Ditto Colibri's point. I remember Shell's review and determined that there must have been something going on that affected Modesto's demeanor at that particular time. He was terrific with us (and with others who recommended him), very outgoing, friendly, helpful, and amazing as a guide. Great sense of humor, also very professional. We, too, got to hear "the story". I wonder if they ever tire of telling it. Everyone wants to know all about him as his past is so interesting. Fran was such a lady, graceful, pleasant, and tons of fun when it came to outdistancing those taxis who were trying to set up roadblocks as part of a protest. I've never had so much fun as I did with them. I can't help but really blow their horn for them as I don't know how that experience could be topped.

That said, I know you'll have a great time with CRE. Like Modesto, they've been in business up there forever.

Rain: we went in mid-July and did have a little rain, but never enough to prevent one single thing that we were doing--not even enough to make anything unpleasant. No doubt, it could have been much worse, but thankfully, it wasn't. Good luck with that! You're planning for 2010, right?

Patty, we moved the dates of our trip to allow a few extra days into the nesting season hoping to increase our chances. Maybe it worked; we saw one turtle nesting, and that made me very happy! You should still be in luck late Sept. and early October--with both nesting turtles and hatchlings.

VG - I only have a second - but even with the "oddness" of our experience of Modesto as compared to others (the quietness and being stranded at the dock" We loved the Tortuguero part of our trip and I would have recommened them. For nothing more than the small numbers and price fo the value we received. We thoroughly loved Laguna Lodge, the size of our group as compared to others we saw and the amount of tours we received through canals seemed to be so much for the money. The lack of wildlife I don't know that could be blamed on Modesto - although he didn't seem to search it out. He was quite - but it was ok. And the being left at the dock was a big issue, but we worked around it. To be honest, if we ever went back, I'd probably go with them again~

We had very little rain, if at all it was at night or in the evening, we went the last couple days in July.

You'll have a great time, I'm sure though!

VG,

Although you are concerned about the tone of the e-mails you are receiving, I doubt if this is your guide! CRE is one of the top tour companies in CR and I hope that you've just gotten a bad apple in terms of the agent handling your trip.

That said, I know what you mean about the friendliness of most e-mails between Ticos. I'm currently working with Costa Rica Gateways to set up my visit to Rancho Naturalista and Savegre Lodge and they are so welcoming, thorough and friendly.

I think you guys are right - my agent is either very succinct or just not detail-oriented. I'm sure the guides and place are going to be wonderful. I'm used to very warm and friendly ticos, so I'll just try not to take this experience to mean anything. I really think we'll love Tortuguero; I e-mailed my guide asking about the trip to the park, and he said that we're not doing the Jungle Odyssey because we're getting picked up in Arenal. I have no idea why that would affect what we do once we get there or our going to the park. He has sort of made me feel that now that he has my money he doesn't want to answer questions.

Colibri, when are you going to Rancho?

By the way, Costa Rica Gateway used to be owned by the owners of Rancho. They sold it to Kevin Easley, an outstanding birding guide. He leads trips all over Central and South America. He is an Oklahoma guy, from Ardmore, and a Sooner fan. It was a great pleasure for us to meet him in December. Sonia, who works for him, handles Gateway beautifully. It's one of the better companies, IMHO.

Hey vgirl,

I had a similar experience with another outfitter's reservation agent: eager to please in the beginning, all but disappeared in the middle and rushed and borderline indifferent in the end. BUT their guide was excellent and since I spent most of my time with the guide anyway and didn't even meet the agent, I had a wonderful time on my tour with them.

Which company are you doing the Pacuare with?

Hey vgirl,

I had a similar experience with another outfitter's reservation agent: eager to please in the beginning, all but disappeared in the middle and rushed and borderline indifferent in the end. BUT their guide was excellent and since I spent most of my time with the guide anyway and didn't even meet the agent, I had a wonderful time on my tour with them.

Which company are you doing the Pacuare with?

VG - I know you are going to have a great time with CRE! Just don't let this bad experience with the agent turn you against Tortuguero. If the guides were like this particular agent, I think we would see numerous negative complaints on this forum - and we don't.

Shillmac - looks like I will be at Rancho sometime Nov. 16-19 range. I'm trying to coordinate it with Savegre and a stay at Earth University and Selva Bananito, so everything has to line up. Will I pass by your property on the way to Rancho? Should I prepare for total washout in November?

I've seen Kevin Easley's photos on the Rancho and Gateway websites - fantastic! And yes, Gateway is very easy to deal with - Sonia responds very quickly!

Yes, you sure will. We are just a short distance down from the hotel. When you come to the big bamboo stand on the left, you'll know you just passed us seconds before. It isn't so obvious as you go by. Hopefully you won't get much rain. They did have a considerable amount this past November, late, but I think that's not the norm. You're going to have a fantastic trip. I miss Savegre so much--haven't been since 2007.

Well, I'll look for a construction site with a gorgeous view and will know that is your place!

This'll be my first trip to both Rancho and Savegre, can't wait to see the hummers.

Okay, we hope there is at least a retaining wall up by that time. I am thinking of extending our time by 2-3 days so as to return to Rancho before we leave the country in case we get started this summer. Gotta do building permits, etc. We may need to extend just to get that accomplished. Airfare is cheap out of DFW (or at least cheaper than usual) through August, so we may have to make a 5 day run (or one of us) around the 15th. We are definitely flying by the seat of our pants right now. Again, you're gonna love it! The hummers there (both places) are fabulous.

vgirl -- Not sure if you are aware of this but it sounds like Tortuga Lodge is also not on the beach so they charge you a boat fee if you want to go to the beach. Just an FYI.

hip, I think you're right.

I thought I should update you guys; my rep is out of town, so I got contact info. for a different rep, and he's wonderful - very detail-oriented and helpful. Yay! Now I feel like I'm back on track!

Yeah! Hopefully he will stay out of town until all your plans are made and questions answered - enjoy!!

That's good news, VG. I bet you're relieved!

Thanks to everyone for all the help! :)

Tortuguero is wonderful! We have seen tons of wildlife. Tortuga Lodge is amazing, very BdC like. I highly recommend it. We got lucky and saw turtles! I'll give you all the details when we get back, but wanted to say thanks for all the help!

VG - so glad you love it! We saw much more wildlife there than anywhere else, but no turtles since it was wrong time of year. It was worth the hassle of dealing with the rude guy from CRE who wouldn't answer your questions, wasn't it? Keep enjoying the rest of your adventure!