This was the 2nd Costa Rica trip that we have taken with Discover Garden Tours with Susan Mahr. We arrived early to enjoy the beautiful grounds of Hotel Bougainvillea (beginning and at end of tour.) We were delighted to join this tour since it covered areas of the country that we had not seen in the previous year. New highlights included a boat tour route up the canals to the isolated Evergreen Lodge for Tortuguero National Park. In addition, we viewed Arenal Volcano from Mistico Park Hanging Bridges and hiked through the canopy. A repeat highlight was going to the home of Ileana Teran who advocates for the protection of Costa Rican natural areas and especially for orchids! Through out the tour we were able to view all 3 types of monkeys, a pair of dolphins, sloths, numerous varieties of birds, and gorgeous orchid and tropical plants and trees. Both Susan and our naturalist guide Margherita have a tremendous knowlege base that inspires!

This trip was a bucket list trip for me. The trip, with guides Susan Mahr and Margherita, and driver Luis, did not disappoint. I learned a lot on the trip, about traveling as a senior with other seniors, as well as lots of information about the beautiful country of Costa Rica. The expertise in the travel experience that Susan, Margherita, as well as the very adept assistance by tour owners Ray and Wendy provided were all top notch. As a preface, I have not traveled alone since the 1970’s, when I was young, more carefree and less careful. My normal travel partner, who does all the planning for our two week annual road trips and other trips we take (minus the food planning, which I do), did not want to go on a garden tour, and does not do well with early morning departures, since he likes to sleep till 9 or 10 am. So this year, I came on the CR trip with a new travel companion, with much less experience than either my regular travel partner and even myself. With Ray and Wendy’s guidance, I was able to secure the BEST flight arrangements. Believe me, Wendy is a pro. I kept checking on available flight options to the day of travel, and there was nothing better than Wendy suggested. I followed all the wonderful instructions and fact sheets that Ray, Wendy and Susan sent out prior to the trip, and was very well prepared for arrival in CR. It didn’t hurt that Susan found me and my travel companion in Chicago airport and was able to guide us once we reached the CR airport, for which I was also very grateful. What we were not prepared for was the family emergency that my travel companion had come up on the first day in Costa Rica. She had to go home. I had no idea how to orchestrate that. Again, Susan, Ray and Wendy came to the rescue, saving both my own trip and travel plan, while routing my companion on a flight back to Wisconsin. Susan had half an hour to get all the arrangements made at Bougainvillea before the group had to leave for the first destination at 6:30 am. No one was delayed, our tour left on schedule, and my companion made it back home without incident. I can’t express adequately on paper how grateful I am for the calm and expert guidance all tour folks displayed during that difficult time. They are all AWESOME, and I have nothing but thanks for all they did. The partnership and expertise between Susan and Margherita to provide a full picture of the flora, fauna and country of Costa Rica itself was the best we could ever hope for. I can’t imagine anyone or any tour that could come close (though admittedly I have not been on a guided tour since high school before this trip). Luis was the greatest driver as well. I never once felt like we would be in any danger, of any kind. They kept us off the tourist beat and path, which I really appreciated, as that is how my regular partner and I always like to travel. As one of my friends said when I showed her the itinerary, this tour was not the typical two-bit CR tour. That’s another reason I would ONLY consider a tour with Susan as a guide. I’ve decided that if and when I do go on another guided tour, it will be with Susan Mahr, no one else. She is the best. I never felt uncomfortable even though I was all of a sudden left without my companion. Everyone was so gracious, friendly and helpful. The tour stops we made at the four locations we stayed at were diverse, and the lodging and food choices kept me comfortable and very well fed. Some may think that the food was too much, but not me. I enjoyed every bit of it! It was healthy, hearty and sustaining. I would have stayed another day, maybe a week, at Arenal. We didn’t get to really check out all the facility had to offer, and I didn’t have time to use the wonderful pool because I was too tired, the schedule was packed, but it was all great! I loved the indigenous garden stop a lot. Definitely not a normal tourist CR tour stop, but even my regular travel partner would have loved that part of the tour. The gardens we visited were diverse, and it was all so interesting. The garden we visited at a local’s home in San Jose was a treat that most do not get, nor that view of San Jose from her home. I learned so much, and again, am SOOO grateful! Thanks to all who organized this trip, to the tour leader, guide and driver. You are the best of the best! My deepest thanks. Lisa Seifert

Hi Susan and Ray, This was the perfect tour for Gary and I. I love plants and Gary loves birds and we got to see so many varieties of both. We liked all the experiences you had planned for us during the tour. The highlights were the Torturguero boat trip for both of us and I especially enjoyed the privileged welcome and tour of Ileana Teran's beautiful home and landscaped gardens. She was such a gracious hostess to offer a tour of home and greenhouses. She's such a dedicated supporter of growing the Costa Rican state orchid and to provide dinner for us was very special! Being in four totally different areas of the country was so interesting! From sea level jungle to the cloud forests, we enjoyed seeing the varied scenery of Costa Rica. Each place we stayed was so unique and beautiful. The Arenal Volcano Observatory was a place that I wish we could have had more time to explore. It was also so enlightening to learn about individuals who are trying to save Costa Rica's biodiversity and indigenous culture. There were a few things that could have been improved. Communication between guides and participants could have been better especially at the Evergreen Lodge. Having no phones in the rooms made me a little nervous as my cell phone was not working either. It caused my friend, Carole, to miss the boat tour and I was thankful that Susan was able to arrange a separate tour for her. At the Villa Blanca, transportation from Reception to our villas would have been welcomed. We joked that we were going to get them a golf cart to transport us to and from Reception. Susan could have spelled Margherita a bit on the long bus rides. She was loosing her voice and it made it difficult to understand her at times. We enjoyed all parts of the tour and would highly recommend it to our friends. Warmly, Barb and Gary Henkelmann

We had a wonderful time on the trip. Our guide, Margarita, and tour leader, Susan, were energetic and so knowledgeable about just about every plant and animal we encountered. The accommodations were great, and oh so much food... The day trips were very informative about the people of Costa Rica, highlighting real people making a difference. Thanks Discover Garden Tours for a great time.

This was a awesome trip! Susan and Margarita were an excellent pair and it would be great to have another trip to Costa Rica with both of them...maybe a trip to the Osa peninsula? The food was amazing, the fruit juices and fresh fruit were soooo sweet. What a treat for the tastebuds. Although there were two days in which we had 4 meals....we could have skipped the lunch on those days since food was provided at 2 of the stops. The accommodations were also wonderful. I think most everyone would have liked more time at the Arenal Observatory lodge....one more day would have been nice. We also had a wonderful driver, and he dealt with the flat tire like a champ. Thanks for putting together such a great itinerary....we saw some pretty amazing things and met such wonderful people. What a great place to visit. :-)