Costa Rica Vacations with Serendipity Adventures: Costs Considerations
Serendipity knows which beaches are clean, safe, and fun, and what the weather is like when you will be traveling.
Six night/seven day Serendipity adventure options start at about U.S. $1790 per person when you have four or more in your group, centered in the high adventure center of Costa Rica, and includes 5 outstanding adventures - rafting the Pacuare, extreme hiking, canyoning, mountain biking, zip lines, plus awesome places you'll stay and many great meals..
Most Serendipity private trips with full service -- that means full time private guide with 4x4 vehicle, higher quality hotels (2 people per room), all meals, snack food and beverages, and one or two private adventures each day -- for seven night/eight day for four people are in the range of $2800-$3200 per person.
Costs depend on what hotels and adventures you select, how many people, what meals and food options you want to include, and the travel season. To save costs we can operate the parts of your itinerary where our guides and private adventures are most important, and then leave you on your own for the purely relaxing parts, like at the beach or an all-inclusive nature retreat. We'll make all arrangements for your accommodations and to get you there and back, so your trip remains a seamless whole.
At the end of each sample itinerary we have a link showing the costs for that sample trip with the group size and season. These prices assume our preferred hotels, generally the best available accommodations near the activities. We are flexible, however, and you can upgrade or sleep really basic (after all, you are in your hotel for very little time each day).
Regardless of who you use for booking your independent travel, be sure you evaluate the tradeoffs of price versus service and security. Here are questions you need to ask about your customized travel in Costa Rica.
How much do you know about your travel organizer? How long has it been in business? Do they appear in articles or guide books?
Costa Rica has no equivalent of the Better Business Bureau, nor is there any license required to start selling "packages" or "services" for tourism. Your only source of comfort is reputation. In theory, all "receptive tourism" agencies are licensed by the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT), the official government ministry overseeing tourism. Serendipity was licensed by the ICT in 1993, when the licensing program was initiated.
In 2009 (and 2008), Serendipity is ranked by National Geographic Adventure Magazine as Costa Rica's best adventure travel company, and by Outside Magazine. as operator of one of the world's 30 greatest trips.
Plan all of your hotels, activities, and transportation through a single agency.
Many people, travel agents included, book hotels then you find you are not in the place for your desired activities. Due to Costa Rica's mountainous terrain and rainforest climate, it takes a long time to move around our small country, and seasonal differences are equally important. Your agency should provide details on the what's best in each place, how long it takes to get there, as well as details on your accommodation sand transfers.
Serendipity knows Costa Rica. We know the best highways and great off-the-beaten-path destinations. We know which roads are closed and when holidays in Costa Rica interfere with driving. Serendipity's expertise is backed up by up-to-date databases and on-site inspections of the hotels and tours we recommend. We design vacation itineraries to balance access to interesting places and activities against travel time and stress.
Can your travel organizer provide any assistance if you have an emergency — vehicle accident, illness, missed connection, lost passport or airline ticket? How easy is it to contact your travel provider once in Costa Rica?
Serendipity clients have a 24 hour a day toll free emergency phone number, useable from any telephone in country. With our extensive knowledge of Costa Rica, our good databases, our educated, bilingual staff, and years of service in Costa Rica, Serendipity is the best qualified assistant for resolving travel problems. When you need to know the nearest pharmacy, doctor, mechanic, police station, towing service, or embassy information, you need someone to act as your interpreter and find solutions in your immediate vicinity and you need it now.
Your travel organizer should provide you with detailed descriptions of your accommodations
Some of the best Costa Rica hotels are not in the famous places. Serendipity's expert maps and written directions will get you there.
What amenities are provided? Air conditioning? Hot water showers? What size and how many beds? Are meals included? Is there an internet connection available? Does the hotel offer room service? Is there an on site restaurant?
Serendipity inspects select hotels, so we can evaluate them for items not mentioned in the hotels' web sites or tour books — the smells, the noises, the privacy, comfort, access by car, flights, and security factors. Costa Rica is filled with delightful hotels, cabins, and bed and breakfasts that are worth seeking out. Serendipity is specialist in the smaller boutique hotels with excellent service.
Does your travel organizer have bank references you can check? Can you pay by check instead of giving your credit card details via FAX? Can you pay your travel organizer with U.S. or Euro funds?
You are prepaying your travel arrangements. It is good to know you have a real company receiving your funds. Serendipity has offices in Ann Arbor, Michigan and Costa Rica. Serendipity has banked in the same banks in Costa Rica and in Ann Arbor since 1991. We have sterling banking references. Ask us for details on banking references to verify Serendipity's financial standing.
Will your travel organizer provide you with contact details of references for people who have traveled with them recently?
Serendipity will, with pleasure! Let us know what kind of person you'd like to speak with — family with young kids, team building guests, horseback experts, mountain bikers, honeymooners... we have a long and happy list to share with you.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
