Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
“We take people to see the real side of Costa Rica,” Don says. These tours escort
guests through some of the small towns where they meet locals along the way and get a
taste for the countryside. The tour heads to an area called Los Campesinos, a picturesque
spot in the jungle where six waterfalls converge. Guests can swim and relax in the cool wa-
ter after negotiating a 400-foot suspension bridge. It's just the kind of place where Jimmy
Buffet's kids would have loved to swim “neckie.”
“The suspension bridge scares a lot of people but everybody does it,” Don says, “And
then we have a great lunch on the way back.” Vacation Buggy has taken nearly 4,000
people on tours since it began in 2011, 1800 of them in the last 12 months. “The jungle
tour is unique in that we only tour groups and families,” says Don. It allows them to get
an insider's view of Costa Rica. We drive through the palm plantation, through quaint little
towns, all the way to the top of the rainforest. Our park is not technically the rainforest —
we take people deep into the jungle.”
Vacationer, Susan Keller Kendall said, “We could not have had a better day. As our
8-year-old said, 'it was the best day of my life!' Thanks so much! Highly, highly recom-
mend this tour. It was amazing.”
MikeWattsfromTexasconcurs;“WetraveledwithourgoodfriendDontosomeamaz-
ingwaterfalls,spring-fedswimmingholesandgreathiking.Metsomelocals,enjoyedsome
casados (local plate lunch) and toured the expansive palm oil plantations where many cos-
metics originate. Another great day in Costa Rica.”
Jared and Nikki Hotaling from Endicott, New York are big fans. “Words cannot ex-
press how much we'll miss you! The Jungle Tour is definitely a must-do for anyone —
even our 22-month-old enjoyed it. Best Tour in Costa Rica.”
With the increase in tours, Don is keen to continue exploring the potential of the Va-
cation Buggy model. Although the ATVs are too technical to rent out, he's had inquiries
about franchising the business. In the meantime he has just purchased a new 'buggy' — a
seven-seater Jeep conversion, custom built by one of the largest US Limousine dealerships.
He plans to use it to offer a specialized beach tour to a spot down the coast. “It's a beautiful
open secluded beach. We're going to take beach chairs, umbrellas and a barbecue down
there and have a world-class, once-in-a-lifetime beach day.”
Vacation Buggy Tours fit all ages, and it is something Don and his team are proud of.
Our tour can accommodate anyone from young kids up to the grandparents. It's very flex-
ible,” he says. “It's exciting because you meet new people every day, and everybody is here
on vacation to have a good time. We hope our tours enrich their stay in Manuel Antonio.”
He and Sabrina love the region and are thrilled to be able to share it with visitors. “We truly
enjoy living in this environment, and who doesn't?” he says, gesturing at the lush rainforest
on every side. “With the monkeys and the birds…a whole jungle full of amazing creatures,
that's the cool thing. That's why we're here.”
