My family and I travelled to Costa Rica in Oc...
Costa Rica | Oct 6 - Oct 18, 2022

Jody
Jody R.
Canada | Reviewed on Nov 05, 2022

My family and I travelled to Costa Rica in October 2022. We had the best time! Sergio and his team made our experience completely seamless and yet adventureful. My husband and I are used to blazing our own trail when we travel, but this time having our 10 & 7 year old daughters along with us we wanted to capitalize on our time and have activities that they would find engaging and provide them opportunities to learn along the way. Sergio and the team at Serendipity provide this and so much more!

We visited Tortuguero, Turrialba and Puerto Viejo. Each location had well thought out activities that allowed us to explore the local culture and environment.

While in Tortuguero we enjoyed a canal tour and learnt about Costa Rica's conservation efforts and national parks. We watched a turtle lay her eggs on the beach and our highlight was an evening walk where a bunch of baby turtles were hatching and making their way to the ocean.
Our guide Jose engaged with the kids and made sure they felt safe, he also helped them spot some tree frogs and bull frogs by the pool at our hotel. It was a rainy couple of days but Jose showed up with ponchos, a sense of humor and a whole lot of fun!

On our 4th day we said goodbye to Tortuguero and met our driver Andres. Andreas was our driver for the duration of our stay in Turriabla and further to Puero Veijo. Andreas was such an amazing guide, he was incredibly knowledgably about Costa Rica and was very helpful translating for us when we needed some help. He safely delivered us to our hotels and always stayed to make sure we got checked in safely. He was wonderful with our kids and even had Disney radio cued up for them in his car!

In Turriabla we went rafting, canyoning and for a farm tour. Our guides while we were rafting, Jonathan and Poco were amazing! Jonathan had a great sense of humor and painted or faces with mud and taught us how to balance rocks on the shore line. The river was beautiful and warm. Poco was great to point out wild life along the shore. While were were rafting, Andres drove down stream and took some action shots of our family to share with us. Andreas also capped the day off by making us the most delicious and beautifully presented picnic we've ever had, he'd made pasta, salads, fresh fruit and even dessert!

The following day we enjoyed a canyoning trip and farm tour with our guides Ceasar and Sergio. They were also very knowledgeable. Our youngest was scared during canyoning and Sergio, who also has young kids got to her level and explained what would happen, how he would keep her safe and also confidently assisted her down the falls. But the last waterfall she was laughing and having the best day! We enjoyed lunch with Ceasar and Sergio at their family farm and then proceeded to a farm tour with Sergio, where we were able to sample fresh fruits and home made coffee. It was a day for the books!

Andreas safely delivered us to our final stop, Puerto Veijo, we were sad to say goodbye, over the last 3 days Andreas had become a trusted friend along our adventure. We arrived at Congo Bongo where we met the owner, Marisol, she was so welcoming and we felt like family instantly. She was an amazing host, providing free laundry service (which was much needed after a few days of rafting and canyoning!), farm fresh eggs, clean accommodations and an amazing eco-village for us to enjoy. Puerto Veijo was a great place to cap off our trip, it was laid back and we enjoy time playing in the ocean, walking to Manzanillo (If you're there check out Colores, the local Greek restaurant - great staff and good food!). Our days were enjoyed touring a chocolate tour at a local indigenous farm, our guide Theresa was incredibly caring. She spoke the local Bri Bri language which added so much value to our tour. We attended a cooking class with a local chef, Glenda and made a traditional Rondon Soup. The following day we went snorkling and on a light hike through the national park where we swam with a lemon shark, sting ray, a variety of fish and coral.

Our final stay before departure was at the Studio Hotel in San Jose. the roof top pool, art, food and Piano / Violin show we were treated to on our last night perfectly summed up our family vacation.

We came home with so many amazing memories and stories, we could never have planned a trip like this on our own. We met amazing people and experienced so much of Costa Rica! We are so grateful to Sergio and the Serendipity team for creating a memorable family vacation. If you are considering Costa Rica, reach out to Sergio, he will enhance your experience and take away the stress of traveling.

Sergio - Thank you for being a phone call or message away whenever we needed to adjust timing, ask advise and for easily rearranging activities based on the weather.

Pura Vida!
Jody

Hotel Reviews
Autentico Hotel
San Jose

We weren't here very long, just slept and left, but the room was clean, the hotel was beautiful and the waiter at dinner was very friendly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Laguna Lodge
Tortuguero
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Jose and the tour guides were very helpful. The front desk staff was not overly friendly or helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Casa Turire
Turrialba
Authenticity & Character
We loved the Cuban feel and 1950's vibe this space had
Location
Staff
The staff was so helpful, friendly and accomodating, they offered games for the kids and suggested local scenery to take in
Cleanliness & Comfort
Congo Bongo EcoVillage Costa Rica
Manzanillo, Limon
Authenticity & Character
Marisol has done an incredible job with this eco-village I found her entrepreneurial nature and creativity refreshing. The world needs more people like Marisol
Location
A close walk to Manzanillo, but about 15-20 min drive to Puerto Viejo. This was nice as it was quite and away from the business of Puerto Viejo, although if your looking to be closer to the action and restruants in Puerto Viejo you'll need to find transport.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Marisol cleaned our house every day and helped with our laundry. Thank you!!
Studio Hotel
San José
Authenticity & Character
The art, piano, violin players were all incredible!
Location
about 40 mins to the airport
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable
Activity Reviews
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
A Journey into the History and Culture of Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero

Cute town, I wouldn't recommend going at night. No street lights and it would be very dark and unsafe.

Nighttime Turtle Nesting Tour
Nighttime Turtle Nesting Tour
Tortuguero

Super cool experiance!

Guided Boat Tour through Tortuguero Canals
Guided Boat Tour through Tortuguero Canals
Tortuguero
Private rafting on the Pejibaye River with children
Private rafting on the Pejibaye River with children
Turrialba

Our guides were incredible!

Quality of Experience
Food
Best picnic lunch ever!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Canyoning  in Turrialba
Canyoning in Turrialba
Turrialba
Local Farm Experience
Local Farm Experience
Turrialba
Dive into Afro-Caribbean Culture with Exquisite Cooking Classes
Dive into Afro-Caribbean Culture with Exquisite Cooking Classes
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Chocolate Tour
Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica
 Exploring the Underwater Wonders of Cahuita National Park
Exploring the Underwater Wonders of Cahuita National Park
Costa Rica
Local specialist: Sergio Bolaños
Sergio
Sergio Bolaños
Local specialist in Limon, Costa Rica | Replied on Nov 07, 2022

Hi Jody!

Thank you very much! I am so glad that you had a great time in Costa Rica!
I hope you can come back in the future to explore more of our country!
Best regards,
Sergio