Company Logo for Serendipity Adventures
Specialists
Reviews for Serendipity Adventures
4.8
398 Reviews
Traveler Photos
Photo taken by Matt K
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
see all

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
Luxury Costa Rica: Volcanoes, Cloud Forests & Beaches - 7 Days
Experience Costa Rica's diverse landscapes in style on this weeklong luxury tour. You'll stay in 5-star resorts and enjoy private hikes through the showstopping Monteverde Cloud...
Luxury Costa Rica Eco-Escape to Corcovado National Park - 7 Days
Explore one of Costa Rica's most biodiverse regions on this luxury eco-escape to Corcovado National Park. The weeklong adventure begins and ends in the lively capital, San José,...
Luxury Costa Rica Rainforest Escape: Río Celeste & Arenal - 5 Days
Immerse yourself in Costa Rica's pristine rainforests on this luxury, five-day nature escape. The trip begins on the banks of the Río Celeste, where you'll take a private trek...

Recent Trip Reviews for Serendipity Adventures

Loved the trip! The hotels were comfortable & well chosen for locations. Transports we're on time & professional - that was sooo nice to have. The tours were really great! Snorkeling was great & the guides really assisted my sister who needed extra care. Very impressed with care & knowledge. Merino in Da Dota was an exceptional birder. We enjoyed every place we went!
Costa Rica | Apr 25 - May 3, 2026

Susan
Susan L.
San Jose, CA | Reviewed on May 04, 2026

Loved the trip! The hotels were comfortable & well chosen for locations. Transports we're on time & professional - that was sooo nice to have. The tours were really great! Snorkeling was great & the guides really assisted my sister who needed extra care. Very impressed with care & knowledge. Merino in Da Dota was an exceptional birder. We enjoyed every place we went!

Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on May 06, 2026

Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for your lovely review. I’m thrilled you had such a great trip!

It’s great to hear everything ran smoothly and that you enjoyed the hotels and tours. I’m especially glad the snorkeling was a highlight and that the guides took such good care of your sister. I’ll be sure to share your kind words with Merino as well.

Looking forward to helping you plan the next adventure!

Pura Vida!🏞️🌞🌊
Bryan

Family getaway to beautiful Cost Rica
Costa Rica | Apr 4 - Apr 12, 2026

Shae
Shae J.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026

Our family had an awesome time in Costa Rica. The Kim Kim Team and Serendipity Team made this a trip that we will never forget. We are looking forward to doing this trip all over again next year

Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 27, 2026
Hola Shae, Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to us to know that your family had such an amazing and memorable experience in Costa Rica ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. It was an absolute pleasure planning this trip for you, and we’re so happy everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations. Knowing that you’re already thinking about coming back next year is the best compliment we could receive! Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next adventure, next year I’ll be here to... Read more

Hola Shae,

Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot to us to know that your family had such an amazing and memorable experience in Costa Rica ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

It was an absolute pleasure planning this trip for you, and we’re so happy everything went smoothly and exceeded your expectations. Knowing that you’re already thinking about coming back next year is the best compliment we could receive!

Whenever you’re ready to start planning your next adventure, next year I’ll be here to make it just as special, if not even better!

Thank you very much for this opportunity!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures

Read all Costa Rica reviews

Much Thanks To Elena from Serendipity Adventures
Costa Rica | Apr 15 - Apr 25, 2026

R
Reena P.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 26, 2026
From the moment we were connected with Elena from Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica to plan our family vacation we knew we were in great hands. Elena and the team helped build us an itinerary which included all the adventures our family had in mind for our trip. She helped choose the perfect accommodations in each location which exceeded our family’s expectations. When our trip started we were picked up by Mariano who was patient, kind and professional. He also gave us great tips for our... Read more

From the moment we were connected with Elena from Serendipity Adventures in Costa Rica to plan our family vacation we knew we were in great hands. Elena and the team helped build us an itinerary which included all the adventures our family had in mind for our trip. She helped choose the perfect accommodations in each location which exceeded our family’s expectations. When our trip started we were picked up by Mariano who was patient, kind and professional. He also gave us great tips for our tours we had booked the next day with him. All of the tours started on time and all the transportation was comfortable and the guides who led the tours were knowledgeable and professional. We had a great driver who took us to Monteverde (Alex). He was very friendly and funny. He was great at giving us a lot of history and information about CR. He made the 3 hour trek seem short! He also took us to the Airport for our last day and he was extremely conscious of the time and made sure we ran on time. He is just a joy to learn from. Our favorite part of the trip was our tour of the national park in Manuel Antonio. The guide who led the tour was amazing and he had quite the eye to capture all the animals we encountered. Everyone communicated where to go, how to get picked up. It made the whole trip worry free. I was also able to communicate with Serendipity on WhatsApp if needed. We also enjoyed the catamaran and snorkeling! The lunch was delicious. Costa Rica is a beautiful country and having experienced travel agents help you make the whole experience worry free. Thank you to Elena, Mariano, Alex, faro travel and everyone else who made sure our family had the best experience. We will be back!

Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna
Quality of Experience
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
Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Treetopia: Tram, Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges
Monteverde
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 27, 2026
Hola Reena, Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your message truly made my day! It means so much to know that from the very beginning you felt confident and well taken care of. Creating an itinerary that matched your family’s sense of adventure and seeing it come to life so smoothly is exactly what we aim for, so I’m absolutely delighted that everything exceeded your expectations. I will be sure to share your kind words with Mariano and... Read more

Hola Reena,

Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. Reading your message truly made my day!

It means so much to know that from the very beginning you felt confident and well taken care of. Creating an itinerary that matched your family’s sense of adventure and seeing it come to life so smoothly is exactly what we aim for, so I’m absolutely delighted that everything exceeded your expectations.

I will be sure to share your kind words with Mariano and Alex—they will be so happy to hear how much you appreciated their care, knowledge, and great energy throughout your trip. I’ll also pass along your feedback to all the guides and our partners like Faro Travel. It takes a full team working together to create a seamless experience, and your recognition means a lot to all of us.
It sounds like you truly experienced the best of Costa Rica—from the wildlife in Manuel Antonio to the catamaran and snorkeling adventure (I’m so glad you enjoyed that lunch too!). Knowing that everything felt organized, smooth, and worry-free is the greatest reward for us.
Thank you again for trusting me and our team with such a special family trip. It would be an absolute pleasure to welcome you back and help you create another unforgettable adventure in Costa Rica!

Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures

Read all Costa Rica reviews

Amazing trip to Costa Rica!
Costa Rica | Apr 3 - Apr 10, 2026

Skye
Skye C.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Apr 24, 2026
Our experience with KimKim and specifically the local specialist team, Serendipity Adventures, was great. Elena and the rest of the Serendipity Adventures team, Nancy, and Adrian, and others, helped plan, organize, and manage my trip. They also worked diligently during our trip to make sure everything ran smoothly for my family. Based on my responses to the KimKim survey, Elena planned a great vacation including all the activities we wanted to see/do while in Costa Rica. What I really... Read more

Our experience with KimKim and specifically the local specialist team, Serendipity Adventures, was great. Elena and the rest of the Serendipity Adventures team, Nancy, and Adrian, and others, helped plan, organize, and manage my trip. They also worked diligently during our trip to make sure everything ran smoothly for my family.

Based on my responses to the KimKim survey, Elena planned a great vacation including all the activities we wanted to see/do while in Costa Rica. What I really appreciated was that Elena used her expertise/experience to not let me plan too busy of a trip :) I wanted to go to 3 locations but Elena very nicely suggested that, based on the length of our trip, we only do 2 locations so that we were not rushed and could really experience each location more fully. That was the right call!

The hotels Elena/team picked were amazing. The guided tours they set up had the best guides! The guide we had for our private tour of Manuel Antonio National Park was AMAZING. 23 years of experience.

What I want to note is that I feel the true test of a team's customer service and support is when things don't go quite right. I am happy to say that the Serendipity Adventures local team was very available to help when there were occasional small problems or I had a question. An example was the pick up time for our tour of Manuel Antonio park changed from 7:10 am to 11am. However, the driver still arrived at 7am. So, I messaged Adrian via WhatsApp at 7:20 in the morning when I got the call from the front desk of the hotel letting me know the driver was there and Adrian immediately responded to my message and sorted it all.

My husband and I visited Costa Rica 14 years ago and loved it. I had told Elena that we wanted to show the beautifulness of Costa Rica to our almost 13 year old daughter. Elena understood and delivered a trip we will always remember. Thank you!

Hotel Reviews
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Alajuela

We stayed here for 1 night at the beginning of the trip. It was a nice hotel. I will have to say though there was a bit of a problem the morning of our check out. Our driver asked the front desk if we had checked in the night before and was told we hadn't! So, that caused a bit of confusion...but it got sorted.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

In general, the hotel is beautiful and really showcased the beauty that is Costa Rica. One time when we were in the beautiful pool, a whole troop of Spider Monkeys moved through the trees right next to the pool! Probably 40 or so. We saw up close all the mommy's with their babies jumping from branch to branch! it was so cool. A few little things - one of the front desk team members really wasn't very friendly. I was surprised. And, the other thing that sticks out was on our last day, we had not checked out yet, a maintenance man just sorta came into our room - no knock or anything. It was really odd. But, other than that, really wonderful hotel with amazing views.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Most of the staff were great. One of the front desk helpers was not very welcoming/engaging. Also, on our last day, a maintenance man just opened our door to our room before we had checked out. It was odd.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Baldi Hot Springs Resort, Hotel & Spa
Fortuna

Such a cool hotel. Very neat to get to stay right there with the hot springs. Couple of notes: - There are 4 water slides - 2 of them are really pretty aggressive. - You are going to laugh but, bring ear plugs for sleeping! There was either frogs or crickets that cricked all night! I mean, so much fun but also pretty loud at night. ha ha.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
One of the servers we had in the main restaurant was just not very good with regard to customer service. Forgot to bring us things we ordered, didn't check in. That was a bit frustrating..but other than that, the staff was great and very friendly and helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal Volcano Hike & La Fortuna Waterfall
Arenal/La Fortuna

Well, the weather did not cooperate for us on this. It was very cloud/overcast and VERY rainy. But, we made the best of it. It was a bit interesting, the tour guide picked us up in a van from our hotel. Turns out the battery on the van decided to stop working that morning and he didn't have time to fix it. So, the two times we had to start the van to go to the next stop, we had to push it so it rolled and then could jump it bc it was a manual. lol. So, that added some unexpected excitement to our day.

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

So amazing! Our guide was fantastic. 23 years of experience. He saw SO many animals...and he knew how to use our iPhone cameras expertly so we got amazing pictures that he took with our phone :)

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

It was all very nice. The zip line part was very legit. The tour was nice - the bridges were cool and our tour guide was very knowledgeable and nice. The guest area was nice also - you can get lunch and see the amazing view.

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

A lot of fun. We met/talked to a ton of the other guests which was a lot of fun. The dinner was soo good. Swimming was very nice and the sunset was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Photo taken by Skye C
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 24, 2026
Hello Skye, Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it truly means a lot to us! It was an absolute pleasure working with you to plan your family’s trip to Costa Rica. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary, the hotels, and the guided experiences, especially your time in Manuel Antonio. Your kind words about our guides and team are greatly appreciated. I’m especially grateful for your recognition of our support during the trip. As you mentioned, those... Read more

Hello Skye,

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and detailed review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ it truly means a lot to us!

It was an absolute pleasure working with you to plan your family’s trip to Costa Rica. I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed the itinerary, the hotels, and the guided experiences, especially your time in Manuel Antonio. Your kind words about our guides and team are greatly appreciated.

I’m especially grateful for your recognition of our support during the trip. As you mentioned, those moments are where we truly aim to make a difference, and I’m glad Adrian and the team were able to assist you quickly when needed.

It means so much to know that we were able to help you create such a special experience for your family, and that your daughter could discover the beauty of Costa Rica in a meaningful way. That was exactly our goal from the beginning.

Thank you again for trusting us with your trip. We would be absolutely delighted to assist you again in the future!

Pura Vida! 🌴

Warm regards,
Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures Costa Rica🦋🐒🦥

Read all Costa Rica reviews

Great trip, well planned.
Costa Rica | Feb 24 - Mar 7, 2026

R
Robert M.
Seattle, WA | Reviewed on Apr 18, 2026
All of the guides were knowledgeable and articulate about the wonderful biodiversity we were seeing. All of the transport drivers were punctual to the minute according to our itinerary. The entire trip went exactly as planned. Great work by the entire Serendipity/KimKim team. Read more

All of the guides were knowledgeable and articulate about the wonderful biodiversity we were seeing. All of the transport drivers were punctual to the minute according to our itinerary. The entire trip went exactly as planned. Great work by the entire Serendipity/KimKim team.

Hotel Reviews
Tortuga Lodge & Gardens
Tortuguero

We loved this hotel. Great staff, excellent food, knowledgeable friendly guides and excursions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Arenal Springs Resort
La Fortuna

The view of Arenal volcano from our room was like a picture on a postcard.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
El Establo Mountain Hotel
Monteverde

Nice view from our room. Good food at the restaurant. The shuttle service to the rooms from the reception was dependable AND NECESSARY because of the steepness of the slope the hotel was built on.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Guided Boat Excursion Through the Tortuguero Canals
Guided Boat Excursion Through the Tortuguero Canals
Tortuguero

Great boat trip with lots of animal and plant sightings. Great guide — he really took time to point out details of the environment.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Guided Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Look
Transport
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Safari Float on the Peñas Blancas River
Arenal/La Fortuna

Friendly knowledgeable guide who really took time to show us the plants and animals along the river.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
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

Selvatura was very well organized and well worth the day we spent there.

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

Great tour. Very worthwhile with lots of details and hands on experiences throughout the tour. Fascinating to see the processes of coffee, sugar cane, and chocolate cultivation.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private: Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Private: Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve Guided Hike
Monteverde

Great personalized guide for just our private group. Forest Alive. Very informative and in depth walk through the cloud forest.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Super knowledgeable guide.
Transport
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 18, 2026
Hola Robert, Thank you very much for your kind words, it truly means a lot to all of us. I’m delighted to hear that everything went exactly as planned and that you had such a positive experience with our guides and drivers. We take great pride in working with a team that is both knowledgeable and professional, so it’s wonderful to know that it made a difference during your trip. On behalf of everyone at Serendipity Adventures and Kimkim, thank you for trusting us with your travel... Read more

Hola Robert,

Thank you very much for your kind words, it truly means a lot to all of us.

I’m delighted to hear that everything went exactly as planned and that you had such a positive experience with our guides and drivers. We take great pride in working with a team that is both knowledgeable and professional, so it’s wonderful to know that it made a difference during your trip.

On behalf of everyone at Serendipity Adventures and Kimkim, thank you for trusting us with your travel experience. It was a pleasure assisting you, and we hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica in the future.

Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures

Read all Costa Rica reviews

Costa Rica: Nature's Perfect Harmony🌱Arenal Volcano and Manuel Antonio
Costa Rica | Apr 8 - Apr 14, 2026

C
Carol R.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 15, 2026
Incredible guides for all excursions. Everyone was so helpful and friendly Read more

Incredible guides for all excursions. Everyone was so helpful and friendly

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Paraíso Resort, Spa & Hot Springs
La Fortuna

So pretty! It was advertised as a place to see the volcano, but sadly, rain and fog obscured it. The restaurant meals were good. Their breakfast was amazing. Not a negative thing to say about the Lodging.

Authenticity & Character
The surroundings, staff, cleanliness of facilities.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Karahé Beach Hotel
Manuel Antonio

A bit disappointed in the room. No coffee maker, not always hot water. Ceiling fan very dusty. We didn’t spend much time in the room, so it was satisfactory.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)
Río Balsa Whitewater Rafting Adventure (Class II-III)
Arenal/La Fortuna

It was fun. Water was low on the river, so maybe not as exciting as other times of the year. But still worth it. Fresh fruit served to us in the middle of float and a good meal after was included

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante
Sunset Sailing Cruise on the Brisa Elegante
Costa Rica

It was so good. Beautiful sunset, plenty of time to jump in the water and enjoy the ocean great dinner and drinks.

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

I learned a lot about herbs and organic gardening. Guide was so knowledgeable and shared much information with us. We collected many of the items found on farm. They were added to a sugar cane drink. Dinner was good. We cut up the items for our meals. Made corn tortillas. Fun

Quality of Experience
K
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Private Sloth Observation Tour
Private Sloth Observation Tour
Arenal/La Fortuna

Personal guide worked very hard to find the sloths and birds in area. Refreshing fruit during the tour. Take bug spray.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
ATV Adventure Manuel Antonio
ATV Adventure Manuel Antonio
Manuel Antonio

Because there was a miscommunication with the pick up time with the driver, we missed the tour. Requesting a refund. Except for this bump, everything was very smt

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Because of driver not on time, we were unable to do the adventure
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Sky Tram, Sky Trek & Sky Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

It was so good! Equipment was top notch. Exciting. Even as an 80 year old, I was able to experience the thrill of it Staff so good.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
L
Transport
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Nature Hike
Manuel Antonio

A great guide! He loved what he does! Very informative tour. Highly recommend!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Let us choose our time for pick up so we’re able to shop and eat in the area.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 15, 2026

Hola Carol!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your wonderful feedback. I'm so glad to hear that you enjoyed the excursions and that our guides made such a positive impression, they truly love what they do, and it means a lot to know their hard work and friendly spirit made your trip special.

It was an absolute pleasure helping you explore Costa Rica. If you ever decide to come back for more adventures, I'd be honored to help again.

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa Rica🌴☀️🐦

Read all Costa Rica reviews

Overall we enjoyed the trip. It was a bit of ...
Costa Rica | Mar 12 - Mar 21, 2026

Mark
Mark E.
Greenville, SC | Reviewed on Apr 14, 2026

Overall we enjoyed the trip. It was a bit of good variety of terrain and activities. We kept asking for some more adventures but ended up just doing them on our own on arrival. I do think a little more thought could have been given to the order of things. Like we had two afternoon forest hikes for animals in the heat of the day. I just feel like anyone who’s been there knows that morning or night is better for these things. Overall we still saw plenty although some of it we did in our own in the end.

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 23, 2026
Hello Mark Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent trip. I worked very closely with you to plan the details of your Costa Rica adventure. We made multiple revisions to be able to include everything you were looking for. Based on your own need to reduce the budget and the travel time, we added and removed various options. Each step of the way, you reviewed the plan and agreed the activities were in line with your family's interests and budget goals. Of course, I would... Read more

Hello Mark

Thank you for taking the time to write a review of your recent trip. I worked very closely with you to plan the details of your Costa Rica adventure. We made multiple revisions to be able to include everything you were looking for. Based on your own need to reduce the budget and the travel time, we added and removed various options. Each step of the way, you reviewed the plan and agreed the activities were in line with your family's interests and budget goals. Of course, I would have been happy to include additional activities, or left in the original suggestions.

We have years of experience planning and organizing activities and adventures for our travelers. Looking over the details of your trip plan, all of your tours and activities had a start time of 9:00 am or before, so I'm not certain what is being referenced regarding afternoon activities in the hottest part of the day. Perhaps these were activities you scheduled on your own.

That being said, I hope you and your family have lasting memories of your time in Costa Rica.

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Our family of four (two adults, two kids ages...
Costa Rica | Apr 1 - Apr 8, 2026

Walt
Walt I.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Apr 09, 2026
Our family of four (two adults, two kids ages 11 and 12) just returned from an 8-day trip to Costa Rica — our first time — and it was incredible. Elena, Nancy & Adrian at Serendipity Adventures planned everything: airports transfers, two fantastic properties (Arenal Springs Resort and Hotel La Mariposa), and a full slate of daily adventures across Arenal/La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio. The itinerary was perfectly paced. We hiked Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Waterfall and walked the... Read more

Our family of four (two adults, two kids ages 11 and 12) just returned from an 8-day trip to Costa Rica — our first time — and it was incredible. Elena, Nancy & Adrian at Serendipity Adventures planned everything: airports transfers, two fantastic properties (Arenal Springs Resort and Hotel La Mariposa), and a full slate of daily adventures across Arenal/La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio.

The itinerary was perfectly paced. We hiked Arenal Volcano and the La Fortuna Waterfall and walked the hanging bridges above the rainforest canopy with our excellent and personable guide Mariano, we went whitewater rafting on the Sarapiquí River (Flow Trips was great!), flew through the trees on Sky Adventures zip lines, explored Manuel Antonio National Park with a guide (big shoutout to Soccio and his son/CR's next best guide, Luther, from Endemic Birds), and wrapped up with a catamaran cruise. Every activity was age-appropriate and kept the whole family engaged. All pickups, transfers, and logistics were handled seamlessly — we never had to figure anything out on our own.

There was one minor hiccup on our first full day where a miscommunication about pickup time caused us to miss an excursion, but Elena and Adrian jumped on it immediately and made adjustments to make it right. That was the only issue across the entire trip, and how they handled it actually reinforced our confidence in them.

If you're considering Costa Rica and don't want to deal with the stress of coordinating everything yourself, I'd highly recommend Serendipity Adventures. Elena was responsive, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and clearly knows the country inside and out. We'd book with them again without hesitation.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Springs Resort
La Fortuna

The FOOD!!!! But, also, everything else. Well done everyone who works at the resort. The views, the hot springs, gardens, wildlife, friendly faces, yummy food, helpful coordination, all of it. We loved the animals made from blankets by housekeeping =) 10/10 would recommend.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel La Mariposa
Manuel Antonio

I've rated everything else about our Costa Rica trip very highly because we had a truly amazing trip overall. Hotel La Mariposa was beautiful -- it has the best panoramic views around -- and, truly, our room was perfectly nice and we had no major issues. I want to give credit to 99% of the staff for being friendly, helpful, and housekeeping was excellent. But, overall, the hotel sure is leaning heavily on that stunning view... The restaurant in particular needs improvement. At the same desk where I made our dinner reservation for our grand finale-- our last dinner of the trip, to be had watching the exquisite sunset over the ocean, when we showed up to that desk at said reservation's time, they treated us as though WE had made some mistake when the reservation was missing from their paperwork. Begrudgingly, it seemed, they sat us despite our "missing" reservation-- but behind other tables and poles, blocking that sunset view. Unfulfilled promises of homemade bread. Drinks stamped with past expiration dates. Cold entrees. Inattentive service. Bland meals. Bland welcome drinks. The pool is illuminated at night, neat... but what's with the strobe effect?! (Read the room, this isn't a rave crowd.) Our shower had weak water pressure, low temperatures, and gross mold and mildew all over the caulking. I know these are all nitpicks, but they're so easy to solve that it was frustrating. It just felt like they're depending on that stunning view to make up for mediocrity elsewhere.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Elena Mora
Elena
Elena Mora
Local specialist in Cartago, Turrialba | Replied on Apr 09, 2026
Hola Irby, Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ !
We are absolutely delighted to hear that your family’s first trip to Costa Rica was such an incredible experience. It was truly our pleasure to plan your 8-day adventure. Knowing that you enjoyed your stays at Arenal Springs Resort and Hotel La Mariposa, as well as the exciting activities in Arenal/La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio, means the world to us. Your kind words about Mariano, Soccio, Luther, and... Read more

Hola Irby,

Thank you so much for sharing such a thoughtful and detailed review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ !
We are absolutely delighted to hear that your family’s first trip to Costa Rica was such an incredible experience.

It was truly our pleasure to plan your 8-day adventure. Knowing that you enjoyed your stays at Arenal Springs Resort and Hotel La Mariposa, as well as the exciting activities in Arenal/La Fortuna and Manuel Antonio, means the world to us. Your kind words about Mariano, Soccio, Luther, and the exceptional service provided by Flow Trips and Endemic Birds will surely be shared with them—they will be thrilled to receive your recognition.

We are especially grateful for your understanding regarding the minor hiccup on your first full day. Providing prompt solutions and ensuring your satisfaction is always our priority, and we are pleased that our response reinforced your confidence in our team.

Thank you for highlighting the efforts of Nancy, Adrian, and the entire Serendipity Adventures team. Your recommendation is the highest compliment we could receive. It brings us great joy to know that every detail—from logistics to age-appropriate adventures—contributed to a seamless and memorable family vacation.

We would be honored to assist you again on your next journey to Costa Rica. Until then, we wish you and your family many more wonderful adventures together.

Warmest regards, Pura Vida!

Elena Mora
Serendipity Adventures Costa Rica 🦥🌋🦋🐒

Read all Costa Rica reviews

This trip was amazing.
Costa Rica | Mar 28 - Apr 5, 2026

CINDY
CINDY H.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Apr 07, 2026
This trip was amazing. I was not sure what to expect going through KimKim and the local specialist, Serendipity Adventures, but was thoroughly pleased with everything. Our tour guide during the Turrialba Volcano Hike, Gloriana, was amazing, well informed and an absolute delight to hike along side. Living in the community brought real stories and experience to our hike. She was most accommodating. We had a tour of the National Monument with Manuel and he was extremely knowledgeable as well.... Read more

This trip was amazing. I was not sure what to expect going through KimKim and the local specialist, Serendipity Adventures, but was thoroughly pleased with everything. Our tour guide during the Turrialba Volcano Hike, Gloriana, was amazing, well informed and an absolute delight to hike along side. Living in the community brought real stories and experience to our hike. She was most accommodating. We had a tour of the National Monument with Manuel and he was extremely knowledgeable as well. He informed us of the history and brought his scope and found a sloth for us to see. I was so excited as I have never seen a sloth up close. Our next adventure was a night tour at Catie Botanical Gardens. I was amazed at the amount of Costa Rican wildlife. Jorge and Gato were exceptional guides. Our accommodations were outstanding and all the support staff were friendly and most spoke English. We moved from Turrialba to San Geraldo de Dota and had amazing views at the Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge... loved the weather. Early in the morning we went birdwatching with Carlos, an extraordinary guide, who grew up in the area. His knowledge about birds was amazing and he knew the Quetzal patterns which allowed us to see our first Quetzal. The horseback riding is a must to the waterfalls. We are avid riders and loved every minute. Our last visit was to Uvita.... the weather was just like Louisiana, hot and humid but we're very used to it. The view from Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge and Spa was breath taking. We added spa treatments for us 4 and it was incredible. Tired after 7 days of hiking, horseback riding and tours, we were soooo happy the Mangrove & Wildlife tour was in a boat. It was so peaceful and we were able to see all the birds we wanted to. Exceptional as well.

Booking through KimKim and Serendipity was the BEST decision we ever made and will most assuredly be recommending this group to everyone. As a retired military member, I like order and punctuality and that is exactly what we had... no hiccups. The only way to visit going forward. I can't wait to book my next country visit with them.

Hotel Reviews
Tiki Villas Rainforest Lodge & Spa
Uvita

EXCEPTIONAL!! Amazing view, massages in room when purchased and great ambiance.

Authenticity & Character
Fantastic pool and view..... EXCEPTIONAL.
Location
Very close to tours and beaches.
Staff
Friendly and accommodating.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Excellent king size beds and very cool outside shower and bath. MUST STAY AGAIN.
Dantica Cloud Forest Lodge
Copey

Amazing views, wonderful spa bathtub and great restaurant.

Authenticity & Character
Incredible views and walking paths.
Location
Location near our tours which was awesome and a great cafe for birdwatching and a pizza cafe too.
Staff
Fabian and Selena were fantastic.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Great support staff and very clean.
Casa Turire
Turrialba

Great lodging, friendly staff and wonderful location

Authenticity & Character
Lush landscaping
Location
Beautifully tucked away but close to the city.
Staff
Very friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean and spacious.
Activity Review
Private Hike Turrialba Volcano
Private Hike Turrialba Volcano
Costa Rica

Our guide was Gloriana who lived around the tour area which made the hike even more interesting as she was able to share her childhood experiences along the way. The hike was the perfect amount of exertion and exercise and the view was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Knowledgeable tour guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Gloriana was exceptional.
Local specialist: Bryan Leon
Bryan
Bryan Leon
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 07, 2026

Thank you so much, Cindy!

This truly made my day! I'm absolutely thrilled that everything went smoothly and that you enjoyed every moment, from Gloriana's stories to spotting your first Quetzal. Hearing that our team brought you order, punctuality, and unforgettable memories means the world to us.
Thank you for trusting us with your adventure!

Pura Vida!
Bryan Leon,
Serendipity Adventures | Costa Rica🪸☀️🐦

A Beautiful and Fun Trip Family Exploring Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Mar 20 - Mar 29, 2026

Brian
Brian P.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Apr 05, 2026
This was an outstanding trip planned by Holden and Adrian at Serendipity Adventures with only two months’ notice. We made sure to be where we needed to be and everything happened like clockwork. This is our third trip through kimkim, and as always the kimkim platform made all of the planning and payment easy. This time we especially liked the new kimkim app that made it handy to pull up our daily itinerary and see what was happening when. Costa Rica was exceptionally beautiful, and the easy... Read more

This was an outstanding trip planned by Holden and Adrian at Serendipity Adventures with only two months’ notice. We made sure to be where we needed to be and everything happened like clockwork. This is our third trip through kimkim, and as always the kimkim platform made all of the planning and payment easy. This time we especially liked the new kimkim app that made it handy to pull up our daily itinerary and see what was happening when. Costa Rica was exceptionally beautiful, and the easy logistics really allowed us to enjoy the views, great food and world-class wildlife.

Guides were all excellent throughout our trip, making every stop along the way a really educational experience. One of the big advantages of having a guide is meeting and getting to know a local person in the place you are traveling. We always learn so much more than we would just on our own. The guides have a lot of infectious enthusiasm for Costa Rica and the area they live in. Things are so varied throughout the country, and each new ecosystem is a new opportunity to learn about unique plants, animals, geology and ecology. From hollow trees filled with water that sound like a drum when hit, to hand-grinding freshly-roasted coffee beans, to stopping on the side of the road on the way to the airport to see how a cashew grows, we were constantly coming in contact with new and interesting subjects.

Our list of new-to-us animals, birds and plants is huge from this trip - some standouts were howler monkeys, spider monkeys, two & three-toed sloths, agoutis, coatis, quetzal, eyelash pit viper, scarlet macaw, caimans, motmots, sea eels, morpho butterflies, and special mention to all the various hummingbirds at Monteverde and the nighttime spider eyes watching us in La Fortuna. The plant and insect life is an important part of the experience as well, especially at Amor Arenal where you are surrounded on all sides by amazing jungle vegetation, and the cicadas, birds and wind are the constant backing track.

We met so many friendly and helpful people at all of the hotels and attractions, it made for a welcoming trip. Adrian from Serendipity kept track of us through WhatsApp - and provided some critical help over the phone when we became too absorbed in the Monteverde cloud forest and had to change plans quickly. The hotels were all noteworthy because of the helpful staff and the excellent facilities. Every guide was a stand-out, and really every guided activity was rewarding and worthwhile. The naturalist guides were invaluable - Bryan at Arenal, Joe on the Peñas Blancas River, Andy in Monteverde, and Kenneth in Nosara all really knew their areas well and gave us real insight into the natural world of Central America.

Transfers were timely and seemed like a necessity, not an option. There were quite a few rough roads and tricky turns, it was great to have locals driving. They were all excellent.

We would recommend Costa Rica without reservation, and this tour made it great.

Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Apr 08, 2026

Thank you Brian for this detailed review! It sounds like you had an absolutely incredible trip! I'm glad we were able to create another great Kimkim trip for you with short notice. Thank you also for mentioning our team members by name, as they deserve all the credit for making your trip unforgettable!

Thank you
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

Read all Costa Rica reviews