Holiday review by Mr. D M

Name: Mr. D M

Date of trip: 09/10/2019

Number of people: 2

- Monkeys on the trees playing directly outside our room - Face to face with a tarantula in the wild (but under the supervision of a guide) - Rafting down the Balsa River - Seeing sloths (what a wonderful animal) - Seeing animals in general in their natural habitat - Spectacular scenery (from volcanos on the doorstep to rainforests to beaches)

  • Lomas del Volcan

     

  • The bar at Monteverde Lodge

     

  • Parador Resort and Spa

     

  • Relax on one of the terraces at Parador Resort and Spa

     

  • Go hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park from Parador Resort & Spa

     

  • Premuim plus room at Parador Resort and Spa

     

  • 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

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Tribes Overall:

The holiday was excellent from start to finish. Everyone in Costa Rica that we met were very friendly. The drivers (shared and private transport) were always on time and communicated well the journey duration details and duration. All of the guides were fantastic and very knowledgeable and willing to spend as much time as required with them.

Tribes Service:

Rory was great. Provided everything we needed and answered any questions I had very quickly. Best part of all was that he did not bother me with excessive emails. Level of communication was spot on.

Guides:

All of the guides (at La Fortuna Rainforest, Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna Whitewater Rafting, Monteverde Volcano, Monteverde El Trapiche and Manuel Antonio Rainforest) were fantastic, very knowledgeable and willing to spend as much time as required with them.

I would like in particular to commend Carlos in La Fortuna Whitewater Rafting. He was extremely friendly and helpful. The rafting was great but the 'extra bits' of lunch and chat around the farm were a wonderful added bonus.

However, best guide of all was Elias in Manuel Antonio. His knowledge and attention to detail was second to none. He was fantastically patient and created wonderful photos for all. He deserves specific mention and thanks.

Social & Environmental Responsibility:

Costa Rica itself is very socially and environmentally responsible. We did not contribute in any way, but 'fitted-in' with the locals.


The places you stayed

Lomas del Volcan

Lomas del Volcan

Arenal

Very good hotel. Liked the breakfast. Comfortable accommodation. Superb views from hotel and lodge accommodation. Helpful staff. Good happy hour!!! The only downside was the shower - it was very large but was often difficult to get a stream of hot water.


The bar at Monteverde Lodge

Monteverde Lodge and Gardens

Costa Rica

Accommodation was comfortable and staff were helpful. Location near small town was good and was easy to walk to restaurants. The problem was that the hotel was closing for the season as we were staying there (and only 3 rooms were occupied). The upside was the staff were very friendly and paid for us to eat at a local (very good) restaurant as the hotel restaurant was closed for one night. The downside was that the hotel lacked atmosphere as there was almost no one else staying there and that work was going on when we stayed.


Parador Resort and Spa

Parador Resort and Spa

Costa Rica

Wonderful hotel. Great rooms. Super breakfast. Wonderful pools. Great monkey trail. Magnificent service. Free bus service to Manuel Antonio. Friendly and helpful staff. Best of all is location - Manuel Antonio is a wonderful place.


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

Hotel Presidente

San Jose

We only stayed here one night - we had an early flight to catch the next morning. The room was good and beds comfortable. However breakfast was poor.
If possible to avoid, I would. Better to spend time at a more interesting and better place if possible. Alternatively an airport hotel should be considered as the traffic in to San Jose was horrific and wasted time.