Nuria went way beyond in helping me plan trip...
Costa Rica | May 16 - May 22, 2023

Wanda
Wanda H.
Lake Elsinore, CA | Reviewed on May 28, 2023

Nuria went way beyond in helping me plan trip. She even made several suggestions that were definitely much needed.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Kokoro Mineral Hot Springs
La Fortuna

The location and setting were amazing with views of Arenal Volcano. I stayed in a stand-alone bungalow that was very comfortable. The staff were simply wonderful. The only negative was that the jacuzzi was drained but the natural hot mineral pools were excellent.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Views of Arenal Volcano nestled in the jungle.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wyndham
Tamarindo

The hotel is on a hill over looking the ocean. They offer an hourly shuttle but only to two different inconvenient locations. Also because it faces west for the incredible view there is no shade around the pool. The bed was very comfortable but the only covering was a very thick comforter so I asked for a lighter cover and they brought another heavy comforter.

Authenticity & Character
A very upscale hotel but not a lot of authenticity.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Horseback Riding at the Base of Arenal Volcano
Horseback Riding at the Base of Arenal Volcano
Arenal/La Fortuna

So so ride mostly through a flat open field.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Sky Adventures Zip Lines & Hanging Bridges Guided Walk
Arenal/La Fortuna

This was by far the best zipline experience I've had!

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

I was pleasantly surprised to be the only one on the raft with the guide. He was extremely knowledgeable and friendly, pointing out things along the way I never would've seen. He also went into detail about these sights. At the end of the very relaxing float he took me to an eco farm for snacks made entirely from ingredients from the farm.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Snorkeling or Diving at the Catalina Islands
Costa Rica

This was billed as snorkling but really was a scuba trip that catered mostly to the scuba divers. The snorklers felt unimportant. There was no instruction on using the equipment.

Quality of Experience
This is the fault of the tour but the water was extremely choppy and not clear at all. I sat out the 2nd snorkle due to the water choppiness.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
More attention to the snorklers. My tube was faulty and the guy in the water with us didnt understand and kept trying to adjust the mask.
Transport
Palo Verde Jungle Boat Tour & Guaitil Pottery
Palo Verde Jungle Boat Tour & Guaitil Pottery
Costa Rica

The boat engine was so loud and the guide sat at the front talking with a group of photographers. I had to ask many times what he was talking about. Also it was billed as visiting an authentic Guantil Village to observe the generations old pottery making. There was no visit but a single guy who set up a table in the cafe where we lunched. He made a small clay pot and showed us photographs of the painting process. Very lame.

Quality of Experience
Food
The authentic meal at the end of the boat ride was very tasty (chicken, rice, beans) but by the time the chicken dish came to me there was only a skimpy leg. I asked for a bigger piece that all the others had but there was none.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The driver informed us there would be 1 maybe 2 stops. The 1st stop was a quick restroom break where he announced 10 minutes. The 2nd was at a souvenir shop/cafeteria. I thought it would be another 10 minute restroom stop but after a long time I couldn't find him so I asked another tourist and she said she didn't know how long the break was but the driver was in the cafeteria having lunch!!!
Transport
Local specialist: Nuri R
Nuri
Nuri R
Local specialist in Costa Rica | Replied on May 29, 2023

Hello Wanda,

Thanks for visiting Costa Rica with us, and for taking the time to leave us this your feedback. It is great to know you had a great time here. I appreciate all your comments about the activities you did in Tamarindo, all of them will be helpful to continue creating the best experiences for our travelers.

I hope you could visit Costa Rica again in the future to explore different destinations!

Pura vida,
Nuria