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
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

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

Arenal Springs Hotel
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.

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.

Hotel Capitan Suizo
Costa Rica
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.