Costa Rica
Robert and Anne Barry (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2007)
La Cusinga was exceptional! We would highly recommend this trip to our friends looking for a similar trip.
Shelly Gordon and Richard Burge (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2007)
Our guide and driver absolutely made this trip for us.
Dinni and Carl Fabiani (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2006)
Adventure Life was great-We felt like we could contact you at any time and no question was too stupid. The buses, airplanes, and excursions were very well organized and on time. We felt the local crew would bend over backwards for us. Often we felt served like royalty. The food was terrific and well prepared. Our tour was fun, informative, and we always felt safe.
James & Janet Kennedy (Adventure Pacifica, May 2006)
We were continually impressed wtih the friendliness of everyone we came in contact with--a testament to the Costa Rican people. The guides were wonderful. Mario is an absolute jewel--warm, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable. We had a great time. It was a small group of interesting people, terrific traveling companions.
Each adventure was even better than we expected, including the optional side trips. There was lots of time traveling from point to point, but with Mario as guide and Marco as driver, these were great learning experiences.
Shirley and Dennis Davidson (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2006)
We had a wonderful trip and it gave us an overview of the beautiful country. It left us with a desire to return.
Anne Wangh (Adventure Pacifica, May 2006)
I'm 87 and my granddaughter that traveled with me is 24. We both enjoyed the trip - each on her own level!
Jeffrey Tucker (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2006)
In short, a great trip!! Our guide was probably the best that I've ever had on any tour, anywhere. Everything was well-organized and taken care of flawlessly. His knowledge of Costa Rica's geography, flora and fauna, most notably birds, added immensely to our enjoyment of the trip. His sharp eyes enabled us to see things we could have easily missed on our own - from lines of leaf-cutter ants marching across the forest floor to a pair of scarlet macaws in the hills outside of Manuel Antonio - a spectacular sight.
Our guide went out of his way to let us experience as much as possible. After dropping off the group for an excursion, for example, he had spotted a three-toed sloth in a tree along the road. So, later on that day, he piled us all into the van and we went in search of it again. Sure enough, he found her - and with a baby in tow!
Our driver was a big, friendly guy, and a rock-solid, steady driver. With a lesser guide and driver, the trip would probably have been good, but not nearly as memorable as it turned out to be.
Mary Murray (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2006)
A+++!! We really had a wonderful adventure. It was worth every penny!
Mary Reid (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2006)
The tour was great overall. We saw a lot and packed a lot into our days. Monteverde was fabulous, as was the butterfly and botanical gardens. I would definitely recommend this trip to anyone who wants to see Costa Rica.
Melba and Jimmie Ashley (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2006)
Our tour guide and driver were excellent. We could not have asked for better. They continually went above and beyond their duties to ensure we were getting the maximum from our trip. They were polite, on time and knowledgeable about the area. We would have missed many details and sightings of animals, flora, fauna, etc., without their watchful eyes. Our guide was very organized and detail oriented. Whenever we took additional excursions, he always talked to the guides of that group and handled the arrangements for us. Upon arrival at our destination, they were always there waiting for us with a warm smile and wave. He also would call to the excursion leaders to notify we were en route and to ensure the local guides would be there upon our arrival. Everything flowed very smoothly and in a timely manner, which I credit our guide for. We learned a lot from him regarding the area and its resources. Our driver was excellent and very careful. He maintained the van keeping it spotless which was difficult with us continually getting in out with our muddy and sandy shoes. These two worked very well together as a team. We cannot say enough good things about them. You have two people who are a great asset to your organization. They helped make our trip and enjoyable and memorable trip.
Rosemary Gamblin (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2005)
We greatly enjoyed our Costa Rican adventure! We've taken several vacations in Central America and the Caribbean in the past few years and this was by far the best! Costa Rica is such a beautiful country! And so easy! Our guide and driver took care of everything for us. They were a real pleasure to be with. The guide was able to answer virtually all of our zillions of questions, and our driver, was full of jokes and is an excellent wildlife spotter. We'd recommend Adventure Life to anyone.
Thanks for your help in arranging this wonderful experience. We're ready to return next year!
Mirna Kvajo and Ulrich Hengst (Adventure Pacifica, Nov 2005)
The guide, Jose, was remarkable, friendly, competent and enthusiastic. He made the trip truly special. Very helpful and willing to accommodate special wishes. The driver, Marco, was also very friendly and fun to be with. The van was kept extremely clean and in great condition. Very safe driver. Throughout the trip we had great food. At La Cusinga, the cook even prepared special dishes for me without cilantro!
We enjoyed the tour tremendously. Costa Rica is wonderful and thanks to the excellent itinerary and our tour guide, we got the maximum out of our trip.
Walter and Leah Van Nuys (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2005)
This was the best trip -- because of our guide and driver! The overall tour was the best every -- want to go back.
Rosemary Gamblin (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2005)
We greatly enjoyed our Costa Rican adventure! We've taken several vacations in Central American / Caribbean in the past few years and this was by far the best. Such a beautiful country! And so easy! Our guide and driver took care of everything for us. They were a real pleasure to be with. The guide was able to answer virtually all of our zillions of questions, and our driver was full of jokes and is an excellent wildlife spotter. We'd recommend Adventure Life to anyone.
Mary Reifsnyder and family (Adventure Pacifica, Jul 2005)
Our trip was fabulous, thank to all the effort and great care given to us by the guides and local staff. They were ALWAYS there for us. Our guide, Geraldo, found fantastic off-the-beaten path restaurants for us and he had wonderful excursion ideas. He and my 7-year-old son, Matthew, particularly took to each other. He taught Matthew how to properly use binoculars and had him hooked on looking for creatures wherever we went. Geraldo has a very comforting way about him that always made us feel good about what we were doing and where we were going. He was also very flexible. His love for and knowledge of his country were evident throughout our journey.
Many, many thanks for making this trip so comfortable. We loved the hotels and lodges. The pace of the trip was ideal for a family with kids.
Carla Carrubba and Devon Kersten (Adventure Pacifica, Jul 2005)
Our guide and crew were very friendly and helpful. This was a wonderful adventure - we couldn't have asked for anything else!
Jaimie Williams IV (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2005)
The tour was wonderful and our guide was awesome! He by far made the trip what it was. He made the trip more like traveling around with a friend who knew the country than having a "guide".
Ursula and Howard Booth (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2005)
The tour was quite intense with activities and new experiences. Our trip leader was outstanding! His knowledge and motivation were appreciated, and he was very sensitive to our wishes.
Elaine Vadeboncoeur (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2005)
I was quite spoiled on this adventure as it we had a small group so it was almost a private tour! We had the undivided attention of our guide and driver, and I was so impressed with their enthusiasm and knowledge about the area. I came to Costa Rica being mainly interested in the scenery and the flora, but our guide sparked my interest even further with his knowledge of the wildlife and particularly the local birds. The trip and the tour staff left me wondering if I shouldn't just pack up and move to Costa Rica! I really didn't want to leave.
Terri and Jason Rayburn (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2005)
The trip was amazing! We couldn't have asked for a better guide and driver - what a team! The both were extremely helpful and pleasant to be around. We really consider our guide to be one of the family now! We went to Costa Rica to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary and we will never forget it. Our trip could not have been any better.
Walter and Leah Van Nuys (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2005)
The trip was a truly great experience. Arenal Observatory Lodge was unbelievable! The location and accommodations were fabulous!
On Good Friday, our driver arranged a soccer game between the tourists and the locals. It was truly the highlight of our trip! No matter which team scored all the sides would cheer. It was refreshing to participate in a game where winning was not everything.
Our tour guide made our trip a great experience from beginning to end. His knowledge of his country, expertise in biology, and friendly personality were fantastic. He was always willing to help.
Linda Torson (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2005)
We enjoyed it immensely, second only to our Grand Canyon rafting trip of several years ago. Mario and William were great. Both extremely helpful and always pleasant. My husband was thrilled at finding Mario to be an avid and experienced birder. He ended up with a trip list of 156 birds, which would've been very hard to duplicate without Mario's expertise.
Our favorite accommodations were the Arenal Observatory lodge and La Cusinga. They're both gems, especially the later. The cabins (if you want to call them such) gave us the feeling of being in our own private paradise, where we could sit and gaze out at the ocean or watch birds land in the trees. It was hard to return to reality.
My husband seemed to have a knack for selecting good tour companies, and he did so again with Adventure Life. Thanks, and please thank Mario and William for us again!
Rod Lewis (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2005)
Great trip to a wonderful place with non-stop fun adventure!
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
Price Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
This was the best trip we have ever taken! We had never done a tour before, but after this experience we would go on another. Everything was perfect and we felt pampered, informed, and well-cared for. Our guide took care of any arrangements that needed to be made along the way, so we were free to enjoy the trip. It was an "adventure" and a true vacation in every sense of the word. Thanks for making our trip so very special!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Mary Fuller (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2004)
One of the best trips I have ever had!
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.
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.
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.
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!
Altman Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
This Costa Rica tour was priceless. The guides quickly became part of our family. The tour was worth many times what we paid!
Catherine Kello (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
I am writing to express my extreme pleasure with the Adventure Pacifica tour that I just completed and to especially call your attention to the magnificent job of both Mario and Enrique in making it a trip of a lifetime. I left with a love for the country and a desire to return as soon as possible.
Mario’s knowledge of his country and its environment is unsurpassed. It was an amazing experience to witness him spot things on our hikes that we never would have known existed. On several different hikes he coaxed out a tiny frog from under leaves, sometimes finding a frog that appeared to be only about 1/4 inch in length. He taught us how to listen first and then spot animals, especially birds. I began this trip with a passing curiosity about birds and ended with a love and passion for finding and identifying them. Between Mario’s hikes and the crocodile tour Mario arranged, I think that I saw at least 60 different types of birds. This does not even count the various other animals we saw in our adventures. We also learned about the overwhelming abundance and variety of plants and trees.
Mario’s expertise extended well beyond the outdoors. He took the time to answer my seemingly endless questions about Costa Rican people, their lifestyles, public welfare and health, art, education, transportation and a wealth of other subjects. I took away from our ... Read All
Len Cohen (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2003)
Our trip was fantastic -- it lived up to our hopes and exceeded our expectations. Your itinerary was excellent, but the key factor was our guide, Jose Romero...There's no doubt that he'll continue to send all of your clients home as happy as Marilla and me. Jose is very personable and an extremely talented guide. He worries about all of the details and we were always able to be confident that everything would be in order so we could enjoy our trip. And Jose made sure we did enjoy it in every way: he has a magical way of finding all of the animals we came to see and he is extremely knowledgeable about all aspects of Costa Rican ecology and society...We will be traveling with Adventure-Life again and we will make sure our friends know about you.
Dave Olson (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2003)
Just want to say thank you for helping us set up the great trip to Costa Rica. We all had a great time and thoroughly enjoyed the "Adventure Pacifica". Everyone in Costa Rica was very friendly, knowledgeable, and accommodating (especially our guide Jose). I just can't say enough.
Michaeleen Green and Elizabeth Meyer (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2003)
I really enjoyed the places that we stayed. They were unique places that we would not have ever found on our own. Everyone was extremely friendly and helpful. They went out of their way for us...It was amazing to have home cooked meals on a vacation. The trip was a great way to experience Costa Rica, enjoy fun activities and have time to relax. Pura Vida! We had some interaction with other tourists at the beginning and end of our trip and after comparing notes, we were delighted that we chose the trip we did. We felt very special to have a diligent guide who took so much care in our having a good experience. We also felt that we visited places that were more unique and more special. Thanks.
Jeff Link (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2003)
My son and I had one of the best times of our lives. Great places, great sights, great guides and small tour groups- made great friends! Everyone was very concerned that we were very satisfied. Food, activities, people- all the best! Want to do this again!
Lyman Family (Custom Costa Rica Tour similar to Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2003)
I had a little uncertainty about this trip with a 5 year old and a 7 year old- but you struck the right balance in your custom tour. They (the kids) suggested we move to Costa Rica when it was time to leave! Good work. I have recommended you to others!
Petesch Family (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2003)
Absolutely top notch! Edwin was the highlight of the trip (and the wildlife he introduced to us). Lenin did a great job too. Everyone was friendly! Every moment in La Cusinga was treasured. The kids learned to surf. We took great hikes. Snorkeled. Those were great days.
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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Dechow Family (Adventure Pacifica 9-Day, Mar 2007)
Rony Jimenez was fantastic-he was so friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate. Overall an excellent track and tour guide! The best we had ever met on any tour, and we have traveled extensively.
Loomis Mayer (Adventure Pacifica 9-Day, Dec 2006)
Every aspect of this tour exceeded our expectations: the accommodations, the vehicle (size, comfort, and visibility, the activities, the unceasingly beautiful landscape of Costa Rica, our excellent tour guide(Gerardo), our driver(Gerson), as well as the Adventure Life staff!
Bill White and Garrett Blackmar-White (Adventure Pacifica, Apr 2006)
The guides were fantastic - very child-friendly and professional, punctual and flexible!
Dave Hornaday (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2006)
This tour exceeded our expectations at every venue!
Bonnie Schwartz and Jill Hartmann (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2006)
The guide was excellent! His knowledge, enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of the job made the trip totally enjoyable for us. He had a great ability to bring people of different backgrounds together. Our driver was also very friendly and very patient. He made driving on those roads as stress free as possible.
Edith and Frank Dukat (Adventure Pacifica - Quepos, Oct 2005)
Our guides were outstanding!
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Burge Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2007)
Monika Sundem and Marissa Fox both offered exceptional service in the planning and preparation for our trip. I especially appreciated their timely responses to my many inquiries.
Thank you for helping us create a wonderful Christmas holiday! We loved exploring a new country and were especially were thrilled to be able to share it with our family friends who live far away across the country. You guys are AWESOME!! It was our family's first adventure tour, and we would do another with Adventure Life in a heartbeat.
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!
Rachelle Hansen (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2006)
This was more than a tour! It was an awakening, learning, and spiritual experience.
Caroline Jacobs (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 0)
The tour exceeded my expectations. It was so much more than a vacation! I shared many adventures with new friends and learned so much about the amazing diversity of Costa Rica.
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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!"
Holly and Michael Schaupp (Beaches and Rainforest, Apr 2007)
This trip was more than we expected and we cannot say enough about Selva Bananito. We really enjoyed this rainforest retreat and the guides and staff were excellent.
Dyer Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2007)
Everyone from the drivers to the lodge staff and owners were friendly and very helpful. The food at Cariblue and Selva Bananito Lodge was excellent. At once point we arrived an hour early and received an impromptu tour of the local banana plantation-with the owner's permission of course.
Kathryn Cheski and Theresa O'Connor (Beaches and Rainforest, Jan 2007)
Everyone was awesome! Very knowledgable and fun! The staff and food at Selva Bananito was superb. I loved the feel of the eco-tour and enjoyed the holisitc feel of the trip.
Grim Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2007)
Selva Bananito Lodge was incredible. I would highly recommend this lodge. Our guides were excellent throughout our tour and very knowledgeable about the country, environment, etc. This tour was perfect, even the rain was enjoyable. Our thirteen-year-old daughter had a great vacation and the group we were with was exceptional.
Kathy and Roger Tunsley (Beaches and Rainforest, Jan 2007)
This vacation was outstanding in every way. It was our first "adventure" holiday and it didn't disappoint. All of our local guides and contacts were knowledgeable and, above all, so proud of their country. We had a wonderful time. I'd be happy to recommend your services to friends and strangers alike.
Doug and Marissa Williams (Beaches and Rainforest, May 2006)
We had such a good time! The staff at Selva Bananito was "A+". The food was great - tasty and with a very local flavor. The activities were tailored for our desires and time schedule. The tour was so good that I am recommending your company to all that ask!
Dori Johnsen (Beaches and Rainforest + Tortuguero, Apr 2006)
The trip was flawless and outstanding! The coordination traveling between lodges made it completely stress-free. As with our previous trip to Belize, it felt like this was a private tour just for us. Thanks for doing so well on such short notice from us!
Trish Murphy (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2006)
The tour was beyond our expectations! Amazing! We especially loved feeling like we were off the beaten path and having a unique experience and interacting more with local people.
Selva Bananito Lodge is amazing!! Beautiful, peaceful, and the most unique ever. I loved the environmental/ecological focus on sustainability and making less of an impact on the earth!
Gary Horwitz (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2006)
At the lodges there was a very nice balance between modern amenities and respect for the locale. We had an outstanding group at Selva Bananito Lodge. In all, a good value and worth recommending - a true adventure!
Julie Hamilton (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2006)
This trip was packed with adventure but also gave sufficient "downtime" for rejuvenation before the next event. I would absolutely recommend this trip for anyone who likes to go a bit on the wild side. It was great.
Anne Hawkins (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2005)
Having Adventure Life plan our trip was wonderful! We got exactly what we wanted - a week of relaxation and adventure. Having transportation provided we didn't have to deal with the stress of figuring out bus schedules. We LOVED the river rafting and the time to explore on our own. Thank you for making our first trip to Costa Rica so incredible!
Brenda Wanker (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2005)
Selva Bananito is the best! It is the most serene and beautiful place I've ever visited. My son is 17 and I thought that he would be complaining about the somewhat remote locations and lack of TV and electronics. It was quite the opposite. He actually said that he could spend more time at Selva Bananito and not miss anything. I think that we spent more time together talking and just doing things together than we had in the last 6 months. We both did things and had experiences that will last a lifetime. Overall, the tour was great! We did things that I never thought that I could or would do.
Kari Gould (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2005)
Selva Bananito was truly excellent and beyond our expectations! The hikes, waterfall rappelling, and zip lines were amazing!
Denise Reynolds (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2005)
This was the best vacation ever! Just the right balance of activities and relaxation. Our only regret is that it was over much too quickly! It was adventurous enough for our high school and college boys, and relaxing enough for my husband and me. The variety of locations and activities was great.
Rachel Wildschuetz (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2005)
We had an amazing time in Costa Rica! Everything was absolutely perfect. Each place we visited treated us extra special since we were honeymooners. We enjoyed this trip so much - from all of the adventure activities to lounging in our hammocks. Thanks so much for the wonderful memories!
Rosa Castello and Kristen Tranetzki (Beaches and Rainforest, Aug 2005)
Our local crew was excellent! The guides were wonderful - super friendly and helpful and really patient. I loved the tour! I'm telling everyone that they should go!
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.
Christoph and Nancy Schachinger (Beaches and Rainforest, Apr 2005)
This is the best vacation we have ever had!!! The trip wasn't what we expected - it was better! We are not "tour" type of people, and so we were apprehensive about the trip at first. But we never felt that we were part of a tour group during our time in Costa Rica. Everything was perfect and we can't imagine going anywhere in Latin America without going with Adventure Life!
John Rossakis and Doug Larrison (Beaches and Rainforest, Apr 2005)
We loved every minute of our tour! We had a great time. We like to be active while learning about a new country, and this tour did not disappoint! We also liked that we were able to avoid the big, glitzy "tourist traps".
Nicolai and Majbritt Jensen (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
This tour was one of our best holidays ever with amazing nature, activities and people! Selva Bananito Lodge was one of our favorite experiences. Even though it rained while we were there, it was amazing! The staff, food, activities and nature all couldn't have been better!
Greg Kost and Cindy Silverman (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
Great tour! We really enjoyed it. Selva Bananito was outstanding. The horseback riding, hiking and rappelling were great. We found ourselves doing things we never really imagined!
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!
Keith & Cydney Strand (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The tour was the BEST!!! Selva Bananito Lodge was a wonderful, wonderful experience.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
Patrice Richards & Terry Clancy (Beaches and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
Selva Bananito was great! The trip was very exciting and relaxing. A great experience!
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!
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.
Justin and Jennifer Grigg (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2003)
A true getaway, just what we needed. Selva Bananito was definitely the highlight of the trip for us. Perfect place to relax, have fun, and leave the rest of the world behind. The food was especially excellent. Relaxing on the beach and organizing our own excursions from Cariblue was also fun... Just the right mix of fun and education.
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!
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.
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!
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!
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!
Scott and Sandy Angle (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2002)
Did not expect the hotel in San Jose to be so nice. We loved waking up in Selva Bananito, looking out into the forest and watching and listening to the birds. Accommodations and cuisine were great. ... Loved all the activity at the lodge. They were all wonderful people.
Wendy Poppen-Chambers (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2002)
Fantastic! I've been telling everyone about your company- Keep up the great work!
Eddie Young and Susan Newman (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2002)
Hotel Le Bergerac in San Jose was wonderful. We ate there at the French restaurant twice and the food was great. Selva Bananito was so beautiful! Owen (guide at Selva Bananito) was fantastic and had a great knowledge of rainforest plants. I really trusted his skills as an "arborist" who can rig up safe and exciting tree climbs and zip lines, etc... We loved seeing the monkeys on the last day of our trip at Cariblue Bungalows.
Maxene Raices (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2002)
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. We found the pace very relaxing. Everyday was another adventure! We wanted a different style of vacation and we found it. Thanks!
Stan and Elaine Frick (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2002)
Selva Bananito was paradise! An Eden with wonderful accomodations, delicious food, knowledgeable guides. Saw one mosquito last day in San Jose! We're recommending your agency to other Columbia, SC friends!
Cindy and Joe Agro (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2002)
It was dark when we arrived at Selva Bananito and during the last part of the trip we were thinking, "Where are we going?" We were pleasantly surprised in the morning to see we were in the most beautiful of hideouts. Our accommodations were great! The activities were challenging and fun. The zip ride to a platform 80 ft up a tree was exciting. And the birds- we had never seen so many!!!
Ruth Lewkowicz (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2002)
This trip was a fabulous experience. it was superbly organized and everyone contributed to making our experience unforgetable. Our guides were well-informed and enthusiastic. We saw and did things we never could have imagined. In addition to a few "National Geographic" moments, we definitely pushed ourselves to new levels by trying new experiences such as gliding through the tree canopy. That was one of the most liberating experiences of my life.
Jessica Vross and Paul Willis (Beaches and Rainforest, Jul 2002)
We really enjoyed everyone. We had a great time with our guides. The food was fantastic! I would recommend this tour to our friends! We had a great honeymoon!
Janovsky Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Nov 2002)
Everything was exceptional. All the details were taken care of...Whitewater was excellent- guides were enthusiastic, fun, and knowledgeable. Everyone at Selva Bananito was great- we felt at home there...The food was very good!!! We were anticipating not eating very well and were surprised to be served such delicious meals, especially at Selva Bananito... It was a wonderful first time experience and one we would highly recommend...Thanks for arranging such a great trip.
Skip Mueller (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2002)
Just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed our Beaches and Rainforest trip! All 9 days came off without a single problem! The rafting trip was a perfect way to "plunge" into nature, and Selva Bananito was simply breathtaking! Jurgen & his staff couldn't have been more gracious and accommodating, and we made lasting friends...Also, from all the info you had sent us we didn't realize that all the "optional" activities (horseback riding, waterfall hiking, tree climbing, etc.) at Selva Bananito were actually included in our package...almost felt guilty the afternoon my wife and I took an extended siesta and did nothing! Thanks to everyone at Adventure Life for arranging such a wonderful and memorable trip!
Lesley Young (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2001)
Every place was perfect! The hotel Santo Thomas in San Jose was comfortable, clean and very accommodating in terms of organizing rides and allowing us to store bags. Almonds and Corals was incredibly unique. The proximity of the beach and the jungle made for plenty to do, and the cabins surrounded by the jungle (and tons of howler monkeys!) were absolutely divine. Selva Bananito Lodge was the highlight of the trip. The Stein family, who runs it, provided everything I imagined for the perfect eco-lodge. The setting and views are magical, the cabins idyllic and the food delicious. Meals are eaten at a long table with staff and other guests, which gives a very welcome, family feel. Activities offered include horseback riding, an all day hike, which includes a hot lunch next to a waterfall and then repelling down the waterfall, tree climbing, mountain biking, camping in the jungle... The wildlife and plant life was tremendous. From a hammock on the porch of your cabin or out in the middle of the jungle, you have the opportunity to see amazing birds, trees and flowers. I cannot say enough good things about Selva Bananito!
Melissa Rice (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2001)
Selva Bananito is phenonemal. Almonds and Corals, too, is wonderful. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. All around excellent service. Everything was exactly on time, not one glitch! Great Food... very intimate locations allowed us to know people better... all (guides/leaders) were fantastic. WOW! I loved it. More rigorous than I expected, but it was a welcome surprise. Everything was perfect. This trip was a dream come true. All the different activities allowed us to experience Costa Rica - rafting, horseback riding, snorkeling, and hiking. What a great way to see such a beautiful country.
Kara Palamountain (Beaches and Rainforest, Apr 2001)
I loved the accommodations, very unique, simple and good value... The staff was so friendly. Selva Bananito is a must! A great atmosphere - all guests and staff eat at the same dinner table. There is always some sort of activity going on led by enthusiastic and informed guides. From the tree climbing to rainforest waterfall repelling. What a great vacation. I liked the pre-planned itinerary.
Linda Monahan (Beaches and Rainforest, May 2001)
We had a wonderful adventure. New thrills and memories to last a lifetime. The howler monkeys were incredible. No one can adequately describe their performance at night in the trees above your head. Selva Bananito was unique. The trek to get there is something else. All the problems of the world disappear as you commune with this great entity, the rainforest. It's a humbling experience as well as an enlightening one.
Trygbe Bjorgen (Beaches and Rainforest, Jul 2001)
Each place we stayed was incredible. They were clean and the staff was so friendly. There was never a hitch. Everything was perfect! All the food was fantastic. I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants an adventure. It was truly a once in a lifetime trip. I got to see poison dart frogs, climb 600 ft trees, go horseback riding, repel down waterfalls, whitewater raft, see the 3 toed sloth, all while being surrounded by the rainforest! I never had to worry about how I would get to the next adventure because everything was taken care of by Adventure Life. Also, I never would have known these lodges and adventures even existed without Adventure Life. I will positively use Adventure Life again and refer my friends there.
Wilbert Family (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2001)
We had a blast! We could not say enough good about Selva Bananito. It was an experience to remember. The Stein family and their staff are remarkable people.
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Jane Dempsey (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2006)
We had a great time! Between the mountains, the beach, the beauty of the wildflowers, waterfalls, and wildlife - there is something in Costa Rica to appeal to everyone.
Marc Rouda (Beaches and Rainforest, Jun 2005)
Our trip was a great experience! In particular, our pre-departure support from Adventure Life was very helpful. Our Operations Coordinator's service and the quality of this tour made this trip one of the best I've taken.
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Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!
I will definitely recommend Adventure Life to people planning to travel in South America. The standard of accommodation, tour guides and the fact that we could rely absolutely on being managed in transition was fantastic.
Marianne Kutz and Antal Szijj (Guatemala Custom Tour, Jul 2007)
We were so pleased and thrilled by the amount of effort your staff went through to take care of EVERY detail and request on our custom tour, from the birthday wine to finding specialized birding guides. It was perfect! Very organized, yet flexible to our needs every step of the way. We couldn't have been happier with everything.
Hannan Family (Custom Costa Rica, Jul 2007)
We wanted to make a last-minute change and really appreciated Adventure Life accommodating it, especially when it involved two lodges and a change in transportation time. The trip was wonderful, very relaxing, but plenty to do when we wanted to. Marcos, who drove us to and from Puerto Jimenez, was great about stopping to show us wildlife - he pointed out monkey and crocodiles!
Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!
Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -
I would just like to compliment your company on one of your guides for the Inca Trail. I booked my trip with a competitor firm but while on my trek met one of your guides named Vidal. I was happy with my tour guide - but was impressed with Vidal and his knowledge, friendliness and concern for trekkers other than his "clients". As it turned out - I became friends with his trek clients through him which enhanced my experience and visit. However -the most impressive thing was his concern on the final day of the trek for a girl who had fallen and injured herself (a torn ligament). Vidal helped her to receive medical attention at Machu Picchu, he carried her backpack, and generally lent assistance - and he wasn't even her guide! To me - this is a professional - and one who well represents your firm; plus it is the true spirit of Peru - kind, helpful and not only in search of tourist dollars! I hope you may be able to commend him or reward him. Next time I will consider Adventure Life on the basis of his representation of your firm!
Christopher Nurko
London, England
Ann Astrove (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2006)
You were the first site on the Internet that I looked at. I was so impressed with the amount of information and how thorough it was that I hardly looked at any others. Even though this was my first time traveling with a travel group/company, I felt comfortable with my choice based on the support of your staff and the supply of details. I'm looking forward to another trip!
Gerald and Judith Porter (Guatemala Explorer, Jun 2006)
We have done extensive adventure travel prior to this trip, and we would rate this as the best organized trip we have taken. We'd be happy to highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of travel.
Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.
Elinor Petusky (Inca Pathways, May 2006)
Everything went off like clockwork and everyone took great care of us. Our guide was great - knowledgeable, caring, competent, enthusiastic and good company.
Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!
Larry Brassem (Machu Picchu by Train, Mar 2006)
As a rule, we take beach type and cruise trips. This was our first "adventure"-type trip. We loved it! There is not a better way to integrate into the local culture.
Mary Hilton (Galapagos Category I Cruise (Angelique), Mar 2006)
Thank you so much for making this somewhat inexperienced world traveler feel so confident. The trip to the Galapagos changed my worldview and the trip went so smoothly. I had a wonderful time!
Dot Meola (Hamanasi Adventure + Ambergris Caye, Mar 2006)
This was our second tour with Adventure Life and it was so relaxing and fun. We were very confident going to Central America knowing that everything would run smoothly. We had a great mix of adventure and relaxation, and are trying to decide where to go next!
Dennis Riordan (Galapagos Category 1 Cruise - Angelique + Sacha Lodge, Mar 2006)
Amazing! The duration of my trip was one month - and this was my first international travel experience! With Adventure Life I always knew someone was there for me. What a great comfort! The trip was far beyond my expectations!!
Pam and Brian Layzell (Belize Explorer - Ambergris Caye, Feb 2006)
We not only enjoyed the activities and sites that we visited but also the way that the tour was conducted with respect to supporting the local economy. This allowed us to become more intimate with the people, their culture and their way of life. This could not have happened on a typical vacation, or if we would have planned the trip ourselves.
Tuhin Sen (Machu Picchu by Train, Dec 2005)
This was our second trip with Adventure Life. We couldn't believe it, but this trip even outdid our first one! There really is no equal when it comes to South American vacation packages. Please keep up the good work!
Jill Montgomery (Galapagos Luxury Cruise - Eclipse, Nov 2005)
This was one of the best trips we have ever taken! It is the first time we have traveled with a company making the arrangements for us - we usually travel independently. We loved what Adventure Life did for us and we would not have seen or done so much as independent travelers.
We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!
Brenda Simmons (Guatemala Explorer, Dec 2005)
I've never had such a well-executed tour anywhere, anytime! Traveling in a third world country is generally a crapshoot, at best. Adventure Life made it an amazing adventure!
Jonathan Siekmann (Machu Picchu by Train + Inti Raymi, Jun 2005)
The tour was everything we expected and more! Peru is such a charming country. I really appreciated the values and spirit of Adventure Life. I got a sense of them from the website, and the reality on the ground reflected my expectations.
Bonnie and Joseph Lamphere (Rainforest and Ruins - Belize, Jan 2005)
We did things, went places, and saw things we never would have otherwise. This was not the "same old vacation" - and we had fun! I don't think that we've ever dealt with a travel company that took so much care with its customers. Usually, once the money is paid for a vacation, you're pretty much on your own. But we never felt that way at all with Adventure Life. There was always a resource person available and we really appreciated that. Thanks, we had a great time!
Christoph and Nancy Schachinger (Beaches and Rainforest - Costa Rica, Apr 2005)
This is the best vacation we have ever had!!! The trip wasn't what we expected - it was better! We are not "tour" type of people, and so we were apprehensive about the trip at first. But we never felt that we were part of a tour group during our time in Costa Rica. Everything was perfect and we can't imagine going anywhere in Latin America without going with Adventure Life!
Jeralyn O'Brien (Awesome Argentina, Mar 2005)
Adventure Life put together a great trip, did all the planning and work, and I just enjoyed! It really was an awesome trip and I would definitely be interested in traveling with your company again!
Stewart and Maryann Shaw (Earth, Fire, and Water, Mar 2005)
The tour was marvelous! This was the first time we used a tour company to plan our vacations, and we felt really catered to. Having a guide who was so knowledgeable made the trip so relaxing. We didn't have to worry about where we needed to go to next or if we would have problems with the language barrier, so it really took the pressure off of us!
Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.
Price Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
This was the best trip we have ever taken! We had never done a tour before, but after this experience we would go on another. Everything was perfect and we felt pampered, informed, and well-cared for. Our guide took care of any arrangements that needed to be made along the way, so we were free to enjoy the trip. It was an "adventure" and a true vacation in every sense of the word. Thanks for making our trip so very special!
Suzanne Bland (Reefs & Cayes + Mayan Mysteries + Adventure Pacifica +Peru Custom, Feb 2004)
I had a fantastic trip. I was extremely impressed by all the tour guides Adventure Life had selected, the accommodations, meals, tours, and the whole organization of my trip. It was far better than I could have hoped for. Thank you for organizing it so well. I also recommended Adventure Life to many other travelers along the way as they were impressed with the activities I was doing and how I was able to fit so many tours together without one single problem all the way through.
Scott and Pamela Orton (Mare Australis + Iguazu Falls, Apr 2004)
Having private tours and small group expeditions is the only way to do this type of trip. While others were herded like sheep, we were given hands on experiences such as tasting medicinal bark and learning to use lichen as dye.
Joyce Able (Wild Tambopata, Jul 2004)
On the final day of our trip Sandy said, "I can't think of any way to have made this trip better." Neither could I. The Wild Tambopata 7 Day trip was absolutely fantastic!!!! When we signed on with Adventure Life, we did it with some apprehension. After all, I had found Adventure Life by doing an internet search. All we really knew about Adventure Life was what was written on the web site. Truth or fiction? We have the answer to that question now- truth!...From the time we were picked up at the airport in Puerto Maldonado by our guide, Gaby, and our driver we felt in good hands. Gaby was our guide during the time we were in the Amazon. Almost unbelievable.... If I were to plan another trip to any part of South America to which Adventure Life arranges trips, I wouldn't have to do another internet search. I'd go straight to Adventure Life!
Marc Simon (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2004)
I just want to tell you that we had a fantastic time and thank you for the great job Adventure Life did on putting our trip together. I don't know how you found the places and people that you connected us with, but they were awesome. Your people even pulled us through when our luggage did not arrive with our international flight by coordinating its retrieval. We will definately keep you in mind for a future trip. It was one of the best things we've done together as a family, and a trip we'll be talking about for many years!
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Lisa Dvorak (Caribbean Adventure, Dec 2007)
All was really really wonderful . . . all three of us have collectively done a lot of travelling and this trip was a highlight, from white water rafting a class 5 river (never thought a river could have 8 foot waves) to zip lining thru the trees to actual tree climbing to nature hikes, to horseback riding to sitting in a hammock listening to jungle sounds to snorkelling/diving and exploring Bocas on our own, to the wonderful Canal tour . . . it was magical. I want to thank your staff and all involved in Central America who co-ordinate everything. I can't wait to travel with Adventure Life again!
Sara Seematter (Caribbean Adventure, Dec 2007)
Our Costa Rica/Panama trip was a good mix of rigorous activities and sightseeing. We liked the mix of staying in small, intimate settings, as well as in big cities. I can honestly say that I was more active in the 8 days of this trip than I usually am in a month at home. I plan on taking my daughter with me on my next Adventure Life trip so she can experience Latin America like I did.
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.
Halle Butvin and Venessa Posavec (Caribbean Adventure, Apr 2005)
We were thoroughly impressed with the coordination of our trip. We had an absolute blast! All of our transfers and excursions were so well coordinated. Each time we went somewhere different, I was a little nervous, but each time our drivers were there waiting for us and eager to meet us.
At Selva Bananito Lodge the accommodations were simple and the view from the hammock on our porch was breathtaking! I swear time in Costa Rica goes more slowly. It was the most relaxed that I remember being!
While we did take a lot of down time, the activities we did were amazing - rappelling, hiking, horseback riding, tree-climbing, rafting, and snorkeling. This trip was so much more rewarding than a typical vacation!
Kelly Stuesser (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2005)
Excellent tour! Everything was really well done, professional, and organized. All the guides were friendly, and the trip went like clockwork. We didn't have to worry about anything - it was great!
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!
Sally and Donald Richardson (Caribbean Adventure 8-Day, Jan 0)
This tour was excellent, a great adventure. We really enjoyed not being in a big group or staying at resorts with large tour bus groups. We were mostly just a group of four with our own guide and drivers.
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(Hannan Family / Custom Costa Rica, Jul 2007)
Our Costa Rica trip was wonderful. It was very relaxing, but we had plenty of activities when we wanted them. Adventure Life gave excellent support when we wanted to make a last minute change in our itinerary. We really appreciated being able to make the change, especially since it involved two lodges and a change in transportation times.
Sherry Tolputt (Costa Rica Quest, Aug 2007)
Adventure Life is great. They book you in the best hotels and include all the treats! The hotel in San Jose was a great French-style 5 star, and they upgraded me to a suite. Next, we drove to a really plush place in Manoa.
The people of Costa Rica are friendly, helpful, and very welcoming.
My guide, Marco, was fabulous, really friendly, enthusiastic, honest and helpful. We went on a fabulous canopy walk with the gorgeous Marco and saw loads of wildlife as usual, including a turtle in the stream by reception. Our guides for the day prepared a fantastic and beautifully presented lunch. There is something a little surprising about a bunch of macho lads, used to the rough and tumble of river sports, suddenly stopping and organizing themselves into a team of sous chefs to produce fruit in beautiful and delicate arrangements.
Later, we had a fantastic boat ride through the most amazing forest, deep into jungle proper, where men are men and the wildlife is still scared.
The Lodge put on a really great Reggae trio the first night we were there. All the staff were, as usual, friendly and helpful with an easy smile. This is Costa Rica. The food throughout the trip, whether from a roadside stop or a top restaurant, has been freshly made, tasty, and healthy. Need I mention the coffee was also universally excellent? This is Costa Rica. Pura Vida.
Karen and Kara Kinzel (Costa Rica Quest, Jan 2007)
We felt very taken care of and everyone made us feel right at home! All three lodges and the San Jose hotel were all beautiful and exceeded our expectations. We loved them all, but Turtle Beach Lodge was our favorite. Our local guides were amazing. These people made the trip complete. They were all extremely enthusiastic and proud of the country, eager to show us all the beauty of Costa Rica.
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Martin Family (Discover Costa Rica, Mar 2007)
Our transportation was excellent! Everyone was either on time or early. All were careful drivers and considerate people. I loved that Adventure Life set everything up for us, but we did not feel like we were on a tour. We still had freedom to do our own thing!!!
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.
Margaret Walton (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2007)
La Cusinga was an unforgettable place. We loved its jungle simplicity-never in my life have I been awakened by Howler Monkeys at 5:00 in the morning. John, our host, shared a wonderful time with us talking of his work in Costa Rica. Manuel, an employee of the hacienda, took us on a magical tour of the rainforest. He even cut two hiking sticks for us to use as we made our way.
Janna and Nick Canzone (Discover Costa Rica, Jul 2006)
The tour was excellent - fantastic transfers, top-notch guides, fantastic meals, and the local staff was friendly and helpful.
Jessica Lunney (Discover Costa Rica, Aug 2006)
The tour was great and the guides were wonderful. The Turrialba camping was particularly good.
Barbara Eden (Discover Costa Rica, Mar 2006)
This was our first tour - and it was perfect! All the food was good quality and special attention was paid to our vegetarian diet.
Zachary Earle (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2006)
The trip was excellent! I want to go again. I really, really, really miss Costa Rica! I wish that the trip was longer.
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!
Robin Steinkraus and Mark, Teal & Luke Potter (Discover Costa Rica, Mar 2005)
We loved the "off the beaten path" locations and the environment/nature. The trip was great. Our last driver surprised us by stopping to show us the crocodiles - which was incredible. The scenery, wildlife, beach, food, were wonderful.
Fedack Family (Discover Costa Rica, Jul 2005)
This tour was a well-planned mix of guided activities and independent time. The first part of the trip was more action packed, allowing the end of the trip to be spent relaxing at the beach. The mix of mountains and coastal areas allowed us to experience the diverse ecological zones of Costa Rica.
The trip was everything we expected. The transportation was always on time and all the guides were superb - friendly and willing to help. Adventure Life was very helpful in the pre-trip planning and the tour itself went very smoothly.
Matthew and Dot Meola (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2005)
From the moment we got off our plane in San Jose, every single thing went so smoothly! Every detail was taken care of and all we had to do was relax and have fun! Everyone we met was envious of how smooth things were going for us. Every guide we had was not only super friendly, but also very knowledgeable and went way out of their way to make sure that every detail was taken care of. We will be going back for sure!
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.
Lee Breenblat & Elena Remais (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2005)
Fabulous tour!!
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!
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Rachel Manetti (Earth, Fire and Water, Jan 2008)
This trip was truly amazing. It was our belated honeymoon and couldn't have been any better. From the intimate jungle lodge on the South Pacific to the mountains of the cloud forest, we were in heaven! There were unexpected pleasures at every turn. We traveled with one of the lodge owners and the other lodge guests down to the beach to release baby sea turtles. I helped to release a stunned baby bird in Monteverde. We galloped on horses on the black sand beach. It was all perfect with not a detail out of place. Thank you for everything!
Carolynn Marshall (Earth, Fire and Water, Dec 2007)
Going to Costa Rica through Adventure Life was the trip of a lifetime!!! We would not have known where to stay; we would not have gone on all the hikes and excursions on our own; we would not have the expertise in the jungle to spot the wildlife or to know the information about flora and fauna provided by our guide, Olman Brenes. He was THE BEST. Our driver was William was very attentive, anticipating our needs and always there to help. Thanks ADVENTURE LIFE, I look forward to referring my friends and family, knowing they will be well taken care of by your excellent staff and programs!
Mark Cahill (Earth, Fire and Water, Jan 2006)
We had a wonderful time! We loved Tiskita for its uniqueness. The other hotels were also very nice - small and intimate.
Linda and Harry Fegley (Earth, Fire and Water Customized Tour, May 2005)
We got to do exactly what we intended to do on our tour! Your effort to tailor a package tour to our desires was perfect. One highlight during the trip was when we went to Arenal Volcano. Our friend had visited Costa Rica before but had not seen the volcano. Although we went at the start of rainy season, the day we checked in at Arenal Observatory was clear. Right after we checked in the volcano went off with a huge blast, and we had a perfect view. We got very lucky! You were right - the rainy season is not a problem for traveling, and it just means fewer other people!
Barry & Eli Zigas and Jodie Levin-Epstein (Earth, Fire and Water, Apr 2005)
The tour was very enjoyable while not being very strenuous. Tiskita Lodge was a real highlight with great hosts. Our guide was excellent and had terrific knowledge of the plants and animals. He was fun and easy to be with.
Mike and Mick Wigal (Earth, Fire and Water, Jun 2005)
The local crew that worked with us was a joy. Our guide was fantastic and extremely knowledgeable. The tour was a memorable experience for my son and me.
Stewart and Maryann Shaw (Earth, Fire, and Water, Mar 2005)
The tour was marvelous! This was the first time we used a tour company to plan our vacations, and we felt really catered to. Having a guide who was so knowledgeable made the trip so relaxing. We didn't have to worry about where we needed to go to next or if we would have problems with the language barrier, so it really took the pressure off of us!
Jane Kurinsky (Earth, Fire and Water, Jan 2005)
Tiskita Lodge is not to be missed! In all, I had a great time.
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!
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!
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Katie Egerton (Machu Picchu by Train and Wildlife Odyssey, Oct 2007)
A wonderful once in a lifetime experience. It was everything we expected, and better than expected in most parts!
I will definitely recommend Adventure Life to people planning to travel in South America. The standard of accommodation, tour guides and the fact that we could rely absolutely on being managed in transition was fantastic.
Marianne Kutz and Antal Szijj (Guatemala Custom Tour, Jul 2007)
We were so pleased and thrilled by the amount of effort your staff went through to take care of EVERY detail and request on our custom tour, from the birthday wine to finding specialized birding guides. It was perfect! Very organized, yet flexible to our needs every step of the way. We couldn't have been happier with everything.
Hannan Family (Custom Costa Rica, Jul 2007)
We wanted to make a last-minute change and really appreciated Adventure Life accommodating it, especially when it involved two lodges and a change in transportation time. The trip was wonderful, very relaxing, but plenty to do when we wanted to. Marcos, who drove us to and from Puerto Jimenez, was great about stopping to show us wildlife - he pointed out monkey and crocodiles!
Catherine Pendlebury (Galapagos Cruise: Corals, Jun 2007)
The Casa Aliso is a beautiful hotel. This was the best tour ever and will be hard to top!
Christopher Nurko (Independent Testimonial - Inca Trail, Jul 2006)
Dear Adventure Life -
I would just like to compliment your company on one of your guides for the Inca Trail. I booked my trip with a competitor firm but while on my trek met one of your guides named Vidal. I was happy with my tour guide - but was impressed with Vidal and his knowledge, friendliness and concern for trekkers other than his "clients". As it turned out - I became friends with his trek clients through him which enhanced my experience and visit. However -the most impressive thing was his concern on the final day of the trek for a girl who had fallen and injured herself (a torn ligament). Vidal helped her to receive medical attention at Machu Picchu, he carried her backpack, and generally lent assistance - and he wasn't even her guide! To me - this is a professional - and one who well represents your firm; plus it is the true spirit of Peru - kind, helpful and not only in search of tourist dollars! I hope you may be able to commend him or reward him. Next time I will consider Adventure Life on the basis of his representation of your firm!
Christopher Nurko
London, England
Ann Astrove (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2006)
You were the first site on the Internet that I looked at. I was so impressed with the amount of information and how thorough it was that I hardly looked at any others. Even though this was my first time traveling with a travel group/company, I felt comfortable with my choice based on the support of your staff and the supply of details. I'm looking forward to another trip!
Gerald and Judith Porter (Guatemala Explorer, Jun 2006)
We have done extensive adventure travel prior to this trip, and we would rate this as the best organized trip we have taken. We'd be happy to highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this type of travel.
Sheila Babbie (Incas and Rainforest + Nazca extension, May 2006)
I typically travel solo, but after this trip I may never plan again! You made everything simple and painless.
Elinor Petusky (Inca Pathways, May 2006)
Everything went off like clockwork and everyone took great care of us. Our guide was great - knowledgeable, caring, competent, enthusiastic and good company.
Thank you for organizing such a wonderful and carefree adventure for me and my friends. We will talk about it for years to come!
Larry Brassem (Machu Picchu by Train, Mar 2006)
As a rule, we take beach type and cruise trips. This was our first "adventure"-type trip. We loved it! There is not a better way to integrate into the local culture.
Mary Hilton (Galapagos Category I Cruise (Angelique), Mar 2006)
Thank you so much for making this somewhat inexperienced world traveler feel so confident. The trip to the Galapagos changed my worldview and the trip went so smoothly. I had a wonderful time!
Dot Meola (Hamanasi Adventure + Ambergris Caye, Mar 2006)
This was our second tour with Adventure Life and it was so relaxing and fun. We were very confident going to Central America knowing that everything would run smoothly. We had a great mix of adventure and relaxation, and are trying to decide where to go next!
Dennis Riordan (Galapagos Category 1 Cruise - Angelique + Sacha Lodge, Mar 2006)
Amazing! The duration of my trip was one month - and this was my first international travel experience! With Adventure Life I always knew someone was there for me. What a great comfort! The trip was far beyond my expectations!!
Pam and Brian Layzell (Belize Explorer - Ambergris Caye, Feb 2006)
We not only enjoyed the activities and sites that we visited but also the way that the tour was conducted with respect to supporting the local economy. This allowed us to become more intimate with the people, their culture and their way of life. This could not have happened on a typical vacation, or if we would have planned the trip ourselves.
Tuhin Sen (Machu Picchu by Train, Dec 2005)
This was our second trip with Adventure Life. We couldn't believe it, but this trip even outdid our first one! There really is no equal when it comes to South American vacation packages. Please keep up the good work!
Jill Montgomery (Galapagos Luxury Cruise - Eclipse, Nov 2005)
This was one of the best trips we have ever taken! It is the first time we have traveled with a company making the arrangements for us - we usually travel independently. We loved what Adventure Life did for us and we would not have seen or done so much as independent travelers.
We hope to spend more time in the future traveling to South America, and we now would not attempt to do so without Adventure Life making the arrangements!
Brenda Simmons (Guatemala Explorer, Dec 2005)
I've never had such a well-executed tour anywhere, anytime! Traveling in a third world country is generally a crapshoot, at best. Adventure Life made it an amazing adventure!
Jonathan Siekmann (Machu Picchu by Train + Inti Raymi, Jun 2005)
The tour was everything we expected and more! Peru is such a charming country. I really appreciated the values and spirit of Adventure Life. I got a sense of them from the website, and the reality on the ground reflected my expectations.
Bonnie and Joseph Lamphere (Rainforest and Ruins - Belize, Jan 2005)
We did things, went places, and saw things we never would have otherwise. This was not the "same old vacation" - and we had fun! I don't think that we've ever dealt with a travel company that took so much care with its customers. Usually, once the money is paid for a vacation, you're pretty much on your own. But we never felt that way at all with Adventure Life. There was always a resource person available and we really appreciated that. Thanks, we had a great time!
Christoph and Nancy Schachinger (Beaches and Rainforest - Costa Rica, Apr 2005)
This is the best vacation we have ever had!!! The trip wasn't what we expected - it was better! We are not "tour" type of people, and so we were apprehensive about the trip at first. But we never felt that we were part of a tour group during our time in Costa Rica. Everything was perfect and we can't imagine going anywhere in Latin America without going with Adventure Life!
Jeralyn O'Brien (Awesome Argentina, Mar 2005)
Adventure Life put together a great trip, did all the planning and work, and I just enjoyed! It really was an awesome trip and I would definitely be interested in traveling with your company again!
Stewart and Maryann Shaw (Earth, Fire, and Water, Mar 2005)
The tour was marvelous! This was the first time we used a tour company to plan our vacations, and we felt really catered to. Having a guide who was so knowledgeable made the trip so relaxing. We didn't have to worry about where we needed to go to next or if we would have problems with the language barrier, so it really took the pressure off of us!
Annie Gage, Barbara Green, and Corey Greengage (Beaches and Rainforest, Feb 2005)
The trip was wonderful! We had so much fun. Selva Bananito was just amazing.
Price Family (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2004)
This was the best trip we have ever taken! We had never done a tour before, but after this experience we would go on another. Everything was perfect and we felt pampered, informed, and well-cared for. Our guide took care of any arrangements that needed to be made along the way, so we were free to enjoy the trip. It was an "adventure" and a true vacation in every sense of the word. Thanks for making our trip so very special!
Suzanne Bland (Reefs & Cayes + Mayan Mysteries + Adventure Pacifica +Peru Custom, Feb 2004)
I had a fantastic trip. I was extremely impressed by all the tour guides Adventure Life had selected, the accommodations, meals, tours, and the whole organization of my trip. It was far better than I could have hoped for. Thank you for organizing it so well. I also recommended Adventure Life to many other travelers along the way as they were impressed with the activities I was doing and how I was able to fit so many tours together without one single problem all the way through.
Scott and Pamela Orton (Mare Australis + Iguazu Falls, Apr 2004)
Having private tours and small group expeditions is the only way to do this type of trip. While others were herded like sheep, we were given hands on experiences such as tasting medicinal bark and learning to use lichen as dye.
Joyce Able (Wild Tambopata, Jul 2004)
On the final day of our trip Sandy said, "I can't think of any way to have made this trip better." Neither could I. The Wild Tambopata 7 Day trip was absolutely fantastic!!!! When we signed on with Adventure Life, we did it with some apprehension. After all, I had found Adventure Life by doing an internet search. All we really knew about Adventure Life was what was written on the web site. Truth or fiction? We have the answer to that question now- truth!...From the time we were picked up at the airport in Puerto Maldonado by our guide, Gaby, and our driver we felt in good hands. Gaby was our guide during the time we were in the Amazon. Almost unbelievable.... If I were to plan another trip to any part of South America to which Adventure Life arranges trips, I wouldn't have to do another internet search. I'd go straight to Adventure Life!
Marc Simon (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2004)
I just want to tell you that we had a fantastic time and thank you for the great job Adventure Life did on putting our trip together. I don't know how you found the places and people that you connected us with, but they were awesome. Your people even pulled us through when our luggage did not arrive with our international flight by coordinating its retrieval. We will definately keep you in mind for a future trip. It was one of the best things we've done together as a family, and a trip we'll be talking about for many years!
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McMillen Family (Turtles and Rainforest - POacuare, Apr 2006)
Our trip was truly a wonderful time! The memories are endless and the folks we met were friendly.
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.
Ken and Wendy Keaton (Turtles and Rainforest - Pacuare, May 2005)
Adventure Life delivered once again.... The Costa Rica adventure was marvelous!
A few highlights:
Hotel Le Bergerac is utterly delightful. Our rooms each had lovely patio gardens and the rooms were charming and comfortable. The service was impeccable and friendly and the restaurant, L'Isle de France, was just exquisite.
Marvin, our driver, was delightful and efficient. He stopped to let us enjoy and photograph lovely vistas and also a family of tree sloths. And he always seemed to know the best places for on the road lunches.
The stay at Reserva Pacuare was fascinating. Our Pacuare guide was very courteous and evidently dedicated to his research mission. It was amazing to hike through the jungle, encounter rare birds, poisonous frogs, and endangered monkeys. But nothing tops hiking the beach in the moonless, starlit darkness to discover 7-foot Leatherback Turtles laying their nests and then counting the eggs (there were 108, if you must know). Over two nights we encountered five turtles, each at a different stage of the nesting process. Gad! How many people can say they've experienced such things?
Our time at Selva Bananito was more civilized, but hardly less adventurous. The jungle hikes were gorgeous, and I even made it through the canopy tour - rappelling down 35 meters through the vegetation to the forest floor (no mean ... Read All
Scott, Carol, and Ryan Custead (Turtles and Rainforest - Pacuare, Jul 2005)
We had a marvelous and enriching experience. The staff members at Pacuare Lodge and at Selva Bananito were excellent! This was a great trip to take with a teenage son.
Tim and Marsha Bardwell (Turtles and Rainforest - Pacuare, Apr 2005)
As experienced travelers, we thought that we knew what to expect. We were truly surprised. The country was more beautiful, the people nicer, and the tour more exciting than we anticipated!
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The Stevenson family (Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero, Jul 2005)
Selva Bananito was a once in a lifetime experience. Tortuguero was beautiful - getting there was 1/2 the fun. Selva Bananito was awesome. Had a fabulous full 2 days - hiking & rappeling the waterfall, horseback riding and tree climbing. Rafting on the Pacuare was absolutely fabulous...between the gorgeous scenery and the great rapids...we couldn't have asked for a better way to end our vacation.
Rosa Pantoja and Jamie Schnuer (Turtles and Rainforest - Tortuguero, Aug 2005)
The tour was incredible. Even more than expected. Selva Bananito was unbelievable.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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?
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!!
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.
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!
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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!
Steve and Barb Helman (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Feb 2005)
This was a great trip - we loved it! The other travelers that we met were very impressed with how smoothly our trip went compared to what they experienced. This was the second trip that we've taken with Adventure Life, and we hope to travel with you again in the future!
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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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.
Maire and Jason Perez (Wild Costa Rica - Tiskita, Jun 2006)
Tiskita Lodge was the highlight of an excellent tour! The staff at Tiskita treated us like family. We saw so many mammals, birds, butterflies, frogs and plants. My 16-year-old son wants to go back!
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