Awesome trip to Costa Rica
We returned recently from a week-long Costa Rica trip designed for us by Gretchen and her team at PTW. We did a bit of everything, from incredible wildlife hikes, to ziplining, to river rafting. We stayed and spent time in Monteverde, Arenal, and Manuel Antonio. I was very skeptical of using an online agency to make all the selections and arrangements, as I'm used to planning vacations on my own, and booking activities directly online. But for Costa Rica this seemed more challenging. It was difficult finding good information comparing the various tours and activities. Some of the websites didn't have much information. Since we only had one week of time in the country, we wanted to make sure every tour or activity we booked, and every place we stayed was a good fit for our family. I have to say that PTW exceeded these expectations, and also saved us a great deal of time trying to research all of our options. They are an extremely responsive team, even replying to email inquiries on the weekend. Gretchen worked with me via numerous back-and-forth email and phone correspondences while we were planning the itinerary, until we finalized on what looked like a perfect adventure. And it was. Every transportation pickup was precisely on time. All of our drivers were courteous and professional. Each tour and adventure was outstanding, and all of the companies they selected for us delivered high quality and service. All of the lodgings they booked were clean and comfortable, and one of them was absolutely spectacular (you'll have to ask Gretchen for the name). PTW even contacted me by email when we arrived in Costa Rica to see if we needed any help. It was very comforting to know, while in a foreign country, that we had a 24-hour phone number to call if we had any difficulties while we were there (which we didn't). I can't really think of much that could have been better. Our guided hike through Manuel Antonio ended up being too large of a group to be comfortable, but that was through no fault of PTW. Overall it was a great and amazingly smooth vacation, and it makes me rethink my usual approach of researching and booking everything on my own. Thank you to PTW for a wonderful trip. And Costa Rica is an absolutely amazing country to visit.
Posted on 5/3/2012
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Costa Rica Vacation
In the month of March 2012, my wife and I traveled to CR using Pacific Trade Winds. The months leading to this trip PTW was very helpful with all the details needed to provide us with info for our trip, during our trip we needed to cancell one of our events, a call to PTW while I was there and they very politely rearanged our plans, everything else that they booked for us was top shelf and we could not have been any more satisfied with our trip, PTW is very honest company in my opinion and we will use them again.
Posted on 3/31/2012
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Excellent Service
From start to finish our trip went off without a hitch. We had never been to Costa Rica and Gretchen with PTW recommended exploring the Cloud Forest/Arenal Volcano and the beaches at Samara. I must say it was an excellent recommendation.
The service was fantastic - booking and changes to itinerary a breeze. The staff was very accommodating and booked us some excellent excursions. The excursions included a boat trip along the Cano Negro river where we saw 3 different kinds of monkeys, birds, turtles, lizards and caymans. Next day was the Hanging Bridges - a "must do" adventure. Off to the Pacific coast to Samara where we kayaked, snorkeled and enjoyed an evening walk on the beach looking for egg laying turtles.
I have been recommending this Pacific Trade Winds since we returned home and will be booking our next trip to Costa Rica with them.
Muchas Gracias Mi Amigos!
Posted on 2/28/2012
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Amazing trip
Hi
We recently returned from your "Paradise discovered Inclusive Vacation" ( Feb 3- 10) and just had to let you know how wonderful it was.
Right from the beginning ,being picked up at the airport, everyone was so friendly, punctual and helpful. The country is spectacular and both resorts Arenal Springs, and Hilton Papagayo were so relaxing. We got to do so much(Biking, hiking, tennis, jet skiing, white water rafting and ziplines ) ,yet also had lots of down time to relax we felt we had been away for a lot longer than 1 week. I will definitely recommend your company to all my friends.
Posted on 2/18/2012
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Pacific Trade Winds arranged a trip for my husband and I to Costa Rica. Never having been to Costa Rica before we really didn't know where to start when trying to plan this trip. Pacific Trade Winds not only took care all of hotel arrangements, they also recommended and booked excursions and travel arrangement for us while we were in Costa Rica. Everything they recommended and arranged for us was perfect, from the excursions they booked to the hotels they recommended and booked for us. This company is a pleasure to deal with. Their attention to detail and customer service is second to none and they went well above what I would have expected, and I have high expectations. From the second we got off our plane in San Jose until we boarded our plane in Liberia to return home everything was perfect and exceeded our expectations. I will definitely deal with this company again and would recommend them to anyone who wants a worry free, stress free and unforgettable trip to Costa Rica. There is nothing that this company could have done better,I can't recommend them high enough!!!
Posted on 11/14/2011
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We just returned from an 8 day trip that was very well organized and a great deal of fun! All the staff and tour guides were friendly and informed and always showed up on time. We had nice lodging and felt that the trip offered good value for the money. I would definitely travel with this tour operator again.
Posted on 8/15/2011
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As we were surfing the internet to plan our vacation to Costa Rica, we found the pacific trade wind organization with some standard vacation offers. We soon found out that they can arrange your vacation just as you like within the budget you indicate.
We were pleasantly surprised by the very professional way they arranged our vacation from the first email until the end of our vacation.
All transfers and tours and all the lodges were perfectly arranged from the very beginning until the end. It seems that they really understood our interests as they professionally arranged our vacation just as we liked it.
We can describe our vacation as a very active one with zero stress...
We all felt very good and the Costa Rican people in general are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable.
For a next visit we won' t hesitate to contact Pacific Trade Winds again.
Thank you so much from
Eddie, Damiano, Ilona and Sandra van Brug from Curacao (Dutch Caribbean)
Posted on 7/28/2011
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We visited Costa Rica for three weeks this past winter.
The assistance provided by Meghan and her team from Pacific Trade Winds was most helpful in the planning; the actual trip was as close as one can get to perfection while traveling! This was a well-scheduled and carefree trip from all points of view: sightseeings; activities; accommodations; transportation at a very competitive price.
We greatly enjoyed the canopy zip line in spite of our initial hesitancy... and our age (early 60s). The river boat ride down the Rio Frio was a highlight; not too many boats on the river at a time; good services overall, including the typical meal. We found Paradise in Ylang Ylang Resort! What a treat!!
We highly recommend this agency and specifically their agent, Meghan. Thanks to this travel agency, we have enjoyed this beautiful country; its people and its culture! Pura Vida!
M & JE from Canada
Posted on 5/11/2011
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Our trip to Costa Rica was fantastic! We debated at first as to whether or not we should try to go it on our own or use a travel agency, but after deciding to use Pacific Trade Winds services, I could not imagine ever doing it any other way. They were attentive, kind, and prompt. The excursions were amazing and the drivers, always on time. My friends and I felt safe and welcome. Our agent did a great job of customizing our trip to meet our desires. We would definitely use Pacific Trade Winds again and plan to do just that in the future! Thanks so much for a wonderful trip!
Posted on 3/25/2011
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This is a very well managed company that does a great job at organizing custom designed trips to Costa Rica. They help you plan an extensive itinerary for all budgets and arrange all aspects of the trip in a very professional manner. It is a pleasure to work with them.
Posted on 3/13/2011
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When I decided to go to Costa Rica I surfed the net and found several travel agencies. I wrote to them. The first answer I received in 20 minutes (!!!) from Pacific Trade Winds S.A. I was impressed! And all my communivacrion with Dan and Maria from that travel agency was very fast and informative. They created a custom-made plan for our trip.
My husband and I spent 9 days in Costa Rica in February, 2011. We visited Arenal volcano (La Fortuna), Monteverde, Manuel Antonio. Our vacation was planed by Pacific Trade Winds. Everything was really good! The drivers came in time, the hotels were clean, the guides were qualified, the excursions were interesting. Really good job for a travel agency! I higly recommend this travel agency.
Posted on 2/24/2011
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My husband and I and another couple booked an all inclusive vacation with Pacific Trade Winds from Feb 12 to Feb 19, 2011. We were there for 10 days visiting La Fortuna and Tamrindo. Our vacation was perfect! Our vacation required a lot of coordinating with transfers, hotels, meals, and excursions. I cannot think of any negative things to say about Pacific Trade Winds. They are very professional and timely. They overcharged us by one night, We did not caught the overcharge but THEY DID and promptly sent us back a refund immediately. They are good people and you should not hesitate to use them. I know I will when I return to Costa Rica! Thank you Pacific Trade Winds Staff and Anthony the driver!!!
Posted on 2/21/2011
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My wife and I took a 10-day trip from Arizona to Costa Rica in early January 2011. We don't travel a lot and certainly not to far-off countries with a different national language than ours. It could have been intimidating had it not been for the great job Pacific Trade Winds, S.A. did in making our arrangements and using nothing but first-rate tour operators once we arrived.
From the moment we stepped out of the airport, we were greeted by them and rushed past the confused mass of arriving tourists to our private car where a wonderfully friendly English-speaking driver drove us the three hours to our destination. After that, every driver, hotel, and tour operator were first-rate, prompt, dependable, helpful and friendly, all of which made our trip very enjoyable and stress-free.
Posted on 2/13/2011
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We recently returned from our second trip to Costa Rica arranged by Pacific Trade Winds and were again impressed with the fantastic job they did to line up fun and reasonably-priced activities for our group of 10 travelers. We had already arranged to go on a sailing ship cruise and relied on Pacific Trade Winds to fill a couple of days prior to the cruise and furnish our transportation to and from the port. It couldn't have worked out better. Everything went smoothly and the drivers were usually early and always professional. Our entire group would recommend Pacific Trade Winds. And, it was much better value than buying the land transportation from the cruise line.
Posted on 2/12/2011
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We recently spent five days is Costa Rica for a family wedding and all of our travel plans were successfully arranged by Pacific Trade Winds. Our time was filled with excellent adventures such as horseback riding and ziplining, all a first for my husband and I. At each experience we felt that we were being taught by people who not only wanted us to have fun, but they wanted to keep us safe as well. The hotel was beautiful and every single person we interacted with was helpful and friendly. We definitely would like to return to Costa Rica in the future and Pacific Trade Winds will be our first call to book our trip!
Posted on 12/19/2010
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You delivered what you promised at a fair price, and above all provided us with a local contact, which was important. Your arrangements and service was impeccable, and we think that properties and activities you picked for us were well chosen.
Good planning and professional work.
We had a great time in CR
Thanks
;)
Nitin
Posted on 12/15/2010
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My wife and I had always talked about traveling to Costa Rica. Our dream vacation became a reality last August 2010. We had a absolute amazing time. Pacific Trade Winds is a first class, all inclusive travel agent. Mehgan and Gretchen were the nicest people to work with. They made wonderful suggestions based upon our interests. The vacation they put together for us was perfect in every way. It was very relaxing not having to worry being in a foreign country. The tour guides were extremely friendly, spoke English and made you feel very, very welcome. In fact everyone in Costa Rica were fantastic. Travel vouchers made everything easy, transfers were flawless. The motor coaches were air conditioned and comfortable. We had such a blast that we decided to send our three children to Costa Rica next summer for a combined graduation, birthday present. Being more adventurous (and younger) we planned for them to rappel, zip line and go white water rafting. It will be a truly "Funky Monkey" adrenaline rush for them. Of course we booked through Pacific Trade Winds. I would highly recommend them to anyone wanting to have a beautiful vacation in Costa Rica.
Posted on 12/8/2010
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My family and I just completed a one week vacation in Costa Rica. Our trip was planned by Gretchen at Pacific Trade Winds. While we have traveled fairly extensively internationally, this was the easiest, most relaxing vacation we have taken. We didn't rent a car, Gretchen arranged for all the transportation for us. This was a leap of faith for us as we have never traveled like that before. Everything went off with out a hitch. All the transports arrived on time, all the tours picked us up at our hotels...On time! The drivers all spoke English and were happy to tell us about the landscape we were driving through, or the culture of Costa Rica. We felt like we had our own private tour guides. The hotels she arranged for us were absolutely gorgeous! We visited the Arenal area and Monteverde. We river rafted, went horseback riding, hiked both on the ground and in hanging bridges, and ziplined. We had such an amazing time, we have already agreed that we want to go back to Costa Rica, and will definitely use Pacific Trade Winds again. They were easy and very professional to work with. Don't let the reasonable prices fool you, this is a first class travel company planning top notch trips.
Posted on 12/8/2010
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My daughter Pamela and I just completed our trip to Costa Rica which we reserved through Pacific Trade Winds. They were a pleasure to work with and addressed our needs in a prompt and professional manner.
We went to Corcovado Park first and it was simply amazing. The wildlife here is unlike anything we had ever seen. Our guides were knowledgeable and accommodating as I am not as agile as I once was. We stayed at a small resort named Aguila de Osa which was quite comfortable given the environment.
After Corcovado we went to the Trogon Lodge located in the central cloud forest area. The staff was wonderful and we enjoyed every minute, though it was a little cooler in temperature than we expected. The guides were great; we were able to spot a Quetzal bird which was quite a thrill.
All of the transfers and scheduled activities were on time. The tours and accommodations exceeded our expectations. We were given a 24 hour contact number which was a great relief and were treated with VIP service throughout our vacation.
If we ever decide to return to Costa Rica, we will reserve with this company. I would not hesitate to recommend them to anybody doing a similar trip.
Posted on 12/8/2010
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My husband and I just finished a trip which we organized through Pacific Tradewinds. It was a relief to be able to relax and actually feel like we were on vacation versus trying to figure everything out on our own. We worked with Meghan and she recommended the volcano area and Hermosa Beach where we stayed at Bosque del mar. Arenal was amazing! We ziplined though the forest and went to hot springs in the evening. Bosque del Mar was spectacular and just what the doctor ordered! The staff was friendly, the beach was beautiful and I cannot think of a better place to unwind. All in all, this was a wonderful trip and we just wanted to thank Pacific Tradewinds (and Meghan in particular) for listening to our needs and organing such a great vacation!
Posted on 12/2/2010
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