Costa Rica
Costa Rica | Jan 23 - Jan 31, 2026

Mike
Mike C.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Feb 01, 2026

Holden was fantastic- communicative, professional and insightful.
The island was beautiful and the people universally friendly.
We had great drivers Pablo and Alex.
Birding and wildlife tours with Gabriel and Socio and Carlos were exceptional .
We did have one bad experience with a guide. The tour company was apologetic and refunded that tour.

Hotel Reviews
Arenal Manoa & Hot Springs
Fortuna

Nice hotel, friendly staff,nice setting, beautiful wildlife. The room was fine with one exception. The shower was exceptionally hard to use. It was a hanging unit above a hot tub, you really need three hands to use it.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cloud Forest Lodge
Monteverde

The restaurant staff here were amazing, friendly and proficient. The chef was great. The setting wonderful with plenty of bird and monkey sightings.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Costa Verde
Manuel Antonio

Beautiful views and a beautiful place to see monkeys. The staff were not quite as friendly as in other hotels the room was a bit antiquated. The facility is very close to a loud road and it is noisy with a lot of diesel fumes at times the restaurant seems to want to rush you in and out quickly.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
They could be friendlier and more interactive
Cleanliness & Comfort
The rooms are a bit antiquated. Bathroom fans loud and should be separated from the light switch as it was loud anytime we just wanted to turn on the light. Outlets hard to access ( behind bed).
Hampton by Hilton San José Airport
Alajuela

The restaurant lacks character and comfort. Food was just OK. Close to the airport with a speedy shop shuttle. Desk staff were very nice.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike
Private Arenal Hanging Bridges & La Fortuna Waterfall Hike
Arenal/La Fortuna

Fun , cool bridges, some wildlife, and some bird sightings

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private Birdwatching in Arenal Observatory
Private Birdwatching in Arenal Observatory
Arenal/La Fortuna

Gabriel was an incredible guide, we saw a wide variety of birds which he helped to identify and locate. Spectacular setting, lots of fun.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Pablo And Gabriel we’re awesome awesome
Transport
Right on time
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Coffee & Chocolate Tour
Costa Rica

It was educational. We did feel it actually went on a little longer than it should have.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Treetopia Zip Lines
Treetopia Zip Lines
Monteverde

Nice guides. Safe and fun experience. Lots of adrenaline.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Cloud Forest Reserve Privately Guided Hike
Monteverde

Just just the worst. Horrific Guide.

Quality of Experience
New guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Attitude issues
Transport
Dirty smelly vehicle
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Private Manuel Antonio National Park Guided Hike
Costa Rica

Socio was an exceptional guide. He navigated us so that we saw numerous spectacular plants and wildlife. He was very skillful with photography and identification of species.

Quality of Experience
Tremendous guide
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
They forgot to pick us up but the tour company was apologetic and is investigating why.
Local specialist: Holden Ketchum