2003
January 5,
Pacuare 2 days
Having just
returned from my 2-day rafting trip with Adventures Naturales on the Pacuare I
wanted to email to thank and congratulate your organization for such a
fantastic trip. Both my sister and I thoroughly enjoyed our experience, your
guides and staff were excellent in all areas both on
and off the river. Kurt, Mario, Arturo and everyone at the lodge were first
class. You have wonderful staff and a really special place in the river lodge.
Many thanks, keep up the good work.
With best
wishes,
Laura
Fulton
Pollokshield
,
Scotland
January 7,
10-day Package
Hi Ana,
Wendy and I wanted to thank you VERY much for helping us out with our
Costa Rica
trip. We had a GREAT time and
really liked it. Thank you for the great and very well organized trip.
Everything went smoothly and all was being take off.
This was a great experience and we will recommend you to anybody we know who is
interested in visiting
Costa Rica
. We had a lot of fun, met a lot of
interesting people and had the time of our life at the
Pacuare
River
.
We were
very happy to have Snyder as our guide. Needless to say that our stay overnight
at the Pacuare Lodge was one of the highlights of our trip. Miguel did a
wonderful job preparing the delicious meals. I won't go into everything, but
please know that everything was great and we really appreciate your help, in
planning this unforgettable trip for us.
Muchas
gracias,
Best wishes
for 2003!
Erik and
Wendy
January 6,
Pacuare 3 days
The Pacuare
Lodge has given me a lifetime of wonderful memories. The staff was incredible –
Miguel was a wonderful cook. Andres is the best! I will highly recommend this
trip to friends and family! Thank you for a wonderful experience!!
Diane
Schmaus
Idaho Springs
,
CO
January 11,
Pacuare 2 days
This tour
was out of this world. It was worth every bit of my time. The guides were
polite, friendly, and very helpful. Had I known it was going to be this good, I
would honeymooned here over
Kauai
! Thank! Mil
gracias.
Leticia P.
Lopez
San Diego
,
CA
January 12,
Pacuare 2 days
A very memorable and worthwhile trip to be well recommended to one and
all.
Rory
Donnelly
Paris
,
France
January 14,
7-day Package
We are just
back in the
Netherlands
. But I can't stop thinking about
the great two day trip rafting we had with you're organization. Everything was
great, the food, the hikes and the rafting (and not forget the guides, they
made this trip unforgettable !!!). If we ever come
back to C.R. we will come back again.
Floor
Balkestein & Tiennot van Dilst
Rotterdam
, The
Netherlands
January 22,
Pacuare 2 days
We had a
very lovely time – all the people working for your company are very good with
people + very personable. The meal was lovely, and the honeymoon suite spectacular ! Also the gardens everywhere are very nicely
done.
Max + Irma
Cripe
Bonie
,
MO
January 25,
Pacuare 2 days
A very memorable experience all-round. Staying at the lodge for 2 days
gave us time to get to know the wonderful staff, learn all about Costa Rica’s
rich bird, insect, animal + plant life. Kurt was a wealth of information,
Gerardo’s family took great care of us, Jose was a goofy, fun guide, and Max
was fun to throw Frisbee with and play “band”. EVERYTHING was fantastic.
Jeannie
Cameranesi
Newburg
Park, CA
February 1,
Pacuare 2 days
This trip
was one of the most exciting, action-packed adventures I have experienced. I
did not want the trip to end! Thank you so much for all your efforts to make
this weekend run so smoothly and all your encouragement as I tried something
new. I definitely want to return and raft again!
Thanks
again!
M. Lindsley
Henniker
,
NH
February
12, Pacuare 2 days
The river
guides made our rafting experience fun & challenging. The accommodations at
the Pacuare Lodge were absolutely beautiful + all the meals were delicious. The
candlelight dinner was a wonderful way to end an adventurous day. Thank you for
sharing your beautiful country with us! I will recommend you to everyone!
Michele
Bosse
San Antonio
,
TX
February
17, Pacuare 2 days
Our
experience with A.N. exceeded our expectations. The guides were wonderful –
competent, congenial and very, very attentive. Compliments to
them all. Luis, our guide, was superb. They were happy to give us their
time to explain things about
Costa Rica
. Max was extremely knowledgeable
many eco-type things – but then they all were. The lodge + the food were superb.! We will highly recommend this to friends!
Leslie
Reardon
Chicago
,
IL
February
17, Pacuare 2 days
The trip
was absolutely outstanding. Our guides were very, very special young men. They
were smart, had great personality, and were extremely helpful. The lodge was
awesome. We loved everything about the trip and will recommend it to friends
who are coming to
Costa Rica
. Thank you very much!
David
Reardon
Chicago
,
IL
February
19, Pacuare 2 days
Thanx for
an excellent trip – everything exceeded my expectations!
Trisna
Clauson
Seattle
,
WA
March 6,
Pacuare 2 days
Fantastic!
Guide was very knowledgeable – whole staff was very friendly – food was
incredible. Canopy tour was the best! I would highly recommend this to anyone!
Thank you!
Bunny
Wagner
Baltimore
. MD
March 13,
Pacuare 2 days
We were
extremely impressed about everything. We can’t wait to get home to show off
what we got to experience. We will also highly recommend to friends who will be
travelling to
Costa Rica
within the next year! Thank you
Meagan
Webster
Marshfield
,
WI
March 27,
Pacuare 2 days
From all my
adventures in
Costa Rica
you tour exceeds all my experiences. Your guides are friendly, professional & a lot of fun.
The service at the Pacuare Lodge is phenomenal. Thank you!
Orlando
Montoya
Las Vegas
,
NV
March 29,
Pacuare 2 days
This trip
was amazing. Jose was entertaining and knowledgeable. The staff
at the lodge were friendly and accommodating. The food was amazing. It
was paradise! Thank you!
Kerry
Hemstad
Brandon
,
Canada
March 30,
Pacuare 2 days
This tour
was amazing. I was looking forward to river rafting on the Pacuare but I
enjoyed so much more than rafting – the service was great, the food @ Pacuare
Lodge was phenomenal. The lodge was beautiful + tranquil.. The conversations at the lodge with other guests + staff is something I will always remember. I would recommend this tour to anyone
visiting
Costa Rica
. The 2 day tour met + exceeded all
of my expectations.
Antony
Porto
Bronx
,
NY
March 30,
Pacuare 2 days
I can’t
imagine a better way to end an extraordinary 10 days in
Costa Rica
. In a vacation full of highlights,
this was the highlight. The food, the other people on the tour, the scenery,
the guides & especially the trip down the river were better than I could
have imagined.
Katheryl
Gayner
NYC, NY
April 5,
Pacuare 3 days
I thought
this tour was very, very good. It ranks in with the top tours I have had in
Central America
. I really enjoyed the “bonus”
information from Mario about the types of trees, birds, Costa Rican culture...
It is always the best to have guides born and raised in the country of origin.
I felt very safe, especially as a first time rafter, so I would definitely
recommend your company to anyone looking to raft. Thank you!
Alicia S.
Kerns
Chicago
,
IL
April 5,
Pacuare 3 days
This has
been the best vacation of my life. The guides were awesome & the facilities
and activities provided were excellent. I would definitely come back. Thanks so
much!
Gretchen
Ludeman
Grand Rapids
,
MI
April 6,
Pacuare 2 days
We loved
the tour & service. We will recommend this tour to other friends,
especially to tell them about the scenery, gourmet dinner, & family
atmosphere, & well designed lodge
Susan &
Jason Lai
Salt Lake City
,
UT
April 9,
Pacuare 3 days
The best
trip ever! I will tell all my friends. Can I get a job? Will work for food!
Kevin
Dunkak
Telluride,
CO
April 13,
Pacuare 2 days
The Pacuare
Lodge was wonderful. I took my son, Adam, to
Costa Rica
for his 13th birthday. We were
amazed that the cooks made a birthday cake as a surprise. Arturo was very good
to us on the rafting trip. My son left his glasses at the waterfall we hiked to
and Arturo climbed up river to retrieve them. The food at the lodge was
wonderful and the accommodations were great. Hard to believe we were in the
jungle! Thanks for as great vacation!
James
Millard
East Greenwich
,
RI
April 15,
Pacuare 2 days
Every
single guide was excellent. The Pacuare Lodge was everything we hoped for and
more. The accommodations, food & family who ran the facility were first
class. Not a minute passed that we did not enjoy. Fernando was an excellent
overnight guide who really made an effort to make sure everything ran smoothly.
The family was terrific and Fernando & Luis did and outstanding job guiding
us through the canopy tour – felt very safe & looked after. I believe that
out of our 10 day stay, the past two with Aventuras Naturales were our most
memorable & best! Thank you! Oh, also – Kurt did an amazing job as both
river guide & naturalist.
Anne &
Geoff Teillon
New York
,
NY
April 22,
Pacuare 2 days
The guides
(Manfred & Andres) were terrific and the staff at the Pacuare Lodge could
not have been more helpful! A fantastic experience!!
Kathy
Sheldan
Modesto
,
CA
April 28,
Pacuare 2 days
Excellent
trip! Great stay, excellent delicious dinner, the best canopy ever, and most
important the treat and kindness of the guides and all the personal was what
made our trip incredible. Thank you very much and hope to return with you guys
again some other time.
Rodarte
& Wheatley
Guacan
,
Mexico
May 8,
Pacuare 3 days
It was an
amazing, beautiful, perfect trip. The lodge was truly idyllic. I only wish we
could have stayed for 10 days at the lodge! Our guides, Jorge & Fernando
were perfect. I have been on many river trips and they were the best guides and
hosts. The cooking was truly first class, 5 stars. All the staff were super friendly. I will recommend Aventuras Naturales to
everybody! What a great trip. Muchas gracias, we will see you next year.
Sally Quinn
Salt Lake City
,
UT
May 9,
Pacuare 2 days
Between the
rollicking rapids of this country’s most beautiful river, on the long calm
stretches coursing through lush canyons, the scenery and serenity are almost
dreamlike.
Laughter
and screams that fill the air as the rafts tumble and twirl through the
turbulent zones give way to a collective hush, during which you are left in
awe, compelled simply to look and listen.
You tune to
the sound of water rushing from the mountains to the
Caribbean Sea
, and to the chirping and whistling
of birds deep in the jungle.
This small
Central American nation, sandwiched between
Nicaragua
and
Panama
, has 850 species of birds – and you
seem to be among them all.
A tiger
heron tries to blend into the bank, striking a statuesque pose as it waits to
pluck an unsuspecting fish from the river.
The
pendulous Montezuma oropendolas form colonies in the branches of tall trees.
The brightly colored birds are darting from tree to tree, nest to nest.
The Female
of this species chooses her mate based on the size and safety of his nest, your
guide, Andres Vargas Sanchez, says, pointing above the
trees to one of many enemies of the oropendolas, a large-beaked toucan,
jokingly referred to as “that Froot Loop guy” in flight over the river. Onward
you go, charging through rapids one minute, looking for monkeys the next,
immersed in a universe so vibrant and green that you can hardly believe your
eyes.
Your on the
Pacuare
River
, one of the world’s top whitewater
destinations, ...
Pete Thomas
Beauty
Flows From Pacuare, for now.
Los Angeles
Times
May 10,
11-day Package
Hi Anna,
We just got
back from our trip this morning and I wanted to let you know that everything
went very smoothly. All of our reservations were set just as you said. You have
a beautiful country! This was the best vacation my wife or I have ever taken!
We didn't want to come home.
The staff
on the overnight Pacuare River Rafting and canopy tour was the best. Kurt, Luis
Andres, Hedras, Luisita, Ricardo, and Jose were great! It was the highlight of
our trip. Your entire staff was very professional and we felt safe the whole
time. The accommodations were superior and very welcoming. The meals we were
given were delicious. We have absolutely no complaints what so ever.
Please feel
free to use this letter on our site. We are very comfortable recommending you
to anyone, and in fact already have.
Please give
our best to Kurt, Luis Andres, Hedras, Luisita, Ricardo, and Jose.
With sincerest gratitude....
John and
Shannon Tinder
Binghampton
,
NY
May 19,
Pacuare 2 days
A HUGE
HELLO, From Andrew ,Bobbi ,Tim & Madalena.....
We had the
pleasure of staying at the lodge on the 20th May. We had a blast, what a great
bunch of people. The guides where wonderful to say the least, they new there
stuff and seemed to be having as much fun as we were. On the rapids they were
our saviors and in the Kitchen our hero's.
The food
was great, Carmen is going to be a star she may even out shine Tomas.
It was a
pleasure to dine with Roberto, how very interesting and motivating.
I work in
the largest busiest hotel in
Bermuda
and I can't stop talking about my adventure.
And I still
believe I'm the bravest woman in the world to have concord your canopy tour
Thanks to
all of you, we had a fantastic time !!
Bobbi Roper
Southampton,
Bernuda
June 4,
Pacuare 2 days
I thought
that the service was excellent and everyone was very professional.
Accommodations were so beautiful. My wife and I had an excellent trip and would
recommend this trip to many. Thank you very much.
John
Dougherty
Atascadero
,
CA
June 5,
Sarapiqui 1 day
I had lots
of fun! I had never been white water rafting before. Our guides were nice &
very funny! They gave great directions for us to follow. I hope to go white
water rafting again sometime.
Leslie
Spalding
Maquoketa
,
IA
June 11,
Pacuare 2 days
I thought
Kurt did an unbelievable job commandeering the raft as well as ordering us a
plethora of information. He made the trip both exciting + educational.
David
Studer
New York
,
NY
June 12,
Pacuare 2 days
Fantastic!
What really stood out was the Pacuare Lodge as well as
the people. Our guides were welcoming, knowledgeable, responsible and fun. Really benefited from Kevin being bilingual. Would definitely recommend this trip to anyone coming to
Costa Rica
.
Nicky
Davenport
England
June 24,
Pacuare 2 days
Your staff
went out of their way to ensure our safety + comfort while showing us a good
time. Jose brought coffee to us in the honeymoon suite on our 2nd day. It’s
that kind of service that will keep people coming back and telling others about
you!
Kristy Bend
Wewoka
,
OK
June 25,
Pacuare 2 days
Quite
possibly the best 2 days of my trip – thanks!
Rebecca
Hornstein
New York
,
NY
June 28,
Pacuare 2 days
The entire
trip was amazing. We will recommend the Pacuare Lodge to everyone. Thank you
for the experience of a lifetime.
Kelly Reid
Phoenix
,
AZ
June 28,
Pacuare 2 days
We thought
the trip was wonderful. The lodging was above and beyond any expectations, as
was the food. It’s been a long time since we’ve been rafting, and we really
enjoyed the river trip also. This has been such a great trip for us.
Stuart
Gregg
Houston
,
TX
June 30,
Pacuare 2 days
Aventuras
Naturales was absolutely amazing! Everything was wonderful. The guides are
great, the food is fantastic! The guest rooms are fantastic. Keep it up!
Clayton
English
Needham
,
MA
July 4,
Pacuare 2 days
We had a
fantastic time on the trip and the guides went above
& beyond to make us feel welcome and ensure that our stay was a great one.
The lodging was gorgeous & the food was fantastic. I hope to be able to
return to
Costa Rica
with this company again.
Laura
Martin
Greenville
,
USA
July 4,
Pacuare 2 days
Kurt, our
river guide and naturalist was exceptionally good at sharing information that
our whole group found fascinating. He took us on a nature hike that was labeled
by several in our group as “the best nature hike I’ve ever been on”, As our river guide he was the best possible combination of
kind encouragement, humorist, and, when called for, “comandante”, In short Kurt
made the trip!!!
(The others as well! All guides, cooks, support staff were wonderful). I’ll be
back!
Betsy Smith
Saluda
, N.C
July 9,
Pacuare 2 days
It was a
fantastic tour – well organized, well guided, fun, good food, nice people at
the lodge. Special mention to our guide, Jose who inspired
confidence + was lots of fun. The canopy tour was top class and the
guides very professional in this element as well.
The lodge
was most beautiful & well maintained, the dinner excellent. I have nothing
negative to say about the trip, which is high praise
given that I am a tour operator myself (see http://www.wildways.org) – we run
adventure tours in
Trinidad and Tobago
.
Wendy
Yawching
Port-of-Spain,
Trinidad
July 12,
Pacuare 2 days
We had a
great trip! Your staff and guides are very nice and care about making sure that
we all have a very good time! It was a great lodge with great meals and
facilities!
Judy Hall
Ontario
,
Canada
July 15,
14-day Package
Hi Grettel,
I wanted to
thank you for planning a lovely trip for Raphe and I. We thoroughly enjoyed our
week in your wonderful country and recommended it to all of our friends and
family. We will pass your name and organization along if any of them need help
in planning their vacations.
Thank you
for everything! The arrangements were perfect and we really enjoyed all of the
activities that were scheduled.
Take care,
Nancy and
Raphe Schwartz
July 16,
Pacuare 2 days
The trip
was phenomenal – a definite once in a lifetime experience. The guides and the
river were perfect, the lodge is gorgeous, and the food delicious. Thanks for a
great trip.
Erin
Barringer
Washington
,
DC
July 16,
Pacuare 2 days
I thought
it was excellent! Everything was so well organized and planned out. The food
was abundant and excellent. The cabins were beautiful. I would recommend this
tour to anybody planning to come to this beautiful country. Thank you very much
for your time and service to us. It was wonderful.
Kelly
Griffin
Natick
,
MA
July 24,
Pacuare 2 days
It was
wonderful! Wish it could have been longer! Thank you very much to
everyone...you made my time in
Costa Rica
a most incredible and memorable
experience. Can’t wait to come back!
Ciara
Leonard
Belfast
,
N. Ireland
July 27,
8-day Package
Der
Anamaria,
Our family
would like to say a hearty thank you to you too for your great job in helping
us see and experience wonderful beautiful
Costa Rica
. We so appreciated all of the
prompt service, the competent drivers, excellent places to stay and of course,
the destinations themselves.
We were
educated, thrilled and captivated by
Costa Rica
and its wonderful people. Thank you
for going above and beyond in your efforts to make our trip trouble free. Our
memories are priceless. Warm regards,
Elizabeth
Maring
August 4,
Pacuare 2 days
Dear
Aventuras Naturales:
The
overnight Pacuare rafting trip was great! My partner and I really enjoyed the
new honeymoon suite. Waking up to the sounds of all those birds was a rare treat.
The entire
trip was a success. The river was clear and beautiful, the guides were helpful
(and humorous!) and dinner was unexpectedly exquisite. My only complaint is
that your website does not really reflect the absolutely fantastic experience
of the overnight Pacuare trip. The time passed far too quickly. If we had
known, we definitely would have booked the three-day excursion so we could have
enjoyed another day at the Pacuare Lodge before continuing on down the river.
Next time,
I guess. Until then, keep up the excellent work!
Auriana
Koutnik
Journalist
Heredia
,
Costa Rica
Koutnik@racsa.co.cr
August 10,
Pacuare 2 days
Our guide
Arturo was excellent and gave a great ride. We were able to make our time and
explore. That was nice. The lodge was amazing...once, hopefully twice in a
lifetime. The food and happy hour was superb. There was always something to do.
The guides and equipment were both safe and reliable. I would recommend this
service to any who asks.
Gabriel
Kopp
Red Bluff,
CA
August 12,
Pacuare 2 days
Mario and
all of the staff for this part of our vacation were wonderful. Our family has
had a spectacular two days on the Pacuare, learning about the country, nature,
and the people. Thank you so much. Gracias.
Robin
Brickman
Williamstown. MA
August 13,
Pacuare 2 days
This trip hase gone beyond my expectations. I’m so glad I went with you guys
instead of ... .......... The professionalism of the
guides was extraordinary and the food was exceptional. But the greatest of all
was Pacuare Lodge – what a treat. I will definitely recommend this outfitter
any time!!
Courtney
Kopp
Red Bluff,
CA
August 14,
Pacuare 2 days
What a
wonderful and exhilarating experience from beginning to the end! It was a
pleasure to get to know all the guides and especially our raft guide Jose. What
a delightful person with so much knowledge about his job. He was pleasant,
funny, fun and very informative and professional. We enjoyed the food, the
working people along with our groups! We had a blast and will look forward to
doing this trip again. It was definitely an awesome adventure. Thank you.
Candy
Zamboni
Santa Barbara
,
CA
August 17,
Pacuare 2 days
I had the
most amazing time. I loved every aspect of the trip. The meals were
exceptional, the lodge was beautiful and the rafting was amazing. Than k you so
much for providing such a wonderful experience
Alicia
Blumenfeld
Farmington Hills
,
MI
August 18,
Pacuare 2 days
Could not have been happier with everything. Fantastic job. Would recommend to others and do it again myself. Mario, Luis Andres and
Fernando were great. Thank you
Jeff
Chandler
Washington
,
MI
August 24,
Pacuare 2 days
....if I’d woken up five minutes earlier, a snake may have fallen onto
my head before my first cup of coffee.
Buzz
McClain
Overnight
Success
In
Costa Rica
, a Class IV Hotel
The
Washington
Post
August 24,
Pacuare 2 days
This was my
first white water rafting trip. The guides were exceptional, both with their
knowledge and attitude. The lodge exceeded all expectations. The food and
accommodations were excellent. This trip was unquestionably the highlight of my
vacation in
Costa Rica
. Thank you very much.
Steve &
Eva Moon
Ottawa
,
Canada
September
6, Pacuare 2 days
I was
thoroughly impressed of the facilities. They were above my expectations. The
highlight of the trip was definitely the service. I have traveled to many
places and have to say that it was top of the line. Most of all
our tour guide was the best! Everyone on staff was wonderful and made
this adventure memorable. Thank you Jose and Aventuras Naturales
for an experience of a lifetime.
Didi
Mantecon
Miami Beach
,
FL
September
7, Pacuare 2 days
Excellent in all respects. Andres & Esteban were not only extremely competent
& professional, but they shared their extensive knowledge and had a great
sense of humor. The lodge was much nicer than I expected and the meals were
terrific. You have a quality staff and a quality product. Thank you!
Mel George
Columbia
,
MO
September
9, Pacuare 1 day
I’ve been
on two other raft trips, including the
Grand Canyon
– This river was the best!
