Michele, February- March 2016

We had an absolutely wonderful time in Costa Rica, many thanks to you! There are many highlights, and a great many photos, but here are some of the things I thought about mentioning to you as we went along.

Firstly, in terms of how you could improve your service, I have absolutely nothing but praise for you and all the amazing resources you provided. Your website was one of the most comprehensive I came across, and because of that, it kept me coming back. I know I said this before, but I can’t thank you enough for all the time you took with me, and your endless patience with my insatiable quest for information! There are so many places to visit, and having your input and experience, particularly from the point of view of a parent with young children was invaluable in helping us plan the perfect holiday.

Jose Pablo was lovely. We constantly remarked at how patient and easygoing he was. He was flexible and never made us feel uncomfortable about changing our plans, or rushed to leave a place we were really enjoying. His vehicle, while not “fancy” was better than any others we travelled in on our trip. It had huge windows, which offered great views to all of us, not to mention tons of space. Our youngest, Ava, always gets car sick, and didn’t have any problems at all travelling in this van, because of the ability to see outside from so many angles and places. This is a real bonus for families travelling with young kids. Jose was very good with the girls, and very easy to be around. I would recommend him highly for families with very young ones. I did wish sometimes that he had more information (or advice) about the places we visited, in terms of helping us decide between activities, or recommending sites or places or things to do that we didn’t necessarily uncover with our own research. Then again, what was so loveable about him was his very easygoing nature. We couldn’t believe how he would just sit in the van, or under a tree watching our stuff, while we spent a few hours at a beach or whatever. This is his real strength, and the reason I would say he is especially perfect for really young ones.

Now, onto the places we went …

Mawamba (Tortuguero) was a real gem. Thank you for recommending it. It was a much more affordable option than the others and it really was a wonderful place. The rooms were spotless and comfy. The pool was one of the nicest we saw. The food was very good. The guide we had (Umberto) was the most knowledgeable of all of the guides we had over the 3 weeks. His personality was a bit prickly at first, but we came to really appreciate his knack for spotting wildlife and there was literally no question he could not answer about the animals or the environment, or the places he took us. Tortuguerro was definitely a highlight and we would recommend Mawamba wholeheartedly.

The Monte Real (Volcano) was fine for the one night we stayed. Clean and convenient. If we were spending more than one night in the area, I think I wold have preferred something outside the town itself. We didn’t love La Fortuna itself, but the waterfall was AMAZING, and the Tabacon Hotsprings night was magical. The hike near the volcano was really great too.

We loved, loved loved the Arco Iris, and Sta Elena was our favourite town of all. The accommodations were among our favourite. Loved the adorable spider-web bars on the windows, the lovely Bernie, the delicious breakfast, the honey soap, and the monkeys on the roof in the morning. The town itself had a lovely feel to it. Great food, the best coffee I have ever had in my entire life (Beso espresso or something like that), and we are big time, northwest coast coffee snobs so this is high praise! I would happily have stayed an extra night or two there.

La Cusinga lodge (Uvita) was great. The room was really nice and big and beautiful, and the “lounge” area had a spectacular view out over the pacific. The food was fine. We enjoyed walking out to the Whale’s Tail as the tide was going out.

Hacienda Baru was a wonderful preserve, chock full of wildlife. The accommodations could use a little update, but the pool was great to have, and the park/preserve was beautiful. We did the zip lining tour and found the local guides there to be fantastic! Very energetic, funny, and super knowledgeable. We saw lots of animals on the hike up to the zipline which was a great bonus. The guides on the property were WONDERFUL.

And then on to Las Caletas (Osa Pensinsula, Drake Bay) – the kids’ favourite by far. What a lovely lodge. There trip out there on the boat was one of my very favourite adventures – so exciting, and remote, and spectacularly beautiful! The food at the lodge was fabulous. The tent and cabin arrangement turned out to be perfect. They gave us the first tent closest to our room (which was right beside the kitchen, in the main lodge). The girls were thrilled to have their own tent. we had our walkie talkies so they could buzz us in the night if they needed. Overall, this was a real gem, and I would go back there for sure. They could use some softer bedsheets (they were really rough and scratchy) but otherwise, the #1 lodge for all of us. The tours from Las Caletas were phenomenal too. We loved the snorkeling trip and the hike in Corcovado National Park, where we got to see a tapir and an anteater – so thrilling. One of our family favourites was a little walk/hike to Rio Claro for a nice COOL swim. On the way there, we came across about 15 spider monkeys just playing overhead. We stayed to watch them for about 1/2 hour and it really was a special experience.

And finally, Samara. I was really glad we had somewhere to plant a just relax for our last 4 days. The Fenix was great for that. We enjoyed walking into town each day for coffee, or a meal.Having the beach right outside our doorstep was wonderful, and it was a perfect beach for bodysurfing for us old girls (49 and 55) and the little girls (9+11)!

Whew. I think that’s everything. Much more information than you bargained for!

Mainly, I want to let you know that we absolutely loved our trip, and wouldn’t have changed much at all in hindsight. And I am so grateful to you for all the information you provided – both on your website and in your many emails to me. I have already praised you to anyone who has asked about our trip, and will certainly forward your information to anyone who is seriously thinking of a trip to CR. Thank you, especially, for sending us to Mawamba, las Caletas and Arco Iris – all 3 little gems we would never have come across without your insight and advice!