Serendipity Adventures: Costa Rica's Respected Travel Operator

Our guides and office staff are always ready for adventures. They are one of the best parts of Serendipity Adventures.

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 is one of the founders of Serendipity. Roberto was born a coffee man, but now in the restaurant business. Roberto served as a member of the Board of Directors of Costa Rica's governing body for aviation -- Aviación Civil.
CHARLOTTE (Lotta) TÖRNQVIST is the General Manager of Serendipity Adventures. She speaks Swedish, English and Spanish. Whenever she can, she will escape on adventures with her husband and their four kids. Lotta is passionate about logistics and she has become an expert problem solver.
SETH O'NEAL is 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.
EDUARDO ALBERTO ALGUERA (Beto) 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.
ARNALDO CESPEDES is a kayaker racer who loves to do the most amazing acrobatic tricks on the river. He started kayaking when he was only seven years old and now he is part of the Costa Rican Kayaking team. Arnaldo participated in the 2011 IFC Canoe Slalom World Championship held in Bratislava, Slovakia. Right now he studies Business Administration in Tourism and is a safety kayaker for many Serendipity's trips to the river.
ROGER DAVIS 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 -- If it's above the ground, Jaime is there -- with the balloon, with the naturalist platform Abraham, and ascending inside the hollow tree Joseph. Jaime also makes the naturalist float boats work, and is a master horse guide.
ELIZABETH VENEGAS (Liz) is one of our canyoning guides. She grew up in Vereh, known as a Cabecar indigenous region, and always surrounded by nature, rivers and mountains. She likes to be in contact with tourists, and enjoys all type of adventure activities, as horseback riding or hiking. Liz studied English in Turrialba and now is studying Tourism.
EDUARDO BALDIOCEDA 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. Eduardo has participated in different adventure competitions, in and out of Costa Rica.
SERGIO AMADOR is one of the principal guides for Serendipity. In this picture, 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.
GERHARD LINNER -- Gerhard's extreme adventure skills are matched by his exceptional naturalist skills. His favorite places are guiding either Serendipity trips or introducing his sons Lucas and Matias to his adventure world.
ALEJANDRO MARTEN (Marten) is a very experienced guide who loves to do all type of adventures, like kayaking or rock climbing (as we can see him in the picture). In 2011 he participated in the Adventure Racing World Championship held in Tasmania, Australia. Besides enjoying the outdoor activities, Marten has an university degree in Marketing.
KURT STUDT is from California and came to Costa Rica more than two decades ago. He is one of Serendipity's adventure leaders and also a white water rafting guide. He has been working in tourism for many years and can share a lot of information with you about Costa Rican nature and culture.
ESTEBAN TORTOS is a principal guide for Serendipity. He is a runner and loves kayaking and climbing. Also, Esteban speaks Spanish, English, Italian, Portuguese and French, and has an university degree in International Relations. Right now he is developing the project called "1 Million Trees".
PABLO LEIVA is from Turrialba and he is our operations manager. He is an experienced white water rafting and canyoning guide. In Costa Rica, Pablo is a well known adventure racer and loves to participate in biking and running competitions. He and his team ended in 8th place in the 2013 Adventure Racing World Championship that was held in Costa Rica in November 2013.
VIVIAN MÉNDEZ is the third leg upon which Serendipity stands. Vivian handles all the money, and accounting. She will take on any challenge, as long as she is guaranteed to stay dry.
FRANCISCO NARANJO (Chico) has been working at Serendipity since 2010. He’s an agricultural engineer with a master degree in environmental management. As a consultant he has worked in 15 countries around the world. He loves mountain biking and trail running.
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
ALEXANDER ZAMORA is a very good biker and also a driver for Serendipity. If you are doing a white water rafting trip, he is likely to be part of your back-up team, in charge of transporting equipment and guides.
ALEJANDRO FERNÁNDEZ (Alex) has practically grew up in Serendipity - starting as a raft guide, then principal guide, and now head of sales. Like everyone in Serendipity, the paycheck is probably less important than the chance to share our great passion for free-spirited adventure and exploration.
JUAN CARLOS (Juanca) ARRIETA 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, he can share with you a lot of interesting information about the biodiversity of Costa Rica.
MAURICIO OVARES loves his job as a white water guide, as so does his little daughter Emily -as you can see them on this picture. He will be with you sharing smiles and giving you confidence during the rafting trips to the Pacuare, Sarapiqui or Pejibaye rivers.
FELIPE PÉREZ is our instructor for canyoning, white water and advanced first aid and rescue courses so you are guaranteed to feel very safe with him around! Felipe was a paramedic in the United States before marrying his Costa Rican bride. Felipe guides just about any adventure, and is one of our best for explorations as well.
ESTEBAN ELIZONDO is our balloon pilot. When he is not flying, he is riding horses. 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.
ALEXANDER DIAZ (Chany) Even though he has a real name, we all call him Chany. He is always ready to help out and is in charge of the equipment for the trips, the vehicle preparation and many other duties he does with enthusiasm. Chany has been working with Serendipity for more nearly 15 years and very often drives the vehicles to the river or where the clients need it.
MIGUEL IMBACH has a degree in fine arts and is an avid folk musician. As a kid growing up in Turrialba, he developed a deep rooted passion for outdoors and nature, which is only matched for his interest in culture and people. His cheerful enjoyment of life is always contagious.
MANUEL CUBERO has been driving for Serendipity for over five years. He is responsible for taking the equipment and guides safely to the different adventure sites. During his free time he enjoys the company of his three grandchildren who live in the small community of Verbena Sur.
MARIANO SALAZAR was one of Costa Rica's first river guides! Mariano not only trained many of today's river guides, but their bosses as well. He loves to cook and he is a walking encyclopedia on Costa Rica's history and culture. Mariano works well with just about anyone who is eager to try new things.
SILVIA SOLANO is in charge of making sure every reservation gets taken care of for our clients, She is also the bright smile behind the phone when you have questions about payments, reservations, what to wear, and if you need anything that is not on your Serendipity checklists.
JULIO GARRO is one of the best kayakers in the country. He has been working as a white water rafting guide for more than a decade. Besides enjoying water adventure sports, Julio is a Civil Engineering student.
ALDO UMAÑA was introduced to the water sports by his parents when he was five years old. Born and raised in Turrialba, he has been in touch with the Pejibaye and Pacuare rivers, and always passionate for hiking, rappelling and kayaking adventures. He has represented Costa Rica on international white water kayak competitions, as a member of the Costa Rican kayak slalom team. Besides practicing sports and adventures, he studies Civil Engeneering. Aldo is one of our best canyoning guides.
OLGER LEIVA started working for Serendipity as a white water rafting guide at the beginning of 2013, after seven years of experience guiding rafting trips in different rivers such as the Pejibaye River or the gorgeous Pacuare River.
FLOR MARIA GUTIERREZ is always running around the kitchen preparing different meals and desserts. She began working at Serendipity in 2012, and since then, she is the person responsible for preparing the food for rafting and canyoning trips. Cooking is one of her hobbies. Sometimes she brings to the office warm banana bread or a coconut based-candy, called in Spanish cajeta.
LUIS MADRIGAL (Mangany) has worked in adventure tourism for many years and as a river rafting guide for almost 15 years, including four rafting seasons in Canada. Even though his name is Luis, we all call him Magany.
JONATHAN MORALES is a really strong leader on the river. Jonathan is 100% Costa Rican, a natural athlete, and really aware of everyone's comfort level in water, on canyon walls, on horses or zip lines.
JOSE TORTOS (Tito) is one of our principal guides. He is also a physical education teacher and a triathlete, but he loves all types of sports. Swimming, running, mountain biking and river rafting are among his favorite activities.
MARLEN QUESADA We all know her as doña Marlen. She is always taking care of the people in the office, making sure we have a clean working area, fresh coffee and clean towels to use. We all love her for these nice details.
PAMELA CARAZO joined Serendipity in 2010, and quickly became one of our favorite guides for families with younger kids. She studied public relations and combines her work as a guide with a PR and marketing job. When she is guiding trips she shares her wonderful sense of humor with kids and parents .
LUIGI SÁNCHEZ started his Serendipity career as a whitewater rafting guide and kayaker and adventure photographer and is now a principal guide. Naturally we match Luigi to families and groups who love white water challenges.
JUAN PABLO SOTO PÉREZ --One of our principal canyoning guides and kayakers, Juan Pablo joined Serendipity in 2010 after extensive work in canopy tours around Costa Rica. His smile brightens your day, and his keen eye for the security aspects of descending rock faces and walking in slippery waters gives our guests great confidence in a high adrenaline activity.

The first step to enjoying a Serendipity adventure is to contact us.