Holiday review by Steve Gilbert

Name: Steve Gilbert

Date of trip: 03/12/2019

Number of people: 2

1. Flight upgrades to World Traveller Plus. 2. Wildlife (Toucans, Sloths, Exotic Birds, Monkeys, Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Iguanas, Pelicans, Coatis). 3. Superb Hotels (Arenal Springs, Monteverde Lodge, Capitan Suizo). 4. Hot Springs in Arenal (swim up bar) 5. Anniversary Meal in Tamarindo 6. Beach life in Tamarindo

  • 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

  • Aerial view of Arenal Springs Hotel, Arenal, Costa Rica © Arenal Springs

    Aerial view of Arenal Springs Hotel, Arenal, Costa Rica

  • The bar at Monteverde Lodge

     

  • Pool at Capitan Suizo Hotel, Tamarindo, Costa Rica © Capitan Suizo

    Pool at Capitan Suizo Hotel, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

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Tribes Overall:

We were very unfortunate with the weather in the first 10 days. Huge amounts of rain. It shouldn't have been quite so wet! But the weather at Tamarindo was gorgeous (30 degrees and dry - perhaps too hot for some). The wildlife was incredible - certainly lived up to expectations, and most of the hotels were wonderful.

So many outstanding high points that the few negatives did not drag the overall rating down below Excellent.

Tribes Service:

Very impressed with our dealings with Tracy. She was outstanding in dealing with everything in advance of the trip.
Once there, we thought the Hotel at Tamarindo might have been told in advance by Tribes that it was our 40th Wedding Anniversary (they didn't seem to know, but put on a fantastic celebration for us).

Guides:

Some very good guides - the one who picked us up from the airport, the driver from San Jose to Sarapiqui, the Chocolate tour guide, the Hanging Bridges tour guide were all exceptional.

A couple of the drivers gave us a few scary moments, but that is based on our UK expectations. I expect they were doing what all local drivers do!


The places you stayed

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

Hotel Presidente

San Jose

Perfectly pleasant city centre hotel, but walls a bit thin so we heard the neighbours. Very good breakfast. Nice gym.


Aerial view of Arenal Springs Hotel, Arenal, Costa Rica © Arenal Springs

Arenal Springs Resort & Spa

Arenal

Beautiful room and setting. Good choice of food in two restaurants (but expensive, like all hotel restaurants in Costa Rica). Fabulous hot springs with swim up bar. Very friendly staff, great welcome (with drink). Drove us to our room in a buggy and showed us round. Nice gym and treatment spa area.


The bar at Monteverde Lodge

Monteverde Lodge and Gardens

Costa Rica

Outstanding staff. Very friendly every time you met them. Really nice room with wonderful view. Food was excellent, wonderful presentation and taste, but limited choice and expensive (like all hotel restaurants in Costa Rica). Loved the butterfly room and outdoor pool. Very relaxing garden area. Nice to have a town nearby, with a few things to do, although not memorable.


Pool at Capitan Suizo Hotel, Tamarindo, Costa Rica © Capitan Suizo

Hotel Capitan Suizo

Tamarindo

Outstanding location on the beach. Beautiful setting for restaurant. Liked the choice of times for eating (lunchtime, mid afternoon and evening all had different menus). Superb staff who made a special effort to put on an anniversary meal for us which we will never forget.