Comments from Former Guests of Serendipity Adventures
With your own personal trip guide and specialized guides for each activity, you'll be able to do things most companies don't offer.
Serendipity Adventures Costa Rica offers personally guided trips to discerning travelers. We are pleased to share with you what some of our former guests have said about their vacation to Costa Rica with us.
We are happy for you to speak directly with some of our former guests. We can also put you in touch with guests with similar groups or from similar areas. Please contact us for reference details.
My mother-in-law said that we should be more careful, we weren't all that young any more and I told her 'that may be, but we're not dead either'. We can't say enough about (Serendipity guide) Felipe and his abilities, his charm, his personality. He makes everyone feel he is there just for them and is very encouraging for a person to taking on an event not normally done. Thanks for making this trip so special for us
—Cliff & Helen R., Lexington, SC, February 2007
The trip would not have been the same without our two chief guides, Philip and Katalina. Both of these individuals are awesome and amazing people, who made this trip unforgettable for us. It is obvious that they love what they do and are probably in my opinion, two of the top elite and professional guides in Costa Rica. Philip and Kata both won the hearts of our kids and provided us an exceptional experience. I know you take very good care of them as it is obvious from their talk how much they admire you and how much they love working with your company. For a person who is afraid of heights and water, your guides supported me and made me experience some of these adventures, that I know I would not dream about doing without Philip and Kata by my side. Taking care of eight people for full day of challenging activities and then driving late at night back to the hotel safely takes a lot of dedication and strength. Kata is a very special girl and it is amazing to see her in action as she can do anything and everything same or even better than most of the other male guides. Philip is a leader and on the river trip I could see his popularity as each and every tour guide knew him and greeted him with respect. I admire Philip for his driving skills as on the last day I saw that he had to use everything he had to bring us safely to San Jose thorough heavy fog and land slides. Both of these individuals are an asset to your organization.
—Sam P., Mississauga, Canada, March, 2008
Serendipity Adventures has provided our family a superb vacation encompassing excellent lodging, excellent food, and wonderful adventures at every location. We felt that each individual we met at every specific activity was not only professional but also very knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and extremely personable. We felt very safe at every activity.
We leave your beautiful country with a much better understanding of the people, their cultures, the wildlife and the natural beauty that abounds here.
We are truly much richer for having traveled with Serendipity. It was an awesome adventure. Our sincerest thanks.
—Ken B., Auburn, ME, June, 2005
Everything was fabulous, fun and interesting. Alfonso taught us an amazing amount in 1 week! Costa Rica is a beautiful country. We learned and saw more than I expected thanks to the knowledge of our guide. PLUS! Great wildlife spotting and viewing.
—Robbie C., Santa Rosa, CA, June 2007
The rafting guides were great it was so much fun the food was a lovely surprise. Horseback was a favorite - the horses were handsome and the trail was beautiful. I have a great sense of accomplishment while climbing the trees - and the ropes made me feel very safe. I learned how to get out of my comfort zone, be flexible, and how to deal with bugs.
—Alessandra C., 14, Bahamas, June, 2007
Serendipity guide Alfonso is outstanding - knowledgeable, patient, caring, humorous, organized, insightful! Can you tell I think he's great? What an asset to Serendipity. He made the trip so memorable. The local "helpers" (guides) were also excellent - Jaime, Beto, Eric & Gustavo, Raf and Fernando. They were all personable and helpful.
Alfonso was very willing to stop whenever we wanted to take a picture or check out monkeys in the trees. His eyes are sharp - he spotted a sloth for us.
The JURASSIC tour provided a nice variety of activities. Within the structure of the tour there was flexibility - spend more time here, do this hike instead of that. The all-inclusive aspect of the tour was a definite plus - laundry, snacks, soft drinks, bottled water, etc. The food was excellent at the hotel, and wherever Alfonso took us.
Keep up the good work and keep quality people (like Alfonso, and the others in your company).
—Ellen G., Orinda, CA (JURASSIC group tour), April, 2007
We just want to thank Serendipity for lending us our wonderful guide Andres, who showed us a trip to remember! We thoroughly enjoyed the beauty of your country, and have told everyone who will listen what a great company Serendipity is. When we were asked to fill out a form on what we enjoyed most and least, we had trouble as we loved everything we did, and were so thankful every time we saw one of the big tour buses that we weren't on one. We loved the individual one-on-one attention, the hotels were all great, and the food delicious. I did some things that nobody back home would believe without the pictures to prove it, like Abraham and the canopy tour! We will definitely be back.
—Jane and Tim M., Cochrane, Alberta, Canada, February, 2007
I couldn't choose -- the activities the food and the accommodations were all terrific. Costa Rica is a beautiful place to visit. I wanted my kids to have a great time and learn try new things. Both happened. I wanted the trip to be adventurous for all of us -- yet stress free for me, especially travelling for the first time as a single mom. Serendipity met these requirements too. It was incredible and it was amazing.
—Rebecca S., Pittsburgh, PA, March 2007
It as a great trip and difficult logistics for Serendipity to handle. There were so many possible ways things might get missed up ( timing, boats, etc). It is to Serendipity's credit that nothing did. (Comments about complicated trip with lots of equipment and people movement away from roads, where everything relied on Serendipity equipment, guides, and support in wilderness conditions)
—Randy R., Rehoboth MA, January, 2006
In summary, we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Costa Rica and a major cause was Serendipity- your knowledge, your logistics, your equipment and above all, your people. A happy "go lucky" team who were a delight to deal with.
We will be back with more family and friends and look forward to seeing you there.
See full letter from Alex Kyriakidis (Managing Director of Travel and Leisure, Deloitte, Touche)
—Alex K, London, England, August, 2006
This was the most well taken care of we have ever been while traveling in a foreign country. Serendipity guide Andres did a tremendous job of (1) making the guiding look easy and relaxed, (2) exploring culture, botany, wildlife, history as we traveled and pointing out interesting things, (3) making us comfortable with activities we had never tried before and instilling confidence in us that we could do it.
I would also compliment all the 'single day guides' who helped with various activities -- they were professional and clearly took their job seriously yet were relaxed and fun to be around.
It was a pleasure to spend the entire time with Andres - we feel as though he is a part of our family and certainly will be among our fondest memories of Costa Rica. He clearly loves his country and is well able to communicate that love to us.
—Vilija A., Salt Lake City, UT, April, 2007
I was surprised by the amount of thought that went into enhancing our experience - the small touches (dry towels, bottled water, snacks while en route -- the list is endless. I've discovered that I want a Serendipity guide for ALL of my life, not just on holiday.
—Diana N., London, England, July 2008
We have just finished a fantastic week with Serendipity. Since we have three active teenage boys we wanted something other than a hum-drum vacation. We got a super week together with Serendipity. When I saw the high level of action involved, I had three concerns about the trip.
Was Serendipity a respectable company? I found it to be of the highest quality - with excellent support personnel, top quality equipment, and unquestionable quality.
Would we be safe? Our Serendipity guide Juan Carlos (JC) made the entire trip an adventure. He was our interpreter, navigator, encourager, an expert historian, biologist and botanist. He made sure we were safe at all times. You could tell that he was intent on giving us every opportunity without exposing us to any undue risk. At every activity, Serendipity provided wonderful support guides to make sure we were safe.
—Dr. John D., Prattville, AL, November, 2005
As far as the activities, just when we thought it couldn't get better, it did!! Our love of adventure, and our awareness of Costa Rica, will never be the same. Thanks, Serendipity!
—David O., Darien, CT, March, 2007
Serendipity put together a terrific trip. Our group does an annual back pack or cause trip -every year for 25 years- and this was the first guided trip. (Serendipity guides) Mattias and Bruce were excellent and fit in well. More safety conscious than we usually are , but this is a positive for Serendipity. Both are gems in every way.
—Greg Fritz, Warren, RI, January, 2006
Jackie has written a long and very poignant letter which is worth reading in its entirety. We encourage you to view it at Jackie Gero's comments
—Jackie G, Miami, FL, November, 2005
Serendipity provides excellent quality, organization, management, staffing- (principal guide) Juan Carlos, river guides, stable staff (Michael, Esteban) and Tucker- all top quality staff, very personal service. Excellent safety, attention to detail.
.... Also, I really liked not having to carry money and the guide paid for everything so we didn't have to worry about any bills or tips.
—Victoria C, Los Altos, CA, April, 2006
I think your mode of transportation is great with the Land Cruisers. Even though we had to split the family (of 9 people) into two vehicles, they were very comfortable and allowed us to go wherever we needed to. I am very glad we decided to choose Serendipity for our trip and would highly recommend your company to my friends looking for their next big adventure.
—Eric McG, Menlo Park, CA, June, 2007
Much to my husbands dismay, I am sure, it was the best vacation of my life( other than our honeymoon). Love the way Shayna cared for us & took such pride in our enjoyment & happiness. We will never forget this trip.
Shayna did everything to make us have the best vacation of our lives. Della never would have gone horseback riding without her encouragement, I never would have done the canopy without her giving me an easy alternative. She thinks on her feet and makes your experience wonderful. We cannot wait to come back with (my husband) David and spend time with Shayna as our guide. We love you Shayna!
She picked great additional adventures for all of us. A bit out of our normal comfort zone, but lots of fun. It was the best trip I've ever been on.
—Diane B., Bethesda, MY, March, 2006
We were thrilled with our Serendipity trip - way beyond our expectations. Thank you for putting together such a wonderful package with so many great places, activities and people
—Karen T, Princeton, NJ, April, 2004
We really appreciated (Serendipity guide) Roger adding surprise side trips -- to a hidden waterfall, a night walk in the rain forest, and also found us a private and good place to watch Arenal erupting -- YEA! Roger! YEA! Serendipity!
—Mary Louise E., Palo Alto, CA, April, 2007
I never knew you could have so much fun getting old.
—Fred and Skippy D., Corpus Christi, TX, October, 2004
This is a spectacular trip. It is not just filled with adventure but also has a completely authentic feel. Our guide, Andres, was the perfect mix of friendly but professional. Always working to accommodate our every need. We would recommend Serendipity to anyone looking for fun and adventure in Costa Rica. We loved it!
—Sarah N., Chicago, Ill, December 2007
I was most surprised that we didn't see other tourists on our adventures. I was amazed at the flexibility of Andres (our Serendipity guide) to go well beyond the promises implied in the itinerary.
—Jill G., Bethesda, MD, December 2007
(Serendipity guides) Andrés & Catalina were extremely personable, thoughtful and tireless in their efforts. Their careful attention to every detail, and their anticipation of individual group members needs was absolutely excellent. Their commitment to and time spent with the group was far beyond any expectations. The genuine concern for each person's needs and security that they displayed made for an extremely comfortable and pleasurable vacation experience.
During the trip each guide quickly became more than a representative of Serendipity; they became genuine friends.
—Jane B., Auburn, ME, June, 2005
I was surprised how unbelievably hassle-free traveling with Serendipity turned out to be. There were no issues with waiting in lines, waiting for tables, tipping, etc. -- it was so relaxing.
The trip was way more than I expected due largely to (Serendipity guide) Roger relating well to my kids. His temperament was ideal for my two girls, who are inquisitive and eager learners.
—John E., Palo Alto, CA, April, 2007
It is refreshing to see and experience such a well organized company and for that I would like to commend you for doing a great job. You run your organization like a well oiled machine and I and my family will be sure to recommend your company to everybody in Canada who is visiting Costa Rica. Finally, I assure you that we will be coming back to your company at our next visit of Costa Rica.
—Sam P., Mississauga, Canada, March, 2008
We were exposed to an entirely different culture and at first it took some getting used to, seeing how people lived. By the end of the week I understood better that the Costa Ricans did not need computers and televisions and fancy houses, that their family was the most important priority. It has helped me readjust the priorities in my own life.
The trip exceeded all our expectations. Each day just got better than the day before -- and you wouldn't believe that could happen.
—Helen R., Lexington, SC, February 2007
It has certainly been the best trip we ever had as a family. We loved it so much we would like to come back next year if possible. That is saying something, because Anna on principle never(!) wants to come to the same place twice. Our principal guide was superb. Felipe was patient, creative when plans needed to be changed, and generally wonderful.
We think we will see more of Costa Rica-so it will not quite be the same place. We loved the country, we loved everyone at Serendipity we came across (all the guides were competent and helpful), and we had the time of our lives.
—Anna C., Sudbury, MA, August, 2007
Just wanted to drop you a quick note to congratulate you on running an excellent tour company. We just came back from Costa Rica with very fond memories of one of our best holidays ever. This trip provided us relaxation, excitement, physical challenges, daredevil activities and most important of all made us enjoy Costa Rica away in a very unique and private way, away from the busy tourist areas. I am sure everything about the trip will be reminisced about for years.
—Sam P., Mississauga, Canada, March 2008
The culture, the flora and fauna of Costa Rica in detail-about us-we did things we never felt possible!!
All the activities earned a big Perfecto! We found each activity was well coordinated and all Serendipity staff were warm and lovable -- guides & assistants. Each member of the Serendipity team truly cared about our well being, our enjoyment, our comfort level, and our desire to achieve success in each endeavor. We overcame many fears -- including fear of heights, lightning and many others.
This trip was beyond our expectations. Everyone at Serendipity was helpful and interested in making sure we had an A-PLUS experience. PURA VIDA!!!
—Roger H., Coconut Creek, FL, July, 2007
All the activities, and the hot air ballooning -- words can not describe how great it was. I learn a great deal about Costa Rica with (Serendipity guide) Juan Carlos. His passion for this beautiful country is evident in every word he spoke. He did an exceptional job representing for Costa Rica as well as Serendipity. We will miss him! He was so Knowledgeable, very professional and kept us laughing the whole time. He is the best, and made our experience the best. We will be back and I will recommend Serendipity but I will always recommend Juan Carlos so be sure not to lose him.
I amazed myself on this trip - I discovered I am a lot tougher than I thought, I look forward to doing these activities again. Thank you for a wonderful time!
—Jennifer M., Minneapolis, MN, June, 2008
I was surprised at how bumpy the roads were and how well our guide, and 4x4, handled it. I discovered that I need to be less afraid of everything and just get out and try it, and I WILL have fun doing it.
—Lucy P., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
This was the first time we traveled with a guide so I did not know what to expect. It was worth every penny! It was a rare treat to share 10 days with someone like (Serendipity principal guide) Catalina. We started as strangers and became real friends along the way. She is very resourceful and very aware of her environment, including the people in it. She is intuitive, sensitive, and especially genuine. Her sense of humor was endless and I will miss the sound of her laughter. She was particularly gifted with our daughter, Lucy, even during driving lessons!
—Mary S., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
Even when we spent hours in (Serendipity Land Cruiser) Aguacate driving from point A to point B, we always had something to talk about or look at, and had lots of laughs. The trip was excellent, the activities superb, but I feel it was the memorable experience it was because of (Serendipity guide) Catalina!
—Kathleen O., Brownsville, TX, July 2007
I was most surprised by how well our guide took care of us. I learned lots about wildlife, history and language of Costa Rica - and I discovered I'm not afraid of heights after all.
—Kent K., Albuquerque, NM, May 2008
It never crossed my mind that I was on a tour -- I was an explorer, and I discovered more about myself than anything else. I can do a lot more than my accountant's personality thought possible. Face big waves, ride horses in moonlight, swim in rivers with exotic reptiles. These I will not forget. Nor will I ever forget the huge support I received from (Serendipity guide) Juanca, who always pushed me to try but, as I look back, never put me at risk.
—Paul Z., Littleton, CO, March, 2007
My whole family loved the trip! (Serendipity guide) Juan Carlos was fun, enthusiastic and knowledgeable. He really seemed to make the effort to see that we had the best possible experiences with each activity. The horseback was a wonderful experience and I will never forget it! We were very satisfied, and we would enjoy another trip with Serendipity!
—Jack G., Gainesville, GA, June, 2007
We could not have had a better full time guide for our family. (Serendipity guide) Juan Carlos was kind, fun loving, very knowledgeable about all aspects of Costa Rica -- the people, the land, politics. He was thoughtful, reflective and flexible. He made our time here extremely enjoyable. He engaged everyone in our family and bought joy to them. You can tell he sincerely loves his job and his country.
Equally important he was very competent in everything we did. And he was very safety conscious at all times -- this was very important to me. He was fun but very serious about the most important instructions and safety checks. I do not think we could have had a better guide.
—Peter N., Waxhaw, NC, July, 2007
The flexibility of the timing and the itinerary was really appreciated. For example, the opportunity to do a second ride on horseback in the afternoon. Or that extra hour in bed when we wanted. Or the ability to stop the car if we wanted a closer look at something. We always felt that it was really personalized around what we wanted rather than us fitting into a rigid itinerary. This is really hard to deliver, but Serendipity and our guide Matt did it, always with good humor and without making us feel that we were being overly demanding.
—Diana N., London, England, July 2007
Fantastic!! Thank you for your hard work and planning.
—Joy Lynne M., Calgary, Canada, April, 2007
We didn't know much about Costa Rica and honestly weren't sure what to expect. Basically, we were ready to take a chance and "roll with the punches", whatever happened.
Fortunately, that wasn't necessary, because it turned out Serendipity created one of the best organized trips we have ever taken.
It was so well done that I feel obligated to take the time to tell you about it. I own a small company and so I am very aware of the importance of people in this type of business. They can make or break a client relationship. You will probably agree with me that it is not easy to find individuals that you can trust with the "whole thing". So I felt it was important to pass on to you our experience with Matt Flores. Here's a quick summary from my perspective - he is technically competent, organized, dependable, and most importantly - very, very good with clients. He is deferential to the client without being subservient, has good antennae for all the nuances of personal relationships, and the bottom line - he is a genuine, nice person that you want to hang out with (this is not easy to find).
Thanks again for a great experience.
—Tom M., Hackensack, NJ, March, 2007
Can't say enough about our Serendipity experience. I didn't expect everything to be so first rate, and personalized. The Serendipity staff was friendly and bent over backwards to make our trip enjoyable.
I really enjoyed the personal attention we received. We didn't have to worry about anything. The Pacuare river was fantastic; Felipe and Jose (the guides) made the trip so wonderful. It was my first hot air balloon flight -- and I loved it. Esteban (the pilot) was great. I love horses, and yours were very enjoyable. The stables were great.
—Roxanne F., Hawthorne, WI, January, 2007
What made our experience beyond any else we have done is the guides. We hoped they would get us to our adventures and hoped they would teach us/ support us during the adventures. They did this with amazing competence and thoroughness. Our trip was enriched by their personal qualities, experiences, knowledge and passionate connections to Costa Rica-- that each guide shared with us. The personal connections, knowledge and insight I gained on this trip are life changing.
—Cynthia G., Durham, NC, December, 2005
The Pacuare River was very very fun! The food was delicious and the accommodations were wonderful. All the Serendipity guides were fun and friendly, and more than willing to show us ways to have fun in the river. This was an incredible experience! Climbing the Strangler tree - what a workout! This was so much fun. Jose and Beto gave good support and were so easy to trust. This was much different that what I expected, but really great!
We had a wonderful experience! (Lead guide) Jose went out of his way to make our trip the best possible. Thanks for such a great time!
—Angela W., (17 yr. Old), Hawthorne, WI, January, 2007
It is too hard to choose my favorite activity - ballooning, canyoning, white water rafting were all great. I likes the 4-wheel drive -- it served us well. I learned about Costa Rica history and culture, nature and Spanish -- so much! And I really like traveling Serendipity Style.
—Nancy K., Albuquerque, NM, May 2008
I was most surprised by (Serendipity guide) Sergio's ability to spot wildlife - it was amazing. He took us places that weren't on our itinerary, even though he didn't have to and I wasn't expecting to go. He's such a great guide. The trip was excellent!
—Miranda B., 12 yrs, January 2008
I have traveled extensively all over the world and I can say that the whole experience of your tour operation is one of the best I have ever seen. Usually, I find that the staff and guides are underpaid and therefore they hassle you for tips. On the contrary, your people never ever made us feel that they had any other expectations from us except enjoy the adventures.
—Sam P., Mississauga, Canada, March, 2008
I was surprised how fast the trip went, and with more intense experiences than I had thought we would have. I saw so many animals. The 4x4 was great because a van wold not have handled he terrain we were in.
—Will K., 16, Albuquerque, NM, May 2008
I haven't done any of the things I did on this trip before and didn't have high expectations. But I learned that if I try I can do a lot more than I think I can. I learned so many new things. I loved the trip.
—Molly K., 10, Albuquerque NM, May 2008
On this trip you can really see how native Costa Ricans live because we didn't stay in touristy places.
—Taylor N., 14, Waxhaw, NC, July, 2007
Most surprising about Serendipity is that it was such a new set of experience, -- not just a tourist activity. I got in touch with life.
I learned what the cloud forest really means to the environment, and not to be afraid to try new things.
—Adam B., (13 yr. old), Roslyn, NY, May 2007
The mark of a professional is that they make their work seem effortless - Serendipity and all its staff were 100% professional.
—Rex H., Hamilton, Ontario, 12/2007
I was amazed at how safe I felt. Often in foreign countries you can feel very vulnerable, but I always felt safe and secure. Cata was the perfect guide for our family. Her knowledge of the history culture, geography, all people in Costa Rica was amazing, she related really well to our teenage girls and to my husband and me. She was complete charming, helpful, funny, intelligent and complete in every way.
—Sue M., Los Altos, CA, February 2007
This was a great trip with Serendipity. The activities were very challenging, but that made getting through them even more rewarding. I'm walking away from this trip feeling better about myself!
—Mary B., Darien, CT, August, 2005
I just want to thank Serendipity and tell you that we had a fantastic time on the trip. Each one of us had a different favorite activity and something that scared us to death so I would say that it was quite a successful vacation. What made the trip truly special for us though was our Serendipity guide, Sergio, and the other guides we met along the way. When asked what his favorite activity was, my son replied that he liked many of the activities but what he liked most of all was meeting and talking with the guides. They are all special people.
Given what a great time we had and that we still have not seen the coasts or done many of the activities, we want to plan a trip for next year's vacation (Dec 15/16-23) and we definitely want to have Sergio as our guide again. The kids won't settle for anyone else and actually neither will Ron or I. Oh, and please check with Sergio and make sure he is available! (for our travel dates)! We would rather change our schedule than not have him as our guide. (P.S. They did come back, and Sergio was their guide).
—Melissa C., Richmond, VA, Dec. 2005 & Dec. 2006
Nice job Serendipity! You obviously know what you are doing because you do it so well. Thank you!!
We had a great time and got good value too. Everyone we dealt with at Serendipity was outstanding and helped make this a most memorable vacation. All of my questions via e-mail or phone were quickly answered with great detail. Kirk was not only any excellent guide but become a trusted friend. He is extremely knowledgeable, capable, fun and a pleasure to be around, We were well taken care of in every aspect.
I luckily stumbled across Serendipity on the internet. Excellent website. All aspects of this trip were outstanding- especially Kirk.
This vacation was for beyond my expectations. Not only was Kirk fantastic but every person we dealt with from Serendipity-additional guides or just people working or helping out-were outstanding. Everyone was exceptional in their knowledge and capabilities. And beyond that, they supported, encouraged, and helped me get through my moments of fear. Thank you to all!
—Joe F., Hainesport, NJ (INTREPID group departure), July, 2006
I love the serendipity staff. What an incredible group! Eduardo and Jose are a great team extremely competent and supportive. But I also love the support staff Channi, Carlos and Margarita, and the river guides Moises and Davis. They all provided amazing adventure for us. I have to also mention that I love meeting Don Carlos and his family getting to walk his land and understand his lifestyle was a great privilege for me. Finally on the top of the adventure of hiking, biking horseback riding and rafting we were able to have the rare experience of exploring the Cabecar land and seeing how the people live. This trip is an incredible opportunity. It shouldn't-be missed
—Beth B., Albuquerque, NM, June, 2008
It was a very good trip. I really bonded with my sons. Our guide Catalina brought out the best in each member of my family.
—Subroto M., The Woodlands, TX, December, 2007
The trip with Serendipity was just outstanding! Andres is a wonderful guide and doesn't make you uncomfortable. The hotels are very nice, too. I feel really privileged to have been able to go on this trip and it has really led me to love Costa Rica! The food was also very good. I hope I can do this again but for a longer period of time. It was excellent! Pura Vida!
—Kyra McC., age 12, Salt Lake City, UT, April, 2007
Our family has run out of adjectives and adverbs to describe our fabulous trip to Costa Rica! We will be sending in our surveys shortly but I wanted you all to know how much we loved our perfectly planned trip.
ALL of the guides at the various activities were the best but we'll always have a special place in our hearts for Felipe. He is SO energetic and enthusiastic -- what a great ambassador for Serendipity and Costa Rica. We can't wait to come back. On the way to the airport, we were talking with Felipe about all of the things we can do on our next trip! Thanks again for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation!!!
—Linda, Frank, Ben & Kim P., Strongsville, OH, June, 2007
I am impressed with the consistent quality and professionalism of Serendipity's guides. You have high quality activities using excellent equipment with skillful execution. We appreciate the great flexibility we had on our trip with Serendipity.
—Peter N., Waxhaw, NC, July, 2007
What a workout! What spectacular mountain biking! Thanks to Mattias and all the guides that help along the way. But specially Mattias-he made every thing we do just great. A very unique guy and we are sorry to say goodbye. Thanks for a great experience Matias!
—Jeff M., Calgary, Canada, April 2007
Before the trip I was concerned about comfort. We had great hotels and wonderful meals. Even though we were off the beaten path and seeing parts of Costa Rica that most tourists never see, we always had comfortable rooms and excellent food.
We hiked the rainforest, visited a volcano, floated a jungle river, climbed an enormous strangler fig, rode fantastic horses, soaked in the hot springs, zip-lined above the forest, rappelled a remote river canyon, and whitewater rafted a tumbling, roaring river. Every activity was thrilling and fantastic! The best part of our trip was the personal guide, Juan Carlos. He had an amazing knowledge of the plants, animals, the jungle, the rainforest, the river, the restaurants, the roads and the hotels. His quick smile and constant enthusiasm brightened every event. I developed absolute confidence in his skill and judgement - and would trust my family in his care without reservation in the future. He made our trip a smashing success. We have enjoyed many different family vacations -- but this was the best ever.
Thank you Serendipity!!!
—John D., Prattville, AL,
Catalina was a delightful person to be with- not only was she an excellent, knowledgeable guide, she was funny and entertaining. She was great with the kids, taking extra time with them to show how to do something, or just keeping them amused. Her strength and abilities made quite an impression on our 12 year old niece - what a great role model!
—Kathleen O., Brownsville, TX, July 2007
This vacation went way beyond my expectations. Not only was (Serendipity principal guide) Kirk fantastic but every person we dealt with from Serendipity-additional guides or just people working or helping out-were outstanding. Everyone was exceptional in their knowledge and capabilities. And beyond that, they supported, encouraged, and helped me get through my moments of fear. Thank you to all!
—Sue F., Hainesport, NJ, July, 2006
This was a TRULY FABULOUS trip. The action was non-stop. Two glorious days on the river, with great meal and an evening talking with the guides. The horses, and places we rode, were unforgettable. We have gone riding every time we go on vacation and we found the Serendipity pasofinos to be the best looking and best trained horses we have ever ridden. And it was great to have the Land Cruiser -- we did an offroad detour to avoid a traffic mess because of an accident ahead -- great fun to get off the main roads. The hikes were rich with information, and laughter. As for surfing, well, it turns out I am a terrible surfer. Well done, Serendipity!
—Gordon P., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
I expected and hoped it would be the experience of a lifetime. It was that great an experience! I know I must do this (or something similar) again, hopefully many more times.
—Sue M., Los Altos, CA, February 2007
I was most surprised at how safe I felt while doing challenging activities that held real risks.
I learned that with the proper balance of qualified guides, enough information and self-determination I can challenge myself to try more risky activities. Thanks, Serendipity.
—Mary O., Darien, CT, March, 2007
We loved every guide we came in contact with, specially Catalina. She was so much fun and full of life. We all fell in love with her and miss her so!! She was so wonderful role made for our 13 year old smart, fun, and ecologically concerned.
Our guide (Alex) on the river rafting trip was awesome, knowledgeable and I fell like ha save my life. Yes I went overboard but never panicked, Alex plucked me right out of the river! 140 pounds lift like I was a feather. Truly an incredible, memorable experience we had a fantastic time! We will do it again. Maybe the ocean next time!
—Kelly B.,, December, 2007
I learned that I am not as scared of things that I think I am. The trip was even better than I anticipated. (Serendipity guide) Roger was absolutely amazing in every way. I loved Casa Alfredo. I loved running with horses. Climbing Joseph was awesome. Alvaro, Che, Carol, Mario, Beto, Lando-Fabulous guides. 100% satisfaction- Everything was above expectations.
—Margo B., Roslyn, NY, 5/2007
I really enjoyed not being with tourists, and I enjoyed having the flexibility to start and stop at our own pace. Thanks to (Serendipity guide) Sergio we found an excellent artisan's workshop where we purchased several items; we would NEVER have found this if we'd been on a group tour. We saw a lot of the less traveled places and got a great feel for the Costa Rican culture and for the environment.
—Darola B., Calgary, Canada, January 2008
I was most surprised by the spontaneous nature. (Serendipity guide) Catalina was amazing in finding nature that I could not see. And for the less conventional activities, I am most amazed about myself, too
—Joyce L., Windsor Lock, CT, September 2007
We had being talking about taking our niece and nephew on a trip to Costa Rica for several years. Your web-site was one of the first ones we saw, and once we read the activities it offered, we knew it was the right one for us. We were all very excited about the trip beforehand and it more than lived up to our expectations.
—Kathleen O., Brownsville, TX, July 2007
The trip was extremely well organized with top notch quality and services everywhere. All hotels were excellent. The tree climbing was so much fun, and the white water rafting crew were great. Overall a score of 10 for 10!
—Lee K., New York, February 2008
Cata was amazing. She was sensitive to what our family was capable of doing, and what we need to be comfortable and enjoy. We always fell safe on the adventure. A very important point for us. She kept a perfect pace for us, always moving but never in a hurry -- my girls learned a lot from her.
Matias was great help on planning and everything he said and suggested came true. Overall everybody was very professional are gave us great service.
—David T., Plymouth, MN, March, 2007
Additionally, wanted to also compliment you regarding the other members of the Serendipity team. All the guides and helpers were so professional and friendly. It was a pleasure to meet and spend time with all of them. The stables were immaculate and my brother Sam was saying the floor was so clean in there you could eat off of it, to which Elijah, 7 years old, replied but you wouldn't want to because the horses sometimes poop on it. Every activity was carried out with the utmost safety in mind and you could feel it.
I could go on and on about all the little details and extras that we felt we received but the most important thing was that we left feeling that you guys had really delivered on the promises that you made. This was the first trip for my nephews out of the country and I know at times they were difficult but they participated in every activity and gained confidence as a result and will take the lessons learned from this trip with them for the rest of their lives, I know I will too.
—Lauren F., New York, February, 2008
Serendipity really exceeded our expectations. The adventures were even more exciting, the guide fantastic. The food was fabulous. Great equipment, lots of safety, good explanations of the new challenges we took on.
—Jill C., Bethesda, MD, December 2007
I learned on this trip that with just a little bit of support from Serendipity I can do anything! --
—Rim McC, 14, Salt Lake City, UT, April, 2007
Our Serendipity trip was much better than I expected -- very organized, lots of options, very safe. I really enjoyed the hiking, both the challenging and the slow routes. It was an excellent trip, safe, with good personal touch.
—Doug D., Centerville, VA, May 2008
(Serendipity guide) Filipe never left our side from the minute we landed at San Jose until he took us back to the airport for our return flight. It was very comforting to know that being in a different country and not speaking the language there was someone always there for us. The attention to detail was absolutely amazing and greatly appreciated.
—Helen R., Lexington, SC, February 2007
In our family we almost never all like the same things. This trip we were all very happy! My husband discovered he can do more than he thought, and he now wants to continue with active vacations.
—Anna C., Sudbury, MA, August 2007
I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had - and how much we learned - while we were with you. It will take us a while to absorb our first trip to Costa Rica. We were so glad that (Serendipity guide) Gerhard was a part of our trip and are very impressed by his vast knowledge and ability to convey it all. We will certainly be back to Costa Rica in the near future, with Gerhard and Serendipity).
—Melinda B., Newton, MA, February 2008
I work in hospitality and have very high expectations. Serendipity thought of everything. Your staff is the very best in the world. I always felt safe, well-fed, well cared for. I can't imagine vacationing again without Sergio to guide us. He is the most knowledgeable man I have ever met in so many areas- culture, plants, animals, birds, first aid, food- any topic we threw at him he taught us about. What a find you have with him!
Everything from our 1st phone call to our last goodbye was top notch. I will send many, many people your direction. Keep doing what you are doing. Serendipity is first class!
—Pam R., Santa Clara, CA, June, 2005
I discovered am a lot tougher than I thought, and I look forward to doing these activities again. Hot air ballooning and rafting and horseback: words can not describe how great it was. I learn a great deal about Costa Rica with our Serendipity guide. His passion for this beautiful country is evident in every word he spoke. He did an exceptional job representing for Costa Rica as well as Serendipity. We will miss him.
—Joel B., Zion, IL, May, 2008
Crossing the river, galloping - Serendipity's spirited horses made my ride the best ever on horseback (and I've been a lot of places on horseback!)
We saw so many animals. I was amazed at (Serendipity guide) J.C.'s knowledge as well ability to spot the animals. At times it was really hot, but that's Costa Rica! This trip was way beyond my expectations.
—Kirkley G., Gainesville, GA, June, 2007
(The Serendipity trip) was much more exciting than I expected. The guides were much, much nicer than I expected, and the tree climbing, kayaking was all more fun than I expected. I had a great time and everyone encouraged me. They also let me do things I would not have done before.
—Ericka O., 10 yr. old, Darien, CT, March, 2007
People are always looking for the next thrill for their family. Costa Rica has the appeal of being an exotic third world country and you have a unique position in the market where you can offer safe adventure with comfort and flexibility. I wish all of you in Serendipity much success and hope to visit again soon. Please let (Serendipity guide) Juanca know we are his friends in New York and would love to stay in touch.
—Hillary F., Long Island City, NY, February, 2008
Our Serendipity guide, Alfonso, was spectacular! His planning and daily guiding and assistance could not have been better, He was expert in his knowledge of all the activities. He acquainted us with interesting and essential information about Costa Rica's geography, plant life, and all the various animals. Without overloading us, he provided a great deal of background on the Costa Rican culture and history, as well as that of the surrounding countries. Finally, he paced our activities very skillfully, so that there was a nice variety of different activities but not so much that it tired us out at anytime. We genuinely appreciate the job he did - it could not have been better! Pura Vida!
I was very pleased with our trip! Everything was meticulously planned and executed. The hotels were pleasant and the food was uniformly excellent throughout. All specialist guide were helpful and informative.
—Richard G., Orinda, CA, April, 2007
Its been nearly two months since my daughter Mariah and I returned from Costa Rica. We spent merely 48 hours with Serendipity Adventures, but no trip we have ever taken was more exciting, intriguing, bonding and fun. We still talk about it almost daily, and, on the flight home, 11 year old Mariah wrote a 26 page power point of her amazing vacation.
See full letter from Kerry Kennedy Cuomo
—Kerry K., Mount Kisco, NY, May, 2006
What I loved most was sharing everything with my family. (Serendipity guide) Andrés could not have been a more perfect match for our family. He was extremely responsive and courteous and truly took care of all of our needs without us feeling "guilty". He is bright and articulate and seemed to enjoy our company for 12 days; a very special young man and a true professional.
—David O, Darien, CT, March, 2007
We never went on a trip like this before. From the Serendipity private activities I learned I could do challenging things and got over some of the fears. Having Serendipity's experienced guide was wonderful. We learned so much more than we would have on our own.
As I'm sure you know, (Serendipity principal guide) José has an incredible wealth of knowledge about the natural habitat of Costa Rica, as well as the culture. We had a great time getting to know him and enjoyed his sense of humor and graciousness. We felt very safe and well taken care of. And of course he is a wonderful driver!
—Jill G, Chestnut Hill, MA, April, 2007
My favorite part was horseback riding. I LOVED my horse.
I got to hold a baby sloth.
—Abbie S., (12 yr.), New Canaan, CT, March, 2007
A trip of a lifetime! We are so grateful for the incredible organization of Serendipity. The experiences, the equipment, the guides and other staff were all truly amazing. We experience Costa Rica in such an amazing way and we will insist that everyone we meet and know do this trip!! Thank you for making our family part of your family. Pura Vida.
—Tracy B., Bahamas, June, 2007
I was expecting a lot from Serendipity because it came highly recommended from good friends. I was not disappointed. (Serendipity guide) Eduardo was the best. He went out of his way to make sure that we saw everything that we wanted to see and did everything that we wanted to do. His energy was fantastic and was always ready to move us to the next adventure with great enthusiasm. He had a great rapport with our kids and made them feel comfortable. He was able to answer every question asked to him on every different topic. We were so lucky to be given him as our guide!
—Gene H., Buffalo Grove, IL, December, 2006
Amazing -- the whole trip was fascinating. I was impressed with the well trained horses, great horse guides, and beautiful countryside. The rafting was SOOO much fun -- expert guides who can cook! and laugh!
—Mary S., Toronto, Canada, February, 2008
(Serendipity guide) José contributed largely to the great vacation. He pointed out so many things and taught us so much about Costa Rican culture, wildlife, language and more. Also, every time we went to a secret hot springs or a very private hiking trail, I realized that we could not have found these places without Serendipity. My experience in Costa Rica was enhanced greatly by our knowledgeable and fun guide and by Serendipity! PURA VIDA!
—Sarah N., (16 yr), Chestnut Hill, MA, April, 2007
I learned all about nature and I like bird watching. My surprise is that I like bird watching. (Serendipity guide) Jose ROCKS! I really like the Land Cruiser; it was very comfortable.
—Ethan K., 10 yr., New York, February 2008
Our trip was one of the best we have ever taken. It falls right in line with the most important memorable events in our lives:
1) When Cliff and I married
2) The birth of our children (all 4 of them)
3) the birth of our grandchildren
4) the marriages of our daughters
5) Our trip with Serendipity in Costa Rica
—Cliff & Helen R., Lexington, SC, February 2007
I think we all feel that this Serendipity adventure was one of the very best (if not the best) vacations we've ever had!
Everything from the culture, geography, history of Costa Rica, to the flora and fauna, biology and ecology. Our Serendipity leader, Eduardo, immediately assessed our interests and was quick to find so many great things for us to do. He offered us bungee jumping-which was a huge hit with the 2 " boys", and we saw what it means to be on a trip that was customized and special. He encouraged all of us to try new things( like canyoning, rappelling, swimming in waterfall pools, etc) and never pushed us beyond our limits. In fact he was exquisitely tuned into everyone's special interests and capacities and made us feel great. His special gift is his openness and his sense of humor, yet still with a steady competent sense of responsibility. He made the trip just great for all of us( we wanted to take him home with us!)
The food was one of the high lights- because every region and restaurant had a specialty- and Eduardo could explain the dishes and use the food as another cultural experience.
If vacations are meant to get away from the "rat race" -this was a success-and if they are meant to create life long memories-it worked! Thanks!
—Nancy S., Potomac, MD, August, 2006
(To Serendipity guides Filipe and Jonathan)
We are deeply humbled by the skills you posses, which you generously shared with us, as well as your passion and enthusiasm. We are sincerely grateful for all your acts of kindness.
Thank you so much for creating such an outstanding experience for the both of us. I wish also to thank all the other extraordinary people who made this trip possible.
—Jacques (father) and Olivier (son) S., San Anselmo, CA, January, 2007
I am not an outdoor person, so I was really surprised how much I enjoyed some of the activities I never thought I would have done. Coming into the trip I was not convinced, but I pushed myself to do things I never would have done and had a blast!! All the Serendipity guides were supportive, organized, and everything was very easy and enjoyable for me.
—Natalie N., Waxhaw, NC, July 2007
Our Serendipity vacation was a trip of a lifetime! We are already talking about looking forward to a return trip to Costa Rica, without question including Serendipity. I would highly recommend this trip again for anyone coming to Costa Rica.
—David P., Jackson, MI, December, 2006
We were incredibly impressed by the way in which you introduced us to Costa Rica. It was very authentic and keeping us off the beaten path made our experience truly unique. The guides were unbelievably organized and safety conscious. They handed us towels when we needed towels, and snacks when we needed snacks (Andres makes the best trail mix!, and hot chocolate when we REALLY needed hot chocolate (again, Andres makes the best hot chocolate). Oh, and we can't forget the fresh guacamole prepared for us on the banks of the Pacuare river. Everything was done so well that all we had to do was -- have fun!
—Wayne C., Bethesda, MD, December 2007
I LOVED the horses! My first time being on a horse. The white water duckies were great - like being on a roller coaster. Climbing the tree was really hard, but when I got to the top it was cool. I learned a lot about plants and animals. I learned that I have a lot of courage.
—Julia H (9 yr old), Hamilton, Ontario Canada, December 2007
(Serendipity guide) Jose is a first class guide and person. He fit in with our family immediately. He brought a tremendous passion and energy to nature walks, hikes, and climbing. He was very warm with our children. Jose also quietly but very effectively watched out for our safety. The trip went off without a hitch. I want to stress: Jose was the perfect trip leader in every respect.
—David N., Chestnut Hill, MA, April, 2007
(Serendipity guide), Roger, made the trip. We left feeling like he was part of our family. I found out that I can do all kinds of things I never thought I could!
Ballooning was fantastic! Esteban calmed my fears and took us on a great flight. Tree climbing - Abraham was amazing! (Serendipity guides) Beto & Jaime were great! Nature watching = Roger is the nature man! I am a scientist & he answered ALL questions.
—Katherine K., Auburn, AL, July, 2007
Our Serendipity trip was wonderful for our family. We've had 9 days together before Ben goes to college. The adventures we've had, people we have met and the memories which were made will stay with us always. The level of professionalism from Matias as all of the support staff was outstanding. We put Macha ( our 4 x 4's name) to the test everywhere we went. The rafting lunch was a feast-- thank you Yami!
—Betsy W., Grey, TN, July, 2006
Just wanted to say thanks for hooking up the Fox family with an awesome vacation -- you delivered on all of your wonderful promises! You assigned us the most terrific guide who will live in our hearts forever. Juanca is a warm, uniquely talented special person who embodies the "Serendipity" way (make sure you read our reviews). He was an excellent driver and tour guide, charismatic camp counselor, plant and animal expert, confidence coach, magician, and resourceful advocate, always anticipating our needs and flexible -- all with his wonderful smile.
—Hillary F., Long Island City, NY, February, 2008
This Serendipity trip is the best trip I've ever taken! THANK YOU!
Riding was fun and I came on this trip with a huge fear of horses. Shayna really helped me felt comfortable and I have started to get over my fear.
—Della B., 12 yr., Bethesda, MD, March, 2006
I also want to say that if you ever have someone with health concerns that is considering going to Costa Rica with you and they need some comfort or reassurances that their needs will be met please feel free to call on me to email or speak to them because I have learned in life that it is okay to have fears but you should never let it stop you from reaching for your dreams. Thanks to you at serendipity I definitely went beyond my wildest dreams and did a lot of amazing things and pushed through my fears and what I came out with was the knowledge that if I set my mind to it I can do anything. For someone who has dealt with chronic illness for all of my adult life that is a pretty awesome feeling. Again, I am so grateful and wish you all at Serendipity much good health and success.
—Lauren F., New York, February, 2008
I wanted to personally let you know what a fantastic time I had. In particular I wanted to tell you what an asset you have in Juan Carlos. I must tell you that I had some apprehension before coming because of my health issues and diet etc. But I could not have been more pleased with the comfort level that I was able to travel with thanks to Juan Carlos's attention to every detail imaginable. He was able to ask for and obtain a special meal for me at every hotel we were staying at. When a place did not serve oatmeal for breakfast as a regular item he somehow got them to make it especially for me. No request from any of us was out of the question for him. When someone who has health issues travels to a foreign country, where they do not speak the language it can be a scary thing. But for all members of the fox family we were in safe hands with Juan Carlos. My sister in law Hillary had a health issue as you are aware and Juan Carlos after hiking two times that day and then driving to the hotel and unloading all the luggage then got in the truck to drive to the next town to locate the proper medicine for her on a Sunday. Our safety and comfort were always on his mind.
—Lauren F., New York, February, 2008
Like what they had to say? The first step to enjoying your own Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
