Touristik
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2.0
2.0 of 5 bubbles10 reviews
Excellent
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Terrible
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Dovile R
Vilnius, Lithuania2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2017 • Friends
Me and my 3 friends took a 1 day tour to Arenal volcano and La Fortuna hot springs with TOURISTIK last week.

We arrived before 6 am to National Theater in San Jose as pre-agreed and paid for the tour. Only after we paid guide informed us that they are joining 2 tours together and before going to Arenal volcano, we are going to take tour to Rio Celeste and that we are going to have to pay for entrance additional 12 usd. We agreed not knowing that journey to Rio Celeste will take 4.5 hours (!). After we finally arrived, we were asked to pay entrance fee of 12 usd in cash (the other option was to stay in the bus for 3 hours and wait). After we told guide that we do not have any cash (he asked at least twice), he was frustrated and took us to the main ticket counter, so that we could pay with the card. Guide (who could barely speak any English) told us that hike to Rio Celeste (which we, of course, were not prepared for) will take 1 to 1.5 hours and it took more than 2. NOBODY told us that the path to waterfall is closed halfway. You can barely see it through the trees. The only worth to see part was blue lagoon. After we finally came back to starting point, everyone had lunch and we were asked to pay for the lunch, because, again, it was not included on our tour.

We left for volcano only at 1:30 pm and it took more than 2 hours to go there. We barely made it to the park, because it closes at 4 pm and there was a sign, that last entrance is at 2:30 pm. So, we left for our originally booked tour at 6 am and only got there at almost 4 pm. We had to rush through the trail to see volcano, because sun was already going down and the best part - guide got lost! It was as if it was first time for him as well! I asked him that, as he seemed very confused and did not know, which path to take. He, of course, took the wrong way first, I saw that on my GPS app and decided to go the other way. We reached the eruption site and he joined us like 10 minutes later. Also, he was telling something to other guest in Spanish and he never translated it to English. His "friend" as he introduced himself and bus driver were the only people who could speak any English.

So, after that run through the volcano trail, we were promised to go to hot springs. I am sorry, but you can not call that hot springs! It was already getting really dark and they stopped by the bridge and told us to go under and "Enjoy". There was no place to change, where to put our belongings or how to get into the pools, because of concrete cascades. Maybe we were supposed to jump from the bridge?

At the end of the day we were very frustrated and hungry like crazy (and dirty from hiking to Rio Celeste). Thank god, bus driver (very polite gentlemen) agreed to stop by one of the supermarkets and we could buy some snacks.

We came back to San Jose at 9 p.m.

The next day I wrote an e-mail asking for a refund. Of course, they declined and told us that the other guests were "very pleased" with the trip. Maybe it's because most of them booked a tour to Rio Celeste and got additional tour to Arenal volcano for free?
Written 8 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

msnatashalr
Florida4 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Friends
You should absolutely tour with Touristik! Their service is one of a kind. We paid for the day trip to Rio Celeste from San Jose. We were picked up promptly and driven safely to our next locations. The price included breakfast at a very nice little spot along the way and a lunch after your hike. Both were yummy. Dont make the same mistake I made however. I didnt eat as much of the breakfast as I needed to before the hike which is pretty strenuous. I also didnt drink as much since we were on the bus for a while and I didnt want to have to stop for a restroom break. BIG MISTAKE. I got physically ill for a second but ate some things I brought along and was back into the swing of things. Rio Celeste was absolutely gorgeous and our guides were excellent in showing us the way. I highly recommend Touristik if you would like to get value and great customer service.
Written 30 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thanks a lot sir. Rio Celeste is one of the most popular park in Costa Rica and we appreacite your comment.
Written 4 July 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

TOURISTIK (San Jose) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go