Holiday review by Mr. Christopher Tyler
Name: Mr. Christopher Tyler
Date of trip: 26/02/2019
Number of people: 2
White faced Capachin Monkeys and Howlers roaming the grounds and birds everywhere at the Evergreen Lodge. The Armadillo on the night walk at Selva Verde. The 6 star accommodation and hot spring pools at Arenal Springs. Returning to the bungalow after dinner at El Silencio on a chilly evening in the mountains to find hot water bottles in our bed, then fresh orange juice on the terrace in the morning.
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© Hotel Presidente
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© Hotel Presidente
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© AGMarks
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© NMatthews
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© Arenal Springs
Tribes Overall:
It exceeded expectations - all arrangement went like a dream - brilliant trips, wild life guides and accommodation.
Tribes Service:
Very easy to deal with and accommodate our variations.
It would be good if you provided a map of Costa Rica and identified all the hotels . I could not work out where Silencio and Vista Bellina were.
Guides:
Evergreen guide "Henry" very good.
The guides "Melany and JJ" at Selva Verde dusk and dawn walks were superb, knowledgeable and could spot birds like magnets!
The mixed group guide for hanging bridges Arenal was Ok
The Silencio guides were good.
The Uvita mixed group guides were ok.
Social & Environmental Responsibility:
The Costa Rican tourist industry goes out of its way to protect its environment. If all countries adopted their attitude we might not have a global warming problem. They are increasing the area of forest which is now more than 50%.
They understand that the flora and fauna are their national income and go out of their way to attarct and please tourists - PURA VIDA
We felt relaxed and secure - more so than in most tourist areas in other countries where they are only after tourists money and do little really to please tourists or protect nature.
The places you stayed
© AGMarks
Evergreen Lodge
Tortuguero National Park
Beautiful grounds and boat trips kick off a fabulous holiday. Cheeky monkeys stealing food off the table at the riverside restaurant. All travel by boats so saw birds along the way.
© NMatthews
Selva Verde Lodge
Sarapiqui
The dawn and dusk walks were fabulous, with knowledgeable and enthusiastic young guides. Saw 45 bird species and an armadillo. By far the best access to wild life here. The cocoa tour was really interesting and different, as they demonstrated how to make chocolate from the pod to the cup, with tasting at each stage as we went along.
Beware the long walk up the rough steep track and steps to the bungalow from reception and restaurant - but the shuttle car was always available and happy to drive us there and carry the cases up the steps.
© Arenal Springs
Arenal Springs Resort & Spa
Arenal
Wow - what rooms - 6 star quality (better than I found in many business trips in Dubai ! ) - beautiful rooms, jacuzzi in the bathroom and jacuzzi on the balcony terrace. Great food in the restaurant.
$10 taxi each way to Fortuna but not much of a town, so better to spend the fare in the hotel restaurant !
The hanging bridges walk was ok but too many tourists and midday meant few birds to see. We saw Acoti and an eyelash viper and a few birds.
