6 independent reviews for Activity and nature holiday in Costa Rica
Reviews for Activity and nature holiday in Costa Rica
alison talbot-smith review 30 Jul 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Pacquare Lodge - part of Boena group. The lodge, the food, the setting, the activities, the staff. And their 150% commitment to conservation and local community.It’s not cheap but it is value for money and was the highlight of our trip.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
1. The low level areas and Tortugero in particular are HOT. 2. Mosquitos and insects are a real issue - we ended up going for mosquito repellent underneath long sleeves (trousers and tops) along with trainers and socks!I found some 98% DEET and took antihistamines with us which worked a treat to reduce the itching.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
At Pacquare Lodge 150%. At other stays less so but still yes -ecotourism is a big part of Costa Rica’s economy.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Amazing at every level - nature, wildlife, culture, activities, people EVERYTHING. We took 4 teenagers/young adults and there was something for everyone.Mohini Coppell review 3 Sep 2023
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All of it! The proximity to nature due to the locations of the hotels, the activities (zip lining and white water rafting), kayaking through the jungle at dawn, seeing giant turtles lay their eggs under the stars, seeing dolphins and whales as well as all the fish during the snorkelling on a trip to Tortuga island, yoga early morning whilst hearing the howler monkeys.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Avoid transferring through the USA, their procedures for security were overly onerous and inefficient which meant we almost missed both connections for arrival and departure. Consider a direct light from Paris or other airports on Europe.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes, we were very impressed by the care and pride Costa Ricans have in their country, particularly the flora and fauna as well as impressive levels of eco awareness. Even when we’re on activity tours, the guides would discuss the local surroundings and point out animals and birds. We also visited the Bri Bri tribe and would highly recommend this very informative tour and seeing how cocoa is made.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. The tour operator listened to our ‘wish list’ for the holiday and tailored the itinerary to our budget as well as considering the season we see travelled in to optimise our experiences. We had shared transfers organised which we really appreciated, as having self driven on previous holidays, we found the logistics were taken care of and that we could simply sit back and relax. We will remember this once in a lifetime tailored holiday over 16 days for our family of two adults and two older teenagers.Emma Spurgin review 22 Dec 2022
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The turtle hatchlings making their way to sea - we were slightly out of season for that so it was a lucky surprise. Also the sloths - we saw several - mainly not in the national parks, more at the side of the road in trees!! White water rafting was pretty fun too.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Look carefully at where your hotels are as some are quite out if the local towns. Be prepared for all weather's - thick jumpers and raincoats when doing ziplines at the top of the cloud forest - to bikini to catch a few rays in the 30° heat at the end of the holiday in Manuel Antonio. (Early December travel)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Definitely, the guides and transporters were all local. We made an effort to ensure that we left no mark in the environment. Costa Rica has such a huge tourism economy which locals rely on, not just guides but also the restaurants, hotels and shops. We made effort to take recommendations from the guides to visit local places to eat and shop.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Brilliant holiday, slightly let down by one local guide company at the end, but overall a fantastic time if you love your wildlife with a bit of action/adventure thrown in for good measure.Linda Whalen review 14 May 2019
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The most exciting part of the holiday was the 2 day white water rafting expedition involving levels 1-4. The two guides Roy and Walter were amazing ensuring that we were safe and well prepared for the trip. Other activities were similarly of a very high standard in terms of competence of the instructors and equipment used.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
The road infrastructure is poor and journeys are often eventful. However all our pickups were on time and the standard of driving and politeness by the drivers was excellent. It would help to have more details of the adventure facilities e.g. the availabilty of lockers at the Sky Trek.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Employment is cheap in Costa Rica, many work for $2 per hour. Consequently we had an excellent ratio for our activities e.g. Stand Up Paddle Boarding for the two of us employed a driver, an instructor and a saftyboat, similarly for the Zip lining where we had 2 instructors to ourselves. Tourism is a major industry and benefit many "Ticos". Pura Vida is the sound bite of the country and they aim to preserve a clean low impact environment - far in advance of European countries at present4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Outstanding and exceeded expectations. The itinerary provided met all our requests for activities and the hotels were of a very good standard to relax at, after a busy day.Karine George review 23 Feb 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
White-water rafting and zip lining was the most memorable. However our trip was meticulously planned and nothing was left to chance. Considering we were moving around the country a great deal, all the pick-ups and transfers were excellent. This however was down to our travel agent.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Book with someone who has real experience of the area and can give you information about all the extras. Tenille from our tour operator was an expert in the area as it is our understanding that she lived there for part of the year there. She spent time giving us information about everything from what types of clothing to best locations. Nothing was too much trouble. As Costa Rica has so many micro-climates you need someone who has been there more than once to really ensure that you get the maximum benefit. We were lucky that we had Tenille.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The tourist industry did benefit the local people and there were a number of trips that would support conservation actively.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent holiday. More than happy. Would use responsible travel again.Ian Gavin review 25 Feb 2015
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Hard to pick one element in a full, adventure-packed schedule. For thrills, the zip-lining (up to 50 mph on runs as long as 500 yards) wins narrowly over white water rafting on the Pacuare river (52 rapids up to class 4 over 20 miles in over 3 hours), largely because we have been rafting before. But we were also thrilled by the geology (stunning volcanic craters, rainforest canopies, tropical beaches) and and the wildlife (crocodiles, motmots, iguanas lurking for breakfast scraps etc etc)2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Travel as light as you can; but be sure to pack wet weather gear and light, fast-drying clothes. Get up early to enjoy sunrises and perfect temperatures (sun sets by 6). Be prepared for long, shared minibus rides, often on slow bumpy roads. Be patient when things don't quite run to time (but they weren't too bad). Be sure to plan your itinerary carefully and avoid travelling around the congested San Jose area as far as possible. Make sure you use guides if you want to enjoy the wildlife - they spot things even experienced nature lovers just don't. The cost of living in Costa Rica is quite high - expect UK prices for dining out and even in supermarkets. Obviously take sunscreen and insect repellant (especially when venturing into humid rainforests - insects are not a major problem elsewhere)3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
I really hope so! Certainly the local economy needs tourism.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. We packed a lot in but it was well worth the effort of early starts. We travelled around a lot but again we are very glad we did so. The company we selected, from a shortlist provided by Responsible Travel, was very good indeed - providing a great programme initially and then reacting very quickly and imaginatively to our needs and enforced changes. We would be interested in going back to Costa Rica at some future point (shame it isn't closer and less expensive!) and would definitely ask the tour provider to help us organise it.Holiday Reviews
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