Worth every penny - Our tour guide Alex, was so welcoming and interested in us having a good time; that this was easily the best activity I’ve ever been on. He was friendly, welcoming, funny and inviting to his culture that I could not have had any other opportunity to experience. He was not only knowledgeable about the flora and fauna of the river cruise, but made stops to and from pointing out native things that people have used or been accustomed to ready to go. Like natural plant remedies, where to find animals in their native habitat without disturbing them. Knew of local restaurants for native dishes. He even waited for us without a time limit or complaint for souvenirs and taking part on local customs like processing sugar canes.

Excellent again. - For the second consecutive year, after such a good experience in 2022, we opted to book our tours with Alex on the Beach, at the Monkey Bar (where we went often!). Our first tour was a river boat cruise along the River Tempisque, in the Palo Verde National Park. Our guides for this tour were Alejandra (the driver) and Daniel, who were both superb; genuinely enthusiastic, and extremely knowledgeable about wildlife, and Costa Rica in general. We saw crocodiles, monkeys, iguanas, ospreys (Alejandra managed to video one in flight with a fish), herons, fish, bats, and numerous other birds. Excellent experience! We then went to the rainforest, at Spring Paradise Bijagua, where our guide was David. He was again extremely enthusiastic about his job, and amazing at spotting well concealed and camouflaged wildlife! Though it rained heavily for part of the time that we were there, it did not spoil the experience; we bought a couple of ponchos! We saw tree vipers, red eyed tree frogs, poison dart frogs, sloths, hummingbirds, and various other birds. David even took photographs with my 'phone for us, using his binoculars as a telephoto lens! Again, thanks David! We then went to see a chocolate and coffee plantation, and saw the process from tree/plant, to end product, which we sampled. We initially thought that this would be boring, but it was the exact opposite! There were various other plants to see, including bananas. The second tour that we booked was a private (as the "booze cruise" isn't for us!) sunset cruise in the Gulf of Papagayo. The boat was crewed by Michael and "B", and we were again accompanied by Alejandra. We were picked up on the beach outside our hotel (the Riu Palace Guanacaste) at 3.00pm. We toured around "Monkey Island", various beaches, where we saw racoons/coatis, and stopped for my wife to do some snorkelling. We also had dolphins swimming alongside the boat, so close that we could have touched them. "B" also rigged a fishing rod up to let me catch my first Spanish Mackerel! We were supplied with soft drinks, beer, and fresh pineapple. The sunset on the way back to the hotel was spectacular. We would not hesitate to recommend Alex on the Beach for your tours if you are staying in the area. Thanks again to our guides, Alejandra, Daniel (many thanks for the books!), David, Michael, and "B", and to Alex for arranging it all. See you next year hopefully! Robert (Ian) and Denise.

Great day with Alex in Liberia - Such an amazing trip - we spent the day with Alex and he took us all around Guanacaste. He is very friendly and knowledgeable. He did a great job of explaining the culture, the geography and the wildlife we saw along the way. The day we spent with him was the best part of the trip!

Geno (Hino) - Gino (Hino) was an excellent pairing for my husband and I and our our couple friends. He provided excellent information on Costa Rica, the environment and anything we asked him. On the way to the river tour, he went out of his way to take us to a beautiful waterfall. On our way to the sloth sanctuary, he called ahead to make sure we were lead by a knowledgeable staff member (Fatima was amazing and took the most killer pictures). Lastly, we toured the rainforest and looked for toucans. Gino was never in a rush and was always concerned about showing us the best time. His enthusiasm and humor was contagious! He was always asking if we wanted a picture and knew where the nest places to take pictures were (he took an amazing pano of us next to a 600 year old tree; see attached) If anyone comes to Guanacaste and plans to do a day excursion, request this guy - you won't regret it!

Jesus the Super Star!! - We were so LUCKY to meet Jesus, from Alex on the Beach! Jesus made our vacation out of this world. He was so easy to work with and spoke great English. He took us anywhere, everywhere and then some! He took care of everything. As a traveler in a foreign country he was a godsend. He was able to translate for us when needed and inform our large group of all of the aspects that make Costa Rica what it is. I have limited mobility, and Jesus was at my side through it all making sure I could see it all. He did this even on his own personal time! I will forever be great full to him. Now back in the States, I still keep in contact with him. I can not wait to return to Costa Rica, and meet up with him again. He truly will make your entire vacation a dream. He has access to anything and everything you are hoping to do and see there, and is widely known in their travel industry, which in itself is a big bonus as you will receive star treatment, without the cost! Jesus from Alex on the Beach is an ABSOLUTE MUST when traveling in Costa Rica!!

Wonderful tours thru Alex on the Beach - First day at the Andaz in the Papagayo region and young man named Ever came up to us to tell us he could help us with anything we wanted. He became our man, we are a group of 6 and he put together great tours for us and was just lovely and attentive He chartered us a boat for fishing and our husbands caught 3 large delicious tuna's. The trip was a highlight of our trip. He took us to the Palo Verde Safari Park for a private boat ride (trip was amazing, highly recommend), to dinner in Coco Beach, a driver to the Arenal area where we were staying and a trip back to the airport. I would highly recommend them, they made our vacation memorable and quite easy. His prices were quite reasonable compared to the hotel. Thank you Ever!!!

Best vacation ever! - I traveled to Costa Rica with my 13 year old son. I booked transportation and 2 tours with Sergio. He was so attentive, fast to respond to my 30 million emails and went above and beyond. They are more than tour guides they treat you like family. Mike B was awesome on the ATV's! We will definitely be back and use Alex on the beach.

A relaxing and interesting river trip - Fernando worked with us on our time since getting there on time was problematic. We probably chose a less than optimal time to go since it was September and not winter in the north when many birds migrate south, but we saw some monkeys, iguanas, crocodiles, and a few birds. The trip is an interesting introduction to wildlife in Guanacaste, and we found the typical lunch very tasty. Fernando is a knowledgeable guide.

ALEX ON THE BEACH - SHOULD BE CALLED CON-MEN ON THE BEACH - We have just returned from Riu Grancastle where we booked a trip with Alex. The Rep made numerous promises about what would be included and we were advised we needed to leave early (7.30am) to get to the river to ensure we saw all the wildlife. We got to the River about Noon. This was after stopping off at a waterfall that was promised late afternoon so we could cool down after the boat trip. The waterfall was a waste of time as you could not walk underneath it nor swim (as promised) because the water was too shallow. Other travellers on our coach had been promised different things, coffee plantation, craft fair and a sea-boat trip back from Coco beach. None of these were included and people were very angry. We were also advised that a cool box with water, soft drinks would be supplied in the bus. But despite there being a cool box, no ice or drinks were included. Whilst the River Trip was really good, this could have been enjoyed in less than a half-day trip. We were informed the river was just over an hour away from Hotel and waterfall 15-mins extra distance. Whereas we spent NINE-hours away from the Hotel for a 2-hour boat ride! Most of the time on a cramped mini bus. Obviously 12-people wanted to compain and seek refunds.Funnily enough we did not see 'Alex' on the beach for the next 4-days after our return to convey the complaints that we had been CONNED and to seek compensation!!

WARNING!!! Bad reviews offer More Insight - I am not writing this review to seek revenge but more to tell everyone of Our experience and what effect it had on My Family. When we were approached from one of the typical salespeople you run into at a resort Athens #1 draw to this company was of Course the Trip Advisor badge. We attempted to make a reservation but it was late in the day So we attempted it early in the morning but the time was also to late. So in the afternoon of the same day we made a reservation for the following day and in text confirmation I asked to confirm the pricing and any exceptions. I received back a text confirmation of $100 per adult and children from the edge of 12 or more were charged as adults. I confirmed back that there would be 3 adults and my daughter if 11 years old so I confirmed the amount of $300. Now, in fairness I didn’t not receive a confirmation of my math but clearly it was spelled out in black & white. The family was excited to be going out for the trip. Pickup was at 7:30 am They arrived promptly and we were loaded into their vehicle. At the time I wondered when they would ask for payment as once we leave the Hotel their is no signal until we come back into an area of WiFi. We enjoyed a conversation as we drove the 20 minutes out to the main highway. That is when the question came up, How would you like to pay for this Trip? I offered my credit card, and at that time I was told “We prefer cash” I asked why they did not mention this while we were at the hotel where I would have been able to accommodate them but I would check to see how much I have. Lucky for all of us, I had $340, so I offered the $300 that I had confirmed and was asked “Hiw much is this?” I said it is the $300 I was told. 3 adults $100 and children 12 or more also $100 but my daughter is only 11. No, it is $400. I said that I have a text from Alex that it is $300. No, it doesn’t say children are free!!! Well from there it went straight down hill. I tried to show the guide the text and he wasn’t interested. He wasn’t interested in anything I had to say. I asked him why he waited until we were 20 minutes from the hotel to ask me for payment, especially if he wanted to be paid in cash. He had no response. I felt this was a bad situation only getting worse so I made the decision to return to the hotel and not take any chances. There wasn’t any conversation on the 20 minute drive back. Of course now, I am the one in the dog house! My daughter took to the Internet and is very bright. She went to Trip Advisor and read all the bad reviews instead of the good ones. As it is written, their are many others who have had similar experiences. I am asking you to do yourself a favor and read the bad reviews first in the future and decide how bad they are. If I would have done that I would have never made a reservation with this company and I think trip advisor should reconsider a membership based the bad reviews va the good ones. Be Safe