When it comes to cloud forests, everyone knows about Monteverde, but the reality is that we have a great many cloud forests! If you like birding, chances are you know about San Gerardo de Dota. There are places in the world that introduce themselves with a handshake, perhaps a polite nod, and a brochure that insists you visit the gift shop. And then there are places like San Gerardo de Dota, which do not so much introduce themselves as quietly exist until you notice that your breathing has slowed, your thoughts have softened, and you are, for reasons not entirely clear, staring at a bird as if it might reveal the secrets of the universe.

Tucked into the folds of the Talamanca Mountains, this small mountain village does not shout for attention. It doesn’t have to. At an elevation that feels just high enough to have escaped the more enthusiastic heat of the lowlands, San Gerardo de Dota operates on a different frequency, one best described as “what if we all just…calmed down a bit?”

The air here is cool. Not aggressively so, not in a way that requires dramatic outerwear or philosophical reconsideration of your life choices, but just enough to make you feel pleasantly alert. It is the sort of air that suggests you might finally get a full night’s sleep, followed by a morning in which you wake up feeling suspiciously like a functional human being.

Running through this quiet valley is the Savegre River, a ribbon of impossibly clear water that seems to have taken a personal interest in purity. It tumbles and glides over stones with a kind of understated enthusiasm, producing a soundtrack that is equal parts soothing and faintly smug, as if to say, “Look at me. I don’t even try, and yet I am this refreshing.”

The surrounding forest, technically a cloud forest, though that phrase hardly captures the experience, wraps itself around the valley like a particularly attentive blanket. Moss clings to branches with a dedication that borders on artistic. Trees rise in layered greens, each one contributing to a palette that feels less like a color scheme and more like a conspiracy.

And then there are the birds.

Now, birds in most places are background characters. They chirp, they flutter, they occasionally demand your attention before returning to whatever it is birds do when they’re not being observed. In San Gerardo de Dota, however, birds have unionized and negotiated for leading roles.

Chief among them is the Resplendent Quetzal, a creature so improbably elegant it seems less like a bird and more like a design challenge that got out of hand. With its iridescent green plumage and improbably long tail feathers, the quetzal appears to hover somewhere between reality and decorative myth. Spotting one is considered a highlight, though the experience often involves standing very still, whispering, and questioning whether you have just imagined the whole thing.

But even if the quetzal chooses to remain elusive (as it often does, presumably for dramatic effect), the forest compensates with an orchestra of other species—tanagers, hummingbirds, and assorted feathered personalities that flit through the canopy like living confetti. If you want to add birding to your custom Costa Rica trip, let us know

Life in San Gerardo de Dota does not revolve around ticking off attractions. There is, notably, a refreshing absence of anything resembling a checklist. Instead, activities here tend to fall into categories such as “walking slowly,” “looking at things,” and “sitting quietly while contemplating the possibility that this might be enough.”

You can hike along trails that wind through the forest, each turn revealing something new, an especially photogenic tree, a patch of sunlight behaving artistically, or a bird that appears just long enough to make you doubt your observational skills. You can follow the river, letting its steady movement guide your thoughts into something resembling coherence. Or you can do something truly radical and simply sit.

This last option, it should be noted, is surprisingly difficult at first. Modern life has conditioned us to equate stillness with inefficiency, as though doing nothing were a personal failing rather than an achievement. But San Gerardo de Dota has a way of gently dismantling that idea. Give it a few hours, or a day, if you’re particularly stubborn, and you may find yourself embracing the concept of “being” without immediately trying to turn it into “doing.”

The accommodations here in San Gerardo de Dota reflect this philosophy. Lodges are cozy rather than extravagant, designed to blend into the environment rather than compete with it. Meals are hearty, often featuring fresh trout from the river, prepared in ways that suggest someone actually cares about flavor. And at night, the temperature drops just enough to justify a blanket, perhaps a warm drink, and the kind of sleep that feels like it has been personally curated.

Time, as in other quietly extraordinary places, behaves differently here. It stretches, it softens, it refuses to be rushed. Hours pass without the usual urgency, replaced instead by a gentle awareness of light shifting through the trees, of sounds rising and falling, of a world that continues quite happily without your constant supervision.

And that, perhaps, is the real charm of San Gerardo de Dota. It does not demand your attention. It earns it. It does not overwhelm you. It invites you. And somewhere between the river, the forest, and the occasional flash of iridescent green disappearing into the trees, you may find that you have, quite accidentally, slowed down. Not dramatically. Not in a way that would alarm anyone. Just enough to notice that you didn’t actually need to be moving quite so fast in the first place.

Which, in its own quiet way, is a rather remarkable thing to discover. Want to get to know San Gerardo de Dota first hand? Let us know! - Contact Us 

If one were to design a place specifically to make human beings question whether they had accidentally wandered into a particularly vivid screensaver, one might arrive, after several cups of strong coffee and a mildly existential argument with oneself, at something resembling the region surrounding Arenal Volcano, near the delightfully named town of La Fortuna.

This is not a place that gently introduces itself. It does not sidle up quietly and murmur, “Hello, I am a pleasant landscape.” No. It strides into your awareness like a flamboyant peacock wearing hiking boots and declares, “Observe!” And observe you must, because ignoring it would require a level of discipline usually reserved for monks and people who don’t like waterfalls.

At the center of this theatrical production is Arenal itself, a volcano so perfectly shaped it looks less like a geological formation and more like something an overly enthusiastic art director insisted on redesigning after rejecting several drafts for not being “volcano-y enough.” Rising above the surrounding rainforest with an almost smug symmetry, it gives the impression that if volcanoes could wink, this one absolutely would.

Once famously erupting with dramatic flair (the sort of geological fireworks display that would make even the most jaded traveler spill their drink), Arenal now exists in a more contemplative phase. It has, one might say, entered its “spa era.” Which is fitting, because the entire region seems to have followed suit.

The land here bubbles. Not metaphorically, though it does that too, but quite literally. Beneath the surface, the Earth is engaged in a quiet but persistent simmer, heating rivers and springs into what can only be described as nature’s attempt at customer service. “You came all this way,” it seems to say, “would you like a warm soak?”

And so, scattered throughout the area, you will find hot springs, steaming, mineral-rich, and utterly incapable of being ignored. You lower yourself into one, and suddenly all the grand plans you had, ziplining, hiking, becoming a more adventurous version of yourself, begin to feel negotiable. The water, after all, is warm. The air around the jungle smells faintly of rain and possibility.

Speaking of the jungle, it is not merely present, it is assertive. The rainforest surrounding La Fortuna does not politely exist in the background. It crowds, it hums, it insists on being noticed. Leaves are not just green; they are aggressively, unapologetically green. Trees do not simply stand; they loom, they stretch, they conspire with vines to create the sort of tangled architecture that would give an interior designer a mild breakdown.

And within this enthusiastic greenery lives a cast of characters that seem to have been assembled by someone with a vivid imagination and a questionable understanding of subtlety. Sloths hang like contemplative punctuation marks, moving at a pace that suggests they have either achieved enlightenment or simply don’t see the point in rushing. Monkeys crash through the canopy with the energy of children who have just discovered sugar. Birds appear in colors that would be considered excessive in most polite societies.

Then there is Lake Arenal, which sprawls across the landscape like a large, shimmering afterthought, though one suspects it would be mildly offended by that description. It is vast, it is calm, and it reflects the sky with the sort of dedication usually reserved for mirrors and particularly attentive lakes.

The lake introduces a different rhythm to the region. Where the volcano looms and the jungle buzzes, the water simply exists, stretching out in a way that invites contemplation or, failing that, windsurfing. Indeed, the winds here have a reputation for being enthusiastic, occasionally to the point of seeming personally invested in your attempts to remain upright on a board.

La Fortuna itself, meanwhile, is a town that has embraced its role as the gateway to all this absurd natural splendor with a kind of cheerful efficiency. It is not trying to outshine the volcano (a wise decision), but rather to facilitate your encounter with it. Restaurants serve food that tastes better than it strictly needs to. Cafés offer coffee strong enough to make you reconsider your life choices in a productive way. And everywhere you look, there are people, travelers, locals, guides, who seem to have collectively agreed that this place is, in fact, rather special.

But perhaps the most remarkable thing about the Arenal region is not any single feature, no matter how symmetrical, lush, or geothermally enthusiastic. It is the way everything conspires together to create an atmosphere, a “vive,” if you will, that is both invigorating and oddly calming.

You can spend the morning hiking through rainforest trails, crossing hanging bridges that sway just enough to remind you that gravity is still very much a thing. You can spend the afternoon floating down a river, watching the jungle slide by like an unusually vivid documentary. And you can end the day submerged in a hot spring, staring up at a sky that seems to have more stars than you remember.

It is, in short, a place that encourages you to experience it rather than merely observe it. Which is a subtle but important distinction. Observing is what you do when you are passing through, ticking boxes, collecting moments like souvenirs. Experiencing is what happens when you allow a place to rearrange your priorities slightly, when you find yourself lingering longer than intended, or returning to the same view simply because it feels different each time.

And Arenal, with its volcano, its jungle, its lake, and its unapologetic abundance of everything, excels at this gentle rearrangement. You arrive expecting a destination. You leave having encountered something closer to a mood. A very green, slightly steamy, occasionally monkey-filled mood.

And really, when you think about it, that’s not a bad thing to stumble into at all.

Start designing your customized Costa Rica trip today! - https://www.crreferrals.com/vacation-builder/

So you want to see an Arribada in Costa Rica. As we are coming to the end of 2025 and peek Arribada season here in Costa Rica, we want to touch on the best nights to witness an arribada in these final months of 2025 and look forward to the 2026 Olive Ridley Sea Turtle nesting season.

What is an arribada?

If you are just learning about arribadas, or have no idea what one is, Arribada is the Spanish word for “arrival”, in this case, it refers to a mast nesting event of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle. Here in Costa Rica we have many nesting beaches and several species of turtles that nest here. Arribadas are a little different, imagine hundreds, thousands, tens of thousands of turtles all coming to shore to nest at the same time! This happens over a few days, and it is truly a wonder of nature. This can be a life-changing event for many people who witness the phenomenon, it is humbling.

Where to see an Arribada?

To see an arribada you need to be in the right place at the right time. This only happens in a handful of places around the world, and here in Costa Rica, we have 2 beaches where they nest in large numbers. Ostional in the Ostional Wildlife refuge, and Playa Nancita, in Sant Rosa National park further north. Arribadas mostly happen in the green season during the months of July through October.

Ostional, Costa Rica - This is the more accessible area for seeing an arribada. Getting to see an arribada you need to be in the area for a few days. This is always going to be hit or miss, nature is going to cooperate, or not. You can stay in the area, or nearby in Nosara or Sámara. All 3 put you in position to see an arribada.

When to see an Arribada - Moon Cycles and Best Nights for an Arribada – A mentioned the best months for an arribada are July - Ocotober but having an understanding of moon cycles is crucial. Turtles nest on the darkest nights of the month, this means you want to be in the area usually a few days before a new moon. The days leading up to the new moon and a few days after are the darkest of the month and most likely the time for nesting activity. In a nutshell, 3-4 days before the new moon on through to 3-4 days after the new moon, that will increase your odds. This chart is a great visual representation of moon cycles.

September 2025
New Moon: 21^st
Be in the Ostional area: Sept, 18^th – 25^th

October 2025
New Moon: 21^st
Be in the Ostional area: Oct, 18^th – 25^th

November 2025
New Moon: 20^th
Be in the Ostional area: Nov, 17^th – 24^th

December 2025
New Moon: 19^th
Be in the Ostional area: Dec, 16^th – 23^rd

Looking ahead into the 2026 Arribada season, we can determine what likely will be the best nights to be in the right area of Costa Rica and the right time of month. With that, let’s explore 2026.

January 2026
New Moon: 18^th
Be in the Ostional area: Jan, 15^th – 22^nd

February 2026
New Moon: 17^th
Be in the Ostional area: Feb 14^th – 21^st

March 2026
New Moon: 18^th
Be in the Ostional area: March 15^th – 22^nd

April 2026
New Moon: 17^th
Be in the Ostional area: April 14^th – 21^st

May 2026
New Moon: 16^th
Be in the Ostional area: May 13^th – 20^th

June 2026
New Moon: 14^th
Be in the Ostional area: June 11^th – 18^th

July 2026
New Moon: 14^th
Be in the Ostional area: July 11^th – 18^th

August 2026
New Moon: 12^th
Be in the Ostional area: Aug 9^th – 16^th

September 2026
New Moon: 10^th
Be in the Ostional area: Sept, 7^th – 14^th

October 2026
New Moon: 10^th
Be in the Ostional area: Oct 7^th – 14^th

November 2026
New Moon: 9^th
Be in the Ostional area: Nov, 6^th – 13^th

December 2026
New Moon: 8^th
Be in the Ostional area: Dec 5^th – 12^th

* Remember, there are no guarantees to see an arribada on these dates, sometimes they come early, sometimes they come late, and sometimes they do not come at all. They prefer to nest in the green/rainy season, and they prefer dark nights. 

We hope you found today's post on arribadas helpful! We do this post every year in hopes that more people become aware of the magic of nature, and the wonders she has to show us. If you are interested in seeing an arribada and are planning your vacation with us, please let your travel planner know. Contact us at info@crreferrals.com or you can start building your Costa Rica trip here.

Hello fellow travelers! James here, lead travel planner at C.R. Referrals Travel. I had a few thoughts about the topic of AI and travel this week. I have been working in tourism here in Costa Rica for about 25 years. I have been planning customized trips for travelers for the last 18 years. My love of travel, of adventure, and of sharing that with others, has been rewarding beyond words for me, a dream job.

I always thought that if you do something in life that puts a smile on other people’s faces, it is a job worth doing. Giving travelers opportunities to have unique experiences, those are memories they will cherish for a lifetime, and it is the most rewarding part of my job. Those smiling faces and those memories I know they carry.

Does AI care about your trip? Not in the slightest, at best it can fake it, and that will always be true.

AI hit the scene 3 years ago now (how time does fly). As AI comes to take the jobs of many workers throughout many different industries, travel, as is so often the case, is one of those on the chopping block. Anyone who works in travel can see the changes, dynamic pricing everywhere with hotels, trip creation and booking by virtual agents, all powered by AI…

I have followed AI since the start, studying its strengths and its weaknesses. As with most technologies of this nature, I have no problem with the existence of it, my problem is what people choose to do with it. AI as it applies to many of the jobs it is taking is simple greed on the part of corporate interests. Profit and growth at all costs are all they understand. They see it as an opportunity to make more money while selling it to the public “that it will make your life easier”. Again, I have no problem with AI, just with how it is used. You cross the line when hundreds of thousands of people start to lose their jobs and the diplomas that people went to school for, went into debt for, are now all useless…

If they want to use AI to cure cancer, great! If they want to unlock the mysteries of the universe, solve real world issues, then I am all for it. But if your only goal is to maximize your own profits, at the expense of human jobs, well that is about as ugly as a situation can get. I have many-many expletives I would like to use on that specific aspect, but I will keep it clean. The backlash against AI in some areas should be fierce.

So here is the good news as this all applies to travel planners. Thankfully, a travel planner’s job is pretty safe and always will be in my opinion. Human beats machine here on many fronts. Can an AI create a trip, make reservations, and do it quickly? Quicker than the average travel planner? Short answer, yes, it can, and it will continue to improve in those areas… Can it do trip research? Yes, it can.

Although they can do all of those things quickly, it is exactly the thing it lacks that will always be the AI’s Achilles heel. For lack of a better word, it lacks a soul. It lacks what it is to be human, to truly have a conscience and to feel, to experience the living world, to truly understand those experiences. It will never know how it felt, and the memories and feelings that we hold of those moments.

It does not understand how important vacation time is, that families sometimes save for years to take an international trip, and how important it is that every detail is taken care of. Knowing the drivers personally, knowing the guides, knowing your clients are in the best of hands, that is the human element. The AI has never stayed at the hotels, we have. The AI has never experienced the activities, that is what a dedicated travel planner does. It will never have these experiences, these memories, and so it cannot ever really compete with a dedicated travel planners’ expertise for that reason.

Up to this point, all AI can do is regurgitate information, it has no original thought, it has to borrow all it is and all it knows from humans. A virtual AI planner will never know what it is like to go white water rafting down a river in the rainforest, feeling the spray of the cold water on your face, or what that rainforest even smells like, the freshness of it, being surrounded by that much life! If it can never truly experience anything in a tactile way, how can it even come close to competing?

It knows everything, and nothing at all…

Getting into support, an AI will never be able to offer the same level of support. It cannot ever truly understand the panic in the voice of a traveler who has missed a connecting flight and will not know how to fix things on the fly in real time the way a human can.

When I create a trip, I am also imagining myself doing it. This is why it all comes together the way it does. Each trip I plan for someone, is special to me. I am remembering myself doing that activity, visiting the towns, the landscapes, the hotels, I am on a vacation in my mind as I create… I am often smiling when I am creating a trip design because of my memories and knowing how much fun my travelers are going to have on their trip. The knowledge and feelings are what sets any good travel planner apart from the AI planner. We genuinely care about the experiences of the traveler, and we make connections that a machine will never be able to achieve.

Having said all of this, our industry is under attack, some travel companies will make it, and some will not. It is up to each individual to decide if supporting small businesses is a priority, or if lining the pockets of corporations and the already rich is the way to go, make the right choice.

In a world where we are separated by so many different things, they cannot take our humanity, unless we let them. They are trying to do that right now, take all that we are, and all we have ever been, and condense it into one algorithm, until they do not need what they consider excess humans at all.

Be well fellow travelers, until the writing bug bites me again, I wish you all well on your journeys.

Today we are going to go over some of the best Family Friendly Swimming Beaches in Costa Rica for those families traveling in 2024 & beyond. Costa Rica is renowned for its extensive coastline stretching along both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. We are lucky enough to have 2 coastlines and endless stretches of beach. While many visitors aspire to bask in the tropical beauty of the country's beaches, the diverse array of choices often surprises them.

The central and southern Pacific coast boasts predominantly surfing beaches with sizable waves. In stark contrast, the far northern Pacific coast reveals tranquil coves carved into its landscape. On the Caribbean Coast, development along the beaches is minimal, except for a select few towns. Additionally, beach towns vary significantly in their setup and the activities they offer.

Playa Hermosa is the perfect destination for families seeking a peaceful beach getaway. Located on the northern Pacific coast, this beach town boasts a stunning wide cove with gentle waves, making it an ideal choice for young children. But Playa Hermosa is not just limited to its own beach, as it also provides easy access to other nearby beaches that offer calmer waters, such as Playa Penca, Playa Panama, and Playa Ocotal.

While spending time at the beach is the main attraction in Hermosa, there are also several fun activities that families can enjoy with their kids. One option is to visit a nearby eco-adventure park, which offers thrilling zip-lining experiences amidst the lush tropical scenery. Additionally, the park is home to a well-maintained animal sanctuary, where children can learn about various animal species. For those interested in wildlife encounters, a boat tour of Palo Verde National Park is highly recommended. This unique experience allows families to observe a diverse range of wildlife, including playful monkeys, intriguing crocodiles, and a multitude of colorful birds. The park's rich biodiversity and pristine natural habitats create a captivating experience for both children and adults alike. There are several adventure combo experiences to consider!

Nestled along the Pacific coast, Samara stands out as one of Costa Rica's premier beach destinations, particularly well-suited for families. This beach, adorned with light gray sand, boasts a spacious cove featuring gentle waves, creating an ideal environment for leisurely swimming. Just a brief five-minute drive away lies Playa Carrillo, another serene beach that enjoys popularity among locals.
Samara is strategically organized with a main town center situated along the sandy shores, enhancing its walkability. Amidst the rows of towering palms, various surf shops offer lessons tailored to the smaller waves, providing an excellent opportunity for beginners. Additionally, the spectrum of activities is diverse, ranging from horseback riding and boat or kayak tours for wildlife enthusiasts to turtle-watching excursions. Adventurous souls can embark on a hike through the tropical dry forest, while those with a penchant for vibrant avian life can explore a macaw parrot breeding center.

Playa Conchal is one of the best Family Friendly Swimming Beaches in Costa Rica. Its captivating turquoise waters and unique shell-made sand make it a standout destination in the region. What sets Playa Conchal apart is its fantastic snorkeling opportunities right off the shore. Venture along the rocks at the northern end, and you'll be treated to sightings of puffer fish, eel, snapper, and a kaleidoscope of colorful marine life. While Playa Conchal may be slightly more isolated and challenging to access, the effort is undoubtedly worth it. If you're lucky enough to be staying at the Westin Playa Conchal or one of the other resorts along the beach, you'll find yourself just steps away from this natural wonderland. For those not staying at the beachfront resorts, fear not! A leisurely walk of about 10 minutes along the sandy shores from the town of Brasilito will lead you to Playa Conchal's enchanting shores.

If you're in search of a destination with vibrant rainforests, Manuel Antonio on the central Pacific coast is a top recommendation for families traveling to Costa Rica. Renowned as one of the country's most popular beach towns, Manuel Antonio not only boasts a stunning beach but is also surrounded by dense jungle teeming with wildlife. In the town and its vicinity, you'll encounter three types of monkeys, sloths, deer, lizards, iguanas, and an array of birds, including toucans, trogons, and hummingbirds. The town of Quepos and area hotels offer an extensive selection of restaurants and a plethora of family-friendly activities, such as zip-lining, hiking, waterfall rappelling, whitewater rafting, boat or kayak tours, night tours, surf lessons, and much more. While the primary beach in town, Playa Espadilla, you may experience rip tides, it remains suitable for wading. For those seeking calmer waters, Playa Biesanz is an excellent choice. This sheltered cove features gentle waves, making it perfect for families with children. Additionally, within Manuel Antonio National Park, there are several calm beaches with even more tranquil waters.

Just north of Jaco lies another fantastic destination for families. Despite its reputation as a party town, the liveliness mainly unfolds late at night. In the daylight hours, you'll encounter a diverse mix of people, including many families with children. Jaco features a main street adorned with numerous family-friendly restaurants, some even equipped with play areas for the little ones. The town also boasts a community playground, and occasionally, you'll stumble upon engaging activities such as painting workshops and puppet shows. Situated only about an hour from San Jose, Jaco presents an excellent option for those aiming to minimize travel time.

While the primary beach in Jaco may not be the most scenic, the town is conveniently close to some truly stunning beaches. To the north, Playa Blanca beckons with its serene cove, offering pristine white sand and aquamarine waters. Heading south, Playa Esterillos Oeste awaits, known as a surfing beach. However, during low tide, you can access mesmerizing tidepools—an ideal setting for exploration with the kids. If you're yearning for an off-the-beaten-path beach town, Esterillos Oeste is sure to captivate your adventurous spirit

The final destination on our list is Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, nestled on the southern Caribbean coast. The crowning glory of Puerto Viejo lies in its breathtaking beaches, some of the most exquisite in the country. With lush green backdrops and tranquil, crystal-clear waters, these beaches offer a mesmerizing setting. Noteworthy attractions include the Jaguar Rescue Center, a renowned wildlife rehabilitation facility in Costa Rica. The area also features an enticing chocolate tour, opportunities for surfing, horseback riding, SUP and kayak excursions, and hiking trails. Abundant wildlife, including monkeys and sloths, can be easily spotted in and around the town.
While Puerto Viejo is recommended for families, it's essential to note that the area does have some instances of crime, making it a destination that may not be suitable for everyone. While the majority of visitors do not encounter any issues, if you have concerns about traveling with children, we suggest exploring one of the alternative destinations on our list.

There are more family friendly swimming beaches in Costa Rica, but these are some of the most popular. Contact us to learn more, or start designing your trip!

A good day to you! James here, head of the travel planning department here at C.R. Referrals Travel. Today I want to talk a little about trip support and why you need it, and it starts with a little story. This is a story of a couple’s journey to Costa Rica, one that did not go as planned when it started, but had a happy ending. One sunny morning in our Atenas office, our 24-hour support line rang. On the other end of the phone was one of my travelers, “John”, there was a crisis, and John needed help! This is in part what we do, and help I was ready to give.

Let me back up a little. I had planned John’s first trip here 7 years ago. They loved it! This trip they were currently embarked on was the first time they had travelled since their first trip here and as they had explained to me, they desperately needed a vacation. I love planning return trips, and I am honored that they wanted to repeat Costa Rica as their next trip, I was delighted to hear from them when they got in touch with us. As directed, I planned a special trip in honor of that needed vacation. I even got an email from John’s boss, he told me he had been working very hard and he wanted to do something special for them at some point in the adventure. We put together a secret gift basket that was waiting for them along their journey, it was a meticulously planned adventure, and it was about to go off the rails!

Yes, on this day, the day they were to arrive and start their Costa Rica adventure, John and his wife missed the connecting flight. John was now on the phone with me telling me about the situation.

Now because John’s original arrival flight was early in the morning, and they were eager, the plan was to hit the ground running. On arrival to SJO airport we had arranged a private transfer to Cahuita where he was to spend the next few nights before heading off to Bocas del Toro, Panama. On Day 2 of his trip, he had tours, and so on…

John finally managed to get another flight that same day but instead of arriving at 10am, he was now arriving at 11pm. John could have panicked, he could have thrown his fists in the air cursing the travel gods, but instead he kept a cool head and he called us, 1 call, and everything on the Costa Rica side of the equation was taken care of. With an evening arrival, we got him a room for the arrival near the airport, we rearranged the private transfer that was taking him to Cahuita for the following day, we rearranged the tour that was supposed to happen that following day, and we let the hotel in Cahuita know that John would be a day later… 1 call. That’s it.  His trip was back on track without any stress.

This is a good example of why 24-hour trip support is so important when you are traveling and the reason for the post today. John could have been in the position to try and reach out to multiple companies here in Costa Rica. Dealing with language barriers, international phone rates, and the stress of trying to do it all from an airport. Instead, he just made the 1 call. Within the hour everything was fixed.

Make sure that whoever you are working with, whoever is planning your trip, make sure they offer this. If John had booked everything independently, he would be trying to make multiple international calls to Costa Rica to try and rearrange everything on his own, in a language he does not speak, while also trying to sort out his flights. If he had worked with a company that did not provide real customer support with a human being, only automated services, then things would not have gone as well.

Beyond the handpicked guides and drivers, behind the customized planning, you also need trip support. The trip support we offer comes in 2 ways.

• 24-Hour Trip Support – Pretty self-explanatory, we offer 24 hour trip support to all of our guests while you are traveling here in Costa Rica. You will be given not only the 24 hour support line, but the direct WhatsApp number for your travel planner.
• Trip Monitoring – This is part of our service that goes on behind the scenes. While a trip is happening, we are calling ahead to the drivers, guides, & hotels, 1 day before a service, to make sure everything is still on track. Sometimes a road closure or other event can change the pickup time for a tour or transfer. If there are changes in any way, we will alert you to them while you are here. This all happens in real time, and this is why our trips run like clockwork.

So that’s it, that’s the story and the message. Make sure to have 24-Hour Trip Support in ALL your travels around the world. It will save you a world of headaches. Pura Vida!

Contact us to start planning your customized Costa Rica Trip!