Holiday review by Mr. David Gough

Name: Mr. David Gough

Date of trip: 31/01/2019

Number of people: 2

Costa Rica is a great destination for wildlife which is why we picked it. We cannot forget the sounds of howler monkeys which seem to be everywhere and the views of a female spider monkey with a baby on her back. We even saw a three-toed sloth moving!

  • Standard double room, Studio Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica © M2Photos

    Standard double room, Studio Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Arenal Observatory Lodge

     

  • Garden at Trapp Family Hotel, Monteverde, Costa Rica © TEdwards

    Garden at Trapp Family Hotel, Monteverde, Costa Rica

  • Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica © Si Como No

    Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

0 1 2 3

Tribes Overall:

Costa Rica was a great destination but we had some problemswith the ground agents and guiding.

Tribes Service:

Throughout the process before, after and during the holiday Paul Cook was highly responsive and did his best to mitigate and/or compensate for the problems

Guides:

In general, the guides were good - knowledgeable bird guides which is what we asked for. We had a particular problem in Carara where the guide was not a bird guide - indeed I knew more of the birds than he did. Whilst they did their best to give us a good day we felt very let down. We only stayed at Villa Lapas so that we could go birding in the area so taken together with the shortcomings of the hotel this was the least satisfactory part of the holiday.Drivers and transfers were generally good turning up on time, being friendly (good opportunity to practice my Spanish) and driving with consideration.

Social & Environmental Responsibility:

Eco tourism at least helps preserve nature


The places you stayed

Standard double room, Studio Hotel, San Jose, Costa Rica © M2Photos

Studio Hotel

Costa Rica

It is s nice hotel but I wonder about the location? We spent a good hour getting there when we arrived off an eleven hour flight followed by long delays getting out bags. In the morning we had the same journey in reverse - though there was a little less traffic. Surely there must be a hotel closer to the airport for those going on to Arenal or down to the pacific coast?


Arenal Observatory Lodge

Arenal Observatory Lodge

Arenal

We picked the hotel because the birding was good there and so it proved. Staff were friendly, the rooms were good and the wildlife excellent. We particularly liked the deck overlooking the bird feeders.


Garden at Trapp Family Hotel, Monteverde, Costa Rica © TEdwards

Trapp Family Hotel

Monteverde

Again we picked the hotel. We found the rooms a bit austere but OK if a little cold (we had to get a heater!). The hotel is convenient for MonteVerde national park but a $10 taxi ride out of Santa Elena but on a short stay this was not a problem


Si Como No, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica © Si Como No

Si Como No

Manuel Antonio

What a wonderful spot. A really nice hotel to relax in after a busy week of touring. Staff are great, we had a wonderful room and the adults-only pool is splendid. Food and drink is a bit pricey but that is to be expected in a hotel of this standard. Lots of steps though so difficult for people with restricted mobility.