Panther Bob Posted July 13, 2005 #1 Share Posted July 13, 2005 Just returned from Puntarenas (Pride of Am) where we toured with Maurice. I can't say enought good things about him. There were 11 adults and two kids in our party. Maurice's cousin drove a new van with great A/C and lots of room. We walked through a rainforest national park on suspension bridges and trails ($30.00). Maurice works at the park and really knows his wildlife. Using his, very expensive, spotter scope we saw tucans, macaws, sloths, etc. He shared his binoculars with us too. We also took a boat down a river where we were saw many birds and crocs ($15.00). The boat driver will amaze you with his handling of a very large croc. Maurice bought us local beer and was always trying to find any wildlife so that we might all enjoy it too. We had time for shopping and REALLY enjoyed this young man. The tour cost $35.00 plus the canopy and river trips. We did three times as much at a 1/3 of the cost compared to the ship's tours. He can be reached at mauriciovp@hotmail.com If you have any questions, please contact me at bjsinger@verizon.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 14, 2005 #2 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Panther Bob So glad to hear that you, too, found Mauricio to be great. He did much the same for our group of 26 in April. Very reliable, knowlegeable and personable. Also, great value. Did he tell you about his beloved car? For anyone visiting Puntarenas and wanting to really see what Costa Rica is like, you can't go wrong with this young man. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Panther Bob Posted July 14, 2005 Author #3 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Cliff No, he didn't mentioned his car. He did say the his family was the most important thing in his life, his spotter scope ($3,000) was second, and his car third. I know he likes Dr. Pepper and collects baseball caps. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 14, 2005 #4 Share Posted July 14, 2005 Bob He has an El Camino which we heard all about while on the bus. I also managed to get several really good pictures on my digital through the eyepiece of his spotting scope. We all felt that we got more than our moneys worth on our day with Mauricio. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted July 21, 2005 #5 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Sounds like a great tour guide....would he do a party of 6??? and what was the driving time to the sites.....would it be more than 2 hrs each way...my wife does not want to sit in a van for that long of a period....or is it well worth the hrs watching out the windows...Ken in Canada....we will be down in late September to Puntarenas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 21, 2005 #6 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Ken His rate is $35 per person with minimum of $200.00. 6 would be a good size with lots of individual attention. Driving time from Puntarenas to the hotel where you pay for the suspension bridge walk was about an hour but we stopped for a while at the bridge over the Tarcoles River to see the crocodiles. You can leave the itinerary up to Mauricio with just a few guidelines as to things you really want to see or design the tour yourself and he will oblige. Although he did do our group, even though we got to 26 people, he does prefer smaller groups and using his own vehicle. You could probably go to 8 or even 10 and still get a great day. Let me know if I can give you any more info. If you code your e-mail address, I could forward some of our correspondence to you. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted July 22, 2005 #7 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Thanks...will give him a thought.....others in the group want to go zip lining...I think that could easily be part of the tour I think...in Puntarenas is there much to do .....or do you have to take a tour to see much...Ken in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 22, 2005 #8 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Ken 9 of our group went ziplining at the same place we walked the bridges. The rest of us went back to the Tarcoles for a cold beer at the gift shop then picked the 9 up before going back to the ship. Puntarenas doesn't have a whole lot to see but there are a lot of stall and shops along the shore near the pier. Some say the the shopping is better there than in Mexico. They sell some very nice woodwork - trays, bowls, etc. We brought back some coffee beans but found them to be a bit on the weak side. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted July 23, 2005 #9 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Thanks for all your info..the couples going with us are away right now but will share this with them.....it seems better than the one we were looking at for $70 each for 8 people....it included pick up at dock....AC van...drive to a hotel that has a zip line...lunch in the hotel....time for beach then drive back to boat....yours sound cheaper and more at ease...Ken and Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 23, 2005 #10 Share Posted July 23, 2005 Ken If you e-mail mauricio (see OP), it may take a couple of days to get a reply. He gets his mail somewhere other than at home. That said, I mailed him from our ship a couple of times and got replies right away (even though I indicated that no reply was necessary). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveS Posted July 25, 2005 #11 Share Posted July 25, 2005 We were on the tour with Bob an Joy. I agree Mo gives a great tour, well worth the price, which is much less than the ship charges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted July 27, 2005 #12 Share Posted July 27, 2005 Have not heard back yet....been three days but not worried....always have a back up plan......Ken and Judy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
c-to-sea Posted July 28, 2005 #13 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Ken e-mail in Costa Rica seems to be a bit of a problem at times. Have seen other threads about other operators in Limon with same problem. Just in case, here are some fone numbers for Mauricio from his business card: (506) 643 1716 (506) 259 0197 Celular: (506) 352 7697 (506) 826 7438 Best to try in the evening in case he is working. Cliff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted July 28, 2005 #14 Share Posted July 28, 2005 Still no reply....will email him again.....would like to go with him rather than the other company who want fifty percent of the money up front and costs more anyways.....Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted August 3, 2005 #15 Share Posted August 3, 2005 Still no reply...may forget him as do not really want to phone...Ken Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Kelownabccan Posted August 5, 2005 #16 Share Posted August 5, 2005 Finally heard back and he is available....thanks for the info...prob will book him as sounds really good...Ken in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeadBabe Posted March 7, 2009 #17 Share Posted March 7, 2009 Has anyone heard from or traveled with Mauricio recently? Would luv some feed back. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACURN Posted March 10, 2009 #18 Share Posted March 10, 2009 Has anyone heard from or traveled with Mauricio recently? Would luv some feed back. Thank you I tried to get in touch with him a while back when I was getting ready to book a tour. He didn't respond so I ended up booking with another tour operator named JJ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeadBabe Posted March 10, 2009 #19 Share Posted March 10, 2009 I tried to get in touch with him a while back when I was getting ready to book a tour. He didn't respond so I ended up booking with another tour operator named JJ. Thanks so much Debbie....I've not heard back from him either. Fortunately, we have a friend who is living part time in Costa Rica that is going to be there when we arrive. So we'll have a special escorted tour! I appreciate your feedback though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACURN Posted March 11, 2009 #20 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Thanks so much Debbie....I've not heard back from him either. Fortunately, we have a friend who is living part time in Costa Rica that is going to be there when we arrive. So we'll have a special escorted tour! I appreciate your feedback though! Thats the best way to go. Do you have any places in mind? From my research I have found that Montezuma Beach is great, but if you only have a day it's to far. Sarchi, a little arts and crafts town, the national parks, Ziplining (to scary for me, my stepsister died doing that there, fell out of harness) Things to buy Mola art Wood bowls and such Coffee - Cafe Britt, 1820, Rey, Triangle (brands) Vanilla - Vainol Enjoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BeadBabe Posted March 11, 2009 #21 Share Posted March 11, 2009 Thats the best way to go. Do you have any places in mind?From my research I have found that Montezuma Beach is great, but if you only have a day it's to far. Sarchi, a little arts and crafts town, the national parks, Ziplining (to scary for me, my stepsister died doing that there, fell out of harness) Things to buy Mola art Wood bowls and such Coffee - Cafe Britt, 1820, Rey, Triangle (brands) Vanilla - Vainol Enjoy Not sure, leaving it in his hands. Thanks for the shopping tips though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.