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  3. Self drive - 11 Days

Our trip was amazing! Every guide and transpo...
Costa Rica | Mar 2 - Mar 12, 2024

Bobbi
Bobbi S.
McHenry, IL | Reviewed on Mar 13, 2024

Our trip was amazing! Every guide and transport was ready for us. Our trip was well planned. It went very smooth. One incident on our way to airport was resolved by Holden and Nancy immediately.

It was a trip of a lifetime!!!

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Absolutely amazing! The buffet was wonderful. Rooms were clean. Beds and pillows were too hard for my liking. Food was delicious. Beautiful volcano views. Seen a lot of wildlife, including a sloth on our resort.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Monteverde Lodge & Gardens
Monteverde
Authenticity & Character
Beautiful grounds and hotel. Clean.
Location
Very peaceful.
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable beds and pillows.
Gaia Hotel & Reserve—Adults Only
Manuel Antonio

Hotel was a little dated and not as well taken care of as the first 2 hotels we stayed at. Beds and pillows were comfortable. Too hot to enjoy the roof top patio. The resort was laid out a little funky. Not enough staff to take care of things the way I expected. Nice place, but not exceptional. I did like that we had a 2 bedroom villa.

Authenticity & Character
Weird layout of resort and pools.
Location
A little far from beach and towns.
Staff
Very friendly. Private concierge was amazing!!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Need more staff. Pools needed to be cleaned more often. Villa was clean and comfortable. In need of updating.
Gran Hotel Costa Rica
San José

I did not like hotel. It was clean but no outdoor spaces to enjoy. Food was subpar compared to other hotels we stayed at. No privacy when using bathroom or shower from other guests in my room.

Authenticity & Character
Contemporary. Did not feel like authentic Costa Rica.
Location
Right downtown. Good for walking and sightseeing.
Staff
Language barrier. Did not talk to anyone really.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean. Beds and pillows were very nice.
Activity Reviews
Private Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Private Hike in Arenal Volcano Park 1968
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was amazing. Our guide was knowledgeable. The hike was more difficult than expected. Very hard for my mom.

Quality of Experience
The view was amazing.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Patient. Went at our own pace.
Transport
Private Safari Float at the Penas Blancas River
Private Safari Float at the Penas Blancas River
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was one of our best experiences!!! Wildlife was amazing. Our guide was beyond amazing!! I would do this again with our guide! Surpassed every expectation!!!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Night Walk: Children's Eternal Forest
Night Walk: Children's Eternal Forest
Monteverde

I would not choose this again. We did not see wildlife.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day at Selvatura, Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions
Day at Selvatura, Hanging Bridges and Fauna Exhibitions
Costa Rica
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Savegre Whitewater Rafting
Savegre Whitewater Rafting
Costa Rica

Loved this activity!!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Not great compared to food we had in other places.
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
Our guide was very excited. Made us smile just seeing his excitement.
Transport
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum
Photo taken by Bobbi S
Holden
Holden Ketchum
Local specialist in Cartago, Costa Rica | Replied on Mar 13, 2024

Thank you Bobbi for your honest review! I'm glad that you had a good time with your family and I will certainly take into account some of your feedback on the hotels and activities for future trips.
Sincerely
Holden Ketchum
Serendipity Adventures

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