costa rica roots & culture — Local services in La Fortuna

Our family trip to Costa Rica was nothing short of magical, and it was all thanks to the incredible warmth and hospitality of Walter and his son Esteban. They are a local family business. Truly the best and the real deal!!

From the moment we met Walter, his passion for the land and its culture shone through. He took us on a private hike to the volcano, and despite our kids not being big hikers, he made the experience truly enjoyable. His ability to engage our daughter, who’s just six, and our nine-year-old son was remarkable. They laughed and learned, and we all felt a special bond forming as we explored together. The lunch at a local restaurant afterwards was the cherry on top.

The next day was just as special. When we set out for the safari float, our kids were so excited to see Walter again that they gave him the biggest hug!!! Esteban guided us along the river, while Walter took care of lunch. As we floated, we were surrounded by stunning wildlife—monkeys, crocodiles and birds, It felt surreal. Halfway through, Esteban cut up fresh pineapples, mangoes, and watermelon, and shared stories with us about the land and people which just deepened our connection.

Afterwards, we had lunch at a local hime which was a heartwarming experience. We even got to taste real cocoa beans and enjoy homemade ice cream, which made us feel like we belonged there. On our way back to the hotel, we got to see a sloth, a perfect ending to a day filled with joy.

Words can hardly capture how profound this experience was for us. When asked about their favorite part of the trip, our kids don’t hesitate: “Walter and Esteban!” It’s clear that the relationships we formed were the highlight. They weren’t just our guides; they became part of our family. No other tour could ever compare to the love and connection we felt. This trip left a lasting imprint on our hearts, and we will...

When we travel, we try to support smaller family businesses when we can. We were very pleased to have Costa Rica Roots and Culture provide us with a tour and cooking class on our recent trip to Costa Rica. Estephan (the son) helped me to make all the arrangements in advance. Andy, (the other son), took us on wonderful early morning floating safari down an area river. It was quiet and peaceful, and with his assistance, we saw many new creatures we not yet seen. We enjoyed a beautiful fruit buffet at the take-out landing. In the evening, Walter, (the dad) and his wife provided us a lovely cooking class and meal at their home outside of La Fortuna. We made ceviche, empanadas, chicken and rice, and fried plantain chips. The day we spent with them was one of the most enjoyable days of our trip, and the opportunity to have an authentic Costa Rica experience, far from the tourist venues, was memorable. The communication with everyone was great-- always prompt and responsive. They provided transportation for us, which was great because we were not traveling with a car. I highly recommend Costa Rica Roots and Culture if you are visiting the Arenal/La Fortuna area. They will happily customize a trip to...

We had a great time on this white water rafting trip. We had a group with children from 9 to 17 and they placed people into appropriate boats and then tailored the ride to the people in the boat. More moderate for the younger kids and more aggressive for the teenagers. Everybody had a really good time.

While the highlight of the trip was the rapids, we stopped several times to check out wildlife, including: Toucan, Sloth, Iguanas, and a variety of birds. We also stopped half way though for a quick snack of watermelon, cantaloupe, and pineapple. Tasty!

We ended the day with a lunch back in town that was good with a choice of fish, beef, or vegetarian. Throughout the process our guides, Carlos Gonzalez and Elvis, were great and took...