This is a really wonderful trip. The places I visited are really interesting. It combined the Caribbean site, the middle, the Northern side and the capital downtown of Costa Rica. The hotels are amazing with very nice view and excellent locations and services. The tour guides are professional.
We had a fabulous time in Costa Rica. The group got on so well together and we had the best guide, Glenda. We were extremely fortunate with our weather too. Although was the dry season, we were warned that we could expect rain at any time, particularly on the Caribbean side. We only had (biblical) showers at La Fortuna, but after we had had our tours. The wildlife was fantastic - we were lucky enough to see several quetzals and sloths and the bird life was abundant. Most of the hotels used were good but the Holiday Inn in San Jose was a little sub standard. The food was poor and the service in the bar very slow. We thought the Monteverde lodge was too close to the road as we could hear traffic at night. The service was rather surly there too. The lodge at Manuel Antonio was also close to the road and our room (very small) was right next to it so we were woken at 5am by traffic. The restaurant was very expensive too - much better to go into the town.
I have traveled to many countries before, mostly with the tour operator. I've been to at least 30 European countries, but this is definitely my new favourite destination and tour. To reach Colombia I had to undertake a few flights, this is the main reason why I choose this tour in the first place as it also includes Panama and Costa Rica - and make it worth the long return trip. Everybody was concerned when they heard I'm traveling to Colombia, but I felt save every single moment and I think Colombians are the most friendly and sincere people ever! The destinations on the Colombia part of the tour is stunning, and a perfect balance of cities, nature, food, drinks and attractions. Bogota walking tour was a surprize, so was Armenia coffee region. Medellin was unbelievable (I watched Narcos on Netflix before this!), but I so much enjoyed the destinations of St Marta and Cartagena on the Caribbean coast. There was even a resort stay on our own private beach with sunset dinner on the beach included! Panama City ... well a big city with all the things of a a big city. But, the Jungle is always just 10 minutes away and being from a engineering background, was fabulous to see so much of the famous Panama Canal! The included flight to Bocas del Toro was so fast and again, 2 full more days of Caribbean and plenty of Islands. And another private beach resort! The border crossing to Costa Rica was interesting - you have to walk across a bridge with your bags - followed by the drive up the coast and then to Arenal. The next 6 days is just pure overwhelming beautiful nature. I saw so many animals and wild life - including sloths! I can write so much more! But... just book the tour and see it yourself.