Trip was amazing. However, I was a little dis...
Costa Rica | Jan 15 - Jan 29, 2022

J
Joann B.
Tipp City, OH | Reviewed on Jun 09, 2022

Trip was amazing. However, I was a little disappointed not to have gotten to meet Olman in person. He was very responsive to any questions and solved any issues immediately. He was absolutely correct about only needing one night in Jan Jose. I was a little worried about not having air conditioning in Tortuguero but it was no issue and we slept well. All of the meals provided were excellent. Most of the transportation was private - quite a luxury.
I think the one suggestion I might have is that the hiking around the Arenal Volcano was a little more exertional then described. My 75 year old husband struggled keeping up and it made us late for the hot springs that evening.
I ended up testing positive for Covid at the end of our trip in Tamarindo - what a beautiful place to be stuck! Olman once again assisted us as much as possible with getting testing and letters from the Minister of Health so that we could return to the US. He also assisted with making sure we had transportation back to the airport. The resort had one of the best breakfast buffets - beautifully located that I have ever been to. They were very accommodating delivering my breakfast every day while quarantining. The pools - the beach - just beautiful.

Hotel Reviews
Parque del Lago Boutique Hotel
San José

Seemed understaffed. Staff had trouble keeping the breakfast bar stocked. If you needed tea - good luck getting hot water. Not enough seating. Just unimpressive. No pool. We took a bus tour of the city - younger people could certainly just walk to attractions

Tips for future travelers

only stay one night

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Playa Espadilla
Manuel Antonio

walking distance to the forest and the beach. Many restaurants within walking distance. Hotel was clean - lots of precautions. Pool was nice with swim up bar. Food - breakfast and other meals fantastic. The best fish tacos ever and I don't usually like fish tacos.

Tips for future travelers

Get the fish tacos

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

Beautiful location. Surprisingly cool due to elevation - I did not try the pool. Long walks up and down hills to get to breakfast but shuttle service was great. Breakfast was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort
Tamarindo

Most beautiful location. The view from the breakfast location was breathtaking. Monkeys in trees above. Howler monkeys could be seen and heard from our room in the early mornings, Many shops and restaurants in walking distance. Better then some Caribbean Island resorts I have stayed at.

Tips for future travelers

Spanish - but many English speaking staff

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Luna Hotel & Spa
La Fortuna

Surrounded by trees - beautiful - 4 hot tubs. Restaurant not impressive. Had fish one night and was not that good. Second night we went into town. Cute little town - could have explored more of it. We ate at Tabacon and the food was amazing. Had to take a cab to get into town from the hotel. Recommend the butterfly Took us 3 hours to hike around the volcano - my husband is 75 - not such a good knee and there was some climbing up and over large rocks. We got to the Tabacon Springs - it was dark and lighting was poor. We did not realize that we had to show our vaccine records and our health letter before they would even let us in - luckily I had brought them along

Tips for future travelers

I wish I had done the waterfall walk

Mawamba Lodge
Tortuguero

Beautiful location. No air conditioning, no TV but big overhead fans. No hairdryers and no WIFI unless you were close to the main lodge. Food served at lodge was amazing Took the AM boat tour - guide was impressive and tried to find as much wildlife as she could - including monkeys, birds, and crocodiles - trip was very pleasant. Had to travel 1&1/2 hr to get back to the lodge - on the return trip it was pouring and we had to carry our own luggage up a hill to get to where the buses were parked. Had to pay to use the bathroom at the bus location and any food and drink was a bit overpriced.

Tips for future travelers

I would suggest that one night was enough to see everything

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Olman Romero
Olman
Olman Romero
Local specialist in San Jose, Costa Rica | Replied on Jun 09, 2022

Hello Joan,

Thanks for your kind words.
I am disappointed too, I wanted to catch up with you. This time was not possible, however, I hope you will visit us again in the future to continue exploring our incredible country.

It was a pleasure for me to ensure you got the best experience in Costa Rica, thanks for your recommendations about specific activities and hotels.

Pura Vida!
Olman