After a beautiful visit at Savegre and another great story from the owner, siting the quetzel, watching the hummingbirds, and fabulous food - loved the fresh pineapple, papaya and watermelon - we are traveling to Hacienda Baru for some ziplining. Again, we have an amazing transport. Being avid cyclist, my husband and I race road bikes every year on a spnsored cycling team, we were very impressed to be on the same roads as the Vuelta Costa Rica, as they raced along the summit at 10,00 ft. on the Pan-American Highway.
The zip lining at Hacienda Baru was exceptional as we were not in a commercial style park, but with a great guide who pointed out the local wildlife, including toucans, iguanas, ants and orchids. The highest zipline tower was suspended high up in the tree. Very beautiful. We all enjoyed the hike and opportunity to explore and really experience our surroundings. Later we were driven to Villa Rio Mar, Dominical with a beautiful swimming pool as the temps were heating up! This was a perfect resort for our family, with great food, billiards, and walking distance to Dominical.
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
1 day ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.