Superb Costa Rica Getaway: Tropical Paradise and Wildlife

Zicasso's tour operator put together an absolutely outstanding tour of Costa Rica. Responsive and responsible, she was there for us at every turn, before and during our adventure. We cannot praise her highly enough and consider ourselves fortunate to have been able to work with her.

We would also like to commend our driver from San José to the Arenal Volcano. He was an excellent driver and conveyed us through heavy San José traffic and long stretches of country roads. We very much appreciated him and how safe and secure he kept us.

The best guide had a marvelous demeanor; a great sense of humor mixed with knowledge that wasn't overwhelming, but met the various aspects of the day's hike at the Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste National Park, and lunch (which itself was outstanding).

The hotels selected for us were outstanding, although the lodge in Tortuguero that had no air conditioning presented some challenges in terms of the humidity at night. Everything we had, including our money, got soggy. That all cleared up in La Fortuna. From that point forward, our accommodations were enviable in terms of their amenities, surroundings, and views. From manicured gardens to a variety of wildlife, we were treated in a first-class manner.

I got back home yesterday from the week-long trip the travel company put together for me and my daughter, Vanessa, in Costa Rica and I woke up today with a huge smile on my face. This is to say that we had a perfect trip.

My daughter had been to Costa Rica 15 years ago and when we decided to travel together this year it was Vanessa who said Costa Rica. I wasn't so sure about it, but I fell in love with Costa Rica. It was beautiful beyond my expectations and unlike anywhere else I have travelled. The people are warm and welcoming.

I have to say that the travel company went above and beyond in providing a unique and magical traveling experience. As you know, I was concerned that I wouldn't be able to do all the "adventurous" aspects of the trip because I am "older."  I was assured me that I could not do anything I didn't want to, and that helped. But, I was determined to try and once we started the tour I just didn't want to not experience it all.

I have to mention the travel company people who made this trip for us, starting with our guide in the Arenal area. I did not expect him to come with a tripod and binoculars on the Mystic Bridge and Sloth tours, but he did and we have so many fantastic close-ups of such wildlife as an eyeless pit viper, tarantulas, an ocelot, howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and many more. (He kept us at a safe distance.) Vanessa is an entomologist and she and our guide really connected over searching for insects. I am not a nature girl, but walking the jungle bridges and seeing the sloths was so beautiful.

The 3 lunches that the company arranged were beyond my expectations. Our first lunch was at a local's house and it was delicious and they were so, so welcoming. Our second lunch was when a chef from La Fortuna came to the Sloth farm and cooked for us and it was also fabulous. Finally, making tortillas with a woman at her home was a super special experience. I have travelled a lot, but can truly say that I have never been welcomed into the homes of the people of that country, and served the foods that are from that country. I hope the travel company will continue to arrange such experiences for other clients. Our guide translated everything for us and we really got to know the people. I feel like they are my friends and would welcome them to my home.

You can be proud of our guide in the Arenal area, because of his professionalism, knowledge, and focus on detail.

I also have to mention our driver, who drove us to Taramarindo and back to the airport. He was so helpful, answering questions for us throughout the drives. He took us to a great place for lunch and his recommendations on what to order were spot on. We asked for a restaurant in Taramarindo and the one he suggested was outstanding. We wouldn't have found it on our own.

The Arenal Volcano area resort and Boutique Hotel in Tamarindo were both excellent. I was sitting on the porch of my room at the Arenal resort when a Coati came out of the jungle and sat down near the edge of the porch. I was just drinking my coffee, and he and I hung out together. I have a video of it and it was such a special moment. Coatis are my new favorite animal. The Tamarindo hotel staff couldn't do enough for us. I wrote a note to the manager thanking him. I had two spa treatments and they were wonderful. The farm to table dinner was fantastic and their breakfasts and dinners were excellent.

Now, I want to compliment Catalina on all the work she put into this trip. Catalina is a truly a professional travel advisor and a credit to the company.

I have already recommended the travel company to my sister and two friends.

My main Zicasso contact was fantastic. She was always very prompt to respond and did an excellent job of setting up a perfect trip for us to Costa Rica. This was our first visit to Costa Rica and she created an itinerary that gave us a great overview of the country.

We stayed in Arenal, Monteverde, and Manuel Antonio. Our accommodations in each place were wonderful. Our guides were so professional, with exceptional knowledge to educate us on each of the experiences we had (volcano hike, safari, night tour, and Rio Celeste hike from the Arenal area). The guided hanging bridges and canopy tours in Monteverde were our favorites. Having days on the beach and by the pool in beautiful Manuel Antonio was the perfect way to end our Costa Rica tour. We loved it all!

We could not have asked for a better experience with Zicasso's travel agency. From start to finish, they did not disappoint. Our travel agent listened, made excellent suggestions, answered all of my questions, and was available once we were in Costa Rica if we needed them. We had an overview of the accommodations and tours we selected, but had no idea just how excellent everything would be.

From the drivers to the tour guides to the tours themselves, we could not have been more pleased. The drivers and guides were friendly, knowledgeable, and so proud of their country.

We experienced nature at night through a walk in the jungle, followed by a traditional Costa Rican dinner with a lovely family in a beautiful setting; the rainforest during the day, complete with hanging bridges through the treetops (the views were amazing); a coffee/chocolate plantation with a very entertaining guide; and warm mineral waters at the base of a volcano that left us relaxed and refreshed. The adult beverages were a nice touch, as was the buffet afterward. The food was delicious.

The hotel near Arenal Volcano had spectacular views and the accommodations and amenities were perfect. Our balcony overlooking the tropical gardens and the volcano couldn’t have been more beautiful.

Moving from the jungle to the beach provided us with a wonderful drive through the mountains, where we really could experience Costa Rican life.

The villa at Manuel Antonio was the ultimate in luxury, complete with its own pool/jacuzzi, spectacular views of the Pacific, and a Mother Nature experience like no other. The macaws, toucans, and monkeys (especially the howler monkeys) did not disappoint. We experienced a nature walk on the property with our guide, walked the beach, enjoyed the help and suggestions of the private concierge, and could not have been more pleased with this experience.