It is rare that we come across a travel agency that covers you from head to toe when searching for the complete vacation package. But we found one such agency.
CRV – short for Costa Rica Vacations – has been the top agency of that country for over 15 years and has customized vacation packages from all around the world. Whether it’s adventure, romance or just a great family getaway, CRV has a package to suit.
Founded by Don Halbert, the company was acquired from the previous ownership in 2013 and since then has grown exponentially in popularity and the quality of service the company provides it’s clients.
Speaking with their “travel specialists”, you’ll immediately understand one of the major benefits to dealing with a local company as opposed to a big brand. And that is…experience.
First-hand experience is something that big brands have missed the mark on. Imagine booking your long anticipated honeymoon only to find that, because the travel agency had no previous knowledge of the hotel, you end up spending what should’ve been the time of your life, in some seedy 2 1/2 star motel-no-tell.
Fortunately with CRV the team have stayed at each hotel in which they have listed on their site so that they can gauge the quality of service themselves in order to best recommend the right hotels for their clients. And what if they don’t measure up? They don’t get listed in their inventory of hotels.
But where Costa Rica Vacation really shines is when they personalize a tailer-made vacation package.
Although our trip to Costa Rica was shorter than anticipated, we did enjoy a 7 day stay and here’s our own experience with CRV.
Picked up at the airport and whisked through customs like VIPs. We were then transported to the lavish Grano de Oro hotel in San Jose. What a place! Top quality service with world-class food, we highly recommend a stay at Grano de Oro if you’re in the area.
Following morning we were picked up after morning coffee to head to our next destination…Arenal Nayara Hotel & Gardens.
From the moment we stepped off the transport bus we were breathless. This place is unlike anything we’ve experienced before. A 5-star resort with hot springs on-site and gardens surrounding it like something out of the Garden of Eden. Nayara is the place to be when visiting Arenal. In fact the hotel sits in the shadow of the mighty Arenal volcano – one of the most active volcanoes in the world.
Our time at Nayara was lamented with frequent visits to the posh spa, lounging in the hot springs and even a few sunset evenings simply staring at the volcano while sipping drinks on our deck with a built in jacuzzi.
Thursday we said goodbye to Nayara and headed to one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, Manuel Antonio National Park & Beach.
This is the place to get in touch with nature. Not that it’s not all around you already given you’re in Costa Rica – the #3 most “greenest” countries on the planet.
We stayed at a beautiful hotel situated on the hills above the bay overlooking the Pacific called Si Como No.
This hotel – albeit slightly less posh than Nayara – has it’s own unique allure. Branded as “barefoot luxury”, this boutique style hotel has plenty to offer. Onsite they have a private full cinema, two pools – one for families and the other adults only – world class dining with two different restaurants featuring contrast cuisine. There’s even a short waterslide that plunges you down to the wet bar located partial submerged in the pool. Prices were reasonable here however we did find it slightly overpriced in comparison to what we’d already experienced at Nayara and Grano de Oro.
Then it was time to go home. Oh wait!
Adventure? You want to know what we did for adventure? Well…
We went ziplining in Monteverde Cloud Forest, we hiked around an active volcano, we lounged in thermal volcanic hot springs, we saw 13′ crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, toucans and even…took a parasailing trip in Manuel Antonio. So yes…we had some adventures we’ll never forget for a long time to come. At least in this lifetime.
For more information visit: costaricavacations.com.
Follow itravelnet.com