Holiday review by Mr. Neil Henson

Name: Mr. Neil Henson

Date of trip: 04/12/2018

Number of people: 2

We went in large part to see wildlife and there was plenty of that, although often a trained guide is needed to point things out. Our favourite areas were Sarapiqui and the cloudforest, although there was quite a contrast between areas, and we enjoyed everything. Travel is slow, as most roads are single carriageway, so traffic moves as fast as the tractor at the head of the queue, but this was also part of the attraction of the country

  • Radisson San Jose swimming pool

     

  • Cafe Tropical at Radisson San Jose

     

  • Mawamba Lodge

     

  • Rooms in the rain at Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica © NMatthews

    Rooms in the rain at Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica

  • Bosque de Paz, Costa Rica © Bosque de Paz

    Bosque de Paz, Costa Rica

  • Bosque de paz, Costa Rica © Bosque de paz

    Bosque de paz, Costa Rica

  • Pool at Lomas del Volcan, Arenal, Costa Rica © Fotokoky

    Pool at Lomas del Volcan, Arenal, Costa Rica

  • Bahia del Sol pool at sunset, Costa Rica © Bahia del Sol

    Bahia del Sol pool at sunset, Costa Rica

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Tribes Overall:

Overall, the combination of wildlife spotting and changes of scenery, with a few additional trips purchased along the way, and a few days on the beach, was well balanced.

Tribes Service:

It was well organised, and we did not encounter any difficulties.

Guides:

The guide at Torteguero was ok, and other guides, mainly on the wildlife spotting trips were very good.

Social & Environmental Responsibility:

Where we went, everyone was very environmentally aware and I was impressed at the conservation I saw. I am told by others who have been to other parts of Costa Rica (away from the National Parks) that this may not be the case everywhere. But tourism brings income and therefore helps to preserve what we go to see.


The places you stayed

Radisson San Jose swimming pool

Radisson San Jose

Costa Rica

A functional hotel.


Mawamba Lodge

Mawamba Lodge

Costa Rica

This may be a bit hard, as the hotel is miles from any roads, but the food was very average, as were the facilities.


Rooms in the rain at Selva Verde Lodge, Sarapiqui, Costa Rica © NMatthews

Selva Verde Lodge

Sarapiqui

On a main road, but most of the rooms set well back, and there is a lovely river at the back. Room was nice, and the gardens and trails are excellent. Food mediocre, and everyone had to wear compulsory wristbands, but overall a good choice. The wildlife guides here really excellent. Would stay again.


Bosque de Paz, Costa Rica © Bosque de Paz

Bosque de Paz

Between San Jose and Arenal

A small boutique hotel. Up in the mountains, so pretty cool, nice walks in the forest adjacent though (even with a guide), less successful than elsewhere. Food was not gourmet, but certainly better than all the other hotels we stayed at. NIce owners, very helpful. We were one of two couple staying there. Very relaxing.


Pool at Lomas del Volcan, Arenal, Costa Rica © Fotokoky

Lomas del Volcan

Arenal

Superb view from the bungalow, nice terrace of our own. They were just finishing a new restaurant area that looks very promising. The food we had was, again, mediocre, but overall would definitely stay here again. And is a convenient 10 minutes by taxi to the town of La Fortuna.


Bahia del Sol pool at sunset, Costa Rica © Bahia del Sol

Bahia del Sol

Playa Potrero, Guanacaste

Excellent location on the beach, but the room was in a poor location. And the staff were not helpful when we had a problem trying to hire bikes. In fact to anyone staying here, I would suggest they go to the local bike hire shop a couple of hundred metres away. We ate out in local restaurants most of the time.