27 Apr 2024
This was well-organized and interesting. Well worth the price. Grebin was a thoughtful, respectful, intelligent guide who also was our driver.
We booked the day before and the email reservation response was quick. I sent an inquiry about hotel pickup, as ours wasn’t listed since it was in Alajuela. I received a response and also a follow up asking me to confirm. A link for the pickup location was sent. This was speedy. My husband and I took a taxi the 8 minutes to the pickup location and the guide was waiting. We drove to pick up The only other person on our tour. *Expect to make several pick up stops though and anticipate traffic. Patience is crucial. San Jose metropolitan area is so huge.
Grebin told us many interesting historical facts and some anecdotes on the way to the volcano, answering all our questions. He moved between English and Spanish seamless, as our other passenger was from Mexico. We stopped at the main crater and at the lower viewing area and got 30 minutes to walk around. Perfect.
Stopped at the basilica and he guided us, then allowed 10 minutes on our own. Met back at souvenir shop to browse and use toilet. We could not walk around inside the nave or up to the altar due to Mass but we did walk in and look around.
We had another stop at the Orosi viewpoint and drove down to the ruins. Again we had 10-15 minutes to wander on our own. Grebin asked if we wanted lunch before or after the gardens. We all agreed on lunch and the Casona de Cafetal was peaceful, as we ate on the outdoor patio on the edge of the lake. About an hour. The local Meal was much better than average ! Not fast food.
Our final stop at the gardens was amazing as Grebin gave us facts and led us around, also leaving some time for us to wander the orchids and Japanese garden ourselves.
Drop off was good. Due to heavy traffic, Grebin called another driver to meet us up drive the other passenger back.
Definitely recommend and we hope you get Grebin (Chewbacca)