Make Your Next Trip Extraordinary

Jackie Wiggins | December 14, 2023

We took a trip to Costa Rica from Dec 5-11 and all the details of the trip were taken care of by our trip planner. Our drivers and guides were always early and their English was excellent. Our trip was a bit complicated by the fact that we needed to be transported to and picked up from the Eastern part of Costa Rica for an EARTH University visit, but our guides were very accommodating. For the three days we had remaining, every detail was taken care of, including covering our cost for dinner, since we had lunch on our own. So very kind. Thank you!

Just back from Costa Rica over Thanksgiving week and the trip planned by Priscilla was spot-on perfect. The locations we selected, Arenal, Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, gave us three different settings to enjoy and were all easy travel distances apart. We started in Arenal where Priscilla recommended Tabacon Resort — the room was spacious and had a direct view overlooking the volcano, the included breakfast was an incredible selection of continental and Costa Rican cuisine with the freshest, sweetest fruit, and the included hot springs were a wonderful way to relax at the end of the day. She arranged a private driver and guides and nearly all our activities were private too, and this really allowed us to learn more, see more and deeply experience each area. Across the entire trip, Priscilla expertly matched the activities with our desire for an active, high adventure vacation and we enjoyed canyoning (with waterfall rappelling), ziplining, white water rafting and lots of great hikes with hanging bridges.

She made the trip flow so smoothly that even the travel days were filled with fun activities. On the transfer between Arenal and Monteverde we had a private boat ride across a lake and our naturalist guide, Fico (who was with us for 5 days and became like family) pointed out all sorts of wildlife along the way and then we did the most wonderful night hike and climbed a towering tree in the jungle to enjoy the sunset view from the treetops while snacking on Costa Rican treats. Hiking with Fico continued in Monteverde with hanging bridges and lots of bird watching. We saw sloths, monkeys, coati, agouti, snakes and more at every location. I was hoping to see one sloth the entire trip and we must have seen over 20, including one that was right next to us on the ground.

Our driver, Mauricio was also phenomenal and helped my daughter practice her Spanish. On the transfer between Monteverde and Manuel Antonio, we enjoyed a private crocodile boat tour where we saw many crocodiles, monkeys, birds and were slightly scared when a giant crocodile swam right up alongside the boat. Manuel Antonio National Park was the only really overcrowded spot of the trip, but the amount of wildlife we saw there with our wonderful guide Karla and taking a quick dip in the picture perfect, pristine beach were still highlights. Priscilla’s recommendations of Senda in Monteverde and Gaia in Quepos were also wonderful hotels with wildlife on both properties and amazing cuisine at the restaurants. Thanks for a perfect vacation, we can’t wait to see more of Costa Rica.

We were two couples traveling together. We had a wonderful trip to Costa Rica planned by Priscilla. We spent 6 nights, arriving very late on a Saturday night and leaving late on a Friday night. We stayed in Bajos del Toro as our first stop, with horseback riding, bird watching, and fishing at El Silencio, which was wonderful and peaceful. At El Silencio, all tours were through the hotel. Our next stop was the Arenal area, which is much busier and touristy (for justiable reasons), and we had great activities recommended by Priscilla, including a night walk, a twilight float tour, and coffee/chocolate tour. All the tour operators selected for us by Priscilla were wonderful — a testament to her and her team’s expertise. We appreciated the drivers, who were all courteous, on time, and professional, and saved us the stress of driving/navigating through busy (and sometimes very pot-holed) streets.

My wife and I, along with our three children (elementary, high school, and college age), worked with Priscilla Jimenez in the planning of a trip to Costa Rica in March. Based on our desires and interests, Ms. Jimenez provided options to meet our needs and ensured all the things that were important to us were included in the itinerary. We were able to mix in plenty of activities with some relaxation. Our first stay was at The Springs Resort and Spa in the Arenal Volcano area. The room was nice and the thermal pools were great. The hotel offered plenty for the children to do beyond swimming. They were able to play billiards, darts, chess, ping pong, and miniature golf as well. The waterfall rappelling excursion Ms. Jimenez recommended was very fun. Prior to the tour, we stopped to see a mother and baby sloth in the area. At the hotel, we spotted sloths and toucans as well. The view of the volcano from the hotel room was spectacular. The staff members at the hotel were responsive to needs and friendly.

Our next stop was La Paloma Lodge in Drake Bay, on the Osa Peninsula. From the time we arrived, we were greeted with enthusiastic, welcoming individuals. The Sunset Rancho offered a fantastic view of the ocean. The meals at the lodge were great. The excursion to Caño Island for a snorkeling tour was well-planned and enjoyable. On the way, the guide stopped the boat to see a pod of dolphins. While snorkeling, we were able to see whitetip sharks, several hawksbill turtles, and many types of fish. The guide ensured the group remained together and assisted in spotting sea life. The excursion to Corcovado National Park was a highlight and we were able to see howler monkeys, and troops of both white-faced capuchin and spider monkeys. We also saw an arboreal anteater, coatimundis, many birds, spiders, and a saltwater crocodile. Ms. Jimenez set up a wonderful night tour where we were able to see snakes, frogs, spiders, a scorpion, and even a fleeting glimpse of a kinkajou. Cocolito Beach, by the lodge, offered some great waves for boogie boarding and never felt crowded. The staff members at the lodge did a great job in keeping things organized and provided a high level of service. From beginning to end, Ms. Jimenez and the team provided a lot of details/organization so we could just enjoy the trip. The individuals who work with the team were friendly and offered a high level of service as well.

The WOW List: Best Local Travel Fixers Worldwide

by Wendy Perrin | January 30, 2024

How to Get an Extraordinary Trip: Wendy’s WOW Approach

by Wendy Perrin | January 1, 2023

Wendy Wants To Amp Up Your Trip!

by WendyPerrin.com | January 1, 2023

Where and When to Travel in 2024

by WendyPerrin.com | January 31, 2024

How to Get More For Your Miles and Points in 2023

by WendyPerrin.com | January 31, 2023

10 Top Dream Trips for 2023

by Brook Wilkinson | February 1, 2023

Our Latest Newsletters