In July I resolved that I would finally travel internationally after wanting to do so for years. I considered various ways to do the trip, and ultimately settled on going with the tour group, G Adventures. While making my decision I did countless Google and Reddit searches to find information on G and on the Costa Rica trip specifically. I'm writing this post to help any other people looking to possibly travel with G Adventures.
G Adventures offers several "travel styles," and the trip I took was a YOLO tour. I know, I know ... You can roll your eyes at the phrase, but don't pass judgement! YOLO tours are designed for young travelers between the ages of 18 and 39. Accommodations are pretty bare-bone to keep costs low. Activities are optional, also to keep down costs. I found this to be a great way to travel, as everyone on the trip was around the same age and like-minded, and I had the option to spend as much or as little as I wanted. I'll expand on this later.
The trip started in the capital, San José, then went to La Fortuna (famous for volcano and rain forests), then Montezuma (beach town), then ended back in San José. I got to: go rappelling, go zip-lining, go snorkeling, see the rain forest, swim in the ocean, see the biggest rainbow I've ever seen, drink really good coffee, see cool animals like monkeys and baby turtles, ride an ATV, eat some damn good sushi (yes, really), meet lots of cool people and just generally have an amazing time -- And that's just a super-brief overview.
When researching online, I found plenty of people who looked down on organized group travel, saying going with a group couldn't possibly compare to going on your own and having a truly "authentic" experience. However, I have zero regrets about my trip (except maybe not being able to stay longer) and none whatsoever about going with a tour group.
I decided to respond to some comments I came across on Reddit by an aforementioned organized-group-travel critic. The comments were on a thread that started with someone asking about G Adventures specifically.
"It's mostly the absolutely most stereotypical things, of which about half are outdated Lonely Planet recommendations that i personally would avoid."
Wrong. A worry of mine before the trip was that it would feel to "planned," but that turned out to not be a problem at all. The transportation between locations was planned, but once we were at our destination we could do basically whatever we wanted. Sure, our guide would recommend things to us; and usually the majority of the group decided to do the same thing. But if most of the group wanted to go zip-lining and one person wanted to go hiking, that could happen. If one person wanted to just go off and do their own thing all day, that was possible, too.
We went to places that are big tourist destinations -- San José, La Fortuna and Montezuma -- but I didn't feel my experience was overly touristy or inauthentic. Firstly, our guide was a lifelong resident of Costa Rica and gave us good recommendations about what to do and see (and how to stay safe). Secondly, those areas are tourist destinations FOR A REASON. They are beautiful and have a lot to offer.
"It's stupidly overpriced and in no way can compare to doing it yourself, cost wise. I can also afford to fly first class to Australia but I don't because it's not worth it."
I don't make a lot of money. If this trip were truly overpriced, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
"you miss out on pretty much all the fun impromptu trips by sticking to a schedule that only goes to the most hackneyed attractions."
OK, no. I'll refer back to what I said a couple paragraphs ago about aspects of the trip that were planned. The only parts of the trip that were set in stone were being at a bus at a certain time to make it to the next destination. And we did some impromptu activities -- like going to a hot springs after spending the day canyoneering.
I'd like to add that it was REALLY nice to be traveling with a tour group when Hurricane Otto hit. Thankfully, our group was lucky and Otto stayed north of us. We weren't really affected by it except for some rain. However, our guide had already arranged for us to stay in our Montezuma hotel for an extra day or two in case it was needed. If I had been traveling by myself, I'm sure I could have managed around the hurricane on my own. However I know I would have been WAY stressed and probably would've felt in over my head.
And now I'll take a minute to praise our tour guide, Mane. Having someone with us who knows the area well and speaks Spanish (and not the textbook Spanish I learned in high school) was INVALUABLE. He always had great recommendations about what do to and see, and how to stay safe.
If anyone from G Adventures corporate happens to be reading this, Mane deserves a raise! Seriously.
My conclusion: Would I recommend this trip? Yes. Did I have a positive experience with G Adventures? Yes. Did it seem too planned and overly touristy? No. Was it overpriced? No. Did I feel safe? Yes.
I'm still getting over my VERY REAL post-vacation blues!
If anyone has any questions about G Adventures, "Costa Rica on a Shoestring" or anything else, you can email me at annsmajstrla (at) gmail (dot) com.
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| Me hanging out by a waterfall in Costa Rica, as you do. |
G Adventures offers several "travel styles," and the trip I took was a YOLO tour. I know, I know ... You can roll your eyes at the phrase, but don't pass judgement! YOLO tours are designed for young travelers between the ages of 18 and 39. Accommodations are pretty bare-bone to keep costs low. Activities are optional, also to keep down costs. I found this to be a great way to travel, as everyone on the trip was around the same age and like-minded, and I had the option to spend as much or as little as I wanted. I'll expand on this later.
The trip started in the capital, San José, then went to La Fortuna (famous for volcano and rain forests), then Montezuma (beach town), then ended back in San José. I got to: go rappelling, go zip-lining, go snorkeling, see the rain forest, swim in the ocean, see the biggest rainbow I've ever seen, drink really good coffee, see cool animals like monkeys and baby turtles, ride an ATV, eat some damn good sushi (yes, really), meet lots of cool people and just generally have an amazing time -- And that's just a super-brief overview.
When researching online, I found plenty of people who looked down on organized group travel, saying going with a group couldn't possibly compare to going on your own and having a truly "authentic" experience. However, I have zero regrets about my trip (except maybe not being able to stay longer) and none whatsoever about going with a tour group.
I decided to respond to some comments I came across on Reddit by an aforementioned organized-group-travel critic. The comments were on a thread that started with someone asking about G Adventures specifically.
"It's mostly the absolutely most stereotypical things, of which about half are outdated Lonely Planet recommendations that i personally would avoid."
Wrong. A worry of mine before the trip was that it would feel to "planned," but that turned out to not be a problem at all. The transportation between locations was planned, but once we were at our destination we could do basically whatever we wanted. Sure, our guide would recommend things to us; and usually the majority of the group decided to do the same thing. But if most of the group wanted to go zip-lining and one person wanted to go hiking, that could happen. If one person wanted to just go off and do their own thing all day, that was possible, too.
We went to places that are big tourist destinations -- San José, La Fortuna and Montezuma -- but I didn't feel my experience was overly touristy or inauthentic. Firstly, our guide was a lifelong resident of Costa Rica and gave us good recommendations about what to do and see (and how to stay safe). Secondly, those areas are tourist destinations FOR A REASON. They are beautiful and have a lot to offer.
"It's stupidly overpriced and in no way can compare to doing it yourself, cost wise. I can also afford to fly first class to Australia but I don't because it's not worth it."
I don't make a lot of money. If this trip were truly overpriced, I wouldn't have been able to do it.
"you miss out on pretty much all the fun impromptu trips by sticking to a schedule that only goes to the most hackneyed attractions."
OK, no. I'll refer back to what I said a couple paragraphs ago about aspects of the trip that were planned. The only parts of the trip that were set in stone were being at a bus at a certain time to make it to the next destination. And we did some impromptu activities -- like going to a hot springs after spending the day canyoneering.
 |
| Arenal volcano, as seen from La Fortuna. |
I'd like to add that it was REALLY nice to be traveling with a tour group when Hurricane Otto hit. Thankfully, our group was lucky and Otto stayed north of us. We weren't really affected by it except for some rain. However, our guide had already arranged for us to stay in our Montezuma hotel for an extra day or two in case it was needed. If I had been traveling by myself, I'm sure I could have managed around the hurricane on my own. However I know I would have been WAY stressed and probably would've felt in over my head.
And now I'll take a minute to praise our tour guide, Mane. Having someone with us who knows the area well and speaks Spanish (and not the textbook Spanish I learned in high school) was INVALUABLE. He always had great recommendations about what do to and see, and how to stay safe.
If anyone from G Adventures corporate happens to be reading this, Mane deserves a raise! Seriously.
My conclusion: Would I recommend this trip? Yes. Did I have a positive experience with G Adventures? Yes. Did it seem too planned and overly touristy? No. Was it overpriced? No. Did I feel safe? Yes.
I'm still getting over my VERY REAL post-vacation blues!
If anyone has any questions about G Adventures, "Costa Rica on a Shoestring" or anything else, you can email me at annsmajstrla (at) gmail (dot) com.
