Our concierge team is the best at what they do. They take care of everything from A to Z to make sure each and every client has the perfect vacation. Nancy, Harold, and Josue will work together with you in advance to craft your ideal trip. Once you arrive at the airport, everything is taken care of. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the adventure. We talked with them to find out what makes the perfect itinerary for a family vacation.
First Things First
So, you’ve just finalized your lodging with HRG, and you’ve got your flights booked to San Jose, Costa Rica. How do you plan your trip to Los Sueños? What are the first things that need to be sorted out? “Airport transfer, golf cart rentals, and boat trips,” says Nancy. As soon as we have your flight details, we will want to schedule a transfer. This way we know exactly how and when you’ll be arriving to Los Sueños. Most guests will book a private transfer in one of our vans, which have WiFi, air conditioning, and refreshments, and it takes about 90 minutes. Josue recommends stopping at the crocodile bridge on your way from the airport. You can grab a refreshment and check out these 20 foot living dinosaurs! Meanwhile, some guests might want to see the aerial view. Harold can gladly arrange for a helicopter to bring you from San Jose to Los Sueños in 25 minutes, and get some of the best views of Costa Rica. Nancy told us, “We can actually coordinate helicopter transfers pretty much anywhere. Some guests prefer to go to La Fortuna by helicopter, instead of doing the long drive.”
Next, you’ll want to book your golf cart rentals for the duration of your stay. Los Sueños is a beautiful community with everything you need within our gates. It is typical to rent a golf cart instead of a car, as it’s an easy way to get around the resort. Our concierge staff will gladly book the number of golf carts you desire. Lastly, we recommend booking your boat trips as soon as you can, even if your trip is months away. There are fishing boats ranging from 28’ for three people, to 52’ for ten people. These can book up far in advance, so it’s important to reserve your boats as soon as you can. We’ll plan the rest of your trip around those dates.
Don’t Miss These Tours
We asked our concierge what other activities they recommend, based on their experience and expertise. “Manuel Antonio is a must. It’s closed on Tuesdays, and it is best to avoid going on weekends, so we’ll plan a day to bring you there.” Nancy recommends combining Manuel Antonio with the monkey tour and stopping for lunch at El Avion, a unique restaurant built in a downed C-123 Fairchild cargo plane. These three activities make for a great day.
Another favorite day trip is the boat trip to Tortuga Island, an uninhabited, blue water and white sand island. “Our clients always have the best time on this tour. It’s a great day trip that includes so much for the price per person,” says Josue. Off-roading tours are also fun especially if you have teenagers or young adults in your party. We recommend at least 3 hours to really have a great experience, and drive a side-by-side rather than an ATV, as they are much safer.
Other combo deals we can coordinate for you are zip lining, horseback riding, canyoning, and mountain biking. Harold, Nancy, and Josue know all of the details, and they can work with you to figure out the best activities for you and your group.
The Vacation Expert’s Magic Touch
Aside from fitting in all of the can’t miss activities and reserving the best tours, what else does our concierge team recommend to make the perfect vacation? Grocery stocking and private chef services. “Our favorite way to help our guests feel completely relaxed on vacation is by coordinating a grocery pre stock and hiring a private chef for their first night,” they told us. Arriving at your villa or condo and having your refrigerator and pantry stocked with all of your favorite items is a luxurious feeling. No need to run to the store after a long day of travel. While having a private chef for breakfast or dinner during your stay is a great idea, we consider it essential for your first night. “Having a chef for the first night is always a cool idea so you can sit back and relax after a day of travel without having to leave the property for dinner,” says Nancy.
Concierge Extraordinaire
After excursions and culinary planning, our concierge can help with other services as well, like massages, private in-house yoga instructors, and professional child care. Each group is unique and we can offer suggestions to accommodate your specific needs and desires. The concierge team at HRG has a passion for their job and they spend every day working diligently to ensure our guests have the vacation of their dreams. We would be more than happy to work with you to create your bespoke itinerary.