Serendipity Adventures is Costa Rica's Respected Travel Operator
Some clients tell us that our warehouse (sown above) is the best "Toy Store" in Costa Rica - rafts and 4x4's, kayaks and ropes and harnesses, duckies and camping gear, balloons and mountain bikes. And the best part of all -- Us!
Serendipity started as an idea, and a place, where we gathered interesting friends and fun equipment.
Serendipity grew as more guides found out about us -- guides who knew the best part of their jobs was the teamwork of their fellow workers and the kind of clients that Serendipity attracted -- clients with genuine curiosity and open minded about trying new things and meeting new people and seeing the alternatives to the life they know back home.
And Serendipity grew, mainly by word-of-mouth. Instead of becoming a tour operator -- developing tours and selling to travel wholesalers (the middle man between the local travel agents and the operators), Serendipity decided to continue speaking directly with the traveler, designing each expedition directly with the people who would be coming with us.
Serendipity is sort of a "co-op". This means that every guide, every person working with Serendipity brings new ideas and discoveries into the company. Our guides love to take the office staff on "exploratories" -- our excuse to go find other more interesting places and things to do.
We all get involved developing new ideas for our guests -- in 1991 we built Costa Rica's first canopy system (never opened to the public, but only our guests). We are the only balloon operator in Central America. We have our own private nature observation platform, and we developed small private inflated boats for exploring jungle rivers. We can camp hanging in trees, and we have ways to accommodate even paraplegics who want to see the forest from above.
As we have grown, we have remained focused on our original philosophy. Simply put, if your Serendipity guide is enjoying your visit to Costa Rica, then you will certainly enjoy your stay with us as well. Nothing gets stale, no one gets "burned out". And BOTH sides will end up learning more about themselves, and another person's world.
Here are some of our principal people you may get a chance to meet:
ROBERTO KOPPER ORLICH, one of the founders of Serendipity, is one of our balloon pilots. Roberto was born a coffee man, but now is the director of the Papagayo Marina project, the largest yacht marina in Central America, under construction near the Four Seasons Hotel on the northwest coast. Roberto served as a member of the Board of Directors of Costa Rica's governing body for aviation -- Aviacion Civil.
SETH O'NEAL -- One of the founders of Serendipity. Seth inspired his partners to offer a completely fresh approach to visiting Costa Rica -- make the visit more like visiting a friend than touring a tourist attraction. The result is Serendipity's intense immersion and delightful adventure leaders, who, first and foremost, love sharing discovery with truly open-minded people.
Seth, currently a medical resident, is demonstrating his recently learned bedside manner to Buttercup, whose grin confirms he's learning well.
BETO (Eduardo Alberto Alguera) -- was the person who figured out HOW to get into ABRAHAM, our platform 110 feet above the jungle floor. He struggled up 80 feet, then shimmied OUT 25 feet on a branch of a neighboring tree and then "leaped" to Abraham, so we have a platform today. Beto literally PULLS you up into Abraham unless you choose to ascend on your own strength.
Thank you, Beto, for making a kid's Tarzan dreams come true...--- Tucker
CHARLOTTE (Lotta) TÖRNQVIST and RICARDO PORRAS-- run Serendipity. Lotta is the logistics master and handles the money. She will guide in Swedish, English, or Spanish. Ricardo, with masters degrees in civil engineering and business, runs everything else. Except Lotta
Ahem -- in Costa Rica, women do not take their husband's surname, so you can't tell who is married to whom. But their children Mattias and Veronca (pictured) and Christian (taking the picture) will confirm, Lotta and Ricardo are quite definitely husband and wife.
MATIAS FLORES -- Adventure racer and safety kayaker, Matias is also quite likely the person who spoke with you when you inquired about Serendipity adventures, and designed your trip as well. Matias is one of the principal decision makers in Serendipity, and oversees a lot of the explorations that permit Serendipity to offer our guests fresh and unique destinations. Matias has a Masters degree in Environmental Management, and conducts the business of Serendipity with the well being of the environment, the people working in the company and our neighbors, as our company's priority.
SARDAR SALAM -- Sardar is in charge of assigning guides, managing everyone who works "outdoors", and keeping all the equipment in top condition (as he was doing for the United Nations in his native Kurdistan after Desert Storm, where he met his Costa Rican wife, Ligia). Will guide canyoning trips in English, Spanish, Kurdish, German and Arabic. In this photo Sardar is reviewing the equipment and installation of the platform in the tree Abraham, and is on his way down the 110 foot rappel to the jungle floor.
ROGER DAVIS -- Roger came to Serendipity in 2001 after working 15 years as a naturalist guide for a hotel. His razor sharp eyes, plus knowing how to see camouflaged animals, means everyone sees more with Roger. Within a few months with Serendipity he discovered he actually really enjoyed horses and high altitudes (especially the naturalist platform 110 feet up in a tree in the rain forest) and white water down a pristine canyon. The adventures allow him to explore places he previously avoided -- and he is very empathetic to people who may be timid about their first high adventure experiences.
JAIME MURILLO -- Jaime is our Horse Gentler -- that means he talks with the horses and they talk back. His endless patience with horses works well also for little kids, who trust Jaime, and his horses, in spite of nervous parents.
MIKAL GUERRERO -- Mikal is normally on a horse, but today he's getting a sense of what it feels like to have a rope that leads you around and a harness wrapped around his stomach. Mikal will be with you when you go riding, to be sure the horse behaves and everyone is moving in the right direction.
EDUARDO BALLESTERO -- Also known as our Energizer Bunny. Eduardo is an adventure racer, can climb a palm tree feet first, and his degree in biology is useful when sharing the flora and fauna of Costa Rica with our friends.
SERGIO AMADOR divides his time between answering sales calls in the office and guiding. Sergio has done about every conceivable legal employment in Costa Rica -- from driving ambulances to selling his homemade brownies. He turns getting stuck in mud into a celebration of life, nature, and authentic adventure. While working on his degree he also lectured at InBio Park, Costa Rica's flagship of environmental education.
In the photo at the right Sergio is trying to eat the water as it attacks him on his bike. He's actually kind of cute....
ALFONSO CASTRO -- One of the original guides of Serendipity, Alfonso does everything from canyoning to mountain biking and loves to teach Latin dancing. His Serendipity guests often follow him into places that only monkeys will lead you.
FRED GROTENHUIS - world-renowned balloon pilot and all-around great friend. Ask Fred to join any exploration, no matter how ridiculous, and the answer is always YES. So when the Byrd Institute and National Geographic Magazine selected Serendipity's balloon team to organize carrying ice core samples off a 22,000 ft. mountain in Bolivia in 1997, Fred, of course, was the first to volunteer. Fred made it to the top of the extinct volcano, too!
VIVIEN MENDEZ (far right)- is the third leg upon which Serendipity stands. Vivien handles all the money, and accounting. She will take on any challenge, a long as she is guaranteed to stay dry.
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YAMILETTE VARGAS- does all the food shopping and preparation for river trips, hikes, and company parties. Yami also takes care of all the Serendipity staff - food, laundry, and hugs. Here it's forgivable -- she's hugging husband Franklin, who works with Serendipity as a driver.
LYNNE LARMEE (with husband and Serendipity volunteer Scott) runs the Ann Arbor, Michigan business office. Without Lynne we would all feel totally abandoned down here in Costa Rica
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STEVE DAVIS is an active paramedic, fireman, and one of Serendipity's most famous (part time) balloon pilots (as well as white water kayaker, parachutists, rescue technician and mountain biker, on the side). Steve holds several Guinness Book World Records, has hosted an MTV television series, appeared on Oprah (no joke!) and -- his proudest accomplishment -- became the father of Beaux Madison Davis in 2003
JUAN CARLOS (Juanca) ARRIETA - Juanca enjoys just about anything that puts him together with guests and the outdoors -- rafting, biking, tree climbing, horses, hiking, team building fun. With his degree in Biology, we can hope he is smart enough not to try to kiss the scorpion in his hand.
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TUCKER COMSTOCK -- one of the founders of Serendipity, is the computer whiz and web guru. Tucker is also one of the balloon pilots (and passionate about horseback riding in rain and mud. To the locals she is known as "la gringa salpicada de lodo".)
CAROL VARGAS - when not running rivers with Serendipity, Carol is practicing for the rafting World Championships. Carol has represented Costa Rica in the Pan American games and other international competitions.
FELIPE PEREZ - canyoning and white water and our instructor for advanced first aid. Felipe was a paramedic in the United States before marrying his Costa Rica bride. Felipe guides just about any adventure, and is one of our best for explorations as well.
ESTEBAN ELIZONDO -- our balloon pilot -- when he is not our horse expert. Esteban's background includes way too much time in cities, and a Master's degree in human resources. When he discovered the unique way of life of the San Carlos area it was easy to convince him to run Serendipity's stables.
MONICA ALONSO, Esteban's wife, is before all else the mother of Mariano (in saddle), Carolina and Andrés. When she lets her passions run, however, it is usually on the back of one of Serendipity/Centaura's beautiful mares. If you are VERY LUCKY, or SUPER SPECIAL, Monica will join you as your horse guide.
Everyone who loves watching beautiful horses (and the women who master them) wishes they could chase Monica from the saddle. In this case it is Sebastian Alonso, horse guide and also Monica's brother, mounted on Estrella, our white stallion.
JUSTIN HAMILTON - his American name doesn't fit his Costa Rican heritage -- Justin is our youngest guide but also our most experienced person in tourism, growing up in one of Costa Rica's most successful hotels. Justin can, and will, do everything, but is very special for people who want to really understand Costa Rican culture as well as our beauty and adventure opportunities.
HENRY AGUILERA is by far our most unflappable guide and knows just about everything you need for great fun in Costa Rica -- he's a raft guide, bike guide, ropes guide, and our only surfing expert. His real passion, though, is his son Dominik, so don't get him started on THAT subject!
ANDRÊS VALVERDE - raft, bike, kayak, canyoning, and working on his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Andrés has a great way with people, a close relationship with animals, and is such a natural athlete that he brings out the best in all his guests.
Note, however, that Andrés ended up with one of his friend's tail feathers...
CATALINA ELIZONDO -- principal guide, spends spare time dressed as Tinkerbelle and spreading fairy dust (here at Serendipity's halloween party). Cata is finishing her degree in architecture. When not studying or guiding, Cata runs rivers, rides wild horses, and throws mean punches (boxing ring style).
MOISES TORRES - to know him is to love him. Moises is certainly Costa Rica's most revered white water guide, and Serendipity is lucky to have both his extreme wisdom, good cooking, and exceptional good sense of humor to get us down the rivers.
JOSE CAMPOS likes his nickname "Mr. Safety" because he's pursued just about every conceivable course for rescue, First Aid, and safety. When not guiding with Serendipity Jose teaches vertical rescue and first responder medical for the Costa Rican government and Red Cross. Jose leads many of Costa Rica's search and rescue operations -- for lost hikers, and occasional airplane accidents.
Here he is, trying to make friends with a tarantula...
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BILL KALTZ is one of our balloon pilots. Bill started flying balloons in 1972, and helped The Bombard Society start their flying operations in France. When not flying balloons Bill is either riding his bike (about 100 miles a week) or competing in cross-country ski championships (in Michigan -- he can't seem to find the snow here...)
JONATHAN SERRANO -- a naturalist who loves climbing, mountain biking, horses, and sharing with his guests the splendors of Costa Rica. Jonathan is fluent in German, so often guides for European guests. Here Jonathan is enjoying Serendipity's naturalist platform, 110 feet above the jungle floor, in the middle of a primary rain forest. Below, Jonathan is standing inside the base of JOSEPH, the ancient strangler tree.
VINCE LAMAIN -- first joined Serendipity as an intern finishing his Dutch university curriculum. After graduating, then two years in Thailand, South Africa and sailing the Mediterranean, Vince returned to join us as balloon pilot, canyoning guide, and best friend. Vince learned his flying in Costa Rica, then did some flying in Italy and the USA.
MARIO DE LA O -- our first-class river guide, enjoys taking everyone down the river -- sharing the laughter is what makes Mario tick. Working as a raft guide since he was 14, Mario at 22 has more experience than most guides in Costa Rica, but still approaches the river each day as if it were his first descent. Mario is also our best mountain bike guide. Needless to say, he doesn't drive a car.
BRINKA and MILLI -- our second-class lifeguards and swimming instructors, here keeping watch on a 2-year-old who loves the water and loves being with wet dogs.
These dogs have found the ONLY class of human beings on the planet who love being with wet dogs.
The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.
