January 2010
Pablo - I am on the plane in Minnesota about to return to the cold of Minnesota and I wanted to thank you for putting together such a great trip for my wife and me. All of the activities we did, places we stayed and locations we visited were great. All of our drivers were on time and courteous and got us everywhere we needed to be safely. I will recommend your company very, very highly.
Thanks again!
John Niedfeldt-Thomas
Minnesota, USA
July, 2009
Grettel,
I meant to send you an email when we returned from our trip, but I have been so very busy. You did a fantastic job on organizing our trip so that it truly met our needs and desires. You listened so well to the little details including the areas, motels, and excursions. We have never been the type people to do the tourist type of vacation like everyone else. You gave us a variety just like I requested - zip line, animals, snorkeling, etc. The motels were perfect, a little natural one day and luxury the next. Even the driver that picked us up from the airport and returned us to the airport was super. Thank you so much for taking the time to listen so that you could provide us the perfect vacation. If you ever need any recommendation don't hesitate to ask.
Debbi Kidd
May, 2009
Hello Grettel,
I wanted to let you know what a wonderful trip we had to your country. The itinerary was perfect for us and everywhere was so nice. Costa Rica is so beautiful and so friendly we have been recommending it everyone. I hope you do not mind, but we will be passing your name on to others who wish to travel to Costa Rica. Thank you again for a fabulous trip and we are sure we will return someday, hopefully not too far off.
Michelle Jakab
May, 2009
Hi Luz, Pablo and Roberto,
How are you guys doing? I hope the economy has not hurt Aventuras as much as it has other businesses. Here at Florida State University we are doing as well as we can.
I wanted to share with you something very neat. A couple of weeks ago my husband and I went to a party and the topic of Costa Rica came up (that is not unusual, however, as we began to talk about it we realized that 7 people out of the group, plus us had shared very similar experiences and places in CR including the Pacuare! And Aventuras Naturales was the common denominator.
Over the years, I have usually shared the various itineraries that Pablo has prepared for me and then recommend that my friends call you guys and book their own trips. They all had GREAT things to say about their trips, your customer service, the transports and each hotel that they stayed at. The rafting at Pacuare is definitely the trip that gets everyone most fired up to talk about.
You guys have consistently delivered and I felt very proud and happy to have been able to help our friends enjoy our country. Thanks so much for doing such a great job; it is nice to be able to recommend someone that I can trust and know is the best in the industry.
Saludos y un abrazo,
Marianella Baez Jost
Florida State University
FL, USA
April, 2009
Grettel,
I wanted to say thank you for all the work you did in preparing our vacation in Costa Rica. Everything went right; all the hotels were fabulous, the food was excellent, everyone was on time and very, very polite... Costa Rica is such a beautiful country. We cannot wait to visit it again. Once again thank you for all the hard work you did and for our next visit, I will be sure to request you to help plan it.
Brian S. Kimball
January 2009
Hi Grettel,
Just wanted to thank you for a fabulously planned trip. My mother and I loved the Pacuare Jungle Lodge -- Everyone there was so great -- including the other guests and wow the river suite was sooo cool. Cholo our guide was amazing. He's a rock star!
Also loved the Hotel in Santa Elena as well as in San Jose. You live and learn what your tastes are -- I guess I learned I liked those hotels because they were very nice and boutique. The one in La Fortuna was a little too big and touristy, (not criticizing your choice, it was a nice hotel, but now I know more what I like).
All the transports were on time and really friendly. I do hope we tipped enough or too much. We were never sure.
FYI went to two restaurants in Santa Elena that I'd recommend -- Chimara and Sophie’s (same gal owns both.)
Overall Costa Rica is so beautiful. Thanks again. Hope to vacation in CR again and spend time on both coasts.
Cheers,
Kathy Roming
January, 2009
Pablo,
Thanks so much for arranging a great trip. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed your country very much. Your services were very professional.
Best,
Tom Zimmerman
USA
December 2008
Grettel,
Thanks for lining up a great itinerary for us, we had a great time, it was a great adventure vacation, If I know of anybody who wants to visit Costa Rica I will definitely recommend your company, we enjoyed every place we stayed,
Rob Stern
August, 2008
Pablo:
I want to thank you for everything you did for me and my son from the beginning back in May through our return home last Sunday.
EVERYTHING was fabulous. The employees of Costa Rica Nature Adventures are, to a person, the best that I have encountered. Timely, courteous, informed and willing to go the extra distance.
The Pacuare Lodge and the rafting into and out of it were the highlights of what was already an unbelievable trip.
I filled out all the rating questionnaires that your employees gave me stating how strongly I feel about the quality of the services and properties you booked for us. I just wanted to make sure you knew that my appreciation and praise also extends to you.
It is a great company you work for and a beautiful and an amazing country you live in.
PURA VIDA
Kent and Jordan Brooks
August, 2008
Hey Grettel,
Now that we're back from our trip, I thought I’d drop you a note. Our trip was wonderful in every aspect; the people, your country, the weather and the activities. Our Pacuare guides, tito, cholo and max made that part of the trip extra special. We enjoyed minor, our driver, very much.
The only complaint is that the Costa Rica trip will be very difficult to top for our vacation next year. Great trip!
Pura vida,
Patrick Murray
USA
July 22nd, 2008
Grettel,
we are back from a great trip to Costa Rica. Everything worked well, hotels were good and transportation was on time. Highlight was Pacuare River and lodge. Thank you for arranging this great trip.
Jomar Kilnes
USA
April 4 2008
10 day Adventure Package
Our Costa Rican adventure was made perfect by your friendly staff at all locations! Our accommodations and meals were outstanding. All of the guides were very knowledgeable and were happy to share their culture with us. I will be recommending your company to many friends. It is hard to think of a highlight because all of our experiences here exceeded our expectations and we will have many great memories of this trip. Keep up the great work. We hope to return here again!
Tania and Steve Krysa
ON, Canada
March, 2008
Hi Pablo - Just back from Costa Rica - wanted to let you know we had a great time. Really enjoyed the white water rafting and our stay at Pacuare Lodge, everyone was great, food was the best we had on the trip and we loved the lodge. Also enjoyed both the Peace Lodge and our stay at El Silencio Del Campo in Arenal. Wasn't quite as impressed with the Heliconia in Monte Verde but it was OK. Just wanted to let you know in case other people enquire..... We were not happy with the Suerre Hotel. I know that was not your recommendation, we had been referred there by friends. Not sure if it has changed hands since they stayed, but pool and hot tub were not too clean, food was not very good, service for food and bar was very slow and we had trouble finding someone who could speak even limited English. I pass this info onto you only in case you want to give our feedback to that hotel, or in case someone like us comes along asking you to set them up there. Thank you very much for all your work in making this a great vacation. PS.... one of our transportation guides (Fernando?) was fabulous..... We had him on two long legs of the trip and he gave us a magnificent history of Costa Rica.
Michelle Mills
USA
March, 2008
Hi Grettel,
I just wanted to send you a very big thank you for all of your planning and care. Our family's trip to Costa Rica was absolutely wonderful and all of the tours were enjoyable and 'as expected'. I want to single out Sunset Tours and their professionalism. From the drivers to the guides, they exemplify excellence.
Many thanks and we look forward to another Costa Rican adventure
Charlene Warrington
USA
February, 2008
Pablo, thank you so much for arranging the beautiful Costa Rican Adventure trip for Denise and me. Given the very short time frame, you did an outstanding job! We loved the Hotel Arenal Paraiso (got one of the cottages at the top of the hill). Hotel Heliconia was beautiful with its chalet like qualities. All of the tours were informative and fun..... We found Costa Ricans are sophisticated, friendly, and truly love their country. We will definitely be back!
Just some things that you might want to adjust:
Hotel Don Carlos was beautiful and we enjoyed viewing all the beautiful artwork. Best margaritas in town!
All the tours/guides were outstanding..... One of the best was our guide in LaFortuna/volcano hike ... Walter Steller.... we travel all over the world and he was the absolute best..... Knowledgeable, kind, articulate, and totally committed to making the tours enjoyable. Please give him our best! Next time we visit, we will ask you to get us Walter for his touring acumen.
Last day we were just too tired to do the last day's activities..... Didn’t use that tour voucher. But, that just makes it necessary for us to return to do the canopy!
Again, thanks so much and I will definitely recommend you and your services to anyone wishing to travel to Costa Rica. If you would like a letter of recommendation, please let me know.
Nancy Barton
USA
February, 2008
Hi Grettel!
Pura Vida! Arriba! Muchas gracias, MS Grettel
Thank you for putting together a wonderful trip!
Everything that you arranged came together like clock
work! There were no major incidents or breakdowns in
your arrangements. I complement you and your network
of contacts in the tourism business. Awesome! Things
just kept getting better and better as we went
along....the trip was exactly what I wanted and more!
Thank you for changing from the "free day" to the
additional canopy tour!
I/we are very impressed with Costa Rica, its
wonderful people, great food, cheerful people who
work in the tourism business and of course, the
amazing country! My 23 year old grandson who
accompanied me was in awe and had a grand time...he is
single, and so I teased him that this was a "honeymoon recon"....all he needs now is that one special lady!
Please pass on these comments to your company leaders;
you deserve a raise!
One question: were there any gratuities included in
the overall price of the trip package? Just curious.
Also, please advise you clients against bringing
Travelers’ checks....the local merchants and
businesses won't take them and you have to go to a
bank to get them cashed...at times that can be a time
consuming process....cash and a credit, or a debit
card is all you need.
The trip to Tortuguero was probably not
necessary...though the resort is very beautiful,
takes a long time to get in and out of there. We spent
Only about 18 hours there...we did get out and go
fishing at 5:00 A.M. and as luck would have it we did
not have to clean any fish! No luck! $110.00 for an
early a. m. 2 hour boat ride....
Thanks for putting us up at the Don Carlos Hotel. It
is off the main track and is quiet at night...close to
Café Mundo great meals and fine wine...
Again, thanks for a great trip and a wonderful
experience.
Sincerely,
Amos Clemmons
February 2008
Dear Pablo,
We had a wonderful trip. All of our guides were great. The Tortuga Island Tour was beautiful. We also zip lined through the rain forest, what a blast. Thank you so much for all of your help with planning this trip. My friends and I will be talking of this trip for years to come. P.S. We love Costa Rica and all of its wonderful colors and flavors of life. You are all very blessed. We might like to stay away from the main hub of the city more next time. But we will recommend your company to our friends. Thank you once again.
Sincerely, Jennifer Johnson, Bobby Johnson, Peggy and Tom Scherman, Stephanie and Mike Owens, Marilyn Shopper and Kevin Morgan.
USA
January, 2008
Hi Pablo,
Happy New years! I just wanted to thank you for helping make our trip to Costa Rica a great experience. We enjoyed the trip that you organized greatly. The guides/drivers were great. We had a fantastic time at the Pacuare Lodge. The food was great. The lodge was beautiful.
Best wishes!
Scott Koshland
March, 2007
Grettel,
Thank you so much for the great trip to Costa Rica. The coordination of detail was amazing. We were able to enjoy all the wonderful sites and activities of Costa Rica without any of the common travel worries.
I meant to send this earlier. Yesterday, I recommended your company to another friend, which reminded me to send this.
You may remember us...three people on the 10-day adventure packaged that we turned into a 12 day---which BTW was well worth it. The extra day in Arenal and Tortuguero made for a nice pace to the trip. While in Arenal we did the canyoning tour---awesome!
Thanks again,
Jean
March 22nd, 2007
Dear Grettel,
We returned home last night after 10 wonderful days in Costa Rica, and
I want to thank you for putting together an excellent itinerary. The
hotels, the drivers and the tours were first rate. We really
appreciated the work you did in preparing the trip.
Two minor shortcomings: Though the people at Casa Camarona were
helpful, the Hotel itself has seen better days. And the Interbus that
picked us up at Casa Camarona did not take us to our hotel--Casa de las
Tias, but left us at a hotel in San Jose where we had to get a taxi.
Again, our thanks for a great experience.
Jacob Schlitt
March 20th, 2007
Hello Grettel
Just wanted to send a note to you to say a big thank you for organizing a wonderful trip for us over March Break. Even though we were only away for a week, we all felt like we'd been gone for a month. The variety of activities and locations made every day unique and we were all sad when it came to an end. However, we are sure to visit again in the future, and will be happy to use your services once more.
Yours truly
Bev de Beer and family
March, 2007
Hi, Grettel!!
Jessica and I had the time of our lives in Costa Rica! Thank you for EVERYTHING!! The trip was well-choreographed and planned.
Sincerely,
Lois Rich
July, 2007
Grettel,
Your service was excellent and everything you set up for us was wonderful. Our experience at the Pacuare Lodge, including the whitewater rafting, beautiful accommodations, great food, attentive staff (our guide Andres was a treat), was one of the best vacation experiences we have ever had. Also, your selection of the Hotel Grano de Oro was perfect. My wife thought that her dinners there were the best meals she has ever had anywhere.
We had such a good time we will definitely book a return trip in the next year or two.
Thanks again.
Mike Carnes
USA |
