Puntarenas Tour with Maurice Vazquez

[Panther Bob]

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

[c-to-sea]

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

[Panther Bob]

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

[c-to-sea]

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

[Kelownabccan]

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

[c-to-sea]

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

[Kelownabccan]

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

[c-to-sea]

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

[Kelownabccan]

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

[c-to-sea]

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).

[SteveS]

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.

[Kelownabccan]

Have not heard back yet....been three days but not worried....always have a back up plan......Ken and Judy

[c-to-sea]

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

[Kelownabccan]

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

[Kelownabccan]

Still no reply...may forget him as do not really want to phone...Ken

[Kelownabccan]

Finally heard back and he is available....thanks for the info...prob will book him as sounds really good...Ken in Canada

[BeadBabe]

Has anyone heard from or traveled with Mauricio recently? Would luv some feed back.

 

Thank you

[PACURN]

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.

[BeadBabe]

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!

[PACURN]

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

[BeadBabe]

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!