Costa Rica Tours & Travel

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-- Adventure Pacifica --

Magnus Larson (Adventure Pacifica , Mar 2008)
Our guide, Pavel Sancho, is one of the most caring, gentle, patient, intelligent and friendly persons we have ever met in our lives. He truly showed us the real Costa Rica with a love for his country that is admired by us all. Not only is his expertise in Biology (our kids asked 2000+ questions at least, I am sure!), but he has incredible knowledge about all aspects of his country, Central America, the rest of the world, politics, environment, food, entertainment, sports, etc.

The food was awesome. Always lots and of great quality. We really enjoyed eating the authentic Costa Rican dishes. Great for kids too.

The tour exceeded our expectations in every sense, but it was truly the unbelievable efforts of our guide, Pablo, that made the tour go from great, to a lifetime experience trip. Thank you Adventure life. Your ability to organize our safety and enjoyment using only native Costa Ricans was incredible.

Adventure Life did a phenomenal job. It was simply one of the best trips we have ever taken. THANK YOU!!

Mary Jane Phillips (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2008)
I am 63 years old and I was seeking adventure. I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it all - the hiking, the white water rafting, as well as the rowing and the zip lining. With the encouragement and help of all the people involved in the various activities, I did it all. It was a great experience! Pura Vida!! My tico nickname was "Tortugita." Like a little turtle (4Ft. 9in.), I was slow, but sure with much help and so much more laughter. Thanks to all for making it a truly memorable trip.

Ken Keaton (Encounter Panama, Feb 2008)
This was our fourth trip w/AL...a returning customer is a satisfied customer, and you folks are the best I've encountered.

I continue to be amazed that, in Central and South America, you manage to convince the drivers to be precisely on time (to quote Wade Davis, there are no train schedules in Columbia, only rumors). The two guides for the Embera (Kenny) and Barro Colorado (Wendy) were delightful, fun, and knowledgeable.

I have to comment on the local crafts -- the cocobolo and the tagua carvings of the Embera, their magnificent, intricate weavings of baskets, and the Molas of the Kuna. Some of these were amazingly beautiful, executed with magnificent skill. It was an honor to visit the people and have them share something of their lifestyles with us. Obviously, we were delighted.

You don't provide an option for the experience exceeding expectations, or I'd have checked that one. Adventure Life has done it again. This was a great trip!

Shelly Gordon and Richard Burge (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2007)
Our guide and driver absolutely made this trip for us.

Wes Lui and Jodi McFadden (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2005)
We just returned to Toronto from our trip to Costa Rica and wanted to express what an amazing time we had! Our tour guide Gerardo and our driver Marco were two of the most friendly most knowledgeable people we have ever met. Their incredible interest and passion for what they do, as well as their pride and excitement in sharing their beautiful country with us, made our trip one we will never forget. They were extremely accommodating to our needs and many times went out of their way to make our trip most enjoyable. Also they were quite professional in their conduct while at the same time became good friends that we were sad to leave behind. We would recommend both Gerardo and Marco as a great team to any visitor to Costa Rica and would definitely request to have them with us again for future trips.

On a side note, the trip itself was fantastic. However, we found that our last destination; La Cuisinga, as beautiful and secluded as it was, was a little too much of a change from such an adventurous trip up to that point. As much as we did enjoy the relaxation we would have like to stay longer in Manuel Antonio where we could have the option of enjoying more activities on the beach. We just found that there weren't as many activities at La Cuisinga as the itinerary lead us to believe. Perhaps one day at La Cuisinga instead of three would have been ... Read All

Brower Family (Machu Picchu by Train, Dec 2004)
We had a great time! There was an excellent combination of free/flexible time and formally guided activities. We especially enjoyed the extra day in Machu Picchu. The Adventure Life style suited us very well - a great mix of action, history, wildlife and fun.

Harriett Hassan and family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
The tour was excellent. We loved the eco-tourism. It was great being away from the crowds and visiting interesting places. We had a ball!

Delores Cummings and Group (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2004)
Very nice lodging. Mario was great. He did an excellent job. Excellent trip. One of the best I have ever taken. The trip was everything I expected and more.

Marina Korniets (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2004)
Better than I expected. Not as adventurous and strenuous as I expected. It was a right mix for me. I definitely recommend it.

Alicia Linzey (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2004)
I liked the way the local people handled the itinerary. They provided opportunities for jam-packed days where we all could do things together - or go our separate ways (or do nothing) if we wanted to. They were flexible enough that people could individualize the experience somewhat. When a lot of us wanted to do both the walkway and the zip-lines, they figured out a way to make it work. They also went out of their way to give personal attention: buying flowers for a newly-married couple, arranging for a birthday cake, and buying me a copy of the guide to mammals to take home with me. I can see where your local staff and guides are critical to the quality of the experience - and Mario is a real gem. Certainly, the spectacular opportunities in Costa Rica guarantee numerous great experiences, but that can be diminished by poor organization or less than enthusiastic staff. Everything on this trip was top-notch. I certainly will consider traveling with you again.

Fallen Family (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2004)
Edwin Ramirez (guide) was absolutely fabulous- he was enthusiastic and his love of nature was contagious- all the Costa Ricans went out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable! Visiting Costa Rica was an awesome experience. I would go back in a heartbeat...I gained a better understanding of the balance of nature- the pattern of life- the perfection of a world created with a purpose- thank you!

Mary Fuller (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2004)
One of the best trips I have ever had!

Hannan Family (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2004)
We had a wonderful time and we learned so much. Everyone we met was friendly and helpful. We had clean, comfortable rooms with gorgeous views. The kids were thrilled to see so much wildlife. It was hard to come home to my cooking after the great meals at La Cusinga!

Melissa Martin (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2004)
I loved Costa Rica! Adventure Pacifica was a great way to see a little of everything and aquire a genuine flavor of local culture - we couldn't have asked for a better guide or a better time! Thank you.

Maria Gallione (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2004)
The tour was fantastic. One of the greatest trips of my life! I needed to really unwind and relax and Costa Rica did the trick.

Cynthia Jacobs (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2004)
I had a stupendous time in Costa Rica this past April -- the tour was well planned, well orchestrated and our tour guide had to be the best in the country. I learned so much from Jose about the people, culture, flora and fauna of Costa Rica as well as the topography and geography. It was a rich and rejuvenating trip.

Raylene Roberts (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2004)
Awesome!! Up until the last day our guide got excited to show us another toucan! The overall tour was phenomenal. I would highly recommend it to others.

Cindy Beck (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2004)
We are still trying to absorb everything we experienced in our relatively short time in Costa Rica. The nature experience we had was everything and more than we expected. Much of that was due to our guide, Jose. His knowledge and love for his country and all the living things in it was only exceeded by his enthusiasm in sharing it with us.

Martha Moody (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2004)
Everyone was excellent. The Naranjo river raft trip was fun; the zip line was a blast...We were just thrilled with the beauty and friendliness of Costa Rica.

Joan Rappaport and Martha Edelson (Adventure Pacifica, Aug 2003)
Costa Rica is amazing and much of what we saw and learned was due to our guide. We never could have planned such an exciting and informative journey on our own. We loved every minute and can't wait to come back. Jose (guide) became like one of the family! Thank you all so much!

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-- Adventure Pacifica --

Christopher Jackway (Adventure Pacifica, May 2008)
Everyone was more than helpful. Any question was answered promptly and thoroughly. We nearly had to change our plans due to an injury before we left, and your staff worked tirelessly to get us accommodated. Luckily we were able to go with our original itinerary.

We liked the variety of accommodations, and every place seemed to fit nicely with the environment we were visiting. The food was excellent and the staff always went out of their way to help.

Our guide Clarence was phenomenal! When we take another tour we will request Clarence. He was knowledgeable and insightful. He was able to point out things of interest and add culture to any situation.

From the moment our driver picked us up, to the time he dropped us back at the airport we were impressed by the people, the culture, the food, the accommodations, and the thoroughness of the planning involved with our trip. It was flawless! My wife is a former travel agent and she continues to rave about the quality of planning and execution of our trip. It was her first time doing many of these things and even she can't stop talking about it. We will definitely be back and bringing friends!

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-- Adventure Pacifica - Corcovado --

Jeffrey Welgoss (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2007)
We had heard of the beauty of Costa Rica from many friends and the tour did not disappoint. The country provides a wonderful combination of eco-tourism, unique adventure experiences such as canopying and waterfall rappelling, without sacrificing comfortable accommodations. Casa Corcovado combines the experience of remoteness, the beauty of nature and luxurious accommodations perfectly. The people are friendly and accommodating. Adventure Life and the in-country contacts were responsive and helpful, even at 5 PM on Christmas Eve!

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-- Beaches & Rainforest --

Stephanie Dubyna (Beaches & Rainforest, Oct 2008)
Selva Bannanito was the MOST FANTASTIC place I have ever stayed at! The setting is gorgeous, and the lack of electricity or telephone made it even easier to get into the laid-back, restful feeling of being on vacation.

Justo from Selva Bannanito was very knowledgeable about plants and animals in the rainforest, and he can chop a mean coconut! Exploradores Outdoors provided a great tour guide (Gigo) for our river tour - everyone was SO friendly and very helpful in teaching us Spanish.

Julie Klein (Beaches & Rainforest, Nov 2007)
Although tours are what you make them, I still have to give AL and the itinerary 10 stars. Hands down. I felt my trip was paid for by day 2.

The tour was everything I expected...and then some! I traveled alone and expected to have difficulties booking excursions, having to be at the mercy of a democratic vote from the entire group at each location...but no. I was able to do EVERYTHING AND MORE that i wanted to do on this vacation! (surfing, kayaking, horseback riding, bird watching, frog hunting, white water rafting, tree climbing, canopy zipline and rappel, waterfall hike and waterfall rappel, jungle trekking and bushwhacking. I was ridiculously active and loved every minute of it!!!)

My trip was pre-planning anxiety free, 90% all inclusive and with extreme upgrades and service. I've come back home and anyone who asks me how my trip was, I've given them the same response with a HUGE grin, "It was life changing!"

Betsy Gonzalez and Andrew Acosta (Beaches and Rainforest, Jun 2005)
We had the most wonderful time on our trip to Costa Rica. I was impressed with the hotel accommodations and how everything was organized. The hotel in San Jose was amazing, beautiful and had great service. In Selva Bananito I fell in love with the cabin and the beautiful mountains. Our guide there was amazing, he was kind and very patient with my 11 year old. In Playa Cocles, Cariblue was a beautiful hotel with breath-taking beaches. Although I was traveling alone with my son I didn't feel in danger or uncertain at any moment. You guys did an amazing job. Thanks for making this vacation unforgettable!

John and Pia Crandell (John and Pia Crandell, Mar 2005)
The tour was excellent! In particular we were impressed with how timely all of the transfers and pick-ups were.

Keith & Cydney Strand (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The tour was the BEST!!! Selva Bananito Lodge was a wonderful, wonderful experience.

Ben and Erin Warta (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
Selva Bananito was such an amazing experience! We had all the excitement of the animals and birds, rappelling down the waterfall and horseback riding through the jungle, but with the comforts of candlelight conversations and wonderful service. It felt like a home away from home!

Linda Gaughran and Kenneth Grimes (MS Andrea Antarctica Cruise + Iguazu Falls, Feb 2005)
This was an amazing trip. We want to go back!

Thank you so much for your help in planning our trip. It was spectacular. Our accommodations and adventures on the side trips as well as the local contacts for tours and transportation were great. Adventure Life took great care of us, and the add-on trips to Buenos Aires, Yacutinga and Iguazu Falls were also spectacular. You guys rock!

Here is the advice I can offer to you and your clients about traveling to Antarctica….

NOTES FROM OUR ANTARCTICA, SOUTH GEORGIA, FALKLANDS TRIP ON THE MS ANDREA

RUBBER BOOTS

Cheap rubber boots are fine. I spent $20 from Gemplers.com. Make sure they are 16+” high, completely waterproof and that they have a good tread/lug depth - the ice and the penguin poop can be slippery and you will be stepping into the water getting in and out of the rafts. Do not bring lined or insulated boots because they will not dry out in time for your next landing. Get the boots a couple sizes bigger than usual to accommodate thick socks. I wear a women’s size 9 shoe and bought men’s size 9 boots (equivalent of women’s size 10.5), which gave me enough extra length and width to accommodate the socks. The best combination we found was a Smartwool or Coolmax sock liner under a heavyweight wicking hiking sock. That way you can wash and dry the liners overnight and wash the heavyweights ... Read All

Michael and Karen Gillen (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2004)
We had a great time and wish we could have stayed longer! Everyone was very friendly and very helpful.

Marc Simon (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2004)
We had a fantastic time. I don't know how you found the places and people that you connected us with, but they were awesome. All of the travel went off without a hitch. Selva Bananito was a highlight for us. Everybody we met there was wonderful, including the staff, guides, guests, and even the cooks. I love the work that they are doing at the Reserve and the philosophy of the place. Total positive energy! This is one of the best things we've done together as a family, and a trip we'll be talking about for many years!

Patrice Richards & Terry Clancy (Beaches and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
Selva Bananito was great! The trip was very exciting and relaxing. A great experience!

Feit Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Apr 2004)
The highlight was the rainforest for sure. The staff, the tourists, the owner, our guide, were all wonderful and we really felt as if they loved showing off their wonderful country. In addition, it was great that all of our children (14, 10, 6) could participate in all activities. They made accommodations for our youngest which meant a lot to him and us... We'll be back!

Jon Pettinella (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2004)
I'll never forget it. Never had a vacation like it before. Something exciting around every corner... At Selva Bananito we did not feel like guests at a lodge - we immediately felt like we were staying with friends.

Carson Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2004)
The trip was fantastic - all of the "adventure" that we had hoped for... (Cariblue was not available, so the clients stayed at a different beach lodge called Shawanda). Shawanda Lodge was beautiful - food was excellent.

Green Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2004)
Loved Le Bergerac. Accommodations, food and service were great.... Water rafting was the best, very professional...Shawanda lodge was great and Selva Bananito was a real adventure... Wonderful.

Nancy Dau (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2004)
Awesome adventure. Glad we did the tour "backwards" - Selva Bananito was the highlight of the trip - a great surprise.

Amy Rossman (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2003)
We had an absolutely amazing trip--more than I ever expected. Thank you all. We loved Selva Bananito and would definitely go back there. And we had a fabulous time riding horses on the beach near Puerto Viejo...And, the transporters were always there for us. I was amazed at how well it worked in addition to being incredibly fun plus we enjoyed the other folks on Adventure Life tours. It was the best!

Gay Stallings (Beaches and Rainforest, Nov 2003)
Tremendous! Would go again. Had the best time. Didn't know what to expect, exceeded all expectations- was absolutely wonderful. Costa Rica was beautiful. Your tour was so much fun. The rafting was a blast. My favorite place was Selva Bananito Lodge. Everyone there was so helpful and friendly. They have a wonderful place to visit...Thank you for making the trip so great. No mix ups. Everything was perfect. This was probably one of my favorite vacations!

Dores Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Jun 2003)
Everyone was wonderful at each place...We all learned so many new things, from riding horses on rainforest trails to whitewater rafting. The guides were patient, well-informed, and encouraging. It was the best vacation our family has ever taken. Experiencing new adventures brought us closer together as a family and we all helped each other out... Thanks for the great adventures!

Carol Allen (Beaches and Rainforest + Arenal, Apr 2003)
I loved Arenal- a first class place. Hotel Santo Tomas was lovely as well. Selva Bananito was charming and intimate...I've NEVER seen such punctuality in my life- Outstanding! Everyone we met along the way was excellent. All guides should take lessons from them. I would definitely travel with your company anywhere.

Kate, Sarah, and Jessica Pettrone (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2003)
Food and accommodations were amazing. Cariblue was gorgeous and the food was unbelievable. Selva Bananito was just as fabulous! We are highly recommending not only the trip and Costa Rica, but your services in general. We are highly impressed with the organization, and are spreading the word. Thank you for everything!

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-- Caribbean Adventure --

Catherine Cuccia (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2008)
Met fascinating individuals from all over the globe. Great combination of city, jungle, beach, and nature all in one trip. Enjoyed whitewater rafting down the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Thoroughly enjoyed the eco-friendly Selva Bananito Lodge and its hospitable staff and adventure-filled tours of the jungle. I have never rappelled before and I was amazed that I could hike for 7 hours and rappel down an 80 ft. waterfall! Very cool! The accommodations at Tranquilo Bay in Panama were superb and the extraordinary personal customer service by the staff was exceptional. Very much enjoyed meeting the indigenous Indian tribe, the Gnobe-Bugles.

Deborah Hicks (Customized Caribbean Adventure, Apr 2007)
Selva Bananito was so unique! Villa Marita was very charming with a nice staff. Our favorite guide was in Panama City. He was soooo intent in taking us everywhere in one day, which was much appreciated given our short travel schedule.

James Roberts (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2006)
We had a great time on our trip. It truly was an adventure. The scenic beauty of Costa Rica was amazing. From the whitewater of the Pacuare River to the rainforest at Selva Bananito Lodge, the natural beauty of the landscape was a wonderful experience.

The quaint little town of Bocas del Toro in Panama was a great winding down spot. It was neat the way the buildings are built out over the water. The history of Panama City was interesting to learn about. I had no idea that so much history was involved with that part of the world.

Peter Papamichael and Alkestis Zapantis (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2005)
We enjoyed every minute!! Our vacation was unbelievably amazing! I did things in Selva Banantio (zip lining, rappelling) that I never ever thought I would do! Our guide exuded such confidence and calm that I tried everything - and it ended up being life altering and incredible!

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-- Costa Rica Quest --

Cynthia Maki (Costa Rica Quest, Oct 2008)
Our contact was wonderful. This was a pretty adventurous trip for our family so my daughter-in-law made several contacts with questions, etc. Every inquiry was handled with grace and efficiency. If the answer was not readily available, we received a rapid return call with the information requested.

When we got to Lomas del Volcan the AIR CONDITIONING was really welcomed! All of the lodging was great. The atmosphere at Turtle Beach was perfect. The grounds at LaQuinta were interesting to the children. Although the rooms were very hot, the hotel provided fans which met our needs.

I guess "Costa Rican time" is very different then "Mexican time." A couple of our transport drivers were really great and deserve a special mention. From LaQuinta to Arenal the driver was just great. He sang us a song he had written (talented man), found a sloth for us, and pointed out interesting things along the way. He helped the kids get up close and personal with the iguanas and made an extra stop for us which we really appreciated. The driver from Arenal to San Jose was also very good. He took us to a roadside "joint" for lunch. It had all the local flavor and was a fun stop. The food was okay too.

The guides were really, really good! The respect and accommodation they showed the kids was greatly appreciated. They went out of their way to locate the animals the kids ... Read All

Rhonda Maki (Costa Rica Quest, Oct 2008)
Marissa was great. Always willing to take my questions and answer them as best as possible. Always friendly and very willing to help at all times.

All the rides were great and exactly on time, if not minutes early. We particularly loved our driver from La Quinta to Arenal. HE WAS THE BEST EVER.

The guides were awesome!!!! You would have thought we were their first ever to give a tour to. Made sure we saw amazing animals, some of them very rare (i.e. boa constrictor, three venomous snakes, all three types of monkeys for that area, including the rare spotting of the white faced monkeys, etc..) Again, cannot say enough about how great this tour was. We would most definitely book through Adventure Life again.

I can't believe how wonderful this trip was. Our family of 5 (my husband, myself, my 65 year old mother-in-law and my two children ages 10 and 9) had the most exciting adventure with Adventure Life. BEST VACATION EVER!!! We have visited, Belize, Bonaire, Mexico, Dominican Republic, etc. But Adventure Life really came through with an amazing trip. Perfectly timed tours and transportation. Perfect hotels and guides. We especially loved and recommend the white water rafting. That is a must do and great staff. We will never forget that. They were sooooo great with my 9 year old daughter and we had a blast. My 65 year old mother-in-law said it was the ... Read All

Alice Barrett (Costa Rica Quest, Aug 2008)
Every guide was friendly and informative. I still have a crush on Gabriel, our guide from LeBergerac to Turtle Beach. We had a great time on all our trips, the morning canal boat ride, the cerro tour, and the canoe ride. We saw lots of animals and learned lots about the environment. We were lucky enough to see turtles on the night tour of the Tortuguero Beach, one laying, two coming out of the sea and two going back in.

Our whitewater rafting trip was fabulous! And our guide was terrific, telling us when to jump out of the boat for little swims teaching us how to navigate the river. And our guide for the morning rainforest walk in Arenal was a sweet young man who knew the trail very well and who led us into a troop of howler monkeys. We have video of us surrounded by males, mothers with babies on their backs, young monkeys curious about us and looking at us from their branches in the trees. We were looking up at them for such a long time my neck started to hurt! Later in the trip we saw a peccary, which apparently is very rare. We felt we were blessed every step of the way, that the animals were coming out to see us as opposed to the other way around.

This was the vacation of a lifetime. My entire family hadn't been away together in many years and this trip was our reward for our long wait. We loved the countryside right away as we drove to our first ... Read All

Daniel Robinson (Costa Rica Quest, Jul 2008)
The pre-departure assistance was excellent. All of the literature arrived promptly and Monika was very helpful in the trip planning stages.

The trip exceeded my expectations. The logistical planning was done very well, allowing us to focus on having fun!

Seeing the \\\"National Geographic\\\" moments like nesting sea turtles and marching armies of leaf-cutter ants in life changing. It\\\'s nice to see a culture that treasures their space as much as the Costa Ricans. I would highly recommend this trip and Adventure Life to anyone.

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-- Discover Costa Rica --

Goodrich Family (Discover Costa Rica, Mar 2007)
This tour was terrific, we had more fun and did more things than I had ever imagined. I would recommend Adventure Life to anyone looking for an adventurous trip, and hope to book another tour in the future.

Johanna Kallio (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2006)
Our guides were the best that anyone could ever have. We will definitely do this again next year - everything was better than I expected!

Amanda Campbell (Belize Explorer - Glover's Reef, Feb 2006)
The guide from Pook's Hill was amazing. He was extremely knowledgeable about the Mayan culture and local wildlife, and he went out of his was - bent over backwards - to fit in extra time for bird watching with me.

All the folks at Glover's Reef were very accommodating and also knowledgeable. The dive master was skilled and a great naturalist. He was very good at making us feel comfortable and safe underwater. I went on a night dive with him and it was spectacular!

I was truly blown away by the phenomenal adventures on this trip!

David and Andrea DeGrange (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Dec 2005)
This was our best vacation yet, and we've traveled a lot. We enjoyed everywhere that we stayed. Everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Where else can you go and look out of your luxury tent and see a spider monkey? I didn't want to leave and definitely want to go back!

Matthew and Dorothy Meola (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2005)
Excellent! The best vacation we've ever had. We are planning to return to see other places in Costa Rica. It was so relaxing and fun! Every guide was not only super friendly, but also very knowledgeable and went way out of their way to make sure every detail was taken care of. The food at Guayabo Lodge was outstanding. La Cusinga served the best fruit of all kinds and salads with avocados and tomatoes. Le Bergerac was totally different, but superb! Very very excellent food. From the moment we got off our plane in San Jose, every single thing went so smooth! Every detail was taken care of and all we had to do was relax and have fun! We stayed an extra night at La Cusinga, which I would highly recommend. The bird watching and beaches were a perfect ending for our trip!

Everyone we met was envious of how smooth things were going for us. Most people never heard of the Turrialba area. It was a highlight for us biking through CATIE on a private tour and walking through town with our friendly, knowledgeable guide, Jorge. We will be going back for sure and wouldn't think of booking our trip with anyone but Adventure Life! Muchos Gracias!

Lee Breenblat & Elena Remais (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2005)
Fabulous tour!!

Kerry Bloomberg and Erin Caranangh (Discover Costa Rica, Jan 2005)
The tour itself was remarkably organized, pre and during, and our trip coordinator Fabio went above and beyond to accommodate changes, etc. A very professional and proficient company. Above grade accommodations. The food was extraordinarily good -- consistently.

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-- Earth, Fire and Water --

Steven Jay Danzer (Earth, Fire, and Water 9 day, Nov 2008)
Tiskita: It was incredibly beautiful, a great combo of nature and beach. Very few misquitoes, though there were some knats. Arenal Lodge: we were actually very surprised as the wildlife viewing was exceptional there (we assumed the experience would be all about the volcano - not the wildlife.) We kept stumbling over wildife everywhere we went. We even saw a Coyote grab a Coatimundi from their pack and run away with it in its mouth , a National Geographic moment.

Everything was on schedule. Our long distant transports were always early, and the drivers seemed to be insulted if we were waiting for them beforehand - i.e. they seemed to take pride in their work ethic regarding this, which is bizarre as you will never find this in the US !! This was my second trip to Costa Rica. The first time I rented a car, and swore never again (because of the roads and lack of signs!) Having people drive us around worked out perfectly.

Overall, the tour was great, probably in part b/c it really was a personalized tour (just two people), and because Mario was very accommodating.

Tiskita is run by Peter and Lisbeth who are fountains of knowledge, and extremely friendly. They constantly went out of there way to make us feel really welcome on their property (again, in the US this rarely happens!). For the rest of the trip, we had Mario - who was also very friendly and ... Read All

Shelley Scheffler (Earth, Fire, and Water, Mar 2008)
From start to finish, your company helped us make easy transitions to different experiences and terrains. Not usually a tour type person, I found that it provided an individualized experience with knowledgeable guides that helped us see the wonders of the rain forests, volcanoes etc. Thanks!!

Jane Kurinsky (Earth, Fire and Water, Jan 2005)
Tiskita Lodge is not to be missed! In all, I had a great time.

Sandy Caughron (Earth, Fire and Water, Apr 2004)
The guide and driver were excellent. No future tour would measure up to theirs - a high standard has been set!

Sara Burke (Earth, Fire and Water, Apr 2004)
Excellent trip and guide had excellent knowledge of the country and birds. Our guide was accommodating beyond usual expectations. Super tour overall!

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-- Turtles & Rainforest - Pacuare --

Kim and Tim Sheehan (Turtles and Rainforest - Pacuare, Jul 2005)
What a trip! We did so much, learned so much, saw so much. Every single person we met was generous with their time and knowledge. Every detail was handled to perfection. Everyone we met in Costa Rica was genuinely welcoming and warm. This was a highlight of the trip.

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-- Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero --

Emily Plagman (Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero, Aug 2008)
I found the staff - Marissa especially - to be very helpful and responsive when I called with questions.

Selva Banananito's lodging was amazing! Hotel Bouganveilla was gorgeous and the accommodations were top notch.

This trip was well organized and I loved going to Selva Bananito. It was a good mix of major tourist activities and off the beaten path activities. I would book through Adventure Life gain.

Colleen Wilford (Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero, Jul 2008)
This tour was great - we have a 15 year old son and he had a great time! I have not seen him get this psyched about a trip and doing stuff with us in a while!

Okay - canal boat tour early in the morning with camons, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tucans, and eagles (to name a few). Hour long walks on the beach and interesting people to meet at lodges that are an adventure just to get to. Dream-time magic with fireflies in the rainforest at night. Horse back ride in the jungle to a Zipline. Climb a 100 ft tree. Great coffee! Run a river that has constant class 2, 3 and 4 rapids - This was a great time for all of us and I will recommend it to friends!

Barbara McDonough (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
This was a marvelous trip from start to finish. I really liked the idea that this was not an escorted tour.

Janessa & Scott Gruby (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
We saw and experienced things we never thought we'd see, such as leatherback turtle hatchings, howler monkeys, 3 and 2-toed sloths, poisonous snakes, and many frogs and birds. This trip was awesome! Off the beaten path was even better. No other tourists around, and all the guides were great!

Sarah Yentz (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2004)
I was very impressed with how organized the trip was even though I at times felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, completely out of contact, there was always someone who knew where I was and where I needed to be next and how I was going to get there. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and you did a really great job of showing us that. I would recommend the trip to anyone.

Ellen Ash & Pierre Arterianus (Turtles and Rainforest, Apr 2004)
This trip was a personal challenge and the realization of a dream years in the making. To see the leatherback turtles digging their nests and laying their eggs was a defining moment in my life. I'll never forget my euphoria when under a dark sky in the pouring rain just before midnight, I heard the words "Get down. We have a turtle!" Lucky me, to witness such a magnificent event.

For the rest of the trip: I pushed my body to the limits and it felt good to face a few fears. Never thought, at my age, to do whitewater rafting, gallop for hours across rivers and pastures on a horse, climb a tree to a height of 30 meters, zip on a cable across the tree tops to a canopy platform and rapel down from 90 feet to the river bed below; all in the space of a few days. I hurt a little right now, but these are delicious aches attached to unforgettable memories.

And no mosquitos!

Michelle and Bill Mayne (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2003)
Great! Pacuare was wonderful and the people there were awesome. Selva Bananito was also amazing... Loved Hotel Santo Tomas.

Jo Betty Swerdlow and Amber Sommer (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2003)
Excellent guides. They were a large part of making this an amazing experience. The cooks at Selva Bananito were great about my strange diet...An incredible experience...Zip lining and rapelling were incredible. I came home bitten, bruised, sunburned, and filthy and was incredibly happy with the trip.

Angela Ferina and Scott Douglass (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2003)
Everyone was great! Many activities were very tiring- but we had so much fun! We loved Selva Bananito! Had the whole place to ourselves for the first 2 days- first class treatment!

Linda Hannah (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2002)
My impression of your company is that you offer an excellent quality tour for reasonable cost. I liked the small group that I was in (they were wonderful people) and the diversity of experience that the tour offered. I will comeback! Thanks!

Misty Richards and Scott Frohardt (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2002)
This was one of my favorite vacations. It was amazing! Selva Bananito has an incredible staff. Very friendly, helpful, and knowledgable.

Roslyn Sofer (Turtles and Rainforest, Aug 2001)
We did things that we have never done in our lives. The horseback riding and tree climbing at Selva Bananito were outstanding. Our two sons were thrilled with the 8 hour hike in the rainforest. It is exceptional that parents and adult kids can have a wonderful time on the same vacation!

Laura Levin (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2001)
We loved every place that we stayed. The Pacuare Reserve was amazing and the Selva Bananito Lodge was breathtaking! All of the guides were wonderful, but Sofia Stein is one of the most amazing people that I've ever met. We loved her! We wanted to take Carmen (the chef at Selva Bananito) home with us! Costa Rica was an unbelievable trip. We loved all of the activities and think they were all researched perfectly...There was nothing like seeing a leatherback turtle come out of the ocean and lay her eggs. The Selva Bananito Lodge was simply amazing. That hike (to the waterfall- 9 hrs roundtrip) was fantastic and I loved repelling down the waterfall.

Stacey Bernstein (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2001)
Amazing! It was one of the best trips I've ever been on. It was fun, exciting, and was not too touristy. A lot of the things we did were "off the beaten path." It was so much more than what I expected!! It was more adventurous and physically challenging and I loved every minute of it. Thank you!!

Richard Hendrix and Family (Turtles and Rainforest, Apr 2001)
Every time I had a question, re. currency, water, or whatever, you folks were very helpful. The entire family loved the vacation. Nothing went wrong. The turtle part of the trip was incredible. We'll never forget slipping on the gloves and actually catching the eggs as they dropped from the mother turtle. Animals? We saw hawks, spider monkeys, sloths, iguanas, poison dart frogs, bats, basilisks, green tree frogs (the nocturnal ones with large red eyes), caymans, bullet ants, leaf cutter ants... What a beautiful country with friendly people! We particularly enjoyed the trip from a small village outside Selva Bananito to the lodge. The food was very tasty... Even my 9 and 12 year olds loved the food. The lodges were clean and attractive. The hotel in San Jose was great. To sum it up - Terrific, outstanding, memorable. Can you tell we liked it?

James and Amy Baker (Turtles and Rainforest, Apr 2001)
Very well designed package, just the right amount of time in both locations... great supportive people, very attentive!

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-- Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado --

Bill Rothar (Wild Costa Rica, Jun 2007)
I would like to thank you for arranging my Wild Costa Rica tour. I had a fantastic time! It was as advertised and so much more. My connections and all arrangements were very precise, leaving me to enjoy myself without any worries. Your professionalism and courtesy are truly impressive. I loved Costa Rica, its people and natural beauty are just incredible. I hope to book a similar tour next year with several of my family members, and without question, I will only deal with your company. I will recommend you to anyone and everyone that I talk to.

So once again thank you very much.

Taylor Freshley (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Mar 2006)
The trip was everything we expected and more. Overall, we were blown away!

David and Andrea DeGrange (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Dec 2005)
This was our best vacation yet, and we've traveled a lot. We enjoyed everywhere that we stayed. Everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful.

Where else can you go and look out of your luxury tent and see a spider monkey? I didn't want to leave and definitely want to go back!

Susan and Dennis Salveson (Wild Costa Rica, Nov 2004)
This trip met all our expectation for adventure and unforgettable experiences. This trip may not be for everyone, but if you are flexible, enjoy physical, outdoor experiences and enjoy good food and the comfort of guided adventure...this trip is for you!

Michelle Antonelli School Group (Wild Costa Rica, Jul 2003)
We all want to go back. The Corcovado Lodge setting was unbelievable. The first encounter with primates was with the spider monkeys. Stephanie and I looked at each other, silently giggled, and both thought we would tinkle from excitement! (That is a good thing!) We were able to control ourselves, but not by much!

Shari Bacharach (Wild Costa Rica, Feb 2002)
Everyone was friendly and enthusiastic on both rafting trip and Tiskita Lodge. Great fun, well planned, great experience.

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-- Wild Costa Rica - Tiskita --

William Thurlow (Wild Costa Rica - Tiskita, Mar 2008)
Everything from the arrangements to the accommodations and food and especially the local guides was just first rate we were very impressed that all of the connections went off without a hitch!

We were so impressed with not only our rafting guides' skills on the river, but with how they were just full of knowledge about Costa Rica and the jungle. Our guide Chullo was not only friendly but he treated us like members of his family. His and the other guides' knowledge was unbelievable, not only did they know every twist and turn in the river and how to hit the biggest rapids every time, but they knew every plant, every tree, every fish, every bug . . . well, you get the picture. These guys know their stuff!

Peter Vanicek and Liliane Brantes (Wild Costa Rica Tiskita , Mar 2007)
The trip was great and well planned! The drivers were always on time, friendly, and the vehicles were always great. Tiskita was also excellent-great place and staff. Thanks for a great trip-it was a present to my wife for her 50th birthday. We loved Costa Rica! You did a wonderful job for us and I will use Adventure Life again.

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