10 Días Costa Rica Esencial - Paquete con Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

Pros: A great exposure to different parts of the country. We were picked up at San Jose airport smoothly and transported to our hotel safely. The same driver picked us up early to drop us off to the airport back home. The tour guide at each location was knowledgeable and helpful to explain the history and spot animals and birds and helped us take photos on our cell phones over their telescope. We chose standard hotel category but was surprised to get superior hotel (Poco a Poco) in Monteverde which was a nice treat. The other standard hotels are basic but clean and acceptable. Cons: We booked Ecotermales hotsprings in Arenal and was supposed to be picked up at 5:30 pm. Unfortunately, nobody came to pick us up. Fortunately, the hotel lady was kind enough to call her own driver to drop us off to the hotspring just in time to catch the buffet dinner and hotspring afterward. We were worried how we would return to the hotel. She also was able to track down which company was responsible for this tour as the phone number for Outhikers did not work. Thankfully, a driver from a different company (North Adventures) came to pick us up and drop us back to our hotel. Apparently, the original supplier for this tour (Outhikers) was changed to North Adventures without our knowledge. Later, they acknowledged their mistake and made up by giving us a free lunch the following day after the Arenal hike. Another incident was the pick-up by Interbus from Restaurant Fogon de Lola to Arenal. There were 4 of us to be picked up but the bus only had 3 seats left. Fortunately, a young man was kind enough to give up his seat and sat on the floor. Please note that Tour Radar advertised a sale on the tour price, but beware you have to pay extras on all the excursions and hotel package in San Jose and Manual Antonio which was not included. Also, they sent the details of the tour a day before we leave the trip which did not give us ample time to review the itinerary. It also takes a few days for them to answer our questions.

Tortuguero was our favorite part of the trip. The monkeys were climbing all over the place. We were able to see lots of animals on the boat trip. Worst part of trip was dragging our suitcases from place to place and there was alot of time just getting from one place to the other but it was worth it. Viator was quick to answer any questions that I had and we had no troubles with our transportation or hotels. We did the 10 day tour but if you would like to do alot of extra excursions at each place there is only time for 1 or 2 at most. Probably should have done a 14 day trip instead.

Destination Services provided excellent and responsive communication throughout our planning process. Their tour provided great value and good quality. All transfers went smoothly. Hotels were basic, but provided all we needed. Tour is not a tour group and is bilingual. Special thanks to Paola.

Very Good - transfers were all on time. Accommodation was excellent and national park tours were great.