a private tour of the Cloud Forest with Andy, whose passion for nature made the experience so memorable. Our night tour was equally exciting—we even saw tarantulas!

We ended our journey in Manuel Antonio at Arenas Del Mar, a beautiful beachfront resort with amazing food, service, and wildlife (hello hermit crabs!). We explored the national park and relaxed on the beach, soaking in every moment.

A heartfelt thank you to Holden and his team at Serendipity Tours, and to Kimkim.com for helping us plan such a well-organized, enriching, and fun trip. We’re so grateful and already dreaming of going back!

Pura Vida!

Hotel Review
Amor Arenal
La Fortuna, San Carlos

Our room here was one of my favorites I have ever stayed in the world. The spacious and luxurious room, the giant shower with amazing nature views and the private hot jacuzzi in the terrace! Also I appreciated the giant TV with Netflix included and room service! Thank you!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 13, 2025

Hello Gabriela
Me alegro de que todo fuera tan bien en tu primer viaje a Costa Rica y de que ya estĂŠs soĂąando con volver. Estoy de acuerdo que Amor Arenal un hotel y experiencia inolvidable. Estaremos encantados de ayudarle a planificar su segundo viaje a Costa Rica muy pronto!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

A great adventure to Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jun 3 - Jun 10, 2025

Sascha
Sascha T.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 11, 2025

Our family’s adventure to Costa Rica was well planned and executed! All transportation, excursions, and accommodations were prepare ready for us. There was never a time when I felt like it could have gone better! Everyone was incredibly professional, kind and courteous. It was an amazing experience!

Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 13, 2025

Hola Sascha,

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm truly happy to hear that your family's adventure to Costa Rica went so smoothly and exceeded expectations.

It was a real pleasure helping you plan this journey, and I'm so glad everything—from the transportation and excursions to the accommodations—was seamless and memorable. Knowing that you felt well taken care of means the world to me.

If Costa Rica ever calls you back for another adventure, I’d be thrilled to assist again!

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures, Costa Rica🌿

We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holde...
Costa Rica | May 26 - Jun 1, 2025

C
Caleb B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holden did a great job accommodating our requests and planning a trip that allowed us to see multiple locations during the week. Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin was a beautiful resort with plenty of activities, amazing food, and very friendly staff. Our snorkeling excursion with Yellowfin tours was great. We had a small boat to ourselves and got to see amazing marine life at multiple locations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and made it a great... Read more

We had a great honeymoon in Costa Rica. Holden did a great job accommodating our requests and planning a trip that allowed us to see multiple locations during the week. Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin was a beautiful resort with plenty of activities, amazing food, and very friendly staff. Our snorkeling excursion with Yellowfin tours was great. We had a small boat to ourselves and got to see amazing marine life at multiple locations. Our guide was very knowledgeable and helpful and made it a great experience. Overall an amazing trip that was very well planned out. Serendipity Adventures was a pleasure to work with and were happy to work with us and accommodate any questions/concerns we had.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Hacienda GuachipelĂ­n
Liberia

It was a very nice resort up in the mountains of Costa Rica. The food at the restaurants there was amazing. All of the staff were very friendly and helpful. There are plenty of activities to do at the resort. We would definitely come back again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bahia del Sol Hotel
Guanacaste

The hotel was very nice. Rooms were clean, new and modern. The food was good, but there is only one restaurant for lunch, and only two for dinner (one is a tapas bar with mostly just snacks and drinks). It is a nice smaller hotel. It was not busy when we were there, but if it was busy, the pool and lounge area could definitely begin to feel crowded quickly. It had amazing views of the sunset over the pacific.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Amazing sunset views
Staff
Rolando was a great waiter, very friendly, remembered allergies we had over the course of the week.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guanacaste Snorkel Adventure
Guanacaste Snorkel Adventure
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introduction to RincĂłn de la Vieja
Introduction to RincĂłn de la Vieja
RincĂłn de la Vieja
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
One Day Nature Pass and Hot Springs at Hacienda GuachipelĂ­n
One Day Nature Pass and Hot Springs at Hacienda GuachipelĂ­n
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Zip & Swing Through the Canyon
Zip & Swing Through the Canyon
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Thank you for the review Caleb, I'm glad to hear that you had a memorable honeymoon with amazing Costa Rican adventures. I hope you will talk about us for years to come.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Magical Time in Costa Rica
Costa Rica | May 24 - May 31, 2025

Michelle
Michelle R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2025
This was my first time to use a travel agency as I usually enjoy putting together a trip and think that I can get the best deal. This was a trip for me, my husband and our 19-year-old daughter. I was so impressed with the details of the questions of what we were looking for with our vacation and even more impressed with how quickly Holden responded and put together a fabulous itinerary. It was such a blessing to have all the reservations and details put together and all questions I asked... Read more

This was my first time to use a travel agency as I usually enjoy putting together a trip and think that I can get the best deal. This was a trip for me, my husband and our 19-year-old daughter. I was so impressed with the details of the questions of what we were looking for with our vacation and even more impressed with how quickly Holden responded and put together a fabulous itinerary. It was such a blessing to have all the reservations and details put together and all questions I asked Holden were quickly answered. I think that I am now sold on using a travel agency and Kimkim is my number 1 choice!

Activity Reviews
Private Organic Cooking Class
Private Organic Cooking Class
Arenal/La Fortuna

I would say this event on our Costa Rica trip stood out as one of the best adventures. We loved meeting with Huber and his family. The extent of knowledge Huber had of the vegetation, the wildlife and the growing patterns of the produce was impressive. We loved going through and tasting the different leaves and bark and guessing what each one was. It was also really fun to actually pick the produce that we would be using later for the cooking portion of the class. The cooking process was truly authentic being in Huber's family kitchen. It was such an amazing experience! The three of us (me, my husband and our 19yo daughter) prepped the food and I helped Huber's mom (Haidy?) with cooking the arroz con pollo and while husband and daughter put together the salad with fresh pickings from the yard. We also learned how to make fresh tortillas (I've already bought the ingredients back here at home!) and made those straight on the cooktop. I got to learn to make my favorite Central American side of fried Plantains and am so excited with that knowledge. The family was more than generous with sharing their knowledge, time and space with us. These kind of authentic experiences are what I enjoy best about visiting other cultures. Highly recommended!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Kayak & Snorkel Tour in Tamarindo Bay
Tamarindo

I've been snorkeling before, but this was such a great experience. Jeffery was our guide and Nico, el jefe, picked us up and helped along the way. We felt accomplished taking the kayaks to the island. Then Jeffery spent the time walking us along the island teaching us about the wildlife. I find Costa Ricans just love their planet and everything that provides for them! We snorkeled in shallow water and while the sea life wasn't as bright or colorful as some places, I've been, it was still magnificent to see. When we got back we enjoyed a treat of fresh pineapple and mamon verde. I loved being introduced to a new food while on a snorkeling adventure! Jefferey and Nico were fabulous guides and we hope to run into them again on our next visit to Costa Rica!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

We very much enjoyed our private excursion with Mariano! We live in Arizona and love to hike and were enthralled with the chance to hike in a very different atmosphere with very different plants and critters. My head was on swivel as I was searching high in the trees for monkeys and sloths and low on the ground for frogs and snakes. Our group consisted of me, my husband and our 19yo daughter. The trails were great to follow and the end of May was a great time because there weren't too many others on the path. Now I'm scared of walking on things where I can see the ground, but the hanging bridges were fine as long as I didn't look down! What a great experience! Now our guide, Mariano, was so very knowledgeable and just as excited as us with each find. If there is a way to ask for a guide on this adventure, Mariano is your guy!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 10, 2025

Thank you Michelle for taking the time to write a thoughtful review. I'm so glad that you enjoyed the activities that we chose for you. This is one of the best cooking classes and it sounds like you made great memories with authentic Costa Rican experiences. I'm sure the family was happy to spend time with you in the kitchen!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

KimKim did an amazing job of setting up a per...
Costa Rica | May 30 - Jun 5, 2025

K
Karin s.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2025

KimKim did an amazing job of setting up a perfect vacation for my daughter and I. Everything went as planned, just as they promised. The hotels they picked were exquisite. The guides and transportation were not only timely, but extremely informative and courteous. The contact person was readily available and quick to respond. I will definitely use KimKim for all future travel!!

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 09, 2025

Hi Karin
I'm glad to hear that your trip ran smoothly and that you and your daughter had a great adventure 🌟🦋😎

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

A perfect trip!
Costa Rica | May 26 - May 31, 2025

Jade
Jade A.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jun 07, 2025
A perfect trip!
Our transfer from the airport to our first hotel was seamless. We participated in multiple activities including a hike around a volcano, a guided hanging bridges hike, swimming at a waterfall, and sailing and snorkeling. We had great guides including Alex and Marion! We had a few questions along the way and communicating with the KimKim team was easy. We received responses quickly. I highly recommend KimKim and will be using their services again in the future!
Read more

A perfect trip!
Our transfer from the airport to our first hotel was seamless. We participated in multiple activities including a hike around a volcano, a guided hanging bridges hike, swimming at a waterfall, and sailing and snorkeling. We had great guides including Alex and Marion! We had a few questions along the way and communicating with the KimKim team was easy. We received responses quickly. I highly recommend KimKim and will be using their services again in the future!

Activity Reviews
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna

The scenery around the lake was beautiful! Our guide Fred was great!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Introduction to the Gulf of Papagayo
Gulf of Papagayo
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Morning Sailing and Snorkeling Adventure
Costa Rica

Snorkeling and sailing was so much fun!! Our guides were amazing!

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

Loved this experience! Marion, our guide was wonderful! The waterfall was gorgeous but the rocks were slippery and the water was COLD!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

The bridges are in the rainforest. The scenery was beautiful and we had the opportunity to see a lot of wildlife. Marion, our guide, was great at explaining and pointing out specific things during our walk.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 09, 2025

Thank you Jade for your review and for mentioning my coworkers Alex and Mariano by name. They are the best 🌟

I'm glad that you enjoyed your trip and had memorable adventures here in Costa Rica

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Rainforest & hiking!
Costa Rica | May 17 - May 23, 2025

K
katie u.
Columbus, OH | Reviewed on Jun 01, 2025
Wilman & Alex with serendipity travel were prompt and very informative. The springs hotel was relaxing and beautiful. Kayaking lake arenal was amazing, but could have been a longer tour, same for rain maker (hiking to waterfalls) - each was only an hour plus travel time. The kids favorite was the zipline, but we could have gone on the accompanying hike without the guide. Hiking up the volcano was fantastic- we took the res trail & are so glad we did!! Guide was amazing, so much to see and... Read more

Wilman & Alex with serendipity travel were prompt and very informative. The springs hotel was relaxing and beautiful. Kayaking lake arenal was amazing, but could have been a longer tour, same for rain maker (hiking to waterfalls) - each was only an hour plus travel time. The kids favorite was the zipline, but we could have gone on the accompanying hike without the guide. Hiking up the volcano was fantastic- we took the res trail & are so glad we did!! Guide was amazing, so much to see and the view at the cafe after is well worth it all.

Hotel Reviews
The Springs Resort & Spa at Arenal
La Fortuna

Great food, beautiful room, hot springs & pool & monkey slide!!

Authenticity & Character
Hot springs are amazing
Location
Not in walking distance to anything
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Los Altos Resort
Manuel Antonio
Authenticity & Character
Pool is beautiful Private beach is lacking
Location
Walking distance to several shops & restaurants
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room is large with amazing views, but feels a bit empty & not cozy
Activity Reviews
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Staff & guides for zipping were amazing!! Guide for the hike was slow and spoke entirely too much - felt like she was trying to delay us.
Transport
Rainmaker Conservation Park Excursion
Rainmaker Conservation Park Excursion
Manuel Antonio

Really pretty and a lot to see, but need more tyan one hour

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

Guide was amazing!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sloth Observation Tour - Morning or Afternoon
Sloth Observation Tour - Morning or Afternoon
Arenal/La Fortuna

Cool to see sloths, not as awesome driving around to look for them

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Kayaking on Lake Arenal
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 02, 2025

Hello Katie
I'm glad to see that you and your family had a great time in Costa Rica and that our team was prompt and informative 👍
I'll check into the duration of some activities for future tours, thank you for your comments.
Your pictures look absolutely beautiful!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Pura Vida Perfection!
Costa Rica | May 4 - May 10, 2025

Liz
Liz B.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 24, 2025
We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica, organized by Kimkim in collaboration with Serendipity Adventures—and we couldn’t be more impressed. From the very beginning, the planning process was smooth and highly personalized. Bryan was amazing! He truly listened to what we were looking for—adventure, nature, culture, and relaxation—and crafted the perfect itinerary. Serendipity’s attention to detail and local expertise shone through at every stop. Our guides, Alex and... Read more

We recently returned from an unforgettable trip to Costa Rica, organized by Kimkim in collaboration with Serendipity Adventures—and we couldn’t be more impressed.

From the very beginning, the planning process was smooth and highly personalized. Bryan was amazing! He truly listened to what we were looking for—adventure, nature, culture, and relaxation—and crafted the perfect itinerary.

Serendipity’s attention to detail and local expertise shone through at every stop. Our guides, Alex and Mauricio, were incredibly knowledgeable, passionate, and friendly. Every drive with Alex felt like a fascinating history lesson, and we loved that he took us to his favorite local restaurants. Pulling over to see sloths was an unexpected and unforgettable treat! Our final stop at Vista Mar was the perfect way to end the trip—watching the sunset while enjoying delicious food.

With Mauricio, our hikes and adventures were equally enriching, filled with history, personal stories, and unforgettable wildlife encounters. His local recommendations were also fantastic—we’re still dreaming about the smoothies at Red Frog!

If you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and want a customized, immersive, and stress-free experience, I can’t recommend Kimkim and Serendipity Adventures highly enough. It was truly the trip of a lifetime!

Hotel Reviews
Volcano Lodge, Hotel & Thermal Experience
San Carlos, Alajuela
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on May 24, 2025
Hola Liz! Wow—thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words! It truly means the world to us to know that your journey through Costa Rica was everything you hoped for and more. It was such a pleasure working with you to create a personalized itinerary that matched your sense of adventure, love for nature, and desire to experience our culture. I'm thrilled to hear that Alex and Mauricio made such a meaningful impact on your trip—they both take great pride in sharing their... Read more

Hola Liz!

Wow—thank you so much for your incredibly kind and thoughtful words! It truly means the world to us to know that your journey through Costa Rica was everything you hoped for and more.

It was such a pleasure working with you to create a personalized itinerary that matched your sense of adventure, love for nature, and desire to experience our culture. I'm thrilled to hear that Alex and Mauricio made such a meaningful impact on your trip—they both take great pride in sharing their knowledge and love for Costa Rica, and I’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to them!

We’d be honored to welcome you back anytime for another adventure!

Pura Vida Always☀️
Bryan - Serendipity Adventures

Connecting to local guides with deep knowledge
Costa Rica | Apr 22 - Apr 27, 2025

C
Craig S.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on May 11, 2025

We had a wonderful experience from planning and during the trip. The guides were the highlight of our experience as they had deep knowledge of how to think about and find natural wonders. We felt very taken care of and also able to do our own thing when we wanted to by renting a car and when we wondered if something was possible every question was entertained thoughtfully. Would definitely use Serendipity Adventures and Kimkim again !

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on May 12, 2025

Hello Craig, It's great to hear that you and your daughter had an unforgettable experience in Costa Rica and that you felt supported throughout the process. That is our goal. a⭐

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Wilman and Serendipity Adventures as well as ...
Costa Rica | Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2025

Daniel
Daniel R.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 08, 2025
Wilman and Serendipidy Adventures as well as Kimkim.com team were great from start to finish. My family and I are not planners but I wanted to have a well-planned and memorable springbreak vacation in Costa Rica. Kimkim.com's UI was very thorough in gathering all the preferences and bucket list of things to do in Costa Rica with the time we had. Once they gathered that info, Wilman and his team planned the perfect vacation. Sky Adventures and the white water rafting were the most... Read more

Wilman and Serendipidy Adventures as well as Kimkim.com team were great from start to finish. My family and I are not planners but I wanted to have a well-planned and memorable springbreak vacation in Costa Rica. Kimkim.com's UI was very thorough in gathering all the preferences and bucket list of things to do in Costa Rica with the time we had. Once they gathered that info, Wilman and his team planned the perfect vacation. Sky Adventures and the white water rafting were the most memorable experiences for my family and I. To see the total fear in their faces at the start of each adventure to the feel and excitement once they have experienced the thrill of 700+ feet zip-lining above a rain forrest and facing the challenges of class 3+ raging rapids. Those memories will be in our hearts forever.

The accommodations were excellent. 3 days maximum at 3 different locations keep the experience fresh and new each time we arrived at a new Inn or luxury hotel. And the food wherever you are in Costa Rica is wonderful. Wilman made sure these locations had free breakfast included, which makes a difference both with the budget as well as planning for the day.

For my family to experience the true Costa Rican culture and food as well as their hospitality and adventures, to relaxing at the beautiful beaches has been a wonderful experience that my family and I will never forget. Thank you Wilman and Serendipity Adventures for a most memorable family vacation!!!!

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on May 12, 2025

Hello Daniel
I'm happy to hear that you had a successful trip and that you feel you had an authentic experience in Costa Rica. We look forward to helping you plan your next trip!'

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures