itinerary Details [+]
Hi...I actually called your company directly to say, in regard to my trip, `you could not improve upon perfection.` I have traveled through Europe, throughout the Carribean and Mexico, and lived and then vacationed in Chile and on Easter Island. I am also an Arts, Entertainment and Dining Editor for a Boston newspaper for over 20 years...and thus have had a great deal of experience with the service industry. This was my 18 year old grand daughter`s first venture outside the country and I hoped it to be adventurous and memorable.
You asked about the trip...so here it is.....
For something I bought, sight unseen from the internet, I initially faced it with a bit of trepidation. Our first encounter, after leaving immigration in San Jose Airport, was to be immediately greeted by a charming woman, holding a sign with my name on it. She welcomed us and explained that after we pick up our luggage and go through customs we would find a second representative just outside. Outside I was again greeted with a sign with my name and a pleasant fellow who presented me with a packet that included an updated (only a few slight time adjustments) itinerary for our 9 days. It was exactly as I had designed it. It also included names and numbers to call if we encountered any problems. He then graciously introduced us to our private driver who took us to San Jose. I had investigated the various accommodations offered by latindestinations.com and upgraded from the base itinerary, for a few dollars more, to the Presidente Hotel, as it was in downtown San Jose and near the major museums. Our room was spacious, attractive and replete with a huge jacuzzi bath tub.I also received a call from the tour agency making sure everything had gone well and was to our satisfaction. The breakfast buffet, in the morning, was excellent.
Again, another private driver arrived, most friendly and courteous, and spot on time. He drove us to the Arenal Volcano region and the Volcano Lodge and Gardens. This resort was also a one step upgrade from the base internet itinerary. It is an exquisitely beautiful, eco-designed facility with a magnificent view of the volcano. We arrived with plenty of time to enjoy lunch and relax.
As your web site allows for an easy selection of activities that are available in each area you choose to stay at, I opted for the Arenal Hanging Bridges Tour for our first full afternoon. We were promptly picked up by a transport that took us to the Hanging Bridges complex where our knowledgeable guide led us on a fascinating trek through forested paths and across the tops of lush vegetation with amazing vistas. He shared his interest in flora as we also encountered some docile, but quite poisonous eye lash vipers resting in trees. Additionally found are tarantulas, some indigenous birds, butterflies and cute coatis grazing on the lawn near the complex.
The next morning, early, we were greeted with an abundant buffet breakfast and always the indescribably delicious Costa Rican coffee. Then off for a full day, White Water Rafting adventure. We boarded a large bus that quickly filled with passengers from various hotels along with friendly rafting guides. We were amply informed, in great detail, of all the ins and outs of rafting plus liabilities related to this activity. When on the river, our skillful guide shouted orders to us with precision accuracy as we rapidly were projected for several hours down and through the churning, foaming, rock infested river. We had only one incident. Of the four of us, only one passenger, a young man, fell out, and did so at the very beginning. It became quickly evident that this guy`s egocentric boasting and bravado, for the primary benefit of his new girl friend we suspected, obviously bore no truth and his previous `one or two times rafting experience` he told us about, was non existent. After falling out, he then continuously slid off the side of the raft, into the boat, and onto my left leg. Bruises are now finally fading. So, after a lovely break of delicious fresh pineapple and watermelon, festively arranged on an upturned raft at the river side, I switched places and put him behind me. It was a lot of work but so much fun and exciting. We changed our clothes after and enjoyed a pleasant lunch, a look at the CD that could be purchased, and then a quiet, sleepy ride back to our hotels.
Day 4, up early, breakfast, transport picked us up as scheduled and drove us to a boat launch for a trip across Arenal Lake. It apparently saves driving time. A guide on board the boat pointed out various birds on the way...slowing down and pulling in for closer views. The mountains surrounding the lake were stunning. The only minor glitch, was when one of the vans was late picking us up on the other side of the lake for the trip up to Monteverde. Rightly so, the guide chose to put families with children on the first van. About 15 minutes later, our van arrived and we were off for the two hour trip up the infamous Costa Rican roads. Our well practiced driver artfully maneuvered our vehicle along horrendously bumpy and rocky ways, around pot holes, washed out ruts, and at times, manipulated mathematically minimal distances from the edge of precipices with extraordinary precision. All the while on the trip we slipped in and out of the mist of the cloud canopy allowing breathtaking intermittent views of verdant green valleys spotted with cows and horses, hillsides covered with dark green, shiny coffee plants and a view of the ring of volcanoes painted in a bluish haze in the distant background. Monteverde Lodge and Gardens was another one up, upgrade and again lovely. We arrived at this new destination, also with enough time for a pleasant lunch and a walk through their gardens before my next chosen adventure.
We were promptly picked up to take us to the center where one could participate in all sorts of extreme sports. My choice had been ATV`ing. Just the two of us went with a single and most patient guide who, because it was raining, asked that extra rain gear be brought to us. After a brief training session, each on our own vehicle, the guide expressed confidence in our skills as we ventured forth through the forest on narrow and very uneven trails until I apprised him that I did not feel that, `the machine and I were one.` The ruts were so deep it was a struggle for me and also for my grand daughter, who kept getting hung up and needing help, to control our vehicles. The young guide graciously asked what I would like to do. I suggested to go out on the local roads...challenging enough as they are paved primarily with 3`` on average, angular rocks and are rampant with washed out ruts and gullies. It was fun revving the ATV`s up and down hills and through puddles while sneaking side glances at the beauty of the country. I got a great `up close and personal view` when a farmer herded his cows down the same road we were coming up. I snapped some great Kodak moments with the cows pushing past me on both sides.
We were a bit damp and chilled when we got back so I proceeded to try and make some tea. But the coffee maker was broken. The hotel staff were quickly responsive and supplied us with a new one. Plus, they sent two complimentary pots of hot tea to our room. We sat in the glassed sitting area that juts out into the garden and creates an ethereal, sort of reversed terrarium affect. While sipping our tea and looking out into the dense, rich, green world we felt so wonderfully peaceful.
While having dinner that night the girl from the front desk approached my table and handed me the phone, saying I had a call. Again, the tour company calling to make sure that all was going well for us. I felt such attention was outstanding.
Out 5th day, the transport arrived, again on time, to take us to the Monteverde Butterfly Garden. It was our one, truly cultural/educational thing to do and was most rewarding. Our guide turned out to be an American ornothologist, who studied in Costa Rica and returns periodically to volunteer at this facility during her summer vacation. To be up close to the various insects as well as the many colorful varieties of butterflies that are common to Costa Rica was quite a memorable experience. The morning was the perfect time to visit as the butterflies are most active then. Our afternoon was spent walking into town, having lunch at a small cafe and then spending a lazy afternoon in the giant Atrium style jacuzzi at the Lodge.
Day 6 we left the cool, damp cloud canopy and journeyed down from the mountains to the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The trip took about 3 1/2 hours. We had a fun, surprise stop at a restaurant/gift shop area where a woman, who kept white tailed deer and colorful giant parrots as pets invited us into her yard to let us take photos. All the while, up in the trees, monkeys cavorted, throwing fruit down onto the tin roofs below with a loud bang. We arrived at Playa Hermosa and the Bosque del Mar resort. The suite we were in gave us the feeling we were in a tree house. It included a private balcony where we enjoyed just sitting out and reading. We would laugh each time we approached the dining area and were asked if we wished to be seated outside or inside as it was open on all sides. The view of the ocean from the dining area was lovely and we captured some amazing sunsets off the beach while there.
Day 7 we were up and out early after a quick breakfast. A 25 minute trip to the Swiss Travel Center, a change to a van and then off for a two hour ride to the Mega Canopy Tour and a full day of adventure. Helmets, harnesses and leather gloves and lots of instruction and then a climb up the hillside to the first platform for the zip line experience. Ten zip lines later we were all expert riders, sailing over tree tops hundreds of feet off the ground. A number of participants, for their last zip, including my grand daughter, took the ride upside down. I have this issue about heights so I just made chicken sounds when our zip line guide asked me. He thought that was really funny. Then we changed into our bathing suits, helmets again, plus inner tubes and leather `diapers` for us ladies with skimpy bottomed bathing suits that might get a concrete burn from the slide. We climbed up the same hill as to zip line and arrived at the start of a 1400 foot, concrete sluice-way that created an incredibly fast and fun water slide. Towels were presented to us exiting the pool at the bottom of the slide plus plastic bags for our wet suits. Nice attention to detail. We all then had a great lunch served to us in the restaurant on the complex. Next, off to the horses where, once again, helmets were donned. Then we mounted for a 45 minute ride along a barren and very rocky country road into the hot springs. Back into our bathing suits, 5 minutes in the sauna, and then slathering ourselves with the warm, white volcanic mud. A patient wait until the mud dried, a cool, mountain spring shower to remove the mud, then off to try the various pools. Literally, tile lined pools with graduated degrees of water in each of them. The pool that was 106 degrees forced us to ease in slowly. I was sure someone would throw in potatoes and carrots any minute and make stew out of us. We finally settled on a comfortable 80 degree pool. While in there, the heavens opened up with a torrential down pour. Being in the warm water, with the cool rain falling, in the quiet and richness of the tropical forest was an unforgettably amazing experience...until a bolt of lightning crossed the sky accompanied by a simultaneous clap of thunder. It instantly woke us from from our reverie and their was a mass evacuation. Towels were again offered and we all huddled under a shelter until the storm had passed. We then dressed, climbed the hill to a waiting tractor that pulled a transport that brought us out of the wilderness and back to our waiting van. A quiet ride back to the Swiss Travel office and then to our hotel.
Day 8 was designed by me to do specifically nothing.A perfect, last day punctuation, to a perfect adventure. We had a late, buffet breakfast with Belgium waffles and custom omelets and then some beach combing, yielding lots of pretty shells, and just sunbathing and reading.
Day 9, once again a substantial buffet breakfast. Then, taking our relaxingly and wonderfully predictable, on time private transport, with charming and sweet driver, to Liberia Airport. Less than 3 hours to Miami and then 3 hours to Boston. It is hard to believe that Costa Rica is only 6 hours, air time, away from Boston.
I applaud your website and their travel, hotel and tourist activity partners in Costa Rica. They flawlessly coordinated, this custom made trip.
Maybe it is because I speak some Spanish that I found everyone I encountered along the way to be warm, friendly and accommodating. But I doubt it. Those I met who daily work with visitors have truly cultivated the fine art of hospitality. They additionally always seem to be striving to raise the bar even higher regarding services for tourists. These workers, from drivers, to waiters, concierge to tour guides all are a credit to the image of Costa Rica. The country has an inordinate amount of natural beauty, proven by the 738 photos I took in just 4 areas in Zone 1. It is a magical place that exudes positive energy. Truly, as you say, `Pura Vida`. I feel Costa Rica drawing me back. I would not hesitate to tell anyone I meet to visit there and to use latindestinations.com to make their dream trip become a reality, or the reality that is Costa Rica, make for a dream trip.
Sincerely,
Susan, Belmont, MA
From Atlanta, GA for 7 nights
1 nights in
San Jose City 
2 nights in
Arenal Volcano 
2 nights in
Monteverde Cloud Forest 
3 nights in
Guanacaste Beaches 
Overview
