Holiday review by Andrew and Diane Wright

Name: Andrew and Diane Wright

Date of trip: 17/02/2019

Number of people: 2

We adored the bird watching at Selva Verde, when we saw 53 species in just over an hour. Rafting on the River Sarapiqui was a new experience, involving some very small rapids. The crew looked after us very well, and we saw a lot of wildlife close up. The journey to and from the Osa Peninsula was a real experience. We've never crossed a ford on the way to an airport before! The garden at the Hotel Bourgainvillea was an absolute joy - highly recommended.

  • Rooftop of Hotel Presidente, San Jose, Costa Rica © Hotel Presidente

    Rooftop of Hotel Presidente, San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Facade of Hotel Presidente, San Jose, Costa Rica © Hotel Presidente

    Facade of Hotel Presidente, San Jose, Costa Rica

  • Cabin at Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Costa Rica © AGMarks

    Cabin at Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Costa Rica

  • 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 and view at Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica © Parador Resort

    Pool and view at Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

  • Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica © KarenCoe

    Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

  • Lunch by the pool at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica © KarenCoe

    Lunch by the pool at Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

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Tribes Overall:

Very good

Tribes Service:

We had some problems with wrong information from the local ground handler, but Paul was effective in getting them sorted out and was very efficient.

TRIBES RESPONSE: We have been in touch with our ground handler to make sure the correct information is given to passengers.

Guides:

JJ at Selva Verde was excellent and generous with his time.
All the drivers were very good.

Social & Environmental Responsibility:

We were impressed how drivers and others we met clearly valued the natural environment and wildlife.


The places you stayed

Rooftop of Hotel Presidente, San Jose, Costa Rica © Hotel Presidente

Hotel Presidente

San Jose

Good breakfast.


Cabin at Evergreen Lodge in Tortuguero, Costa Rica © AGMarks

Evergreen Lodge

Tortuguero National Park

Good setting, but mediocre food, and sometimes an effort to get a drink with one's meal.
Room was dingy.


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

Selva Verde Lodge

Sarapiqui

We were booked into a bungalow room up the hill, but didn't fancy the steep walk or crossing the main road several times a day, so we got switched to a room near the river when we arrived.
The reception staff were very helpful and nice.
Another dingy room.
Food was a bit mixed.


Bosque de Paz, Costa Rica © Bosque de Paz

Bosque de Paz

Between San Jose and Arenal

Dry but chilly when we were there - they really ought to provide room heaters and light the bedrooms better.
We enjoyed watching the hummingbirds, though it got exhausting - all that tiny aggression!
Also liked watching the coatis and agoutis.
A good bird walk with Mario.
The downside was that once one finished dinner at about 6.50 there was nothing to do but go to bed and read.


Pool and view at Parador Resort & Spa, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica © Parador Resort

Parador Resort and Spa

Manuel Antonio

We were upgraded to room in the main hotel, with access by an external lift. The room was light and airy, with a sea view.
I needed to see a doctor whilst at the hotel, and the Customer Services Officer was outstandingly helpful.
The restaurant and bar let them down badly. The main restaurant food was disappointing, we had to insist on a table one evening - they tried to make us wait 3/4 of an hour when there were unused tables. One evening was largely spoiled because we spent so much time getting drinks - how can a big chap like me become invisible?
The adult pool in the older part of the hotel had such shiny, slippery tiles that we and others considered it dangerous - a real risk of a fall.
But we did get very good lunches at La Fragata restaurant.
The visit to the Manuel Antonio National Park was a complete waste of time. We and hundreds of other people queued to get in, and the sheer numbers drove most wildlife away.
We would recommend against visiting Manuel Antonio altogether.


Corcovado Wilderness Lodge, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica © KarenCoe

Corcovado Wilderness Lodge

Corcovado, Osa Peninsula

The grounds were lovely, and the guides were good.
The room was very hot indeed, and again dingy. Whilst we could sleep under the fans, moving around the room was wearing in the heat.
We found the food uninspiring. But when I got some fish which seemed to be off, they were generous with free wine.
Both pools were enjoyable, especially the chilly lower pool - refreshing.