Stacey Aasted
You should read this testimonial by Stacey Aasted. She should be a travel writer. It is an excellent article about her trip. This is more than a testimonial. - Webmaster
I wanted to take time to write and thank you for helping me plan such a great trip to Costa Rica. - Stacey
First, in one of our many pre Costa Rica trip emails, you said to me "I will make sure you and your family have a great time in Costa Rica!" and boy, did you deliver and keep your word!
Tony and Johnny were at the airport on time (probably early), with a sign and got us and our bags to the van (very clean) and to our hotel without any issues. They were both very nice, friendly and immediately we knew, we'd be very happy with them.
On both tour days, they showed up on time, eager to get us to our destination. As you know, finding sloth's was a must for our daughter and they did so on our first excursion day (Tuesday). We actually found two and they were helpful and eager to make sure we saw them, got the pictures we wanted, etc.
After hiking Rio Celeste we were beat J and our daughter had taken her shoes off once we got back in the van for the ride back to the hotel. I actually spotted the 2nd sloth that day on our way back. Tony quickly turned the van around and Johnny got out and helped me find the sloth. We motioned to Tony and my family in the van to come and see the sloth. Our daughter jumped out with her camera, in her bare feet. Tony tried to show her where she'd get a better picture but she said, she didn't have her shoes. The next thing we know, Johnny is running back to the van to grab her shoes. That was great! Also, Tony took her camera and went to get the pictures she couldn't because she was barefoot.
Johnny hiked Rio Celeste, Tenorio Volcano National Park with us and was very helpful to me, in particular, as the steps were very steep and he made sure I got up and down, the trail was very muddy and he was really a lifesaver. We also were very surprised, pleasantly to have our own private guide, Justin at Rio Celeste. He was so informative and was an excellent guide. He, too, was very concerned about us and made sure we went at a pace we were comfortable with; what an extra treat that was, having our own guide.
Lunch after the hike at Hotel Catarata Rio Celeste was absolutely wonderful, as it was of a more local cuisine, which we were happy to experience.
Our second excursion was to Hacienda Guachipelin and it was another fantastic day! We started with the zip lining (what an amazing experience!), then horseback riding and then tubing. Johnny joined us for all activities and he was certainly a trooper! He'd never done the Rio Celeste or any of the activities at Hacienda Guachipelin but you would've never known as he had no hesitation and was always right there and engaging in all activities and seemed to have a lot of fun J.
The zip lining was fabulous and such an adrenaline rush. I was quite impressed with how safety oriented the staff is at Hacienda Guachipelin, at the zip lining and tubing in particular. The tubing was another amazing experience; to quote our guides, "it's like bumper boats on water" and it was. It was so fun and everyone (probably about 60 people) seemed to be one huge team and everyone was always helping out other tubers who needed assistance (getting off a rock, etc.)
Lunch after the tubing was good, the banana cake was to die for, it was the BEST. Then we went to the hot springs and mud bath and that was fun, too, all part of the Costa Rica experience. Tony was a great driver, always very helpful and provided us with excellent service. Johnny, was meant to be someone our daughter's age to have fun with and he definitely put forth his effort. Our daughter is a bit shy but she liked having him along and thought he was cute.
We cannot complain, at all, as you and your staff really delivered and we are so very thankful as we had a wonderful vacation and memories that will last a lifetime.
I know before we committed to you, I started having second thoughts as I couldn't find any reviews, yet you shared previous client contact information with me and after getting their approval, I was able to speak with them or email with them and felt very comfortable with going with CostaRica.com and I'm so glad as I can't even imagine what our trip would've been like had it been any other way.
We enjoyed the "private" tour and guides, it made it OUR VACATION. Please, feel free to share my information with future potential clients. If there is someplace that I can post this or most of it, I will be more than happy to do so.
Thank you~
Stacey