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View more : Adventure Life reviews from USA Today
Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero
Emily Plagman (Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero, Aug 2008)
I found the staff - Marissa especially - to be very helpful and responsive when I called with questions.
Selva Banananito's lodging was amazing! Hotel Bouganveilla was gorgeous and the accommodations were top notch.
This trip was well organized and I loved going to Selva Bananito. It was a good mix of major tourist activities and off the beaten path activities. I would book through Adventure Life gain.
Colleen Wilford (Turtles & Rainforest - Tortuguero, Jul 2008)
This tour was great - we have a 15 year old son and he had a great time! I have not seen him get this psyched about a trip and doing stuff with us in a while!
Okay - canal boat tour early in the morning with camons, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, tucans, and eagles (to name a few). Hour long walks on the beach and interesting people to meet at lodges that are an adventure just to get to. Dream-time magic with fireflies in the rainforest at night. Horse back ride in the jungle to a Zipline. Climb a 100 ft tree. Great coffee! Run a river that has constant class 2, 3 and 4 rapids - This was a great time for all of us and I will recommend it to friends!
Barbara McDonough (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
This was a marvelous trip from start to finish. I really liked the idea that this was not an escorted tour.
Janessa & Scott Gruby (Turtles and Rainforest, Jun 2004)
We saw and experienced things we never thought we'd see, such as leatherback turtle hatchings, howler monkeys, 3 and 2-toed sloths, poisonous snakes, and many frogs and birds. This trip was awesome! Off the beaten path was even better. No other tourists around, and all the guides were great!
Sarah Yentz (Turtles and Rainforest, May 2004)
I was very impressed with how organized the trip was even though I at times felt like I was in the middle of nowhere, completely out of contact, there was always someone who knew where I was and where I needed to be next and how I was going to get there. Costa Rica is a beautiful place and you did a really great job of showing us that. I would recommend the trip to anyone.
Caribbean Adventure - Bocas Town
Catherine Cuccia (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2008)
Met fascinating individuals from all over the globe. Great combination of city, jungle, beach, and nature all in one trip. Enjoyed whitewater rafting down the Pacuare River in Costa Rica. Thoroughly enjoyed the eco-friendly Selva Bananito Lodge and its hospitable staff and adventure-filled tours of the jungle. I have never rappelled before and I was amazed that I could hike for 7 hours and rappel down an 80 ft. waterfall! Very cool! The accommodations at Tranquilo Bay in Panama were superb and the extraordinary personal customer service by the staff was exceptional. Very much enjoyed meeting the indigenous Indian tribe, the Gnobe-Bugles.
Deborah Hicks (Customized Caribbean Adventure, Apr 2007)
Selva Bananito was so unique! Villa Marita was very charming with a nice staff. Our favorite guide was in Panama City. He was soooo intent in taking us everywhere in one day, which was much appreciated given our short travel schedule.
James Roberts (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2006)
We had a great time on our trip. It truly was an adventure. The scenic beauty of Costa Rica was amazing. From the whitewater of the Pacuare River to the rainforest at Selva Bananito Lodge, the natural beauty of the landscape was a wonderful experience.
The quaint little town of Bocas del Toro in Panama was a great winding down spot. It was neat the way the buildings are built out over the water. The history of Panama City was interesting to learn about. I had no idea that so much history was involved with that part of the world.
Peter Papamichael and Alkestis Zapantis (Caribbean Adventure, Feb 2005)
We enjoyed every minute!! Our vacation was unbelievably amazing! I did things in Selva Banantio (zip lining, rappelling) that I never ever thought I would do! Our guide exuded such confidence and calm that I tried everything - and it ended up being life altering and incredible!
Wild Costa Rica - Nicuesa
Margaret Caldwell (Wild Costa Rica, Jan 2009)
What I thought was fabulous was as soon as we arrived someone was there waiting for us to take us to the next point....worry free traveling! loved it!
marenco lodge...food was good. @ pacuare lodge food was excellent.
we will be using adventure life for our next fabulous trip!!
William Thurlow (Wild Costa Rica - Tiskita, Mar 2008)
Everything from the arrangements to the accommodations and food and especially the local guides was just first rate we were very impressed that all of the connections went off without a hitch!
We were so impressed with not only our rafting guides' skills on the river, but with how they were just full of knowledge about Costa Rica and the jungle. Our guide Chullo was not only friendly but he treated us like members of his family. His and the other guides' knowledge was unbelievable, not only did they know every twist and turn in the river and how to hit the biggest rapids every time, but they knew every plant, every tree, every fish, every bug . . . well, you get the picture. These guys know their stuff!
Peter Vanicek and Liliane Brantes (Wild Costa Rica Tiskita, Mar 2007)
The trip was great and well planned! The drivers were always on time, friendly, and the vehicles were always great. Tiskita was also excellent-great place and staff. Thanks for a great trip-it was a present to my wife for her 50th birthday. We loved Costa Rica! You did a wonderful job for us and I will use Adventure Life again.
Adventure Pacifica - Corcovado
Jane Schmitz (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2009)
Any time I contacted Marissa with a question, she responded almost immediately.
The planning and execution was awesome. Georges was a fantastic driver and was always waiting for us. Mario had everything planned to the minute. He was enthusiastic and so knowledgable. He put in 150% at all times. He took us on extra hikes and took us to local eateries that were wonderful. We couldn't have asked for a better guide. The guides at all the excursions we did were terrific especially at the canyoning - everybody had a blast!!
Everything went off without a hitch. Mario and Georges were fantastic. Our son got so attached to them that he was very sad when it was time to say good-bye. It felt like we were leaving family. I would definetly plan another trip with Adventure Life!!!
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!
Adventure Pacifica
Jan Claypool (Adventure Pacifica, Dec 2011)
The trip overall was perfect for first time travelers to CR. It is a beautiful country with lovely friendly people. It was good to experience the different climates and wildlife. I thought zip lining would be the most fun, but the white water rafting in Quepos was the best. Quite an adrenaline rush and the guides were awesome. Even the ride to the river was great and the guides stopped to give us natural history lessons and pass around bug and plant specimens. They put the bugs back unharmed of course! We will certainly make another visit to Costa Rica and are now learning Spanish!
Carol Thuerbach (Adventure Pacifica, Oct 2011)
We saw everything from the rain and cloud forest to the beaches, and what really stands out at the end of the day were the people -- delightful, friendly, helpful, accommodating. Next the to people, the wildlife takes the stage -- there is such an amazing array of critters. And if you are a bird lover, you will be overwhelmed!
Steven Goldenberg (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2011)
As this was a custom trip, even "on the fly", we were able to make changes easily to make the trip the best that it could be. Adventure Life answered all questions happily, speedily. Knowledgeable, "service with a smile."
Nigel MacDonald (Adventure Pacifica, Jun 2010)
Our trip was absolutely amazing...more than we imagined we would be able to see and experience, always so close to nature with magical walks through the rainforest enjoying the wildlife especially birds and monkeys, the thrill of seeing glowing lava from active Volcano Arenal, whitewater rafting on the Savegre R., and the beauty of the Pacific seascape. Highly recommend the tour arrangements and locations...very well planned and organized for us. Always felt very comfortable and safe, every need anticipated. Truly an unforgetable experience for our family to be able to enjoy so many activities in such a gorgeous tropical environment...thank you!
Susan Cortz (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2010)
This trip was an excellent family adventure. We were very impressed with all of our accommodations and tour providers. I will highly recommend Adventure-Life to all of our family and friends.
Orchids of Costa Rica - December 28, 2011
Mary Jo Gilsdorf (Orchids of Costa Rica, Dec 2011)
Fantastic is the word I have used most often to describe the trip and the experience. Most accomodations were very good to excellent, not to mention the food - biggest complaint about the food was - there was too much! I understand this "Orchid Tour" was new adventure put together by Tom Mirenda (who really acted as our orchid guide). All of my orchid friends who have heard about the trip are interested in attending a future one. Other months may be better for blooms but we saw enough and the rest of what Costa Rica has to offer is wonderful as well.
Anne Hardman (Orchids of Costa Rica, Dec 2011)
The tour was wonderful. We are a bunch of orchid aficionados, and the bus driver would stop, if he could safely, whenever we shouted "orchids!" The only drawback was that we went to too many different places--it would be nice to have stayed longer, in fewer places. The accommodations were very good - I would definitely recommend Bosque de Paz, a real gem, with the kindest and most helpful host. Loved that he presided there, like an old-world gentelman, and that his family was present on our New Years day visit.
Costa Rica Quest
Concepcion Muncunill (Costa Rica Quest, Feb 2012)
We were taken by the gentleness, kindness, generosity, knowledge, and helpfulness of the Costa Rican people. We appreciated their sensitivity, consciousness and love for the environment. Everyone who was involved in our tour fit that description. The guide, the taxi drivers, the hotel/restaurant staff were all excellent. The guides and the taxi drivers such as Nano and Ricardo were extremely helpful. They educated us about many things, they were generous, knowledgeable, mannered and helpful. We thank them for the wonderful vacation they gave us. Thank you for the hotels that have no TV and for all our questions were promptly answered. All the details were covered, which took a lot of nervousness out of the planning.
Mary Keenan (Costa Rica Quest, Dec 2011)
We experienced a rare week of cool and (not-so-rare) rain in Costa Rica (east of the divide) but cool and rainy in Paradise is still Paradise!
Laurie Shacknove (Costa Rica Quest, Jun 2011)
It was fun to learn about Costa Rica from many different perspectives, but always with passion and love for the their country. I loved being able to speak with everyone, and they all encouraged us to use spanish even though mine is less than stellar. And they in turn practiced their english with us. I fell in love with Costa Rica and have plans to book with Adventure Life next year, already working on it. Awesome, excellent, wonderful !!!!!!!
Lee Metzgar (Costa Rica Quest, Apr 2011)
The trip: 2 days each in coastal rain forest, mid-elevation forest and cloud forest with a day of guided wildlife/flora hikes in each of the three; another day with a fun whitewater raft trip; and several days for the required transfers. Groups were small and often just the two of us plus guide or driver. The accommodations were elegant, the food was delicious, the people were friendly and all flights and rides happened on schedule. Illness and catastrophe were absent and the weather was appropriately wet but clear enough for good views and little discomfort. All that remain are great memories, photos and zero complaints. We had presented Marissa with a very general statement of our desires and she put together an itinerary that looked great. What we could not know until we went was how very well she had listened to our interests and how ideal a trip she created for us. It was fantastic!
Mary Kreider (Costa Rica Quest, Apr 2011)
You gave my family some exceptional memories that we will always treasure. We had a really exceptional experience. It was a terrific way for the whole family to spend time together in very unique way. Seeing my 75 year old mother hike, white water raft and zip line was awesome and unforgettable. I learned so much in such a short time. I am anxious now to travel more and experience places in a more thoughtful and educational way. Thanks for a wonderful trip.
Adventure Pacifica
Karen Karras (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2011)
The whole tour was even better than we expected. My husband and I travel twice a year: summer and spring and this was an excellent tour. You selected 3 different local companies for our tour. We were able to see that your selections were the best of what each tour company offered, making everything wonderful.
My husband and I have traveled with Insight, Trafalgar and General tours to Europe and Asia. We had never experienced this kind of independent travel. It was wonderful! Great job! Unfortunately we already bought the summer 2011 tour. Next spring, we will back with Peru or Argentina and your company!
Ralph Marchand (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2011)
The hotel in Arenal was spectacular. The hotel in Monte Verde was nestled in the forest to provide a true eco-experience. Prior to the trip we did not attach any significance to the use of different tour guides while in Arenal. After watching other simultaneous but less informative tours pass us by, we can only surmise that the best of the best was selected for us. Overall our tour was excellent. Very pleased with all included activities.
Carol Hollingshead (Adventure Pacifica, Mar 2011)
Arenal Observatory Lodge was terrific. Loved waking up to see the volcano in my window. Good food, immaculate grounds and great hikes. Arenas del Mar resort was beyond fantastic. It was perfect in every way and a great place to recover from my concussion. Gorgeous, superb food and such caring staff.
The tour turned out to be just us and our guide, which we didn't expect. We loved having such personal attention and doing things at our own pace. There was a nice balance of activities and it was a treat to have someone else make all the arrangements. All we had to do was show up. Costa Rica is beautiful, and the people are very sweet. We intend to go back!
Joshua Goldenberg (Adventure Pacifica, Feb 2011)
It was a great trip; what can I say? Everyone was accommodating and kind, and not one request was denied. It was flexible, which I liked since nothing was really set in stone. All resorts (Tabacon, El Establo, and El Paredor) were really excellent, with no problems whatsoever. Everyone was kind, caring, and meticulous. Not one detail was overlooked, and it was appreciated. I am going to Costa Rica again over the summer, and I honestly cannot wait now. It was a trip I will never forget.
Virginia Whitney (Adventure Pacifica, Jan 2011)
We had one the best vacations we've ever had in Costa Rica through Adventure Life. We highly recommend them! They are professional, friendly, responsive, and accommodating to adjustments that we needed in creating our family vacation. We are so happy that they recommended a tour guide. Our guide was wonderful and really made the trip for us - giving us a local flavor to the country we would have missed without him. The itinerary was perfect with a great mix of activities and relax time. We saw so much of the country - different ecosystems, flora, and fauna and our guide made the travel time between locations interesting and fun. We will definitely travel with Adventure Life again.
Costa Rica is one of the friendliest countries we've ever been to. Everyone was warm, welcoming and helpful from the staff at hotels even to the people that ran local shops. We can understand why people from the US retire here.
Your staff is friendly, helpful, efficient, and very enthusiastic! I very much liked that they all seemed to have taken your tours and were avid travelers. Ashley was our coordinator - she did a great job for us - very responsive.
Beaches & Rainforest
Nicole Sisen (Beaches and Rainforest, Mar 2012)
Truly an adventure trip! The beauty of Costa Rica is definitely captured with this trip. We added an extra day in Puerto Viejo for some down time because you are constantly busy. The jungle was beautiful and the Banadito family was very welcoming! Lots of bugs, but I guess that is what you get in the Rainforest and on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica! We had some of the best food I have eaten in my life! The salmon was delicious, the sushi was amazing and trying the local Casado was fantastic! And the cerveza was refreshing!
Betsy Lofgren (Beaches and Rainforest, Dec 2011)
We had a great time on our trip. We were fully informed before we went, and Ashley made sure we received all of the information we needed in a timely fashion. Marissa was very professional and got me excited about traveling to Costa Rica.The only drawback was that we weren't prepared for rainy season (our fault) and were disappointed that it rained every day, pretty much all day. This didn't deter our adventures, but during the second half of the trip, which was supposed to be enjoying the beach, we had to find other things to do.
Alex White (Beaches & Rainforest, Nov 2011)
We had a great time in Costa Rica. Everything was arranged so nicely that we never had to worry. We had a chance to do every excursion we wanted and because we went in a slightly off-season we had even more attention from the guides. Everyone was friendly and organized. I have recommended Adventure Life to all of my friends!
Timothy Ratterman (Beaches & Rainforest, Mar 2011)
We had high expectations for this trip and they were surpassed. Our family has traveled to some fun and interesting places. In all of our adventures, nothing stands out like our day hike up the Bananitio River with Justo Lopez. We walked into a primary rainforest and saw a completely different ecosystem than we had ever seen. He showed us edible plants and animals. We handled large spiders. He taught us about the many varieties of birds and trees. We examined various animal tracks. A repel down a waterfall was followed by a traditional Costa Rican picnic that was packed in. What a day!
Selva Bananito was the most interesting and unique accommodation we have ever enjoyed. The huts on stilts at Selva Bananito without electricity for accommodations were built with wood from the farm. They are beautiful. Many will not believe the following statement, but it is true. We were on the edge of the jungle. There were not windows or screens. We slept with all of the shutters wide open. There were virtually no bugs bothering us. We came prepared with mosquito nets and Deet. They were returned unopened. The lack of electricity does not allow artificial light or sound. We just listened to the sounds of the jungle. More than once we giggled with glee.
Jennifer Payne (Beaches & Rainforest, Mar 2011)
We enjoyed all of the accomodations, I would say upgrading to the Xandari for our first day was AMAZING, made our arrival so nice. I can't say enough about Selva Bananito, delicious food and the staff there are wonderful! We really enjoyed each place as we met so many wonderful people and we really like that fact that each place was our own little bungalow in paradise.
From Xandari, to the Arenal, Selva Bananito and then on to Puerto Viejo, we enjoyed everything. We did so much and enjoyed the weather, can't say enough about this tour, it was awesome! Our tour was better than we expected, we were a little concerned about being stuck in a group, and we weren't, we really got to do a lot on our own and private tours were amazing. This was an amazing first trip to Costa Rica!
Riding bikes in Puerto Viejo and then over to Punta Uva and Manzanillo - beautiful and we loved it! Imperial - la cerveza de Costa Rica - YUM Selva Bananito food - perfect!! transfers, often private and always friendly! Pura Vida - really the way of all the Ticos, we will return to Costa Rica and hope that our next trip there is as great as this one was!! Everything was smooth, Marisa and Ashley took good care of us and making sure we were all set. Thank you!!
Pura Vida
Douglas Haxton (Pura Vida, Aug 2011)
We had no problems of any kind, everything went very smoothly. My Dad and I both agreed that zip-lining was the highlight of the trip, although we enjoyed everything. I would like to note that our rafting crew was very helpful. I can't say enough kind words about them. While my Dad did fall in the river at one point, in his defense he couldn't have picked a better spot (5 feet from shore while we were pulling in for a break). He always falls in the river when we white water raft, so it's something of a tradition. I won't hesitate to recommend your services to my friends, and I look forward to going on another tour through you in the future.
Elizabeth Holt (Pura Vida, Apr 2011)
It was all prepared well and safely. I was really concerned about my family getting sick but none of us did. We had a great time river rafting, zip lining, hiking, and exploring. The wildlife was fantastic. Thanks, and I will definitely use your site for other trips in the future.
Angel Cohn (Pura Vida, Aug 2010)
I absolutely loved my trip. Seriously. I would happily take another trip with you guys again. Ashley and Marissa were both great and they answered all my questions in advance and they were very nice about everything! I said to some of the other folks in my group that I didn't really do a ton of research into the companies that you picked for excursions or hotels before I went, I spent more time researching animals and extras, so I was completely blown away by just how wonderful everything was. And everything was so organized, that even though I was doing a lot of hiking and extreme sport-y things, the trip totally relaxing. I just got on buses and watched the scenery go by. I felt totally safe taking part in all of the nutty excursions as the people were so friendly and fun and knew what they were doing. I can't stress just how much I enjoyed my trip and cannot wait to take another one with you!
Anjum Malkana (Pura Vida, Jul 2010)
Adventure Life provided excellent support in picking, booking, and preparing for our trip! Their packing list was super helpful, and their agents were so patient and responsive to our questions and customizations.
MaryEllen Pavasaris (Pura Vida, Apr 2010)
The 6 days I spent in Costa Rica were the best six days of my life! There was so much natural beauty to see. We were so pleased with all the tours. I can't wait to travel again. What a rush!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Discover Costa Rica
Daniel Hanson (Discover Costa Rica, Jan 2011)
One suggestion - make it a 10 day tour and make people stay another day at Playa Nicuesa Lodge. Our most wonderful time was spent there. I want to tell everyone to go there and at the same time I want to keep the place as special as it is today. Costa Ricans we spoke with after we were in San Gerardo told us that very few tourists go there - AND they were impressed that we did.
Daniela Tiger (Discover Costa Rica, Apr 2010)
We had a great adventure with you! You took care of all the details like the invisible magic wizard and left us to just enjoy all costa ricas' natural wonders. thank you so much!
Martha McCabe (Discover Costa Rica, Dec 2009)
At Nicuesa, Fred and I took the wildlife refuge tour. One of the pics I'll send your Flickr site is of Sweetie, the 6 year-old White Faced Monkey who acted as the "PR outreach" for the refuge. Getting to interact with her and see and hear about wild species who are being rehabilitated for re-release into the rainforest made a big impression. Once again, as in Peru in 2007, the trip you planned took us at least a bit beyond the obvious tourist sites into a more reality-based glimpse at the country than we would otherwise have managed traveling independently, even though the tour was one in which we were cocooned by being able to afford to stay at the pretty places where we stayed, eat very well without having to select restaurants, and move about effortlessly thanks to your advanced planning. Also, just seeing and hearing the Resplendent Quetzals, Scarlet Macaws, & monkeys made a big and still lasting impression.
Goodrich Family (Discover Costa Rica, Mar 2007)
This tour was terrific, we had more fun and did more things than I had ever imagined. I would recommend Adventure Life to anyone looking for an adventurous trip, and hope to book another tour in the future.
Johanna Kallio (Discover Costa Rica, Feb 2006)
Our guides were the best that anyone could ever have. We will definitely do this again next year - everything was better than I expected!
Turtles & Rainforest - Pacuare
John Miller (Turtles & Rainforest, Apr 2011)
Marissa and Ashley were fantastic!! No question went unanswered, no concern was ignored.
We could not have been in a better place for Holy Week. The experience of witnessing the leatherbacks rising from the sea, digging nests, laying eggs, covering the nests and returning to the sea was primordial and awe inspiring. The staff members at Selva Bananito are true disciples of the word of ecological resurrection. They are dedicated to their work, their environment and their call to awaken the love of and respect for natural habitats in others. Pierou and Carlos made these mid-60's grandparents very comfortable on the natural history hike and the 7-hour river walk. We had to do three rappels due to landslides. Pierou was very honest about the physical demands prior to our committing to the hike. They were very reassuring and put us very much at ease. We're looking for friends to go with us on a repeat visit.
Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado
Bill Rothar (Wild Costa Rica, Jun 2007)
I would like to thank you for arranging my Wild Costa Rica tour. I had a fantastic time! It was as advertised and so much more. My connections and all arrangements were very precise, leaving me to enjoy myself without any worries. Your professionalism and courtesy are truly impressive. I loved Costa Rica, its people and natural beauty are just incredible. I hope to book a similar tour next year with several of my family members, and without question, I will only deal with your company. I will recommend you to anyone and everyone that I talk to.
So once again thank you very much.
Taylor Freshley (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Mar 2006)
The trip was everything we expected and more. Overall, we were blown away!
David and Andrea DeGrange (Wild Costa Rica - Corcovado, Dec 2005)
This was our best vacation yet, and we've traveled a lot. We enjoyed everywhere that we stayed. Everyone was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Where else can you go and look out of your luxury tent and see a spider monkey? I didn't want to leave and definitely want to go back!
Susan and Dennis Salveson (Wild Costa Rica, Nov 2004)
This trip met all our expectation for adventure and unforgettable experiences. This trip may not be for everyone, but if you are flexible, enjoy physical, outdoor experiences and enjoy good food and the comfort of guided adventure...this trip is for you!
Michelle Antonelli School Group (Wild Costa Rica, Jul 2003)
We all want to go back. The Corcovado Lodge setting was unbelievable. The first encounter with primates was with the spider monkeys. Stephanie and I looked at each other, silently giggled, and both thought we would tinkle from excitement! (That is a good thing!) We were able to control ourselves, but not by much!
Earth, Fire and Water
Linda Robertson (Earth, Fire and Water, Mar 2012)
We wanted an eco lodge experience in the jungle and we had that at Tiskita. We saw three kinds of monkeys, lush jungle vegetaion, many new birds like the Macaw and new animals like the Acouti. The small village near Tiskita called Punta Banco was have a festival to raise money for the church. The locals were playing bingo and the chips were either corn kernals or black beans. Creative. Hotel Le bergerac was small, quaint and off the beaten path, so it was perfect for our transfers. Arenal Observatory Lodge was lovely. Cloud Forest Lodge was our least favorite, however, we enjoyed the privacy of the location. Tiskita was just an outstanding experience. It was paradise in the jungle.
Lindy Rose (Earth, Fire and Water, Feb 2012)
The trip was fabulous! I planned it for my husband's 60th birthday and he was delighted. This was the first time we used a travel agency or a travel guide service - and based on our experience we would certainly do it again. Our guide Alex was one of the reasons we enjoyed the trip so much - an excellent guide and driver. Having a personal driver, guide, and naturalist allowed my husband and I to soak up the Costa Rican countryside beauty and culture minus the expected stresses of traveling alone in a foreign country. A trip of a lifetime!
James Storey (Earth, Fire and Water, Apr 2011)
This tour is definitely for those who want an active trip. Lots of hikes and nature walks. There was enough free time to relax, but this is an adventure trip. The variety was quite good, with beach time, horseback riding, jungle walks, hanging bridges, zip lines as well as relaxing with a book by the pool.
Costa Rican food is very good. Lots of fresh fruit and salads, but also a good variety of seafood and meats. Flavored well, but not spicy hot.
This is not a complaint, because we enjoyed all of our stays, but the website should be a little more clear on how rustic Tiskita is. We thought it was fun, but the cabins are quite rustic and are pretty isolated in the woods. It gets dark during dinner and one needs a flashlight to find the way back to the cabin along the dirt paths. It's dark in the jungle at night, and there are snakes. The lodge turns off the lights at 9 PM, but it doesn't matter because you're up early and tired. We thought it was fun, but if someone was expecting a luxury hotel like we had at Arenal Observatory or Monteverde Lodge, they might be surprised. Just a suggestion so people know what they are getting.
Robin Storey (Earth, Fire & Water, Apr 2011)
Wonderful to visit Costa Rica - just after the high season ended so no crowds and weather cooperated. Tiskita Jungle Lodge was quite remote and if someone is thinking they'll "dress" for dinner or wear heels, this is not the place for them! We loved it and were prepared for it.
Janet O'Leary (Earth, Fire and Water, Apr 2011)
I love how this tour gave us a whole lot of the natural world of Costa Rica mixed in with some of the culture. We walked a whole lot and I ate copious amounts of the excellent food and didn't gain a pound! The accommodations were excellent and the guides were friendly and ready to share what they know about the country and particularly its natural history. This was our second trip with AL. We went to Antarctica with you three years ago and loved it, so we thought this time we'd see whether that was a fluke or whether AL consistently puts on a great tour--and I am so happy to say it's the latter. The couple who accompanied us were traveling with AL for the first time, and they were mightily impressed. AL will be our tour provider of choice from here on in! Thanks so much!
Caribbean Adventure - Tranquilo Bay
Jeremy Striffler (Caribbean Adventure, Mar 2012)
Adventure Life organized a truly unique, fun and dynamic adventure that I will remember for a lifetime. I was pushed beyond my boundaries in terms of the activities that I tried (whitewater rafting, zip lining, horseback riding), the food that I tasted and the people that I met. Not only did I learn a great deal about Costa Rica and Panama but I learned a lot about myself. I can't wait for my next trip with Adventure Life.
David Bennett (Caribbean Adventure, Mar 2009)
Hotel LeBergerac, Lomas del Volcan Tranquilo Bay all excellent. Panama City very very good. Selva Bananito was so unique for us it was difficult to evaluate due to first eco lodge..so I guess good.
Justo in Selva Bananito, Ramon and Natalia at Tranquilo Bay just so informative and very very friendly. Rene in Panama City was well versed. The courteousness of all staff at every location was really 5 stars. Some of these people were very young and they really did "get it" as to what was necessary to get repeat business through a personal extension of themselves.
The Arenal zip line at Paraiso..significantly better than I expected and enhanced by their staff (for someone fearful of heights) Wanted to go for a second round of zips. Tranquilo Bay was at least a 10 including food, activities, staff, owners, guests etc. Panama City was fine as to the time spent there touring the city and the locks.
